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SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE MINUTES DATE: August 17, 2026 LOCATION: Verona City Hall – Large Conference Room 111 Lincoln St., Verona, Wis. 1) Mayor Luke Diaz called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2) Roll call – present were Mayor Luke Diaz, Geoff Guist, Kirstin Paulmeyer, Leyla Sanyer, Imran Mohammad (arrived at 6:36 pm), Audrey Helmke and Micah Farritor. Jeff Johnson is excused. 3) Farritor moved, Sanyer seconded approving the minutes of the July 20, 2026 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. 4) Public Comment- No members of the public were present. 5) Discussion and possible action re: Presentation on our Greenhouse Gas Inventory efforts by Summer Admin Intern, Erik Woolsey. Woolsey presented the City of Verona’s government operations greenhouse gas emissions inventory, developed using the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition’s GHG Inventory Playbook and EPA inventory tools. The presentation compared the first seven months of 2024 and 2026 data using utility consumption information from MG&E, Alliant Energy, and fleet records. Overall emissions increased 5%, from 1,609.1 to 1,689.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, driven primarily by a 24% increase in Water Utility emissions and increases in Parks, Fire, and Public Works operations. Mobile combustion emissions decreased 5% overall, while natural gas emissions increased 2% and electricity-related emissions increased 3%. Solar generation in 2026 was reported to have avoided more than 70,000 pounds of CO₂ emissions, equated to planting 546 trees, and produced an estimated $5,470 in electricity cost savings. Woolsey noted progress through electric vehicles, solar power, and geothermal systems, and reported that a complete 2024 baseline inventory and templates for future annual updates have now been established. 6) Discussion and possible action re: Dark Skies Ordinance (an update to our existing Outdoor Lighting Ord) At the July meeting the Sustainability Task Force selected to proceed with the outdoor lighting version that provides standards for outdoor lighting districts based on zoning code. The Sustainability Task Force reviewed the updated version presented by Freiwald, and after some discussion approved it to go on to the Plan Commission in Sept. 7) Discussion and possible action re: Solar Project Update Work is proceeding as planned at the Senior Center and we are on target to have the installation completed by the beginning of September. 8) Discussion and possible action re: Reminder! The Sustain Dane All Around Dane Co event will be held at the Verona Town Hall. o Thursday, September 24 from 5:30PM-7PM o 5:30-6PM: Networking & Arrival o 6-6:45PM: Speakers & Walk o 6:45-7PM: Networking Draft list of speakers from the Sustainability Task Force o Sustainability Task Force _ Micah Farritor has kindly volunteered to say a few words about the task force at the event. o VAHS Green Club _ Audrey Helmke is in touch with the club to see if a member will step up to say a few words at the event. 9) Discussion and possible action re: Event Tabling for 2027 Freiwald will check in the Le Jordan regarding what needs to happen if the Sustainability Task Force would like to host a table on sustainability topics at the 2027 Hometown Days or Fall Fest events. 10) Mohammad moved, Paulmeyer seconded adjournment. