Okay,
when we got
>> ready to leave
somebody
>> I don't know what happened there. I'll
figure it out later. But
>> are there people on there?
>> Curtis on there and Tim on there.
There's only two.
>> And she was on the porch and the dog.
I don't care what you have to be.
>> I can't I can't see the attendees.
>> Didn't talk to her today. That may be
why she's not here. She thinks the
meeting's at seven. Of
course,
>> we're not home.
recording.
>> Good evening. It's my pleasure to
welcome you to the April 21st, 2026
Verona Burough Workshop super committee
meeting. Please join me in standing for
the pledge of allegiance. I
>> aliance to the flag of the United States
of America and to the republic for which
it stands. One nation under God
indivisible with liberty and justice for
all.
>> Roll
Sterling.
>> Council present.
>> Counciloman Rodriguez
>> present. Councilwoman Carpenter uh
present.
>> Uh Councilwoman Renzac
>> present. Uh
>> Councilman Long,
Councilwoman Provenza,
Mayor Rubro
>> present.
>> Thank you. Um we will be tableling the
junior council member swearing in. So
that brings us to registered comments
from the public. We are thrilled to be
joined tonight by our state
representative Joe McAndrew and staff
Shelley um for a special conversation
about a recent grant that Repandrew
helped Verona to acquire. Um in fact he
helped us to acquire our third
consecutive uh DC multimmoal
transportation fund and uh 2025 is
dedicated to Jones Street
Reconstruction. I'm sure everyone's very
familiar in this audience with Jones
Street. has a major thoroughfare um to
bring residents into our shopping plaza
where of course we have Giant Eagle and
many other businesses and back safely.
Um so it is um long overdue in need of
some um basic pedestrian improvements to
make it safer and get um uh more more
traffic coming measures. Is there
anything you wanted to add?
Um yeah, so uh Jones Street is um kind
of a a main road that goes from the
business area um downtown kind of ARV
into the shopping center. Um so it's
well traversed not just by the people of
Verona, but people from Oakmont going to
Giant Eagle to get their groceries. Um
so this is definitely a welcome
improvement. Um it'll look a lot nicer
going there. I think there's going to
even be some sidewalk work done with
this. Um, yeah, it's just a main
corridor that that's in desperate need
of repairs. Um, so we thank you to state
ref uh for giving it.
>> Would you like to name?
>> Yeah. Um, overall, I just want to say
thank you for, you know, the work that
you put into this. You know, I'm able to
go after funding, but the reason
applications go in are because the
municipalities decided they want to go
after action. Um, looking at Jones
Street, it is, you know, used by, you
know, multiple different communities,
whether it is Verona or Pine Hills or
Plum or any surrounding area. Um, it is
one of the main, uh, destinations to get
to grocery store region. Um so but
overall I think that you know Jump
Street is in a place where you know if
we look at Verona as a whole we look at
uh the traditional business district of
Verona um which is that main
thoroughfare along Albert Boulevard and
kind of extends over this road here at
Thor Street and then we see the other
end which is more modern uh business
district which will be the shopping
center and the tie between those two
areas is that Jones Street corridor. So
to see these enhancements is something
that uh you know it was easy for me to
advocate for and go after. Um
specifically
uh in my tenure this is the largest
grant that we've given Verona uh in the
three years that I've been at office
$2.3 million. Um and this is you know
just about 20% of that which is you know
a notable uh chunk of change. It was the
largest multi motor that I I gave out of
this round of funding and I think that
it's it's for um really a solid project.
So I look forward to seeing the
improvements not just for you know
drivers but pedestrian improvements
improvements you know really I think
that here's a chance that we can really
um make this really a tie in between you
know for the town. So it's really
exciting time. Um, so that being said,
uh, I do have a check presentation for
you. Um, because, you know, I think it
would be nice to tell that we're that
these type of investments are going on
in the community. I was wondering if the
council would come down with the manager
and the mayor to take a picture with me
with the the chap, you know, do kind of
a nice photo op to this show that we are
move forward with this type of project.
>> Absolutely. Thank you.
Chief, you want to get on the picture?
>> Nam
commerce president.
>> No, vice president. Nice.
>> Jen's wonderful.
>> Yes. Thank you.
Thank you.
All
right, thank you everyone. Um, without
further ado, this brings us to section
six, comments from the public. Council
will hear comments on public related
matters. Please approach the podium or
raise your virtual hand, state your name
and address, and try and limit your
comments to three minutes or less. How
much should focus on burough business
policies or actions? Council encourages
thoughtful feedback on decisions and
performance while maintaining risk of
construction.
Hello.
>> Hi guys. For those who don't know who we
are, this is we live on P Street. Um we
just wanted to come today to say thank
you to everyone especially um police
that were involved yesterday in our
traumatic incident with the dog attack.
Um Liam is physically okay, mentally
totally different. We've got a long
road. Um again, we just want to say
thank you. The police were amazing
yesterday. Um Officer Santi pulled him
to his side. Like I had a heart to
heart. They both in tears and it was it
was nice for him to have that from
someone other than just family that was
there. Um everything's being handled
quickly and we're being told everything
along the process. So there's no like we
don't know what's happening. There's no
questions. Um obviously he's
traumatized, but we're trying to work
through it now. So we just want to say
thank you and thank you to everybody
that has reached out. It's definitely
been a community past two days.
Everybody that we can think of, people
that we don't know have been stopping by
and asking and offering prayers and well
wishes. So we just want to say thank
you. We say
>> he's nervous. He's nervous, but he did
want to come and say his identity.
>> Thank you.
>> I'm sorry. Thank you.
>> Are there any other comments from the
public?
There's a couple ready for me. Shirley
Marina Davis and I'm from Bern Bernie
United Methodist Church Twin Burough
Health Ministry 798 Heron Avenue. Uh
just wanted to say that I think
everything you do with the Jones Street
is going to be a tremendous addition.
You know, because a lot of people go
back that way to go to Giant Eagle. I
just wanted to say that I have reached
out to a lot of people within our
community such as the Elks, the American
Legion, the Moose, and the Eagles. I
haven't got to yet, but I will. Uh, and
everybody is in favor of helping with
this July 11th event that we're going to
celebrate the 250th year of our country
along with us doing a festival of music,
food, and much much other stuff, music
and everything. So, I just wanted to
thank you for your support for letting
us do this. Uh I filled out all the uh
proper papers at the office and got
approved to do it. So the only thing I
have to finish up is just with the uh
health department, which that's going
well, too. So I just wanted to give you
an update to say that things are coming
along well and I think it'll be a
tremendous
thing for the burrow and for the Twin B
ministries. So I think it is going to
help us all and hopefully in years to
come we can continue to do projects
together like this. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. Thanks for all of your work.
>> Other comments?
Yes sir.
>> Good evening everyone.
I live at 428
Lwood Avenue
and there happened to be something came
up about the parks and recreation take
over the community garden and I did
receive a call and I just wanted to know
um let everyone know that when the land
was donated from our family it was
donated saying that it was to be a
garden not a park and then I looked up
the definition of park. A park is a
place, a large area for public to come
play ball, football, tennis, whatever.
And this space is just, it was just big
enough for one house. It was just a lot.
And it's not big enough for that. You
know, park is recreational
recreational
area. And a garden is a small piece of
land ground that you can plant your
flowers, plant your vegetables, little
shrubs, nothing, you know, we're not
putting in the trees or anything like
that. Just, you know, little small thing
and it's for the community. That's why
it's community garden for everyone just
to come and enjoy it. It wasn't for you
know a lot of um the kid to be bike
rides you know nothing like that you
know it's just a small area for just the
community come together get to know each
other plants and vegetables how food is
so so that is what I wanted to clarify
and then someone had mentioned the
sidewalk
and um ever since I've been there over
40 years there's never been a sidewalk
there at all so you can come
Fair view and come on down. There's no
sidewalk anywhere, you know, going on
down. So, I don't know, we know how that
got into conversation, but I just want
to clarify, you know, if there is any
questions about it. Anybody have any
questions for me?
