June 16, 2026 - Tourism Commission Agenda & Packet

CITY OF VERONA 111 Lincoln Street Verona, WI 53593 (608) 845-6495 veronawi.gov TOURISM COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: TUESDAY , JUNE 16, 2026 TIME: 2:00 PM LOCATION: ROOM D110 (LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM) VERONA CITY HALL 111 LINCOLN STREET VERONA, WI 53593 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Public Comment 4. Approval of the minutes from the March 17, 2026 Tourism Commission meeting 5. Discussion and Possible Action Re: 2026 1stQuarter Room Tax Report 6. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Update on Baker Tilly LLP Review of Tourism Commission Funds for 2024 and 2025 7. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Verona Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Financial Report 8. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Sponsorship Applications to the Tourism Commission 9. Reports and comments from Tourism Coordinator 10. Reports and comments from staff 11. Reports and comments from Commission members 12. Adjournment Jason Hunt, Chairperson POSTED: June 12, 2026 Verona City Hall Verona Public Library Miller’s Market All agendas are posted on the City website at: veronawi.gov Notice: If you need an interpreter, materials in alternative formats, or other accommodation to access the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (608) 845-6495 at least 48 hours preceding the meeting. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate your request. Notice is herebygiven that a quorum of the members of the City Council or other standing committees of the City Council may be present at the meeting of Tourism Commission to gather information about a subject over which they have decision-making responsibility. The City Council and any other standing committees will not take formal action at this meeting. MINUTES – TOURISM COMMISSION DATE: March 17, 2026 LOCATION: Verona City Hall – Large Conference Room 111 Lincoln St., Verona, Wis. 1) Chairperson Jason Hunt called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. 2) Roll call – present were: Commissioners Jason Hunt, Charlie Eggen, and Sara Hoechst. Commissioners Ralph Stern and Chris Weiss were excused. Also present were Verona Area Chamber of Commerce Director Le Jordan, Tourism Coordinator Anna Follmann, Finance Director Brian Lamers and City Administrator Jamie Aulik. Beth Tucker Long, Karisa Johnson and Jessica Lanius were also in attendance. 3) There was no public comment. 4) Eggen moved, Hoechst seconded approving the minutes of the January 20, 2026 Tourism Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. 5) 2025 4th Quarter Room Tax Report: a) Mr. Lamers presented the 4th Quarter Room Tax Report. Discussion followed. 6) Request for $10,000 for adaptive skating: a) Ms. Tucker Long presented on adaptive skating, noting that Madison is ending its partnership with the organization, creating an opportunity for Verona to host the program. She explained that the requested funds would be used for ice time and accessible equipment. She also indicated that, moving forward, the program would seek to sustain itself through grant funding. Additionally, she highlighted the potential to host tournaments and other related events, which could provide broader community and economic benefits. b) Mr. Eggen stated that requests to the Commission should generally be submitted through the Chamber Tourism Sponsorship application process. However, he acknowledged that this request may warrant consideration outside of that process due to its cost, and potential to attract tournaments and visitors to Verona. He said he was supportive of the request. Mr. Hunt felt similarly – all applications should go through the review process at the Chamber, but was also supportive of the request. c) Eggen moved, Hoechst seconded approval of the request for $10,000 for adaptive skating. The motion passed unanimously. 7) Gene DelCourt art installation a) Ms. Tucker Long gave a presentation explaining who Gene DelCourt was, and his sculpture. The request was to fund a concrete pad in a location at Century School Park. Mr. Eggen reiterated that all requests to the commission should go through the Chamber Tourism Sponsorship application process, and given the criteria said this grant likely doesn’t qualify for a sponsorship. Mr. Hunt said he felt similar. The Commission referred the request to the Chamber. 8) Reporting Sponsorship Applications to the Tourism Commission: a) Mr. Aulik said there was a request from Alderperson Chris Weiss, one of the commissioners, for the Commission to receive a report on both the accepted applications for sponsorships from the Chamber and the rejected applications. Ms. Jordan was amenable to providing the information, along with any supporting rational for why an application was approved or denied. No action was needed - the guidance was conveyed to Chamber staff. 9) Reports and comments from staff: a) Director Jordan said the Christkindle would like to relocate from Paoli to Verona. Ms. Jordan was working with various stakeholders to coordinate hosting the event, which would be a significant addition to the winter event calendar for Verona. Discussion followed on increasing attendance every year, generators, shuttle busses, parking, and other items associated with the event. Discussion also followed on other scholarships reviewed by the Chamber. b) Administrator Aulik said he attended a Town Hall for the Alliant Energy Center Campus. He noted they want to expand the exhibition hall space, create a “beltline” around the campus, and they may renovate the Center into more of a concert venue. 10) Eggen moved, Hoechst seconded adjournment. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 3:12 p.m. By: Jamie J. Aulik, City Administrator