At-a-glance: Verona council votes on bills, plats, maps and policy, Jan. 13

The Verona Common Council on Jan. 13 handled multiple routine and land-use items beyond the separate, detailed discussions on the West Verona Avenue planned development and the conference-room technology upgrade. Below are the principal votes and short outcomes recorded on the meeting record.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes: The council approved minutes from the Dec. 9, 2024 meeting. (Vote: voice)

- Payment of bills: A motion to pay bills in the amount of $15,626,708.90 passed on roll call. The payments included engineering services ($308,451), remodel work ($145,901), three January tax settlement payments to Dane County ($2,612,600), Madison Area Technical College ($12,139) and the Verona Area School District ($11,017,142).

- Technology upgrade (see separate story): Council approved up to $9,000 from cable fund balance for a conference-room AV upgrade, 7–1.

- Condominium plat: Resolution R-25-001 approving a condominium plat (corrected to 31 units) at 644 Liberty Drive passed (motion seconded; unanimous per the record).

- Certified Survey Map (CSM): Resolution R-25-002 to reconfigure two lots at 1079 American Way in Verona Technology Park passed (planning commission recommended 7–0; council vote recorded as passed).

- Conditional use permit (CUP) for event center at 511 West Verona Ave: The CUP was denied by council following the denial of the underlying zoning plans (motion to deny read by city attorney; council adopted the denial).

- Initial reviews and feedback (no final action): Council provided nonbinding feedback on: • A concept plan for a 124-unit senior living facility on the Methoon property (assisted living, memory care and independent living were discussed and generally supported in principle; council asked for connectivity and underground parking where appropriate). • A preliminary plat to create 19 lots and four outlots south of County Highway PD (planning commission encouraged a mix of housing types, additional parkland and multiuse-path connections).

- Comprehensive Plan public participation plan: Resolution R-25-003, approving a public participation plan required by state statutes for the comprehensive plan process, passed after planning commission recommended approval 7–0.

- Closed session: The council voted unanimously (roll call) to convene in closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) to discuss acquisition of property interests related to Project ID 2023-112 (West Verona Avenue and Legion Street) for three parcels: Dane County Housing Redevelopment LLC; Betty M. Packin Irrevocable Trust (contains a Subway); and Sugar River United Methodist Church. The council reconvened in open session and the mayor said the closed-session discussion occurred; staff indicated more information would be provided when available. No final acquisition contract or purchase price was disclosed on the public record.

- Flags policy amendment: The council approved amendments to the city’s display-of-flags policy to allow previously flown commemorative flags to be reauthorized and to add the city administrator as an official eligible to receive requests for commemorative flags.

What this means: Most routine approvals move forward operations (minute approval, bills, plats and map), while the council’s denial of the 511 West Verona Avenue planned development and CUP leaves the developer time to pursue recorded long-term parking easements or a materially different submission. Closed-session authority was used for property-acquisition negotiations; staff said additional details will be reported as they become available.

Ending: For details on the two items that drew the most council discussion — the 511 West Verona Avenue planned development (denied) and the City Center technology upgrade (approved 7–1) — see the separate articles published from this meeting.