Common Council appoints Melissa Keller to Vacant District 1 Alder seat

The Verona Common Council appointed Melissa Keller to the District 1 alderperson seat Monday night following a public application and interview process. The council conducted a straw poll and then a formal motion to appoint Keller, which passed; Keller accepted and was sworn in immediately.

Candidates for the seat — Beth Foss, Alejandro Hernandez, Melissa Keller and Tom Zahalka — each spoke for up to three minutes as the council heard from applicants and then discussed qualifications and fit for the council. Council members repeatedly thanked all four applicants for stepping forward and noted that the city has other advisory and commission openings that applicants could consider regardless of the appointment result.

During council discussion several alderpersons praised Keller’s communications and education background as relevant skills for the council; others noted different applicants’ strengths, including development and construction experience. After a roll-call straw poll showed broad support for Keller, Alder Tucker Long moved to appoint her; the motion was seconded and passed. Keller chose to be sworn in at the meeting and repeated the oath of office administered by the city clerk.

The council also confirmed Keller’s committee assignments for District 1, appointing her to the Public Works and Library Board seats immediately.

The council did not take additional action on other candidates; members encouraged the other applicants to pursue future openings on boards and commissions.

Keller’s term fills the unexpired District 1 seat; any procedural or filing details required to hold the seat were carried out at the meeting.