>> Uh, Nina, it sounds like you're
requesting that council clarify that the
community garden is not in fact a park,
but is a community garden.
>> It's a community garden.
>> And there's a plaque outside. when you
walk into it, it says this is a
community garden. It's and it's pretty
well self-explanatory if you read it.
>> And can you restate for anyone who may
not be familiar your connection, your
family's connection with it?
>> Um the family connection.
Um I was married quite young and I lived
with my mother-in-law, father-in-law,
like all in the family, you know, and my
husband was second to the oldest
brother. There was five brothers and he
was second to the oldest. His name was
Charles. and he since passed away in
2004.
So, um the well um no one was really
down there or whatever. So, I just
wanted them to remember the member of
the family because they've been there
for they used to work for James Alberto,
you know, that's who that's who they
bought the house from originally from.
So, you know, I just want everybody to
know that's where they originally. I
didn't know any.
>> Well, that's all from
um and there's there's just two brothers
left now, but um
we just wanted to have, you know, just
keep it in um keep it in mind.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> All right.
>> Thank you for coming and thank you for
your family's contribution. No problem.
Are there any other comments from the
public?
Um, based off of
Nina Monroe's comment, um, I'm wondering
if we should entertain a motion to add
to the action items for tonight a
resolution declaring the Verona
Community Garden a garden and not a
park.
>> Yeah,
>> we have a resolution.
I think we can draft one sentence very
quickly.
>> Okay.
>> I would need a first and second to have
that motion added.
>> I'd feel more comfortable if we had a
resolution for voting.
>> We'll have a resolution that we're
voting on,
>> but we don't have one now. I believe we
um we can have one very quickly, but um
my question is do we want to entertain a
motion to add it as a potential action
item for tonight? If so, I would go
first.
>> Would would we craft
a resolution
for for tonight or do we craft a
resolution for voting for for the next?
>> I suggest we craft it where we have it
under acceptable topics. HE for tonight
is community garden. I think this
council is capable of putting together a
one or two sentence resolution simply
indicating its status as the garden not
a park. Okay.
>> Oh well, okay. Where I'm I'm used to a
resolution whereas whereas and you're
basically suggesting a motion where we
just say someone makes a motion to
declare the community garden. Got it.
>> I'll be happy. And it's already and it's
already stated on the plaque anyway.
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. But I'm I'm fine to make the
motion to add a motion about declaring
the community garden a garden for later.
>> We need a second.
>> We have a first by councelor Carpenter
declaring clarifying
our community garden status as a
community garden and not a park. I have
a second by councelor Rodriguez. Are
there any additional questions or
comments?
All those in favor to add this item say
I.
>> I.
>> Are there any opposed?
>> Now at this time we will add um an
additional section for the comment uh
for the public to comment. If there are
any comments on the addition of this
action item
on there,
>> seeing no one approaching the podium or
virtual hands raised, we will proceed
with the agenda. Note that councelor
Provenza is now in attendance.
>> Jacob.
>> Hi, Silia. Good evening everyone. True.
My apology. I had an appointment with
break. I'm so sorry.
>> Um, Kelly, can you speak on
>> All right. that he's on.
>> He has
>> but we can't see.
We control it.
>> We have to get He has to get unmuted.
>> No, it's not that. It's the attendee.
It's not missing the attendance for some
weird reason.
>> Yeah, we're talking Zoom.
>> Yeah,
>> that would be lovely. Thank you. Yes.
Thank you. I'm gonna put on speaker
first.
Sorry.
Without further ado, we'll be moving on
now to section seven committee reports.
So for our workshop super committee
meetings,
>> we will be structuring our meetings as
such where each committee will give a a
brief update of their current projects
and priorities. Um so first we have 7A
the newly created executive and
administration committee which is led by
myself along with Nancy and John. Um the
main item for tonight that we wanted to
let everyone know was that we are very
proud to announce that at our recent
ALOM conference bro was once again
awarded the status of being a banner
community. Um this is a highly rewarded
um designation that we are very proud to
have achieved now for several
consecutive years um that um states that
we have met certain criteria and feel
free to add in Jacob or Sylvia with any
additional information about what it
means to be a banner community and I
think we have the certificate as well.
>> Yes. So we do have the certificate um
it's at the Alagany League of
Municipalities. It's an award that's
given out to a certain number of
communities. Um you go to a nice lunch,
they present you with a certificate. Um
it's my understanding that we've been a
banner community for um a while now. Um
so it just goes to show, you know, uh
that we are exceeding in some areas um
to get such honors. I don't know,
Sylvia, do you want to kind of explain
the criteria for a banner community?
What they what they kind of look for?
We have been a banner community for
quite some time. They look for
communities that are willing to make
change uh to better the community.
Anything that's going to be a positive
and I think we have worked very well
with them community and with other
people that are affiliated with and I
think we've all learned a lot from that.
It's a very beneficial thing and I hope
to see us continue with it for many
years.
>> Yeah. So some of the things that they
look for that um sound fiscal management
um they look for sustainable practices
uh with the burrow. Um and you know it's
it's no surprise to to anybody that
Verona is on the smaller side. Um so
despite that sort of challenge you know
we're still able to find success in
those areas. um and us to find, you
know, awards across the county uh for
that.
>> Small but mighty, right?
>> Yeah. So, um thank you to everyone for
your hard work in uh helping to make us
a better community and um certainly for
for the paperwork and representing us at
Alon as well. So, it's great to be you
guys.
Um housekeeping note, uh next month due
to the primary election, we will not
hold a base super committee workshop
meeting. So the only meeting in May will
be the business meeting which will be
Tuesday, May 12th at 7 p.m.
Uh next report on the list for tonight
is the finance, grants, and long-term
fiscal planning uh committees update
with
>> Thank you. Um, I just wanted to um let
everyone know that we just got our
finance reports like yesterday.
So,
Jacob, myself, probably Jason
um will be working on a full-fledged
quarterly report for the business
meeting in May. Um, but what I can tell
you right now is that as of the first
quarter,
our revenues
are $681,315,
which is 27.15%
of the budget. At the first quarter, you
look to be around 25%, but it's great
that our profit is above that. So that's
really good. And that our first quarter
expenditures are 610,768.91
and that stands at 25.83%
of total expenditures.
Uh and so um
that's good. our revenue uh is two 2% or
so greater than our expenditures at this
point. Um so I can tell you that
um there was some major expenditures
that we we spent in the last month went
one to Alka for $173,568
and um
I would say the only other
expenditures of note uh might be for the
road salt we spend from the liquid fuels
uh the the liquid fuels
fund uh is a little over $6,000.
The the rest of this stuff that's on
here is stuff that we spend uh every
month. So um
nothing notable there really. and major
receipts. We got a bunch of money in
from Oakmont Water, which is what we use
to pay the Alka-San bill. And we got a
grant
that goes to the sewer fund from CCB
uh for $146,538
and we collected $10,000 in regional
sales tax.
So that's all I can tell you about that
for right now. publicly have a a more um
expanded report next month. In terms of
the grants update,
really Trish is the grants guru
and Matt takes care of a lot of those uh
grants as well. But I can tell you that
the $9,500 grant that Curtis got um for
uh healthy aging in this area. I have
talked to some people at the senior
center and we're putting together a
meeting with Curtis and other people
uh over there to see given the
constraints of that grant and what it
needs to be spent on how we can make
that work for the senior center for
Verona. It might include a little bit of
old bond, but we need to get with the
woman who um is ahead of that uh grant
section of the government in the county
exactly what we can and can't do with
that money. So, working on that and uh I
think that's all I have for right now.
