WILSON — Christmas cheer came early for full and part-time employees of the City of Wilson. At Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council, Christmas gift certificates were approved as follows:

• Part-time employees — Trey Fink, $25; Jan Shaw, $25; Bob Powers, $25; Steve Ford, $25; Jonathan Lawrence, $50; Janiece Kornmeyer, $50; Cathy Smith, $50; Darrell Thrasher, $50.

• Full-time employees — Joshua Tipton, $100; Ted Soukup, through August, 2019, $50; Susan Kriley, $100; Martin Prester, $100; Don Browning, $100.

• Theresa Staudinger, city attorney, $100.

Also approved was the city paying the employee’s share of the Medicare and Social Security on the $100 gift certificates.

In other business:

• Approval was given to a recommendation by council member Gary Everett to revise the ordinance which deals with sewer transfers to raise the percentage from 37 percent to 42 percent. That would give the city an extra $500 per month to pay for the proposed construction at the city sewer lagoon. Kriley said this will not change the rate charge to patrons since sewer rates have already been increased.

• After a 10 minute executive session to discuss matters related to non-elected personnel, the council tabled a decision on the cost of living/wage evaluation for city employees until the Dec. 16 meeting so more information can be gathered.

• Approval was given to use the city credit card to purchase two boxes of window envelopes and one box of regular envelopes for the city clerk’s office at a cost of $987.89.

• Police chief Tipton said the Wilson Police Department participated in the Special Traffic Enforcement Program during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. During that time, the WPD made four traffic stops for individuals not wearing seat belts. These individuals were given verbal warnings. No citations were issued.

He said the police department has received a $1,000 donation from Midwest Energy which will be placed in the special police fund. The funds will be used for future equipment purchases and upgrades.

Tipton said the emergency planning committee has decided to sell emergency kits beginning in January. He is working with a company called Ready America on the items to be placed in these backpack kits.

• Council member Chuck Crawford thanked Ellsworth County Commissioner Steve Dlabal and county road and bridge superintendent Dale Houston for responding to his request to repair the County 105 Road going south out of Wilson. Crawford said temporary repairs were made to pot holes within a week of notification. Crawford said permanent repairs will be made during drier, warmer weather. He also thanked Kriley for participating in the Kansas League of Municipalities salary study.

• Approval was given to Sheldon Frederking as a full-time volunteer on the Wilson Fire Department.

• Approval was given to amend the city handbook to allow the mayor to make the decision if a citizen requests to ride along with the police. Currently, the council must approve the request. Tipton said he recently had a citizen who wants to pursue a career in law enforcement ask to ride with him to see what the police department does. Tipton said the citizen filled out the proper paperwork and all was in order. Mayor Larry Ptacek said it would make the matter more efficient and timely if the mayor could make the decision instead of waiting for the council to meet.

• Approval was given to amend the policy for the burn pile attendant with respect to having their own liability insurance coverage. The amended policy will now say the city encourages but doesn’t require the burn pile attendant to have their own liability insurance coverage since it may be cost prohibitive for an individual working in that part-time job to find liability insurance.

• Approval was given to have Gudenkauf and Malone accountants in Russell perform the 2019 city audit at a cost of $6,900.

• Further discussion of a proposed abandoned property ordinance and land banks was tabled until the Jan. 6 meeting of the council so the newly elected mayor and council members can decide the matter.

The next meeting of the Wilson City Council will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at city hall.