Racine Common Council Meeting - March 7, 2025

This summary covers the Regular Common Council meeting of the City of Racine, held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Room 205. (Note: The meeting date provided with the records is March 7, 2025, but all agenda, minutes, and transcript reflect March 4, 2025. The summary follows the provided date.) The meeting included a consent calendar, public comments, committee reports, and extensive debate on multiple items, culminating in several notable votes.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the Journal of Council Proceedings (minutes) of February 19, 2025, passed 13–0 (Perez excused).
• Referral of numerous communications to the Finance and Personnel, Public Works and Services, and Public Safety and Licensing Committees for further review. These were approved without objection on voice votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Swoopy Shuster (Midwest Mountain Lions women’s football team) introduced the team, highlighting their efforts to restart women’s tackle football in Wisconsin.
• Yolanda Adams (former Urban League CEO) spoke in support of the 801 Wisconsin Avenue project (historic church redevelopment), emphasizing the need for senior housing and preservation.
• Robert Watring (Wazar Corporation) appealed for approval of the conditional use permit for 801 Wisconsin Avenue, citing the building’s historical significance and the need for density downtown.
• Michael Schrader (resident) raised concerns about inconsistent application of public comment rules, urging equal treatment for all residents.
• Todd Lauer (Racine Police Association) addressed the contract dispute with the city, stating that the RPA disagrees with the city attorney’s legal interpretation and that the mayor has not responded to requests for a meeting.
• Sean Rivers (Racine County Veteran Service Officer) requested a parking fee waiver for the September 13, 2025, Veterans Stand Down event, noting that over 3,600 city veterans live in poverty.
• Diane Lange (resident) supported the Juneteenth Parade permit, calling it a peaceful and community-building event.
• Sonali Knotek (resident) also supported the Juneteenth Parade, emphasizing its historical significance.
• Jen Musra (Midwest Mountain Lions coach) advocated for youth girls’ tackle football opportunities in Racine.

Discussion Items

1. Baker Tilly Professional Services Agreement (0147-25)

The council approved a $146,500 contract with Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP to assist with IRA 22 tax credits for the Lincoln King Community Center and Clinic project. Alder Kaprelian questioned the contingency if tax credits do not materialize due to policy changes. Doug Bald Sarum (Baker Tilly) explained that tax credits are in the tax code and require an act of Congress to change; the contract is cancelable at any time. The motion passed 12–0 (Perez excused).

2. Veterans Stand Down Parking Fee Waiver (0163-25)

The council approved a $1,500 parking fee waiver for the September 13, 2025, event at Festival Hall. Alder Kaprelian then moved to make the waiver annual, which passed unanimously. The final motion (as amended) passed 12–0.

3. $17 Million Bridge Loan for Lincoln King Community Center (0196-25)

The council authorized up to $17,000,000 in general obligation promissory notes for the Lincoln King Community Center and Clinic project. Brad Vigo (Baird) reported a final rate of 3.89% (lower than the estimated 4.21%). Alder Weidner opposed, citing reliance on federal grants and potential taxpayer burden. The motion passed 8–4 (Coe, Kaprelian, Weidner, Kelly voted no).

4. Mobile Food Truck Hours of Operation (0896-24)

Final approval of an ordinance setting closing hours at 1:00 AM for mobile food establishments. Chief of Police spoke in favor, noting a compromise with vendors. The motion passed 10–2 (Turquoise-Davis and Kaprelian voted no).

5. Common Council Committee Structure (Ord. 0001-25, Item 0166-25)

This item sparked extensive debate and multiple amendments. Key votes:

• A motion to refer to the Committee of the Whole failed 5–7.
• Amendment: No council president or vice president may serve more than two consecutive one-year terms (passed 11–0, with Esqueda absent and Perez excused). Conflicting final vote counts: the transcript records 10 ayes and 2 noes for some items, while the minutes show 11–1. The discrepancy is noted.
• Amendment: The three standing committees (Finance, Public Works, Public Safety) will elect their chairs from among their members, and the chair will select the vice chair (passed 11–0).
• Amendment: Restore the mayor as an ex officio member of all standing committees (passed 8–2, with two noes).
• Amendment: All aldermen are ex officio members of standing committees (passed 10–0).
• Final ordinance as amended passed 10–0.

6. Appeal of Conditional Use Permit Denial – 801 Wisconsin Avenue (0245-25)

The council considered an appeal of the Planning, Heritage, and Design Commission’s denial of a conditional use permit for a multi-family residence. City staff explained that the proposed seven-story addition did not meet design guidelines (National Park Service Brief 14) and had insufficient parking (needing 40–60 more spaces beyond the new commitment). The motion to allow the appeal (finding PHDC abused its discretion) failed 2–10 (Kaprelian and Weidner in favor). The motion to disallow the appeal passed 11–1 (Kaprelian opposed).

7. Lincoln King Community Center and Clinic – Property Transfers (0247-25, 0248-25, 0249-25)

Three related items were approved:

• 0247-25: Street privilege for a roof overhang encroachment on West Street (passed 11–1, Weidner no – per transcript; minutes show 11–1).
• 0248-25: Initiate discontinuance of a portion of West Street between MLK Drive and 1329 West Street (passed 11–1, Weidner no).
• 0249-25: Authorize transfer of property at 960 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to the Lincoln King Community Center and Clinic QALICB, Inc. (per transcript passed 10–2, but per minutes passed 11–1 – discrepancy noted). The city attorney explained the legal process and that the city wholly owns the nonprofit entity.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda items approved (minutes, committee reports, and communications referrals).
• Baker Tilly contract for tax credit services approved ($146,500).
• Veterans Stand Down parking fee waiver approved, made annual.
• $17 million bridge loan for Lincoln King Community Center approved (8–4).
• Mobile food truck hours capped at 1:00 AM (approved 10–2).
• Ordinance 0001-25 (committee structure) passed after amendments: council president appoints committee members; committees elect chairs; chairs select vice chairs; term limits for president and vice president (two consecutive one-year terms); mayor and all aldermen are ex officio members of standing committees.
• Appeal of 801 Wisconsin Avenue conditional use permit denial was disallowed (11–1), upholding the PHDC decision.
• Lincoln King Community Center property/street items approved (with a noted discrepancy on vote tallies for property transfer).
• Council announcements and adjournment at 10:00 PM.