>> Okay.
>> Any questions or comments?
Great. Uh 7 C communication and
community engagement committee update by
Councilman John Jalis.
>> Yeah. Um thank you. Um so I guess just
got a couple things. Uh
so
wanted to start a
council corner um news as part of the
front of newsletter.
So, I've heard in the past, you know,
some folks had
said, why don't why aren't we putting
something in the newsletter to discuss
like, you know, a lot of, you know,
other organizations in town are talking
about what they're doing and, you know,
why isn't council doing something, you
know, and they brought up a good point
like why aren't we putting up, you know,
our prog progress reports? Why aren't we
talking about what we're doing? So, I'm
thinking that, you know, I'm not saying
we should write, you know, an entire
book, but I think we should just have
everybody just send me a paragraph, you
know, before the, you know, so our
deadline here for the the dawn. Our
deadline's May 1st. So, everyone send me
a paragraph of, you know, what we've
done and what we're working on
currently, each committee, send it to
me, and I'll I'll write a I'll just I'll
write a uh
and I'll send it in. We'll get it in uh
you know, by May 1,
get it in the newsletter.
What do you think? And I don't know.
Um, how long should our brief be? Couple
sentences. I
>> I'm I'm thinking a paragraph or less,
but you just give me a brief, you know,
synopsis of what happened and what's
going on.
>> That's it.
>> The articles do the first. Do you want
it before the first?
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. I can probably hopefully I next
week so I can kind of compile everything
together and kind of, you know, do some
editing.
>> Next week is the 30th. So maybe by
>> Yeah. Yeah. quick. Uh, if you could keep
it down to a half page or less, that
would be sufficient. We can handle that.
>> Um, smaller the better. I mean, so
>> when you say half page, how many
paragraphs would that be for the rules?
>> Is that a half page?
>> Document about a half page.
>> Yeah, I think
>> in fact with AI now, you can really have
a it will condense it even more. So, you
know,
>> we can work with that.
>> Don't be afraid to use it.
>> Yeah. Maybe even a couple bullet points.
>> Sure.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Great.
>> Yeah. And then uh the second thing so
that I was speaking with Jessica the
Verona community group and uh so I
perhaps I need to get with Jacob on this
but I want to try to supposedly we could
get a there's we there's a widget on
Google through the you know the
community group. We can use their widget
and connect it with our website and put
it on the put it on the Corona calendar
on the on the website.
>> Love it.
>> And and just connect the Vona events
with the official bureau website.
>> One community calendar.
>> One community that' be great. Everything
that's going on. Yeah. you know, so
that's
>> so it' be a great way to, you know, for
example, the July 11th event,
>> you know, we could put that on our
website as well, you know, have that on
there and anything else that's going on
that's pertinent throughout the year and
then and they update it. So if they
update their their end of the thing, it
should automatically I would think it
would automatically
>> update in the widget and update on our
page as well. I would think. I'm not
sure. Something we need to investigate.
We can work it out.
>> Great.
>> Phenomenal. John, are there any
questions or comments for John?
>> That's all I have right now.
>> Great update. Thank you so much. Uh
we'll move on to 7D, planning and active
transportation. Um we have uh councelor
Sperling heads this along with myself.
We have an update tonight on crosswalk
and parking compliance audit.
I don't know if Curtis can talk or
Jacob, you want to handle this? See,
he's on the phone here.
>> I think he
can hear me.
>> Yeah.
Okay. All right. Um, can you still hear
still hear me?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Um,
so I remember what uh the chief was
saying a couple of weeks ago about, you
know, parking, you know, the um like
paint lines and the pavement markings
for parking um faded or non-existent.
Uh, and I know we just got a couple of
roads paved um or in the process of
being paid, I should say. Um, so what I
would like to do is to, you know, kind
of go around town and see which areas
are in need and start there and kind of
work our way down. Um,
pavement markings. I mean, you know,
obviously school is about to end, but I
mean, you know, pedestrian crossings and
and uh, you know, parking
parking markers. There is one uh spot in
particular, I don't know if anybody else
has had an issue, but if you're driving
on First Street passing Parker Street,
cars that are coming on Parker Street
are coming from Parker Street, they have
to pretty much pull in the middle of the
road because no, they can't see left or
right, you know, because those Anyway,
um the goal would be to, you know, go
around town and see those areas are in
need, you know, more than
more than others.
>> Great. And that will be excellent to do,
especially well ahead of um next school
year. Did you have any
>> uh Yeah, I I agree with uh Councilman
Sparling. Um it's something that me and
AJ, the head of DPW, are kind of working
on. Um you know, we do understand that
there there's a need for them. Um it's
been a while since a lot of the curbs,
crosswalks, park spaces have been
painted. Um my hope is that we can kind
of come up with a schedule uh because it
does take time. There's a certain amount
of manh hours that takes all three of
them out there in some of the roads to
flag to paint. They have to clear the
debris first. Um so it's a little bit of
a process and we want to make sure that
we're doing it right and hitting kind of
the most critical areas first. Um we're
reaching out to the state. Matt is
actually reaching out to the state. They
had agreed at one point to paint on ARB,
the portion that was paved. Um, so we
want to get an answer from them first
before we we would work on paving that.
Um, but I know another area that was
brought up would be East Railroad. Um,
but I think a good first step is looking
at the critical areas, coming up with
kind of a schedule, you know, having
them fit in certain streets, um, weather
permitting on certain weeks.
Okay, great. Um, any questions or
comments on that update?
Are we anticipating um like a walking
audit or
>> Yeah, I think a walk out would be good.
>> You know, a quarter at a time different
areas.
>> Fantastic. Great. We'll just keep us
posted. Happy to help and
>> did you want to say anything about the
elaborate?
Oh, we did announce it at the last
meeting, but uh we will be doing a walk
audit next Monday the 27th.
Uh LTAP stands for the local technical
assistance program. It's a division of
PENDOT that provides free um traffic uh
information and suggestions to
municipalities such as ours. So, we will
be looking at the parking at Riverbank
Park in tandem with our 2024 multimotal
transportation fund grants um to pay our
street adding bike lanes and uh parkings
there as well.
>> What time
I believe?
>> Great. Um well, without further
discussion, we'll move on to section E,
infrastructure and public safety. This
is headed by councelor Long with
participation from councelor Sperling.
Looks like tonight we have an update on
street opening permits on certain
streets requiring flagging. Um Kurt or
Jacob, do you want to
>> Yeah, I can take that one. So, um it was
brought up last uh meeting with um the
work that was done on the sewer line at
center um on center. Um and something
that we are we're looking to update is
maybe adding a requirement for certain
streets that they have to have a
flagger. Um that was just last week. So,
we put it on there as something that
hopefully we'll we'll get kind of an
answer on or some clear directive of
what we can and can't do uh for those
requirements next business meeting.
>> Okay.
7F parks and recreation inclus inclusion
and quality of life development headed
by Kelly.
>> Looks like you have a couple updates.
>> Uh well, I sort of I'm still waiting on
Matt about this swing.
>> Okay.
>> Um
I'm meeting with Sue for the park. Just
didn't have time to meet since last
week. Uh
>> meeting with who? Sorry dude to do a
walk through.
>> Okay.
>> And when you say waiting on that, you're
waiting for clarifications on ADA
requirements.
