WILSON — The City of Wilson is getting a new website.

At Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council, approval was given to a $1,396 per year proposal from Municipal One to design a new website for the city. Mayor Mike Peschka said half of the cost of the website will be funded from the city’s transient tax. The other half will be taken from the city budget.

“We really need to do something,” council member David Criswell said, noting the city’s website is important for visitors to the community

Peschka said he would like the website to include on-line bill paying.

In other business:

• Peschka once again, as he has done several times in the past, answered a volley of questions from Dan Erdman about his vehicles and other property.

Peschka said he is recommending the 10 current violations on the property at 2411 Ave. E be cleared from the board of health list since all have been brought into compliance. The council later approved the mayor’s recommendation

Erdman said he understood Theresa Staudinger is still in the process of defining what an inoperable vehicle is.

“We’re just trying to decide what we’re going to do and we haven’t reach agreement or consensus,” Peschka said.

“I’m talking about a different subject now,” Erdman said. “Whether you have to have current insurance and tags on the vehicle?”

“I know, that’s what we’re talking about,” Peschka said.

“Now we are,” Erdman replied. “I’ve got to go to Tucson, if I put vehicles back there, I’ve got to know whether or not they’re safe back there, or are you going to change your mind and say I’ve got to tow them away again or something?”

“With the current way the ordinance is stated, they’re safe,” Peschka said. “If we change the ordinance, that could potentially impact it.”

“So you’re talking about not just changing your interpretation of the ordinance, but changing the ordinance?” Erdman asked.

“No, the ordinance,” Peschka responded.

Erdman then asked what the city plans to do with the historic old building (the former Otasco building) on Main Street it purchased from him.

“The city has plans for that building,” Peschka said. “We’re working with an individual, and we’re trying to get a hold of grant money.”

Erdman asked Peschka if that individual had any ideas how to repair the building.

“Right now, it looks more like a hazard than it ever was,” Erdman added.

Peschka said the city is working with BMT Engineers of Waterville.

• During a board of health report, Peschka reviewed two properties. The first, 2411 Ave. E, was approved by the council for removal from a previous list. The owner of the second, 415-417 28th Street, was given a four-week extension, until Aug. 18, to correct violations.

• The council plans a work session on abandoned building ordinance No. 854; however, date has not been set.

• City clerk Susan Kriley briefly discussed the next step in the process for the Kansas Department of Commerce Housing Rehabilitation and Demolition grant project. She said a meeting will be plannedwith residents in the targeted area, from 27th Street north, to give them applications and to answer questions. Kriley said the applications will be done on a first come, first served basis.

• The council approved a revenue neutral rate hearing and the 2022 budget hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, at city hall.

Kriley said the city’s 2021 mill levy was 85.925 with a revenue neutral rate of 82.432.

For 2022, the proposed revenue neutral rate is 85.785. Peschka noted the city will exceed that revenue neutral rate.

• Peschka and Criswell said Wilson needs a more aggressive Neighborhood Revitalization Plan than the current plan, which expires in December.