Grundy Reporter

City of Verona City Council met Nov. 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

1. Call to order: Council President Elizabeth Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call: Alderpersons Luke Diaz, Elizabeth Doyle, Sarah Gaskell, Heather Reekie, Brad Stiner, and Evan Touchett present. Mayor Hochkammer, Alderperson Linder and Alderperson McGilvray were absent and excused. Also present: City Administrator Jeff Mikorski, City Engineer Jeff Montpas, Public Works Director Theran Jacobson, Planning and Development Director Adam Sayre, and City Clerk Ellen Clark.

4. Public Comment:

Mr. Stiner stated the EMS meeting was held on Monday, October 16th. The EMS is celebrating 40 years of service to the communities of Fitchburg and Verona. Brian Myrland, EMS Chief, announced his upcoming retirement.

5. Approval of Minutes from the October 9, 2017 Common Council Meeting: Motion by Reekie, seconded by Gaskell, to approve the minutes from the October 9, 2017 Common Council meeting. Motion carried 5-0.

6. Mayor’s Business: None

7. Administrator’s Report

• Mr. Mikorski reminded the Council members that the Dane County Cities & Villages Association and Dane County Towns Association are hosting a legal review meeting at 6 p.m. at Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove on October 30, 2017.

• On November 13th, the Committee of the Whole will meet at 6 p.m. for the budget presentation before the regular Common Council meeting at 7 p.m.

• On November 20th, the Common Council will be meeting in lieu of the November 27th meeting.

• The Finance Committee approved posting of the proposed 2018 budget and public hearing notice at its meeting tonight.

8. Engineer’s Report

• CTH M construction continues

• Construction plans for CTH PD from M to the West are in progress

9. Committee Reports

A. Finance Committee

(1) Discussion and Possible Action Re: Payment of Bills. Motion by Doyle, seconded by Touchett, to pay the bills in the amount of $463,205.01. Motion carried 5-0. Items in the proposed 2018 budget include: 3 new positions added, library Sunday hours, and cost provisions for the possible pool facility and the public works facility.

B. Public Safety and Welfare Committee

(1) Discussion and Possible Action Re: An Application for Class “B” Beer and “Class C” Wine Licenses from Garlic Mouth, LLC, d/b/a Jordandal Cookhouse, 600 W. Verona Avenue, Suites 5 & 6, Verona, Wisconsin, Louis Lettenmair, Jr., Agent. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Reekie, to approve Class “B” Beer and “Class C” Wine licenses for Garlic Mouth, LLC, d/b/a Jordandal Cookhouse, 600 W. Verona Avenue, Suites 5 & 6, Verona Wisconsin, Louis Lettenmair, Jr., Agent. Because the original application for these licenses was received late, Provisional Class “B” Beer and “Class C” Wine licenses for a period beginning October 1, 2017 and ending October 31, 2017 were approved by the Common Council on September 25, 2017. The application was considered again by the Public Safety Committee at its October 23, 2017 meeting. The Public Safety Committee recommends to the Common Council to approve regular Class “B” Beer and “Class C” Wine licenses for Garlic Mouth, LLC, d/b/a Jordandal Cookhouse, 600 W. Verona Avenue, Suites 5 & 6, Verona, Wisconsin, Louis Lettenmair, Jr., Agent, beginning November 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018. Motion carried 5-0. 

C. Public Works/Sewer and Water Committee

(1) Discussion and Possible Action Re: Closeout Documents for Project IDs 2016-103, 2016-114, and 2016-122 – Traffic Signal Projects. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Diaz, to approve the closeout of Project IDs 2016-103, 2016-114, and 2016-122 – Traffic Signal Projects. Traffic signal improvements at Old PB and Whalen Road, S. Main Street and Paoli Street, and W. Verona Avenue and West End Circle have been completed by Parisi Construction. The contract will be closed and final payment will be made. The final contract value is $606,661.21. Motion carried 5-0. 

(2) Discussion and Possible Action Re: A Professional Services Agreement with MSA for Land Acquisition along Old CTH PB in regard to WisDOT Bridge Replacement Projects 5796-10-00 and 5796-00-03. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Diaz, to approve a Professional Services Agreement with MSA for land acquisition along Old CTH PB in regard to WisDOT bridge replacement projects 5796-10-00 and 5796-00-03. This Consulting Services Agreement is for assisting city staff with the right-of-way acquisition process for the Old CTH PB transportation improvement project. Because federal dollars are involved, the city is required to use a certified negotiator and follow the WisDOT process for all land acquisition on this project. Total fee is not expected to exceed $15,000. Motion carried 5-0. 

(3) Discussion and Possible Action Re: An Insurance Claim with Ms. Melanie Treffert. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Diaz, to deny the insurance claim made by Ms. Melanie Treffert in the amount of $702.81. Ms. Treffert hit a watermelon size boulder along Northern Lights Road on August 28, 2017. There are no police reports, photos or witnesses. The Public Works/Sewer and Water Committee recommends denial of this claim. Motion carried 5-0.

10. Old Business

A. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Selection of a City Council Representative to the Plan Commission. Alder Reekie nominated Alder Diaz as the City Council Representative to the Plan Commission. Alder Touchett nominated Alder Linder as the City Council Representative to the Plan Commission. 

On roll call: Alder Gaskell – Diaz, Alder Reekie – Diaz, Alder Stiner – Linder, Alder Touchett – Linder, Alder Diaz – Diaz. 3 votes Diaz, 2 votes Linder. Motion failed.

11. New Business

A. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Costs Associated with Public Roads, Public Rights-of-Way, and Potential Purchase in Partnership with the Verona Area School District Regarding the Development of the New High School and Property. Mr. Mikorski stated that this will be a continuation of the conversation of September 25th in closed session. New information is available to be shared with Council. The new school property has been presented in public. With that, there are requests for public streets to be included in the property and a request for Council to be in partnership with the school district to acquire property and provide funds for public streets. 

Mr. Diaz stated the discussion should be made in open session. He believes a public conversation would be better for the community. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Gaskell, to convene in closed session, as authorized by Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e), for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investing of public funds or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons deem a closed session necessary. The Common Council may reconvene in open session to discuss and take action on the subject matter discussed in the closed session. On roll call: Alder Gaskell – Aye, Alder Reekie – No, Alder Stiner – Aye, Alder Touchett – Aye, Alder Diaz – No. Motion carried 3-2. The Common Council convened in closed session at 7:20 p.m.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Diaz, seconded by Reekie to reconvene in open session. Motion carried 5-0. The Common Council reconvened in open session at 8:35 p.m.

B. Discussion and Possible Action Re: Approval of Operator Licenses. Motion by Diaz, seconded by Reekie, to approve the following operator license applications: Cameron Johnson for Kwik Trip #456; Keith Bakken for Cahoots; Taylor Colin for 4 Sisters Wine and Tapas Restaurant; and Chad Boyer for Fisher King Winery. Motion carried 5-0.

12. Announcements:

• Mr. Stiner announced that the Verona Police Department will be holding a Drug Take Back Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 28th.

• Clerk Clark announced that nomination papers for Common Council and Mayoral races for the Spring 2018 Elections are available in the City Clerk’s office.

13. Motion by Reekie, seconded by Gaskell, to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

http://www.ci.verona.wi.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10232017-1201