>> Yes, correct. And um he's also looking
up the wheelchairs to as well. And we
also asked him to look up um we have
baseball nets up at the cribs field and
critters get stuck in it. We also have
issues with when cut the grass.
>> Yes. Yes.
>> So we're trying to figure out how to
lift that up a little bit. Mhm.
>> Um, so none of us have any issues. Uh,
the sidewalk was finished on person
center. I'm not sure if we talked about
that.
>> Um, so that part's done. I don't know,
but we just
continuing to I don't know what's going
on there. It's a It's an ice square.
>> They're meeting a second.
>> Yeah. same
same
with the code officer about it because I
received a number of complaints that he
said he was looking at.
>> Yes, I do.
>> Yeah. And I will say it's important that
if like these code issues, they should
go through either me or Teresa too. Um
because we we see him pretty regularly.
Um we can, you know, kind of ask for
updates on where they're at. Um Teresa
has a a sort of program that she uses to
and wait. So,
>> okay. Uh, let's see. And then the other
thing we were going to do, I don't know
anything about the lock. You can fill me
in later or whatnot, you know, once we
don't any other time. This is for the
box outside so people can use the
scanner.
>> Okay. Uh and then
oh uh we were talking about you know the
yellow painting and whatnot updating
that. Okay. Well on north we do have it
painted and there are people
continuously parking front of it. Are we
allowing this
>> because this is a this is a problem. I'm
tired. Don't close it because if I can't
do that then you shouldn't be able to do
that.
>> Right. So that needs to stop.
>> What is the process? We would call
>> I was told that you said we weren't
ticketing. So because of our
>> It's North Avenue.
>> Oh. For street sweeping during
>> the It's more than that. It's more than
that.
>> They're in yellow.
>> Yes, it's more than that. Hold on.
>> I'm here's the thing. We have to start
enforcing fairly and across the board.
We can't collectively enforce. So these
people that park in yellow, that's why
I'm adamant. The whole town needs yellow
paint. It just it just does. North
Avenue is a problem. We all know it's
been a problem for eons.
There are cars that continually park in
yellow, but have told prior to, "Well,
we can park there because parking's so
bad on North Avenue." Well, we got to
take a stance. Either we're going to
allow this or we're not. If we're not
going to allow it, you're going to have
angry people are complaining, "Well, I
used to park there. Why am I getting
tickets?" So, it's either we're going to
enforce it or we're not going to enforce
that. That's it.
Uh, so I believe we were not enforcing
during the gas line work
in
>> forever, right?
>> Right. I don't understand why we should
enforce everything else, right?
>> Well, most definitely. I mean, if it's a
yellow line and they're parking on his
stop sign,
>> right? So, we should
>> It's on both sides, too. So, it's pretty
>> Well, this is it's a systemic problem. I
mean, we can start enforcing it to the
letter, but you're gonna have a lot of
angry people in here. And you are you
gonna back us or you're not going to
back us because there are tremendously a
lot of parking violations in this town.
>> Yellow left wheel curb. I mean, you name
it. Parking on sidewalks. I mean, it's
going to you're going to have angry
angry people.
>> That's it, too. Thank you for that
sidewalk.
>> So, we can enforce it, but you know
what? You're going to have the backlash.
>> I don't care
>> because everyone's doing it. Everyone's
parking left with a curb. You can't
legally do that. You have to park right
around the curb. So, I mean, do you want
us to do it or you don't? That's just
what you guys got to
>> Yes.
>> for us.
>> Okay. Well, then
>> Giddy up.
>> You can't can't tell me. I can't. And
then this person.
>> I can't. Well, there's a lot of I'm
going to bring a sidewalk situation
>> related to Jamie. I'm getting more
complaints because nothing's being done
in sidewalks. We got to We have to
address the issue. Yeah.
>> Um, and I keep foring them. I mean, I
got three already. So, we have to
address the sidewalk issue. You can't
just deal with one sidewalk issue and
then look past 14 other.
>> So,
>> but are they coming here to tell us?
>> They're sending in tips to me and
they're calling because nothing's
getting done.
>> I just personally don't know about it if
Correct.
>> they don't tell us. I don't know how to
make people come and tell us. I know
people have in the past aren't getting
heard. Now is the time.
>> Similarly, I know like Teresa fields a
lot of calls in the office, but we don't
necessarily have visibility on that. Is
there a way to counsel more visibility
when these calls come in?
>> We need
Well, people are clearly angry, but we
don't know.
>> Well, so that would go into the code
enforcement report every month.
>> Okay. So which is again it's really
important that
>> we read that
>> people well people call and it can be
processed through Teresa to go through
Jamie has he has an entire process for
it. Um and then that feeds into the code
enforcement report that's generated
everywhere.
>> The impression I'm getting though too is
we're not just dealing with
sidewalks that people complain about. We
want to actually look at the entire
town, all the sidewalks, whether
somebody complains about them or not,
>> and maybe have a system that Jamie can
set up and go through the entire town
and make note of every single sidewalk
that needs improvement on. So, it
doesn't matter if somebody's complaining
about it that it would get fixed. They
would all get fixed one way or another.
Now, how they are all going to get
fixed, I do not have the answer to that
because a lot of places, you know,
there's a sidewalk and there's no house
there, you know, and the owner is in
Africa or something. So, how do you fix
that? How do you get that fixed? Is
there a way? I know that we have the
connectivity with the sidewalk through
ATP, but I was wondering if there's any
grants out there specifically for
sidewalks that need repaired in the
entire town. It's a question. I have no
idea what the answer is.
>> So, what too many people what if they
pay for hers and mine needs done next
year and you're not paying for mine?
We're going to have big bro. I'm just
saying.
>> Yeah. So,
>> you know what I mean? Not me personally,
but I'm saying
>> yes, I get what you're saying. So I
think initially what we need is a policy
on when the bureau um assists with
sidewalk replacements. Long story short,
there aren't random grants for these
sidewalks. Um we can make the case for
active transportation if it's along the
corridors. So we are doing those ones,
but there will still be money that
ultimately are responsible property
owners, but let's be real here. Property
owners may not have means to replace
their sidewalks. So what are we going to
do to find people that already don't
have funds? Um so
>> yeah. So um I was so
there isn't many grants at all through
the state for individuals. Um the state
just doesn't give out money to to
individuals for things. And you'd also
kind of run into the problem of,
you know, some of the houses are pretty
close together. And it makes more fiscal
sense to do an entire road of sidewalk,
you know, or a length of sidewalk. So,
one person, you know, might qualify for
some grant or some support and you
replace, you know, maybe the 25 ft right
in front of their house, but then it's
kind of bookended by, you know, uh,
sidewalk that is in kind of disrepair.
We we'd really have to find in order for
that grant to be uh awarded, we'd have
to find a real problem area that would
be not just one section of sidewalk but
an entire block or two blocks of
sidewalk that is
>> right. So badly justifies, you know, us
getting a large sum of money to repair
an entire area,
>> right? and what something like that
would look like. For instance, um like
the 500,000 for Jones Street, some of
that does include
>> adding sidewalk, sidewalk repair, so it
would be the entire street and sidewalks
in addition to that. Um but those are,
you know, they're hard because it's few
and far between for those. Um so I I do
think some guidance would be good on
enforcing and trying to find means to to
help, you know, cover them down.
Um, I understand what you're saying and
I agree with that. Um, the bureau does
have some property that we have to, you
know, also put a sidewalk in throughout
the valley.
>> Um, what are you going to do about where
there, excuse me,
where there is no sidewalk at all?
