WILSON — Renovation of the former Wilson Czech Opera House into an open air amphitheater is planned to be complete and the interior fence removed by May 2024.

That was the news Opera House President Allison Ford gave the Wilson City Council Monday during an update on the structure.

Ford said she hopes to tell the story of the Opera House to those taking part in the Great Kansas Road Trip, which is May 2-5.

She said masonry work was recently completed by Blue Stem Quarry and Stoneworks.

“They did a very nice job,” Ford said.

According to Ford, only one project remains when it comes to the restoration — the steel bracing.

She said the cost estimate for the bracing has come in at $295,000. However, the Wilson Czech Opera House Corporation received a $100,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce as well as $100,000 in in-kind donations and another $30,000 available from the sale of bricks.

“So we need $62,000,” Ford said, noting that sum is “doable.”

Ford said brick sales will continue until May 2024.

“We always take donations and we’re always writing grants,” she said.

In other business:

• Charlene Zelenka was approved as a new member of the Wilson City Board of Health.

• The Kansas Department of Transportation fiscal year 2025 public transportation operating expense grant was approved. Wilson City Clerk Susan Kriley said the annual $10,500 grant is a 70/30 matching grant, with the city responsible for the 30 percent match.

• Kriley reminded the council that at a prior city council meeting, she said there are two funds which the city has to amend its 2023 budget for due to changes made in those funds. The first is the diversion fund because more money was spent from that fund than normal. The second is the water fund because of increased income due to an increase in water rates. Approval was given to conduct a public budget hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at city hall.

• Ordinance 882 was approved, updating utility guidelines. That ordinance also repeals the current Ordinance 579, which had been in effect since 1979.

• Approval was given to spend an additional $200 for the printing of Wilson City brochures by Robinson Printing. It was noted that the city already paid $600 to have the brochures printed. However, changes were made to the brochure after printing had started and additional brochures had to be made.

• City Superintendent Joe Soukup said a grease inspection was completed for all Wilson restaurants and one business had a faulty grease trap. Joe said he is working with that business to rectify the situation so grease doesn’t clog up the lines.

• Burn pile hours were approved for 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays only, year-round.

• The purchase of three sets of bunker gear from Wise Fire and Equipment for the Wilson Fire Department were approved at a cost of $9,881.85. The department will use a $6,587.90 grant to pay for a portion of the cost, with the remainder taken out of the equipment fund.

Also approved was the purchase of two nozzles from Wise at a cost of $554.

The next meeting of the Wilson City Council will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at city hall.