Votes at a glance: Verona council approves $2.42M in bills, AECOM contracts, licenses and parking change

VERONA, Wis. — The Verona Common Council at its Jan. 27, 2025 meeting approved a set of routine and project-related items, including payment of $2,422,207.71 in bills, service agreements with engineering firm AECOM, retail and temporary alcohol licenses, and an ordinance changing 15-minute parking on West Verona Avenue.

The votes came with limited debate on most items; staff provided brief explanations and the council approved the motions by voice vote or consensus where recorded.

Key approved actions

- Payment of bills, $2,422,207.71: Alder Helmke moved approval and Alder Posey seconded. Helmke explained the total includes three large disbursements noted in staff remarks: a transit payment to the City of Madison for $618,952, a first-half operating payment to "Fitch, Frona, EMS" for $421,169, and a payment to Madison Metro Sewers District for $421,220. The motion passed on voice vote.

- Fixed full-service retail outlet license for Cider Farm Brands LLC doing business as Orchard, 881 West Verona Avenue: A motion from the Public Safety and Welfare Committee (moved by Alder Hoax, second by Alder Posey) to approve the applicant passed. Staff reported a background check was conducted and recommended approval; the state issues the license subject to council sign-off.

- Temporary Class B fermented malt beverage and temporary Class B wine licenses for Verona Area Community Theater performances: The council approved two staff-recommended, contingent approvals for theater productions (Sweet Surrender, Feb. 13–15 and 20–22, 2025; Grease Senior Musical, May 8–10 and 16–18, 2025). Staff recommended final issuance be contingent on satisfactory background checks.

- Stormwater services agreement with AECOM, not to exceed $96,050: The Public Works, Sewer and Water Committee moved continuation of AECOM’s stormwater services tied to the city’s MS4 permit. Services listed by staff include public education, illicit-discharge detection, construction-site controls, stormwater ordinance compliance, facility inspections, MS4 annual report and design-manual updates. The council approved the agreement.

- Design engineering services agreement with AECOM for Verona 2025 comprehensive plan support, not to exceed $37,620: The council approved a motion by Alder Tucker Long to accept AECOM’s role in conjunction with lead consultant MKSK (staff noted an October 2024 budget amendment of $157,430 and MKSK work authorization of $119,810). AECOM’s portion is within that amended budget.

- Ordinance 25-1057 (amending section 10-1-26) — 15-minute parking on West Verona Avenue: The ordinance was approved following a Public Safety Committee recommendation. Staff said one parking stall will be relocated…