>> And then you have to deal with the and
I'm not being negative about this. I'm
just throwing this out. Then what are
you gonna do about all the trees, you
know, that are, you know, uplifting the
sidewalk
>> like on East Rail Road,
>> uh, North,
>> but I had to remove trees that was
happening. So,
>> but there's now a tree commission. We've
done a lot of work in Pixburg and we
don't do no more work there because
their tree commission gives you a hard
time about sidewalks. They want it
repaired, but don't touch the roots. So,
what do you do,
>> you know?
Yeah. What do you do?
>> One put sidewalk in.
>> So, I talked with ACCD, which is the
Alageney County Conservation Department.
Uh, and they're associated with a couple
of groups that do that. They they
replace trees. Um, what they recommended
actually on one of the project we're
working on ARB, they to fix that portion
of some of the drainage. Um,
>> they have to remove some trees from
there. Um, and then those trees would
need to be removed anyways because the
root system is causing a lot of damage.
But what they can do is they can replace
them with um more favorable trees from
there.
>> So ones that don't
>> the trees
>> once it messes up.
>> But you got to understand, you know,
that sounds good, but those trees are
expensive to remove too.
>> Yeah. So they usually they have programs
that will they'll help swap out trees
for
>> native species that yeah that are meant
to actually go on because a lot of the
ones that were planted on the sidewalk a
long time ago are not
>> ones that work well there.
>> Yeah. And just generally what they
found, what ACTCD found is that those
sidewalk trees, what they were doing,
you know, in kind of years past was
putting like oak trees on the sidewalk,
which those spread and cause damage, but
they'll find trees and plant them that
won't do that. They'll kind of stay
small and their roots don't spread or
uplift. So,
>> so I was going to suggest if it's okay
with you, Kelly, and everyone that as an
action item
to look into further just what can we do
perhaps
finding off is that because I know you
had asked me to reach up with Kurt for
his grant, but no, she wants to meet
with him. So,
>> it depends on what the grant is
designated for. I'm not sure. Um, Jacob
and I were looking at it. I'm not sure
that it's designated for
>> side. Sorry.
>> No, I thought we were gonna find out
what it
>> we haven't found out.
>> So,
you're asking about priorities.
>> No, I'm just confused why we're meeting
with anybody if we don't know. Why
wouldn't we find out that makes
>> she's going to get clarity on that? Um,
so that's table where the clarity is
given. Yeah,
>> but for this conversation, um, can we
add this to?
>> Thank you.
>> Are there any other questions or
comments on sidewalks or anything else
that Kelly mentioned this evening?
>> Am I putting the paint on mine, too?
>> Oh, uh, we have that under
infrastructure. Okay. Yeah,
>> or
that was actually our planning, but
that's actually largely sitting with
Jacob and AJ, but
certainly feel free to capture
additional notes.
Uh, this brings us to section eight,
discussion topics. 8A and we have paving
updates on all of the streets with Mayor
>> where we have with paving.
>> Well, um Matt would have a better idea
of what projects are starting when. Um I
know one was supposed they started a
project
um I think it was last week. They got
bumped to early this week because of the
weather um they were having. So, uh, a
lot of it is things left over from last
year that they're trying to catch up on
this this early part. Um, but me and
Matt have been kind of coordinating and
we're also trying to make people aware
of what what streets are getting paid
when so they can move.
>> I know her
start on the herring
street.
>> Yes,
>> they're almost done except for
>> rights
to call that back in the day.
>> Yes.
is the only street that's left.
Um um
>> but I just hope council don't let this
happen again next at the end of the
season again.
>> Uh these companies coming and I
understand the weather. I
>> sorry we have a lot of chatter in the
audience. Jenny mayor
>> and I understand that but um they they
didn't keep up on their end. I feel
especially everybody canon going on to
ARB you know it was that big hump they
they did come and fix it once but you
know they could
>> right um and the other thing too is and
I know this u it's been brought up at
the last meeting if I could bring a few
things up that was already discussed I
want to see if they're moved on I
believe it's Sheridan Avenue there's a
um
um a salt cutter been sitting there down
there
uh where the big sandpow is down on
Sheridan.
I I have no idea whose it is and I don't
know how a company can
>> that's from the people that were putting
in the binder along Arch. That's what
that's from unshared.
>> We could use that along with our
excavator that we got
sitting there all I don't understand
these companies. I really don't. Um and
we also discussed um about painting or
the line painting on ARB. I'm getting uh
people, you know, business people asking
when the lines are going down. And also
the new owner of the distillery about
some of his patrons, they asked him, "Am
I allowed to park there? You know, we're
going to meet a group of people here,
but it says two-hour parking. Does that
mean it's in the evening, too?" And I
told him, "Absolutely not. There's
supposed to be stickers going on that we
discussed from 9 to 4.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Yeah. So, for the stickers, um, one of
the issues, if you look at the two-hour
parking signs, it's very narrow where
the sticker would go and there's a bolt
in the middle. Um, so we reached out to
the person that manufactures them
because they also do the they'll make
the stickers. Um, to see if they can
kind of design something, you know, that
that will fit in that space. Um my
concern there, you know, is you're
buying two to three stickers instead of
just one. Um so it increases the cost of
it. Uh and then, you know, we want to
make sure that's easily visible and kind
of doesn't overlap on the letters at
all. So we're we're trying to work out a
solution to that.
I wish I I I meant to bring one of the
signs because it's very you don't have
much picture of So, one thing I asked
Jacob if we could get it for AJ to
replace it with one new sign that has
that, but
>> I haven't seen that. I know what you're
talking about.
>> Yeah.
>> And uh and Mfield still has their broken
excavator.
>> Thank you. I wanted to bring that
>> property over there.
>> Well, Matt did send me the I brought
that up at the last meeting. Matt did
the next day. the company that did the
um the tearing down of the building, the
excavator caught on fire. The insurance
company paid him off. So, he's clear of
that. It's up to the insurance company
to remove that. And when the uh Matt,
our engineer, called the company, they
said, "We have no, you know, legal
responsibility for it. We got paid off
on it. That's up to the insurance
company." So Matt was uh getting um you
know looking to that for them to remove
it.
>> Okay,
>> that's all I have.
>> Great.
Thanks for keeping those top of the
list.
>> Can I ask you a question about that?
Because your it was on your subject.
>> Yep.
>> Do you know when the gas work's going to
be done because it's been t
>> Do you have that?
>> Um I don't. I can get one from M.
>> Well, I think uh didn't Matt say that
the water company was going to replace
the water line. Mhm.
>> I have no idea. Also,
>> he did the hole, so I just
>> Well, all Yeah. I mean, they're there
because we're going to pave the road.
All the bricks are coming out.
>> Do we know when that's coming?
>> Well, after Oak goes in there. Matt said
in puts the new their new line in
>> this year.
>> It should be.
>> Okay.
>> I mean, he could keep on saying, "When
are you going to do this?" Because we
want to pave this road.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So all those bricks are coming out
and I think it'll make a lot of people
happy down there. That road then we're
>> gonna
I know.
>> Yes. Thank you for recalling those
details. So it was a question of the
timing to so we don't have to yeah lose
cost or money paving or trying repaving.
>> Well, I don't know if some people
remember this on Spruce Street. Um they
you know um they did a one call which is
uh it's a call out to every utility
that's underground on the road and they
dug it up because that was all bricks.
They took it out and they repaved it and
I think maybe five six weeks later
towards the middle of Spruce Street a
major water break dug up the whole
entire
>> street that they had to redo.
>> Yeah. Um mainly because those pipes are
so old and you got all that machinery
pounding, you know, and that ground is
moving and those pipes are moving and it
just gave way and that's why they want
to not only in this town but they try to
replace the pipes at their, you know,
certain age which throughout this
country the infrastructure is bad
>> with gas, water, everything.
>> Okay.
