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Council approves $2.1M in bill payments, awards Mark Drive contract, greenlights senior‑center solar and amends cell‑tower lease
Summary
At the April 27 meeting the Verona Common Council approved payment of $2,109,955.92 in bills, awarded the Mark Drive Reconstruction Phase 2 contract to Northwestern Stone LLC ($2,137,596.55), approved a $59,969 solar installation for the senior center and approved an amended ground lease with Array for the Stomphole Field cell site (contingent on city attorney/administrator sign‑off). The council also approved a fire chief employment agreement contingent on the Police & Fire Commission appointment.
Verona — The Verona Common Council used its April 27 meeting to clear a slate of administrative and procurement items: payment of bills, a major road contract award, a sustainability purchase and a negotiated change to a cellular ground lease. The council also approved a contingent employment agreement for the next fire chief.
Payments and procurement: The council approved bills totaling $2,109,955.92, including bond principal and interest and a quarterly payment to a sewer district. The finance motion was moved by Alder Helmke and passed by voice vote.
Public Works then presented bids for Mark Drive Reconstruction Phase 2 (project 2024‑105). Five bids were received and staff recommended awarding the contract to Northwestern Stone LLC as the apparent low bidder at $2,137,596.55 (engineering estimate with contingency $2,829,278.50). Council approved the award.
Senior center solar project: The 2026 budget included $60,000 for a solar installation project. The sustainability task force recommended Eagle Point Solar’s proposal for $59,969 based on levelized cost of electricity and projected payback period, with staff given limited flexibility on minor design substitutions (monitor kiosk in lieu of CritterGard). Council approved the quote.
Cell‑tower ground lease amendment: Staff reported that UScellular’s site at Stomphole Field was acquired and a tower management firm (Array) proposed an amended ground lease. The key terms reported to council: reduce base rent to $900/month, a 3% annual increase to that base rent, and a $250/month colocation fee per additional tenant; staff negotiated retention of the tower and field lights. Some council members expressed concern about the magnitude of the reduction from prior rent levels and asked staff to confirm terms; the council approved the amendment contingent upon final review by the city attorney and administrator.
Fire chief employment agreement: Council considered a negotiated employment agreement for the council to approve contingent on appointment by the Police & Fire Commission. The candidate named in staff materials (assistant chief David Hensley of Milwaukee Fire Department, as indicated in the packet) had completed a multi‑stage selection process and background checks; council approved the employment agreement contingent on the PFC appointment.
What happens next: Staff will return with implementation details, contract documents and scheduling for the Mark Drive work and the solar installation; the Array ground lease will proceed to final review by the city attorney and administrator before execution; the fire chief contract remains contingent on PFC appointment.
Votes at a glance: • Payment of bills — $2,109,955.92 — motion passed (voice) • Award Mark Drive Reconstruction Phase 2 to Northwestern Stone LLC — $2,137,596.55 — motion passed (voice) • Approve Eagle Point Solar quote for Verona Senior Center — $59,969 — motion passed (voice) • Amend ground lease with Array (Stomphole Field) — motion passed contingent on city attorney/administrator approval • Approve fire chief employment agreement — motion passed contingent on Police & Fire Commission appointment
