_07132026-2624

CITY OF VERONA COMMON COUNICL MINUTES July 13, 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 Herenandez, Lachlann Swanson, Phil Hoechst, and Spencer Harrison (via Zoom). Also present: City Administrator Jamie Aulik, City Engineer Carla Fischer, City Attorney Bryan Kleinmaier, and Director of Planning and Development Lucas Sivertsen. 4. Public Comment • Dale Beske, 6422 Shady Bend Rd., stated he was disappointed that the Public Works facility is going on Shady Bend. He encouraged there to be a buffer between Subzero and Public Works and the Shady Bend neighborhood. 5. Approval of the minutes of June 22, 2026 Common Council Meeting Motion by Helmke, seconded by Swanson to approve the minutes from the June 22, 2026 Common Council meeting. Motion carried 8-0. 6. Mayor’s Business A. Park & Recreation Professionals Day Proclamation B. Board of Review Meeting July 28th at 6:00 p.m. 7. Announcements: None 8. Administrator’s Report: Aulik stated that the City did not receive the BUILD grant for the Verona Ave. and Main St. intersection. The City is working with AECOM on alternate approaches. 9. Engineer’s Report: Carla 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 $1,151127.86. Motion carried 8-0. B. Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission 1. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No.26-1104 Creating Title 2, Chapter 3, Section 2-3-24, Recreation Director, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Hoechst to approve Ordinance No.26-1104 Creating Title 2, Chapter 3, Section 2-3-24, Recreation Director, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona. Motion carried 8-0. 2. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No.26-1105 Amending Title 2, Chapter 3, Section 2-3-14, Park and Recreation Director, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Hoechst to approve Ordinance No.26-1105 Amending Title 2, Chapter 3, Section 2-3-14, Park and Recreation Director, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona. Motion carried 8-0. C. Plan Commission 1. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Resolution No. 26-022 approving a conditional use permit for an apartment/condominium, complex land use located south of Morningside Boulevard and west of proposed Grassland Terrace. Motion by Swanson, seconded by Tucker Long to approve Resolution No. 26-022 approving a conditional use permit for an apartment/condominium, complex land use located south of Morningside Boulevard and west of proposed Grassland Terrace with the following conditions: ▪ The approval shall become effective upon the execution of a development agreement. ▪ Within 365 days of the date in which the Common Council votes to approve the conditional use permit, the Applicant will either start construction or request an extension as described in section 13-1-217 of the zoning ordinance. Failure to satisfy this condition will result in revocation. Diaz asked about Whispering Coves Phase II. Kleinmaier stated that no work in this area can be done until they complete the utility/stormwater work that needs to be done. He stated that both developers are aware. Helmke asked how long we have been working to get these issues resolved. Kleinmaier stated that the annexation agreement was approved in 2018. He emphasized that the City is not holding up the project. Motion carried 8-0. 2. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Resolution No. 26-023 for a conditional use permit to exceed the maximum height requirement of thirty-five feet in the Urban Residential zoning district located south of Morningside Boulevard and west of proposed Grassland Terrace Motion by Swanson, seconded by Tucker Long to approve Resolution No. 26-023 for a conditional use permit to exceed the maximum height requirement of thirty-five feet in the Urban Residential zoning district located south of Morningside Boulevard and west of proposed Grassland Terrace with the following conditions: ▪ The approval shall become effective upon the execution of a development agreement. ▪ Within 365 days of the date in which the Common Council votes to approve the conditional use permit, the Applicant will either start construction or request an extension as described in section 13-1-217 of the zoning ordinance. Failure to satisfy this condition will result in revocation of the conditional use approval. Motion carried 8-0. 3. Discussion and Possible Action Re: An initial review for an 800,000 square foot distribution center located east of Ambition, Clarity, and Laser Streets in Liberty Business Park Tucker Long echoed the concerns of the neighbor for traffic going through the neighborhood, but it acknowledged it wouldn’t make sense for the tucks to go on Shady Bend given the layout of the building. She added that they should look into dark sky initiatives for lighting options. Weiss agreed with Tucker Long but overall supports the project. Swanson added that the facility will employ around 150 employees. Helmke stated she is generally in favor of the project if they can address some of the concerns to the neighborhood. Diaz stated he was in favor of the project. He would like to see solar panels and a berm with trees. Tucker Long prefers design option 4. Diaz stated he prefers the lighter colors. 4. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Presentation of the draft Comprehensive Plan Nick Kalogeresis, MKSK, presented the draft comprehensive plan. He highlighted the public engagement process. He stated that there is an emphasis on mixed use land uses in the plan. They identified 5 subarea plans: Downtown Subarea, East Subarea, South Subarea, and Southwest Subarea. He highlighted the need for more housing and diversity of housing types. Diaz stated that he has offered to meet with the Town Chair Mark Geller regarding the boundary agreement, but he is not interested. Lytle stated that the Main St. and Verona Ave. intersection is a foundational improvement that will allow many of the other things in the plan to move forward. Helmke stated that if we want to get what we want from this plan, it’s going to take investing money. D. Public Works, Sewer & Water Committee 1. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Awarding contract for Project #2026- 104 Citywide Pavement Crack Sealing (Thunder Road LLC) Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Hernandez to award the contract for Project #2026-104 Citywide Pavement Crack Sealing (Thunder Road LLC) in an amount not to exceed $75,250. Motion carried 8-0. 2. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Location of new Public Works Facility 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. Tucker Long stated that staff recommend moving forward with 40-acre property on Shady Bend Rd. Utilities are expected to be extended through the property by the adjacent Sub-Zero development. It would also provide the City a better opportunity to create a north/south road network. Lytle stated that he wouldn’t be surprised if the cost of developing this property ended up being much higher than is currently estimated. Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Helmke to go into closed session at 8: 27 p.m. 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 carried 8-0 on roll call vote. CLOSED SESSION Motion by Swanson, seconded by Helmke to reconvene in open session at 8:43 p.m. Motion carried 8-0. Diaz stated that staff have been directed to engage with the property owner. 3. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Quit Claim Deed (Old CTH "PB" Right-Of-Way) Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Helmke to approve the Quit Claim Deed (Old CTH "PB" Right-Of-Way, Parcel B). Motion carried 8-0. 11. 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 go into closed session at 8:50 a.m. 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 carried 8-0 on roll call vote. CLOSED SESSION Motion by Helmke, seconded by Swanson to reconvene in open session at 9:03 p.m. Motion carried 8-0. 12. New Business A. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No. 26-1106 Amending Title 2, Chapter 2, Section 2-2-5, Standing Committees; Action on Committee Reports, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona Motion by Hoechst, seconded by Swanson to approve Ordinance No. 26- 1106 Amending Title 2, Chapter 2, Section 2-2-5, Standing Committees; Action on Committee Reports, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona. Motion carried 8-0. 13. Adjournment: Motion by Hoechst, seconded by Helmke to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried 8-0. Respectfully submitted, Holly Licht, City Clerk