>> Y
>> very good discussion. Um, we'll move on
to HB next. Police secretary position.
>> Um, Trish, I just wanted to say before
we start that, I noticed that there's
now four participants. I know two of
them are us and
we just need to say out loud to people
who are on the webinar tonight that we
can't we can't um unmute you or see you.
We don't know who you are. So, if maybe
one of them might be Tim, maybe somebody
else needs to get Tim on the phone if
that's him. Or if somebody else who's on
there were blind,
um, let us know. Call one of us or text
one of us and let us know if you want to
say something and we'll put you on our
speaker phone.
>> My number is 724
>> 462985.
That's 724-4620985.
Call me if you would like to make a
comment during public comment.
Uh section 8B, police secretary
position. You'll notice in the action
items for tonight, we have a motion to
accept our Annette Bracken Sergeant
Heritage um resignation uh letter that
she recently submitted. Our police chief
has recommended that we proceed with
replacing um this position without
further ado with a part-time position um
at approximately 35 hours per week. Is
there anything else you'd like to add?
>> Do a salary range.
>> We do have salary range.
>> No, I'm asking uh
>> 18 to 20.
I think you guys
>> finance manager had a discussion.
>> Um I also understand we uh we don't need
a motion to advertise.
>> I I believe that's true.
>> No,
>> we don't need a motion to advertise.
>> Um so it is not on the action items, but
you're okay to proceed with that.
>> That'll be on my front.
>> Fantastic. Any questions or comments?
>> Yeah, I have a comment. Um I would like
to thank um Annette Bracken. I believe
it's like 40 years she's been here at
five.
>> I'm sorry, what? At five.
>> 45.
>> 45 years that she been here.
>> And um looking around the table, you
know, looking around the chambers here.
She also did um crossing guards for many
years. She crossed my three kids, you
know, when they went to school. Um the
chief, uh there uh John,
>> Kelly, Kelly. Uh so you know
>> chocolate girl
>> she was an allaround woman not only
doing the uh you know the book work in
the office but the ticketing and plus um
she was a school crossing guard for many
years also. So she did three jobs at one
time and um
you know you know it comes a time when
um you know I I hope she enjoys you know
the rest of her you know life and um she
worked long and hard 45 years to one job
was um you know dedication and a
commitment so we appreciate that.
>> Absolutely Mayor Wilson. Thank you. I
too would like to wish Annette a
wonderful retirement. She would enjoy it
in good health and certainly much
happiness. Wonderful young lady. You
never heard anything negative about her.
Good, good young lady.
>> D, you know, I remember her ever since I
was a I was a little boy. So,
>> you know, she's uh served this community
for so many years.
>> Yeah. And uh yeah, I love I know she
loves this town and uh and uh we are
eternally grateful for her service.
>> Yes.
>> And uh you know from I I can I think I
speak for everyone here. We really
grateful for what she's done for Verona
and uh we wish her the very very best in
her retirement.
>> Absolutely.
>> Thank you. I did all of those comments
as well, but I also want to add that um
the other part of this is interview
process. Like
I think we just need to address is is
the chief just going to interview the
candidates themselves?
>> Yeah. So the chief is just going to
interview the candidates himself and
recommend a hire for our next meeting.
Is that correct, Chief Dell?
>> Yeah. a two week um accept
applications and then
>> sorry Nancy and then interview and then
bring forward for the next meeting.
>> Thank you chief.
>> We good Nancy?
>> Yes.
Let's see. Um, next on our agenda, we
have an update on
>> consultant, our HR consultant, Tracy
Holse, regarding um finalizing her work
with the bureau and um the next steps on
that. Um, Jacob, did you want to
discuss?
>> Yeah. Um, so Tracy, she she had done a
lot um prior to me joining. um she
helped I think it was my first meeting
kind of um figure out and kind of help
narrow in some of the goals for council
especially these committees helped uh
with the very early stages of the super
committee structure. Um additionally uh
one thing that the administrative side
has been focusing on is organizing um
kind of making all the records that we
have into a dig digital format make it
easier to find them. um she helped a lot
with that. Uh so she worked with Teresa
in the office. Um so now it's a lot
easier for us to find files. Um so when
somebody calls and they're looking for a
resolution, you know, that happened last
year, we have a little bit easier time
finding it. Um and hopefully we'll cut
down on paper uh usage that way, too. Um
so I think my plan um I want to talk to
Tracy and kind of see if next month
she'll be willing to kind of do a recap
of everything she's done. Um, so you
know, we can kind of get a complete
picture of her work here.
>> And we have a end date in
>> we're looking at this summer. Um, but
part of that depends on how quickly we
can wrap up the last one or two items,
>> which does bring us to section 8D, the
employee handbook. Um, one major project
that she has helped our burough with is
the draft of our employee handbook.
Oops. Councelor Gllis and his committee
um last year. Um you'll notice that we
did include it in your packet for
tonight. Um we wanted to get some
feedback. Um we were anticipating that
we would take a chunk of it each super
committee meeting and discuss. So we're
going to propose it for since we won't
have one in May the June committee that
we come prepared to discuss chapters one
and two if that sounds reasonable. Um,
we also want to get some feedback on um,
how much should involve our labor
attorney Josh with the review of this.
He obviously does do this a great deal
as part of his profession, but of course
we want to be mindful of our fiscal
responsibility and do our due diligence
for us as counselors to ensure it's in a
state that we are most confident with
before we present it to Dodge. Um, we
assume, but it will require some
homework on our behalf. So, Right.
>> I'm sorry I interrupt. I you know the
more work that we do on our own I think
the more beneficial it's going to be
because again we do have to be mindful
of the expense involved with the labor
terms.
>> So we're going to turn that in. you
know, there's something we do have a
specific question on, just send that
specific
article or, you know, piece of the
handbook. We don't have to send the
entire handbook if, you know, again,
we're not going to spend thousands and
thousands of dollars on getting that
reviewed. We just want,
you know, one one or two questions or
something answered. That's it. we don't
need to
dive into the entire thing. Um I think
the bulk of the work has already been,
you know, finished. We just have to get
finished.
>> Yeah, I agree. It's definitely one of
those things that when we send to if we
do decide to send it to look over, you
know, he's an attorney, so the hourly
rate is is is pretty high. um we want
our completed version of the product,
you know,
to get his his opinion way on
and and again
I think it, you know, to flip it out, I
I think it's it's more prudent to have
him look at it on stuff that we do have
questions on rather than getting into
some legal rabbit hole that we could
regret later on.
to suggest
um another option for an approach to
this.
>> Yes.
>> Because there are um eight parts.
I just wonder if people could
and look at the 13 critical high and
moderate changes that have been
suggested on these last two pages.
If there's anything other than those 13
things we can go over, but if we just do
a couple of sections at a time, it'll be
September before we can think about
adopting this. I'd rather,
you know, we've had it for a while. I
don't know if we could ever printed it
out for everybody, but part of our
homework could be to go through the
entire thing and highlight anything that
that might be other than these 13
things.
>> Come to the meeting um whenever the next
time we look at it and say what your
issue might be and we could discuss it
then. But because of missing the the May
meeting, um that's really going to put
us back two months from now. I'd like to
see if we can kind of wrap it up before
we get to the school year starting again
in 26.
That's just my it's just a thought, a
suggestion, a preference. What do people
think?
Well, someone who has the table of
contents handy, um, might you suggest
more manageable chunks that are greater
than what I initially suggested but
aren't the entirety?
Well, I guess what I'm thinking is
more more intelligent
um
method than any of us has gone through
it already and suggested what are
um issues that need to be resolved and
um
I
And I just should we have our department
heads look at it too?
