WILSON — The sewer lagoon project topped the agenda at Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council.

Approval was given to pay request No. 4 in the amount of $4,926.37 to Wilson and Company for engineering services as part of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment loan distribution.

Mayor Dan Taylor said the electrician installed all of the electrical equipment and start up should be Feb. 4. He noted the project will then be substantially complete and the city will start using the sewer lagoon. In the spring, seeding and grading of the ground around the lagoon will take place.

In other business:

• After a 10-minute executive session to discuss nonelected personnel (police chief job), James Reagan was hired as police chief at a rate of $23 per hour and given the standard 60-day probation period.

Reagan previously served as police chief for Wilson.

• Approval was given to bill the owner of the property at 312 27th St. $145 and the Wilson Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 506 27th St. $100 for the 2025 Union Pacific Railroad land leases.

• Bills in the amount of $13,388.51 were approved, as was payroll in the amount of $9,298.42.

• Consideration of paying the annual membership dues to Grow Ellsworth County was tabled until the Feb. 18 council meeting. The council plans to invite Michelle Skurkis, GEC interim executive director, to the meeting to discuss the matter more.

• Taylor distributed a proposed junk boat ordinance to council members to review. No action was taken.

• City Clerk Susan Kriley was approved to attend the spring conference in Manhattan March 19-21. A $325 registration fee, an allowance of $420 (less sales tax) for lodging, $150 for meals and a rate of 70 cents per mile were approved, as well for Kriley to attend the meeting.

• Approval was given to allow Cathy Smith to be employed at the city office on an asneeded basis after April 15.

• Approval of the purchase of a Millermatic mig welder from Air Gas was given to City Superintendent Joe Soukup. Total cost, with accessories, is $2,367.20 with a $500 discount.

• Approval was given to purchase radios for two Wilson Fire Department trucks (1988 ARCO and 1969 AM General) from First Wireless in the amount not to exceed $4,250.

• Approval was given to purchase a water skid from Weis Fire, Salina, at a cost of $13,500. The skid is used to sit a water tank on a fire truck.

Due to the President’s Day holiday, the next meeting of the Wilson City Council will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at city hall.