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CITY OF VERONA COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES July 27, 2026 Council Chambers 1. Call to Order: Mayor Diaz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call: Mara Helmke, Chris Weiss, Patrick Lytle, Beth Tucker Long, Alejandro Hernandez, Lachlann Swanson, Phil Hoechst, and Spencer Harrison were present. Also present were City Administrator Jamie Aulik, City Engineer Carla Fischer, and City Attorney Bryan Kleinmaier. 4. Public Comment • Barbara Nelson, 415 S. Main St., stated she was in support of amending the minimum 7-night stays for short-term rentals. • Robin Johnson, owner of a short-term rental in Verona, spoke in support of removing the 7-night minimum stay for short-term rentals. 5. Approval of the minutes of July 13, 2026 Common Council Meeting Motion by Helmke, seconded by Swanson to approve the minutes from the July 13, 2026 Common Council Meeting. Motion carried 8-0. 6. Mayor’s Business A. City-Town Update: Mayor Diaz stated that he met with the Town Chair and City staff will continue to work towards creating a boundary agreement. 7. Announcements: 8. Administrator’s Report: Aulik stated that in-person absentee voting begins tomorrow and ends August 7th. 9. Engineer’s Report: Fischer presented the Engineer’s Report, and it was entered into the record. 10. Committee Reports A. Finance Committee 1. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Payment of the bills Motion by Helmke, seconded by Lytle to pay the bills in the amount of $452, 044.34. Motion carried 8-0. 2. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Verona Ave./Main St. Intersection Update AECOM presented a proposed study. They are recommending moving forwards with only steps 1-3. Step 1 (existing conditions & purpose and need) cost estimate is $125k-$200k. Step 1 (brainstorming conceptual alternatives) cost estimate is $50k-$100k. Step 3 (preliminary alternatives) cost estimate is $200k-$400k. Depending on what type of environmental document required, costs would then range from $200k- $500k. Lytle asked how we would plan for future growth of the City. AECOM stated that they would work with Madison MPO and use their travel demand model. Diaz stated he is against paired one-ways. B. Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission 1. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No.26-1107 Amending Title 7, Chapter 1, Section 7-1-1, Definitions, Section 7-1-5, Rabies Quarantine, Section 7-1-6.5, Additional Restrictions on Animals, Section 7-1-8, Animals Restricted on Public Grounds, Section 7-1-19, Animal Feces, Section 7-1-23, Exemptions for Service Animals, Title 11, Chapter 3, Section 11-3-5, Cemetery Regulations, Title 12, Chapter 1, Section 12- 1-1, Park Regulations, and Title 12, Chapter 2, Section 12-2-9, Rules for Visitors, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona. Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Hoechst to approve Ordinance No.26-1107 Amending Title 7, Chapter 1, Section 7-1-1, Definitions, Section 7-1-5, Rabies Quarantine, Section 7-1-6.5, Additional Restrictions on Animals, Section 7-1-8, Animals Restricted on Public Grounds, Section 7-1-19, Animal Feces, Section 7-1-23, Exemptions for Service Animals, Title 11, Chapter 3, Section 11-3-5, Cemetery Regulations, Title 12, Chapter 1, Section 12-1-1, Park Regulations, and Title 12, Chapter 2, Section 12-2-9, Rules for Visitors, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona. Motion carried 8-0. C. Public Safety & Welfare Committee 1. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Special Event Permit and Temporary Class “B” Fermented Malt Beverage License from Christian Rickman, Madison 56ers Soccer Club, for the Madison 56ers Fall Invitational on September 11-September 13, 2026 Motion by Hoechst, seconded by Weiss to approve a Special Event Permit and Temporary Class “B” Fermented Malt Beverage License from Christian Rickman, Madison 56ers Soccer Club, for the Madison 56ers Fall Invitational on September 11-September 13, 2026. Motion carried 8- 0. D. Public Works, Sewer & Water Committee 1. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Update on Public Works Department operations Mike Trotter gave an overview of the Public Works Department operations, staffing, completed goals, and future goals. 2. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No. 26-1108 Amending Title 9, Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances (Sewer Utility Regulation and Rates) Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Hernandez to approve Ordinance No. 26-1108 Amending Title 9, Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances (Sewer Utility Regulation and Rates). Motion carried 8-0. 3. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Resolution No.R-26-024 Modification of Storm Water Utility Charge Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Hernandez to approve Resolution No.R-26-024 Modification of Storm Water Utility Charge. Motion carried 8-0. 4. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Construction Inspection Services Contract with JT Engineering for the Aldi private development project Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Hernandez to approve a Construction Inspection Services Contract with JT Engineering for the Aldi private development project. Motion carried 8-0. 5. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Construction Inspection Services Contract with JT Engineering for the Ardent Glen Phase 6 private development project Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Hernandez to approve a Construction Inspection Services Contract with JT Engineering for the Ardent Glen Phase 6 private development project in amount not to exceed $124,364.25. Motion carried 8-0. 11. New Business A. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Short Term Rental Ordinance Modifications Attorney Kleinmaier stated if the council wanted to amend the 7-night minimum they could allow shorter minimums for properties that are the owner’s primary residence. Diaz stated that he is in support of a 2–3-night minimum stays as long as the owner of the property has someone local that manages the property. He also stated that if short-term rental operators aren’t registering with the city, there should be significant fines. He would also like to see a chronic nuisance element incorporated into the ordinance. Weiss stated he would be in favor of eliminating a minimum night stay. Helmke stated that there is a house in District 4 that generates a lot of complaints and the neighbors support the 7-night minimum. There was discussion regarding licensing being contingent upon complaints, citations, and convictions. Tucker Long stated she would like to see a requirement that the operator live within a 20-mile radius of City Hall and not have more than 3 convictions for the previous calendar year. The alders agreed that they want to move forward with a split system. There was a mix of suggestions for no minimum to 2-night minimum for the “plus” licenses. They would also like staff to incorporate a chronic nuisance element of the license requirements. They would like to see a 20-mile radius for operators whose rental is not their primary residence. B. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Addendum to Lease Agreement (The Art House 360, Inc.) Motion by Helmke, seconded by Swanson to approve the Addendum to Lease Agreement (The Art House 360, Inc.). Motion carried 8-0. 12. Old Business A. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Potential Property Purchase- 308-310 Plympton Street The Common Council may convene in closed session as authorized by Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. The Common Council may reconvene in open session and take action on the closed session item. Motion by Swanson, seconded by Tucker Long to approve the property purchase of 308-310 Plympton Street. Motion carried 8-0. 13. Adjournment: Motion by Hoechst, seconded by Helmke to adjourn at 9:55 p.m. Motino carried 8-0. Respectfully submitted, Holly Licht, City Clerk