>> I was going to ask I definitely think
that's a key part this process
>> and I know John that you have specific
concerns about the whole leave FMLA
business
>> this is nonuniform as well.
>> Yeah that's
>> well this is nonuniform.
>> Yes. I don't think anyone who's in
uniform other than the chief this this
applies to because they have their
contract their
>> right but people have to be familiar
with it as well like hiring the police
secretary.
>> Sure.
>> So input is welcome
>> I just
Yeah. So those are there's eight parts.
So, are you going to have the department
heads review this also?
>> I think so.
>> But I would put a timeline on it, you
know, not just say, "Hey, review this."
Then, you know, three, four, five, six
weeks from now. Oh, I didn't get the uh
>> maybe say by the end of May at the
latest.
>> We already have my I already reviewed
this. We have a new
>> Yeah, we we have a uh
>> Forgive me for uh
>> I'm just saying you want
>> we did we did okay just to explain
>> we um
we got a new draft that is um the the
the original draft that you saw was very
long and
>> very thick.
>> Yeah. and and so we we changed some
things on our own and um so and we made
it a little bit simpler. Um and I don't
I don't I think so
I think that it's a it's a little bit
better than the the first version.
>> Send me in.
>> So I'll send it to you.
>> Let me know what you think. But there
are there are things in there um that we
will even based on the original that we
still have questions on. So and and I
think that that's why we want to get the
um
some of these things that are in there
we'd like to get the um lab we we'd like
to ask the labor attorney about.
>> So are these cliff notes or is that the
real thing?
>> These these are these this is the this
is the second the actual
>> Okay. second version. Okay. So, yeah.
So, we want to want you to take a look
at it.
>> One other question, John. On the last
page, required forms, have all these
required forms been um
written. Um these I think have been many
of these have already been done. I
believe the employee performance review
reform form, although that's a general
form that uh Tracy created. Now, the
police department has its own
performance review form because the one
that was created
was kind of a I should say it was too
too generalized for for you know for
what the police department does.
So, so again,
the forms, you know, some of the forms
have to be tweaked a little bit. So,
there's still some work to ask.
>> Um, being the person who was the primary
uh person working on this last year, uh,
do you agree with what Nancy suggested
having us all review all the document by
our June super committee meeting,
focusing perhaps on the critical errors
of Yes. Not coming to that meeting with
our comments and questions. Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. I think I'm more eyes on it to
>> I mean it's two months from now.
>> So hopefully you can read 30 pages.
>> Well yeah and and you know right
I think the more the more eyeballs on it
the better.
>> June 23rd.
So I think if uh honestly if this is the
only thing we accomplish between now and
then this will be a worth something that
we've been working on for a long time
and would be uh leaving the burough in a
better state forward. So
any other thoughts, questions, comments
on that review process.
>> We'll discuss next steps at that time as
well.
All right, that brings us to item 8B,
community garden. Um, for those of you
who weren't here earlier, we did hear
from Nina Monroe. This family donated
the land for the purpose of uh having it
as a community garden. There's been some
discussion recently about how to best um
manage it as the burrow since it is very
technically on burrow property. Um, we
added to our agenda for tonight item 9B,
not reflecting in a printed copy of a
motion to accept a resolution resolution
clarifying the status. Um, Jacob has
drafted a resolution. I will read it at
this time.
The resolution states, "Whereas the
Monroe family intended the Jon land to
be used specifically as a community
garden. And whereas the Burough Verona
desires to formally recognize and
preserve that intended use, now
therefore, be it resolved that the
Burough Verona hereby designates the
property known as the Verona Community
Garden as a community garden use only
and not as a public park in recognition
of the donor's intent. Be it further
resolved that this designation shall
guide the Burough's use, management, and
stewardship of the property moving
forward enacted and adopted by the
Burough Council of Verona this day of
April 21st, 2026.
Um, are there any comments or suggested
changes
on that or further discussion?
Um, I think we can also mention having
someone from community garden come and
um, give us an update or email us an
update. So, we will work to set that up
in the
>> Yeah.
>> Um, yeah. So, I this is I I put this on
the discussion topics. I know it's
something that um, Councilman Long
brought up last uh, meeting a week ago.
I know we couldn't be here today. Um so
hopefully this clarification kind of
helps guide the office a little bit of
clarity kind of going through the
process. Um I suggested you know maybe
like by annually getting a report from
public report from the garden uh
community garden. Um yeah that's that's
pretty much it. Um,
>> um, and I think also
a quarterly report from them, just what
they're doing and also maybe a
twice a year do a finance report or
something so we know, you know,
because there was some concerns about
money is being collected. How is it
doing staff?
So, some of those things may or may not
continue to fall within our purview. Um,
I suggest that we start with a twice
annual report, spring and fall. Cool.
>> Um,
>> any other questions, comments,
discussion on that? Uh, if not, we'll
move on to section nine action items.
Uh, 9A. The first of which, as alluded
earlier, is the motion to accept Annette
Bracken Ridges.
Bracken ridges a place. Annette
Bracken's um retirement. Um she
submitted a letter of resignation that
was included with the council packet for
tonight. I will read it. Dear burrow
manager, I am writing to formally notify
you of my retirement from the position
at the bureau of Brona effective April
16th, 2026. I appreciate the
opportunities I've had during my time
with the company and I'm grateful for
the experience I've gained. Please let
me know how I can assist with the
transition process over the coming
weeks. Sincerely, Annette. And
um at this time, I will entertain a
motion to accept Annette Hopkins
resignations.
>> I'll make a motion to accept the
Bracken's request to
second. We have a motion first by uh
Nancy, a second by Sylvia. Are there any
additional questions or comments? I know
we had several earlier. Um I do want to
reiterate that after 45
years of service to the bureau as
discussed earlier that many people have
grown up with seeing her as a familiar
and welcoming face. It's very difficult
to capture what this dedication means to
all of us. Um, she wasn't just a staff
member, but she was presence through
years, decades of change, supporting
many different leaderships, councils,
and chiefs, and keeping things running
as calmly as possible through it all.
Beyond the day-to-day work, she also
helped to shape our culture in Verona,
many positive ways by building
connections with community members and
going above and beyond, particularly at
holiday events such as trunk retreat
when she would decorate vehicles for all
kids to see. Um, so her knowledge and
personal touch will not be easily
replaced. Um so Annette, would you just
want to thank you for your years of
dedication and service to the burrow. Um
we wish you all the best with your
welldeserved um hopefully rest and
relaxation.
>> Yeah. And one thing I would like to add,
we're working on um getting her a
plaque. Um so we'll probably invite her
uh to the May meeting. If she's able to
make it, then you know, if not, we have
to push it back. But um you know, 45
years is a long time. So we definitely
want to make sure that we we honor her
and her service to the burrow.
>> There any additional u comments?
>> Yeah, I have one. I was just thinking
>> in 45 years I believe she has gone she
has repres well not represented worked
for seven police chiefs
starting with blackie was a lot of us
remember him.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. when she came on and towards his
end of retirement but seven police
chiefs
>> phenomenal.
>> Uh without further ado, all those in
favor?
>> I
>> Are there any opposed?
>> Thank you. Motion carries. Thank you.
Uh now we'll move on to item 9B. Again,
council was presented with public
comment by Nina Monroe, whose family
donated the land for the purpose of
community garden. On hearing this
comment, uh, council made the motion to
add a resolution clarifying its status
as a garden, not a to agenda the motion,
excuse me, the resolution earlier. Um,
at this time, I will entertain aially
accept this resolution clarifying the
garden status of the garden.
I will make a motion to officially
recognize the community
that
>> very good. We have a motion first by
councelor Janellis. Is there a second?
>> Second by councelor Tenza. Are there any
additional questions or comments?
