Racine Common Council Meeting – February 4, 2025

The Common Council met on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall, Room 205. Mayor Mason led the pledge. 12 alders were present, 1 absent (Esqueda), 2 excused (Jones and Harmon). The meeting covered consent agenda items, committee reports, public comments, and several roll call votes on license and grant matters.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (January 21, 2025): Passed 12-0-1.
• Communication Referrals (all on voice votes in consent):
  • Public Works and Services: Change Order No. 1 for downtown street lighting ($297); final payment for same contract ($98,415.40).
  • Public Safety and Licensing: Review of mayoral appointments to Civic Center Commission (Ordinance 2-206/2-207); waste tire generator licenses for L-A Tires LLC (new and renewal); police department reports; new massage establishment application for Douglas Ave Spa.
• Committee Reports (all approved on voice votes unless noted):
  • Finance and Personnel: Sole-source contract with Kane Communications for marketing/communications services for Dept. of Community Safety (max $100,000); Developer's Agreement for Settlement at Hood's Creek Phase 5 (water main est. $350,000); disallowance of claim of Nakreisha McFarland; 2025 RCEDC economic development services contract ($94,760); disallowance of claim of Progressive Insurance; acceptance of $25,000 Town Bank donation for "Keys to Financial Security" literacy program; acceptance of $10,000 Old National Bank grant for same program; waiver of formal bidding for firefighting PPE to MacQueen Emergency ($98,500); permission to apply for US DOT grant for resilient waterfronts planning (up to $1M, 20% city match); permission to apply for Racine Community Foundation grant for Lincoln King Community Center ($50,000) – approved 11-0-1 (Sebastian abstained); permission to apply for Walmart grant for Lincoln King Community Center ($300,000); permission to apply for Home Depot grant for Lincoln King Community Center ($250,000); permission to apply for Johnson Controls grant for Lincoln King Community Center ($500,000).
  • Public Works and Services: Street closure for Thoughts for Food event (March 1-2, 2025); rescinding Resolution 1056-24; award of fuel depot upgrades contract to M&M Service Station Equipment Specialist ($669,502.10); professional services agreement with Southern Wisconsin Appraisal for Ohio Street STP project ($107,850); change order extending City Hall elevator upgrades contract completion to July 31, 2025; inclusion of alley (20th St – Dekoven Ave to Case Ave – Jay Eye See Ave) in 2026 construction; street closure for St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 15, 2025).
  • Public Safety and Licensing: Renewal applications for secondhand dealers Belle City Resale and American Coin & Supply; waste tire generator licenses for Firestone Complete Auto Care (two locations); license premises report.
• Council Vote on Consent Agenda: Motion to adopt as reported passed 12 ayes, 3 absent (Jones, Esqueda, Harmon).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Five members of the public appeared to speak: Michael Schrader, Kevin Conrad, Sonali Knotek, Jim Palmer, and Andrew Wagner. Their specific remarks are not recorded in the minutes.

Discussion Items (Roll Call Votes)

• Communication 0100-25: Permission to apply for a Racine Community Foundation grant ($50,000, no city match) for capital costs of Lincoln King Community Center. Approved 11-0-1 (Sebastian abstained, Esqueda absent).
• Communication 0744-24: New "Class B" liquor license for Pub 41 Banquet Hall (3701 Durand Ave, Agent Arshedeep Singh), with condition that banquet hall side be open only when rented for private events. Approved 11-1-1 (Kelly voted no, Esqueda absent). Cigarette tobacco, public dance hall, and amusement device applications deferred back to Public Safety and Licensing Committee.
• Communication 1105-24: Change of ownership for Class "A" fermented malt beverage license for Taylor Ave Food Mart (2056 Taylor Ave, Agent Numan Asad). Approved 9-3-1 (Perez, Kelly, Sebastian voted no, Esqueda absent).

Key Outcomes

• Approved numerous routine items, contracts, grants, and license renewals via consent agenda (12-0-3).
• Approved applications for four grants for Lincoln King Community Center (Racine Community Foundation, Walmart, Home Depot, Johnson Controls) – three on voice votes, one on roll call.
• Approved liquor license for Pub 41 Banquet Hall with operational condition; deferred related applications for tobacco, dance hall, and amusement devices.
• Approved change of ownership for Taylor Ave Food Mart with three dissenting votes.
• All committee recommendations were adopted as presented.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM; next regular meeting scheduled for February 19, 2025.