Racine Common Council Meeting – March 4, 2025

The Racine Common Council met on March 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall, Room 205. The meeting included public comments, a presentation on Festival Hall and Memorial Hall operations, referral of communications to committees, committee reports, a moment of silence for the late Alder Molly Jones, and council announcements. Key actions involved debate over the referral of a police contract update and a committee restructuring ordinance.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deb Munch (2064 Dean Blvd.) reported garbage on a flat roof since July 2024, asking the council to help get it cleaned up. She stated she had filed two complaints and noted the landlord has not acted. Alder Land and Alder Kelly were mentioned as being aware.
• Michael Schrader (1636 Chatham St.) requested two no-parking signs and rubber curbs on the 1200 block of North Maine Street, citing parking conflicts among businesses (George’s Encore, a barbershop, a “doggy weed place”) and residents blocking his driveway daily.
• Todd Lauer (5817 Bonds Trail, speaking for the Racine Police Association) opposed the mayor’s interpretation of the law regarding health care as a prohibited subject for bargaining. He stated the administration was given a signed contract reflecting the tentative agreement in November 2024 but refused to sign it, costing taxpayers over $1 million in legal fees. He urged the council to demand the mayor sign the contract.
• Ken Brown (Racine) argued against the mobile voting van, citing a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that he claimed “ducked” the case. He said the van is not legal under state law and asked the council not to reauthorize its use in April.

Presentation from 5K Events – Memorial and Festival Hall Update

Patrick Flynn and Stacey Van Oost of 5K Events presented on their first year managing the facilities. Key points:

• In 2024, the company had budgeted for a $200,000 loss but achieved a $33,000 profit (same revenue as predecessor VenueWorks’ best year, which lost $200,000).
• They did not use all allocated CIP funds; a $149,000 operating subsidy was also under budget.
• The campus is fully booked for 2025 with no free weekends.
• Renovations completed at low cost: refinishing the auditorium floor (done for $2,500 vs. a $50,000 quote), repairing doors, tuck-pointing, restoring the Marquee tent, and converting the ice rink warming house into a concession/gift shop.
• Utility costs were higher than expected: $25,000 in a recent month (average $14,000/month in 2024); an energy audit is planned.
• The company created a sponsorship-driven subsidy fund to help groups fund events.
• No significant public safety issues reported; relations with neighbors (e.g., Lakeshore Towers) are positive.
• Questions from aldermen addressed alcohol sales, farmers markets, and the potential reinstatement of the Civic Center Commission (advisory role preferred).

Discussion Items

• Police Contract Update – Communication 0164-25

  • Sponsored by Alder Weidner and Alder Kelly, requesting an update from the City Administrator on the police contract status.
  • Staff recommended referral to Finance and Personnel Committee per ordinance 74-38 (collective bargaining under that committee).
  • Alder Horton moved to refer to Finance and Personnel; after debate, Alder Maack amended to refer jointly to both Finance and Personnel and Public Safety and Licensing Committees.
  • Amendment vote: 8 ayes, 4 noes (Coe, Turquoise-Davis, Weidner, Perez opposed).
  • Main motion as amended: 10 ayes, 2 noes (Weidner, Perez opposed).
  • Arguments: Alder Weidner and Alder Kelly argued public safety is the appropriate committee due to retention/morale issues; others favored joint referral to address both financial and safety aspects.

• Committee Structure Ordinance – Communication 0166-25

  • Sponsored by Alder Kaprelian and Alder Weidner, presenting Ordinance 0001-25 to change the Common Council committee structure.
  • Staff recommended referral to the Executive Committee (past practice); movers requested referral to Public Safety and Licensing.
  • Motion to send to Executive Committee failed: 4 ayes (Horton, Peete, Harmon, Sebastian), 8 noes (Coe, Turquoise-Davis, Maack, Weidner, McCarthy, Land, Perez, Kelly).
  • Motion to send to Public Safety and Licensing passed: 10 ayes, 1 no (Sebastian).
  • Debates centered on the mayor’s control of the Executive Committee versus regular meeting schedules of standing committees.

• CDBG Advisory Board Report – Communication 0124-25 (New construction at 1644 S. Memorial Drive)

  • Recommended approval of up to $359,263 in HOME funds and $14,337 in non-federal revolving loan funds for a new home to be sold to a HOME-eligible homeowner.
  • Alder Weidner voted no, citing the $14,337 above HUD guidelines. Alder Perez also voted no.
  • Vote: 10 ayes, 2 noes (Weidner, Perez).

Key Outcomes

• Referred police contract update jointly to Finance and Personnel and Public Safety and Licensing Committees.
• Referred committee restructuring ordinance to Public Safety and Licensing Committee.
• Approved consent agenda items including: multiple public health grants (Well Woman, Preventive Health, Maternal Child Health, Lead, HIV Prevention, Immunization, HIV CTR Testing) totaling $287,672; claims of Earl Tucker, Patricia Peksa, Alex Madisen, and Adam A. Locke disallowed; parking fee waiver for Veterans Stand Down event; $17M general obligation promissory notes for Lincoln King Community Center Clinic; encroachment report for Ohio Street; professional services agreement with AECOM for pavement inspection ($113,400); waiver of bidding for Safety Building elevator jack repair; award of sanitary sewer lining contract to Visu-Sewer ($839,608.25); plowing policy review request; Harold’s Chicken and Ice Bar change of hours denied; request for Select 627 Bar appearance; license premises report approval; pet vaccination event at Lincoln Park approved; final payment for downtown street lighting ($98,415.40); change order for downtown street lighting ($297.00).
• Approved CDBG allocation for 1644 S. Memorial Drive (10-2).
• Council held a moment of silence and remembrance for deceased Alder Molly Jones, who served nearly 10 years.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.