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CITY OF VERONA COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES June 22, 2026 Council Chambers 1. Call to Order: Mayor Diaz called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call: Mara Helmke, Chris Weiss, Beth Tucker Long, Alejandro Hernandez, Lachlann Swanson and Harrison were present. Patrick Lytle and Phil Hoechst were absent and excused. Also present: City Administrator Jamie Aulik, Police Chief Dave Dresser, Fire Chief David Hensley, and Director of Planning and Development Lucas Sivertsen. 4. Public Comment: • Barb Nelson, 415 S. Main St., spoke in support of her short-term rental application and against the 7-night minimum night stay in the ordinance. • Dana Barre, 415 S. Main St., stated she was disappointed in the outcome of the Backus development vote, and spoke regarding the weeds and long grasses ordinance changes. • Robin Johnson, owner of R & L Dane Investments, spoke in support of her short-term rental application and against the 7-night minimum night stay in the ordinance. 5. Approval of the minutes of June 8, 2026 Common Council Meeting Motion by Swanson, seconded by Weiss to approve the minutes from the June 8, 2026 Common Council Meeting. Motion carried 6-0. 6. Mayor’s Business A. Swearing in of Fire Chief David Hensley 7. Announcements 8. Administrator’s Report: Aulik stated that absentee ballots have been mailed out for the August Partisan Primary. He also announced the “I Voted” sticker competition. 9. Engineer’s Report: Rick Eilertson 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 Harrison to pay the bills in the amount of $771,186.58. Motion carried 6-0. 2. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Acceptance of 2025 Financial Statements—Presentation by Baker Tilly Justin Hoagland, Baker Tilly, presented the 2025 Financial Statements. He stated that there was only 1 audit entry. The City’s revenues were $1.7 million better than budget, mostly due to investment incomes. Expenditures were also under budget, specifically police as they weren’t fully staffed. The City is in good shape with debt percentage. He stated that the utility operating expenses are getting too close to the operating revenues. Stormwater operating expenses were higher than revenues. A rate study/increase is recommended. Motion by Helmke, seconded by Harrison to accept the 2025 Financial Statements. Motion carried 6-0. B. Public Safety & Welfare Committee 1. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No. 26-1100 Amending Title 2, Chapter 3, Section 2-3-1, Weed Commissioner Title 8, Chapter 1, Section 8-1-4, Destruction of Noxious Weeds, and 8-1-6, Regulation of the Length of Lawn and Grasses, Title 15, Chapter 4, Section 15-4-5, Safe and Sanitary Maintenance of Property, and Title 15, Chapter 5, Section 15-5-4, Safe, Sanitary, and Attractive Maintenance of Property, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona Motion by Swanson, seconded by Hernandez to approve Ordinance No. 26-1100 Amending Title 2, Chapter 3, Section 2-3-1, Weed Commissioner Title 8, Chapter 1, Section 8-1-4, Destruction of Noxious Weeds, and 8-1-6, Regulation of the Length of Lawn and Grasses, Title 15, Chapter 4, Section 15-4-5, Safe and Sanitary Maintenance of Property, and Title 15, Chapter 5, Section 15-5-4, Safe, Sanitary, and Attractive Maintenance of Property, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona. Weiss suggested referencing the DNRs list for invasive species rather than listing them out in our ordinance. Tucker Long noted that the 5-day period should be listed as 15-days. Motion carried 6-0. 2. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No. 26-1101 Amending Section 10-1-12 Relating to Speed Limits on Range Trail and Locust Drive Motion by Swanson, seconded by Hernandez to approve Ordinance No. 26-1101 Amending Section 10-1-12 Relating to Speed Limits on Range Trail. Swanson noted they are not recommending a change to Locust Drive at this time. Motion carried 6-0. 3. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No. 26-1102 Amending Section 10-1-27 Related to Parking on Park Lane Motion by Swanson, seconded by Hernandez to approve Ordinance No. 26-1102 Amending Section 10-1-27 Related to Parking on Park Lane. Motion carried 6-0. 4. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Ordinance No. 26-1103 Amending Section 10-1-26, Two-Hour Parking on Park Lane Motion by Swanson, Hernandez to approve Ordinance No. 26-1103 Amending Section 10-1-26, Two-Hour Parking on Park Lane. Motion carried 6-0. 5. Discussion and Possible Action Re: School Resource Officer Program Agreement by and Between the City of Verona and Verona Area School District (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) Motion by Swanson, seconded by Hernandez to approve the School Resource Officer Program Agreement by and Between the City of Verona and Verona Area School District (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027). Motion carried 6-0. 6. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Short-Term Rental License Application from Beit Bracha, LLC located at 415 S. Main St. Motion by Swanson, seconded by Hernandez to approve a Short-Term Rental License Application from Beit Bracha, LLC located at 415 S. Main St. The council expressed interest in changing the zoning code to allow for stays less than 7 days. Tucker Long suggested suspending enforcement of the 7-day minimum stay ordinance. Motion carried 6-0. 7. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Short-Term Rental License Application from R & L Dane Investments, LLC located at 527 &529 Melody Lane Motion by Swanson, seconded by Hernandez to approve a Short-Term Rental License Application from R & L Dane Investments, LLC located at 527 &529 Melody Lane. Motion carried 6-0. The Common Council recessed at 8:30 p.m. The Common Council reconvened at 8: 38 p.m. C. Public Works, Sewer & Water Committee 1. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Awarding contract for Project #2026- 100 Citywide Pavement Surface Treatment (Scott Construction, Inc) Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Hernandez to award the contract for Project #2026-100 Citywide Pavement Surface Treatment to Scott Construction, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $146,151.45. Motion carried 6-0. 2. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Awarding contract for Project #2026- 102 Citywide Pavement Surface Treatment (Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC) Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Swanson to award the contract for Project #2026-102 Citywide Pavement Surface Treatment to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC for an amount not to exceed $72,403.98. Motion carried 6-0. 11. New Business A. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Amendment to Cleary Temporary Access Agreement Motion by Tucker Long, seconded by Weiss to approve an addendum to the Cleary Temporary Access Agreement. Motion carried 6-0. B. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Amendment to Display of Flags Policy Tucker Long suggested replacing the banner pole on Main and Verona Ave. with a proper flagpole. The cost would be $2500. She added that Art House 360 is a rented property and questioned whether they should be included in the flag policy. She doesn’t want to force the Art House or other rented property to fly all the flags that the City is required to fly. The Common Council took no action on this item. 12. Old Business A. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Boundary Agreement with the Town of Verona 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 she would like to continue to work with the Town to come to an agreement that would benefit both parties. Helmke stated it would be great to have the Town Chair meet with the mayor so that they can begin discussions. Mayor Diaz stated he is happy to meet with the Chair. 13. Adjournment: Motion by Helmke, seconded by Harrison to adjourn at 9:09 p.m. Motion carried 6-0. Respectfully submitted, Holly Licht, City Clerk