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m. By: Ann Freiwald, Assistant City Administrator City of Verona’s Green House Gas Emission (GHG) Inventory Government Operations How was this GHG Inventory Completed? ▪ Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition – GHG Inventory Playbook shows what an inventory looks like and the process to complete it ▪ EPA Excel Tool – Created to help local communities compile GHG usage – Simpler, quicker and more accessible than alternative tools ▪ 2024 Baseline created using the EPA Excel Tool 2024 Inventory (7 Months) • Inventory Includes: • Mobile Combustion Usage (Monthly Average) • Natural Gas Usage • Electricity Usage 2026 Inventory (7 Months) • Inventory Includes: • Mobile Combustion Usage • Natural Gas Usage • Electricity Usage Data collected via MG&E, Alliant Energy and our Fleet Manager Data Represents the First 7 Months of the Respective YearAll Units in Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Total Emissions Comparison Total Emission Comparison between 2024 and 2026 2024 Emissions 2026 Emissions % Change between Years Public Library 192.9 168.6 -13% Admin and Police 446.3 441.6 -1% Fire 210.6 230.5 +9% Parks 105.7 123.1 +16% Recreation (130 N Franklin) 16.9 15.5 -8% Public Works 214.0 228.7 +7% Senior Center 36.5 31.5 -14% Water Utility 285.3 354.1 +24% Streetlights 98.9 95.1 -3% Building Inspection 2.0 0.7 -65% Total 1,609.1 1,689.4 +5% Data Represents the First 7 Months of the Respective YearAll Units in Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Mobile Combustion (Gas and Diesel) Comparison Mobile Combustion Usage Comparison between 2024 (Average) and 2026 2024 Emissions (average) 2026 Emissions % Change between Years Public Library Admin and Police 71.6 79.8 +11% Fire 25.8 23.0 -11% Parks 34.4 39.7 +15% Recreation (130 Franklin) Public Works 121.1 99.0 -18% Senior Center 0.3 -100% Water Utility Building Inspection 2.1 0.7 -67% Total 255.3 242.2 -5% Data Represents the First 7 Months of the Respective YearAll Units in Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Natural Gas (Stationary) Comparison Natural Gas Usage Comparison between 2024 and 2026 2024 Emissions 2026 Emissions % Change Between Years Public Library 50.8 40.6 -20% Admin and Police 125.8 125.8 0% Fire 53.7 56.6 +5% Parks 8.4 13.3 +58% Recreation (130 Franklin) 8.9 7.8 -12% Public Works 51.2 66.9 +31% Senior Center 9.7 9.6 -1% Water Utility 22.4 17.6 -21% Streetlights Total 330.9 338.2 +2% Data Represents the First 7 Months of the Respective YearAll Units in Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Electricity Comparison Electricity Usage Comparison between 2024 and 2026 2024 Emissions 2026 Emissions % Change Between Years Public Library 142.0 128.0 -10% Admin and Police 248.9 236.0 -5% Fire 131.1 151.0 +15% Parks 55.6 66.5 +20% Recreation (130 Franklin) 8.0 7.8 -3% Public Works 41.7 62.8 +51% Senior Center 26.5 22.0 -17% Water Utility 262.9 336.5 +28% Streetlights 98.9 95.1 -4% Total 1015.6 1045.7 +3% Data Represents the First 7 Months of the Respective YearAll Units in Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Water Utilities Electrical Usage Water Utility kWh Comparison between 2024 and 2026 2024 Usage (kWh) 2026 Usage (kWh) % Change Well 1 25,744 30,325 + 18% Well 2 61,800 85,600 +39% Well 3 81,800 73,800 -10% Well 4 98,600 137,300 +39% Well 5 Well 6 95,400 155,100 +63% Booster Station 24,700 14,340 -42% Towers 1,842 1,897 +3% Total 389,477 498,362 +28% Data Represents the First 7 Months of the Respective YearAll Units in Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Despite the Fire Stations being 13,000 sq ft larger than the Public Library, Geothermal helps keep emissions low. Fire Station Geothermal 2024 Gas Emissions 2026 Gas Emissions 2024 Electricity Emissions 2026 Electricity Emissions Fire 53.7 56.6 133.1 151.0 Public Library 50.8 40.6 142.0 128.0 2026 Solar Power Benefits Over 70,000 pounds of C02 Emissions saved Equivalent to planting 546 trees Equivalent to powering an EV for 27 trips from New York to Los Angeles Estimated $5,470 saved in electricity costs Data Represents the First 7 Months of the Respective YearData Obtained Via Solar Edge ▪ Overall usage up 5% between the 7-month comparison for 2024 and 2026 ▪ Utility Usage up the most between years (24% increase) ▪ Progress with EVs, Solar Power and existing Geothermal methods ▪ Full 2024 Baseline and templates for future updates have been created Questions?