_07202026-2630

SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE MINUTES DATE: July 20, 2026 LOCATION: Verona City Hall – Small 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, Jeff Johnson, Leyla Sanyer, Imran Mohammad, Audrey Helmke and Micah Farritor. Kirstin Paulmeyer is excused. 3) Johnson moved, Sanyer seconded approving the minutes of the June 15, 2026 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. 4) Public Comment- No members of the public were present. 5) Discussion and possible action re: Introducing our Summer Admin Intern, Erik Woolsey. Erik attended the University of Iowa, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public affairs. Additionally, last summer he interned with the Village of Whitefish Bay where he was able to get his first real experience working in government, his long-term goal to work within local government. 6) Discussion and possible action re: Dark Skies Ordinance (an update to our existing Outdoor Lighting Ord) On June 18, 2026 Kayley Bell (2026 Summer Administrator Intern) sent three versions of an updated outdoor lighting ordinance for the task force to review. The STF selected the version that updates the existing Outdoor Lighting Ordinance but adds lighting standards based on our zoning code. Freiwald and Woolsey will work with planning and building inspection staff to finalize the update for review by STF in August, and the Plan Commission in September. 7) Discussion and possible action re: Update regarding the Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) grants. The City of Verona has submitted three OEI grants at the end of June. • Activity 1: Community Center Resiliency Hub: Solar and Battery Storage • Activity 2: Outdoor Lighting Efficiency Improvements at Three City Verona Sites • Activity 3: Renewable and Resilient: Verona City Hall and Fire Station Sustainability Feasibility Study The grants will be announced in fall 2026. The projects, if funded, will take place in 2027. 8) Discussion and possible action re: 2026 Solar Project update. The City of Verona and Eagle Point Solar have entered into a contract for the installation of a 31.04 kW DC solar array on the roof of the Senior Center. Eagle Point has informed Freiwald that the permits and interconnection agreements have been secured. They are working on a construction timeline for us and will let us know when a crew is available. The contract promises substantial completion by September 30, 2026. Additionally, the Verona Senior Center has received a $10,000 Solar Moonshot Program grant from the Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation to help fund a new solar power system. 9) Discussion and possible action re: 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 Roles: o Sustain Dane: Create flyers and language for the program o Create registration form through Eventbrite, share with our network to get participants. Event is free, registration is just to help prepare for the event. City & Town of Verona: o Share the flyers and registration link with network to get Verona residents to attend o Find presenters/speakers Draft list of speakers _person listed is tasked with finding out if group is interesting in speaking 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 even. 10) Discussion and possible action re: MGE EV event June 17 debrief, Farritor reported that the event was well attended and had a fantastic collection of electric powered vehicles including a Harley Davidson motorcycle. 11) Farritor moved, Johnson seconded adjournment. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. By: Ann Freiwald, Assistant City Administrator