>> All those in favor say I.
>> I.
>> Are there any opposed?
>> Thank you. Motion carries. Section 10,
comments from the public. So before you
go to that, I just want to say one more
time, I still have some cards up here
for the survey for anyone who might not
have gotten one. Um, this is important
for the county to do a comprehensive
plan and they want to hear from
everybody in the county. So if anyone
didn't get one, it's very easy. You just
scan a QR code with your camera of your
phone and the survey will come up and
you can take the survey right on your
phone. There's also a meeting next
Tuesday at 6:00 pm
uh to discuss the
um county comprehensive plan uh to make
sure that your community's priorities
are represented. I have these little QR
codes also if you are interested on next
Tuesday 6 pm
uh meeting with the county. So just
wanted let people know that.
>> Phenomenal. Thank you Nancy.
At this time council will once again
hear comments from from the public on
public related matters. Please approach
the podium or raise your virtual hand.
Clearly state your name and address and
try and limit your comments to three
minutes or less. Comment should focus on
burough business policies or actions.
Council encourages thoughtful feedback
on decisions and performance while
maintaining respectful and constructive
dialogue. Are there any comments from
the public?
>> Oh, we'll make this short and sweet. Uh,
it's Verona United Methodist Church all
lowercase letters B
United Burch. Okay. at 1950@gmail.com
if anybody wants to have any
participation in the 250th
anniversary of our country along with uh
our festival that we're going to do on
July 17th. Uh please reach out to me
through that email. Uh I would also like
to um say that I would love to recognize
connect at that
>> also.
Then uh there's a few other people uh I
had spoke with uh Sue Eder Dave Eder is
not doing well
>> and I just wanted people to know that um
he is um just not doing well. So friends
of his are trying to get them to go out
for lunch or to do something, you know,
but they have not been successful. So
we're going to see if we can do
something for him. I would have loved to
honor them as business here in this town
for a long time.
>> So uh me and Sue talk every once in a
while. And so if there's anybody that
you would like to recognize, a veteran
or anybody that has donated their
service to this town, I would love you
to reach out to me and so we can make
that possible.
Thank you very much.
>> Thank you, Shirley. Um, thank you for
telling us that. We'll keep him in our
prayers. Um, also I want to clarify the
event is July 11th.
>> That's correct.
>> Thank you.
You need to take you to get away here
from me
avenue. Um the paving that they're doing
they has been done on her.
Um when they p her and they were working
there they did not block off popppler
Isabelle Avenue alleyway whatever and
the alley beside the school. So anybody
coming down there came into a dead end.
There was no blocking of the two alleys
leading down off of First Street or off
of Popler. So, it was a mass confusion
over there. People were backing up
because they did not have the road
closed signs up. I was going to address
it to Matt, but then I remember he's not
here tonight.
>> It's okay. We'll make sure it gets
passed on.
>> Yes. because I said that was horrible
because I was like they don't have and I
double checked because in between my
high school bus my elementary kids I
went walking there was no road closures
on those two alleys or on block so
people were coming down and having to
back up because they can't run on the
asphalt that they're coming down.
>> We should have you in charge.
>> Yeah, I think so.
>> Somebody needs to handle that. That is
you.
I said because I watch out, you know, I
said I watch out for the community and I
watch out for my kids and that that's
you know I like all those cars were
packing up out of popler and I was like
oh no this is not good.
>> So I told my kids in the morning I
realized it that they had done that and
I says to my kids please be careful when
you come home.
There will be a lot of cars going down
there and I don't want nobody being hit.
I just they're my babies.
>> I found that out the hard way when I I
did that myself cuz I went to turn
>> and it was they were working. I was
like, "Oh,
>> yeah. You couldn't get on to
>> Yeah.
>> Are there any other comments from the
public?"
>> But can I get you guys to line up again?
I from the angle that I was shooting I
missed a couple of places.
>> Yeah, we will send you the picture.
>> Um, are there any other comments from
the public?
>> Yes.
I've lost an English little child and
Patty Watmore 518 slave own
>> and uh what about the property that that
bar uh owns between my property 528 and
Maryland's
>> 544
all overgrown
>> now the bushes I maintain the grass
>> well I I did it when I could cut grass
and I hurt my back but I hate can have
it done now.
>> Mhm.
>> But there's those big bushes that die in
the winter.
They just fall.
>> Is that where the church was?
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. We we assumed that property.
>> Yeah.
>> Um once again, that's my big pet peeve
>> because nobody would come forward to
assume it. We as taxpayers ripped it
down. Sure, we may have gotten a grant.
That was probably 20 years ago, if not
longer, but still taxpayers money. And
um council president uh Tony Fullus, he
says, "You know what? We're going to put
a parking lot there for the people." And
we and naturally we did. So now you're
saying it's all overgrown and
everything.
>> No, just on the by her house,
>> by my house on 528, the the hillsides
that I have pictures of.
>> Would you would you send pictures or
whatever?
>> Would you send pictures to manager?
>> Can I send pictures? Please send
pictures
>> to manager.
>> Manager at Verona Burough.
>> Okay.
>> And the alleyway behind it's all falling
apart too. I mean it's like nothing like
it's a hump.
>> Yeah.
>> I take care of a lot of the church.
>> I don't have a problem.
>> Thank you.
>> But you don't own it. I don't know for
that. I mean, I signed that kind of
>> I pay for it now because I hurt my back
and I can't ride.
>> Yeah, but you shouldn't have to pay for
something that you don't know. That's
not fair.
>> Well, I don't get the grass cut.
>> Well, it should be cut by us if it's
ours.
>> Well, is it ours?
>> It is yours.
>> I don't think you
It's It's actually not ours. Just like
every other abandoned property in town,
the burrow assumes the responsibility.
That's what I thought.
>> We need to not
>> So in a sense, yeah,
>> thank you for doing it, but would you
like to own it?
>> Well, I can't do it anymore. I didn't
mind doing it.
>> Would you like to own it?
>> I don't own it. Yeah, that would be
fine.
>> Okay. Program.
>> Yeah. The vacant property recovery
program. We can give the donation if you
would like it.
>> That would be
>> And then your money's worthwhile, right?
>> Yeah. Yes.
>> But I have money. Can you be my
neighbor? Like
When the church was still there and
abandoned, I still cut the grass up to
the church because I didn't want snakes
and all that crap.
>> When I was a young kid, that was a
booming church.
>> Oh, I know.
>> Thank you, ladies.
>> We heard you, Patty. Thanks for coming
and keeping us a breast. She's up there
in the
Hi, Angela. Hey, good evening. Angela,
Penny 521 Center Avenue. Just want to
let everybody know that we are having
our plant sale. The garden club is
hosting a plant sale Saturday, May 9th
from 9:00 to 1 in Railroad Park. And we
are going to do our first um it's called
Little Green Thumbs event for children
in the gazebo. And the kids are going to
come. They're going to plant flowers and
vegetables and we get to take that home
with them. So, we're excited about that.
But I just want to invite everybody to
please come if you can. And it's from
when to when?
>> It's from 9:00 to 1 Saturday, May 9th.
Right here in the park under the
pavilion.
>> We'll have our beautiful hanging.
>> Beautiful hanging baskets.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Angela. Any other comments
from the public?
Are there any online?
>> Again, my cell phone number is 72420985.
Call me now or forever hold your piece.
One of those.
>> Um, don't forget to hang around for one
more photo.
>> You want to say bye to everybody?
>> All right. No ringing phones at this.
>> At this time, I will entertain a motion
for adjournment.
>> Is there a second? Second by council.
Any comments or questions? All those in
favor say I. I. Are there any oppos?
Motion carries. Thank you everyone.