WILSON — Wilson City Superintendent Joe Soukup had bad news for those in Wilson seeking relief from hot, dry temperatures by visiting the PRIDE Spray Park — the park is closed due to a mechanical issue.

At Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council, Soukup said the city crew had worked on the problem all day but was unsuccessful in finding the solution. Soukup plans to call in an electrician to investigate the problem.

“We have no idea when it will be back up and running,” he said.

In other business:

• During the public forum portion of the meeting, David Criswell, developer of Mountains on the Prairie and Kansas Mountain Goats, read several letters in support of his effort to get permission from the council to have no more than 15 adult Nigerian Dwarf goats and no more than a total of 45 goats in a fenced-in area at 720 26th St. in Wilson.

“We understand the concerns people have of not wanting farm animals in the middle of town,” one person wrote. “We feel there should be modifications to larger plots of land that could easily accommodate these unique animals without harm to the community or the animals.”

“I want to let you know that I think it is a great idea and wonderful for tourism,” another person wrote.

“This piece of ground has been neglected for 40 years, and now that someone wants to do something with it, the council is blocking it,” another person wrote.

No comments or decisions were made by the council at the end of the presentation.

• After a public hearing led by Keegan Bailey of the North Central Regional Planning Commission in Beloit, the council approved closing out the 2023 Kansas Department of Commerce Housing and Rehabilitation and Demolition Grant. Bailey noted there were two rehabilitations and five demolitions of homes done in Wilson under the grant, and that $124,013 of the $300,000 total amount was spent. The remaining grant funds will not be issued.

• Consensus of the council as requested by the Wilson Transient Guest Tax Committee for getting bids to print a Walk of Memories brochure and three to four historical plaques appeared to have been reached as Mayor Mike Peschka, as well as the council, voiced support. Bids will be sought and brought back to the council’s July 3 meeting.

• Bills in the amount of $30,141.50 were approved for payment,as was payroll in the amount of $13,137.75.

• Peschka said Council President Dan Taylor has been working on an update of the city’s inoperable vehicle ordinances. Peschka said he wished to wait until the entire council was in attendance to discuss the possible changes since council members Darcy Hubka-Vopat and Jeff Keith were absent.

• Approval was given to the final payment request from the North Central Regional Planning Commission on the housing rehab and demo grant. The request was in the amount of $6,183 and will be paid upon receipt of the funds from the state.

• Approval was given to a request by City Clerk Susan Kriley to purchase three boxes of pre-stamped business envelopes from the U.S. Postal Service (one with a window and two with no window). Cost is $1,147.35.

• Approval was given to the annual gathering of the Wilson Fire Department July 3 at Jellison Park, and well as a wavier of the alcohol restriction at the park, as long as plastic cups are used.

• Approval was given to have Motorola reprogram eight handheld radios for the Wilson Fire Department at a cost of $1,800, including batteries and charging.

The next meeting of the Wilson City Council will be at 6 p.m. Monday, July 3, at city hall.