Racine Common Council Meeting – June 17, 2025
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Racine Common Council Meeting – June 17, 2025
The Common Council of Racine, Wisconsin, met on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Racine Public Library Community Room. The meeting was called to order by Alder Malik Frazier, with 14 members present and one excused. Key actions included approval of the 2026 budget calendar (with a 11-3 vote after debate), several direct referrals for grants and contracts, a public hearing on a liquor license for Fuel & Save, and public comments addressing the repair of the Mound Cemetery fountain and police contract negotiations. The meeting adjourned at 6:51 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the June 3, 2025 meeting minutes (passed 14-0).
- Numerous communications were referred to committees (Finance and Personnel, Public Works and Services, Public Safety and Licensing) and later approved on the consent agenda, including:
- Modification of Ordinance 0006-25 (parking citation debt certification correction).
- Settlement of Schoff et al. v. City of Racine for $55,000.
- Disallowance of claims by Judith M. Erickson, Tanisha L. Norris, and Albert Dunn.
- Contract with Racine Art Museum Association for operation of the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts (five-year term, $392,000 in 2025, $400,000 annually thereafter).
- Applications for 2025 Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant ($43,072), 2025 Federal Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant ($76,034 with $76,034 city match), and 2026 Beat Patrol Grant ($121,434 with $40,478 city match).
- Approval of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 200 collective bargaining agreement (2025-2026) with 3% and 3.5% wage increases, plus residency differential and retention bonuses.
- Sign permission for Racine Police Main Street Community Policing Office (434 Main St.).
- Approval of encroachment report for S. Memorial Drive (Durand Ave to 17th St.).
- Change Order No. 1 for Fuel Depot Upgrades ($16,739.78).
- Lease agreement for Toys 4 Tots ($12,388.67 annually).
- Denial of new massage establishment application for Relax 17 (3417 Douglas Ave).
- Deferral of massage establishment application for Lucky Weiwen Zhu Therapy (906 State St.).
- Renewal of public dance hall license for Banquet Hall Brindis (2025-2026).
- Renewal of gasoline service station license for M&M Citgo (2101 Douglas Ave).
- Deferral of appearance request for Twenty Grand Lux LLC (1307 Douglas Ave).
- Approval of license premise report and formal expression of concern items.
- Disallowance of claim of Marissia White.
- Approval of addendum/non-disclosure agreement under Wisconsin Judicial Privacy Act.
- Authorization for City Attorney to represent city employees in five lawsuits.
- Sign permission for Junoesque (1422 Washington Ave).
- Discontinuance of Freeman Court right-of-way (public hearing to be set).
- Authorization for Ohio Street Road Improvement Project (R/W Project ID 2703-00-06).
- Deferral and final receive-and-file of discussion on Sec. 42-63 of city ordinances.
- Approval of new Class A fermented malt beverage and gas station licenses for Fuel & Save (930 Washington Ave) – deferred from June 3 meeting.
- Renewal of liquor license for Honors Racine LLC (1330 Washington Ave).
- Renewal of massage establishment license for Qiuxia Song DBA Main Massage (1324 Main St.).
- Receive-and-file of formal expression of concern for Olive Garden Italian Restaurant #1371.
- Approval of license premise report and formal expression of concern items.
- Renewal of intoxicating liquor license for Twenty Grand Lux LLC (1307 Douglas Ave) with appearance request.
- Reallocation of CDBG funds ($8,280.80) for Racine Public Library improvements.
- CDBG home repair loan and forgivable grant for 1718 Charles Street ($25,500 total).
- CDBG home repair loan and forgivable grant for 1220 Illinois Street ($36,450 total).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mike Langendorf (Traeger Langendorf Funeral Home) spoke about the fountain at Mound Cemetery, noting that it is not operable. He urged the Council to repair the fountain to honor Racine’s history and those buried there, including founders, firefighters, and Officer John Hetland (killed in the line of duty six years ago on June 17, 2019). He emphasized that the cemetery is a sacred place and that the fountain should be fixed "so we can begin to never forget."
- Oscar Salas (521 4th Street) addressed the Council on two topics. First, he criticized the delay in finalizing a police contract, stating that officers have been promised a contract for over a year and that legal hurdles are supposedly resolved. He urged the Council to act, noting that officers risk their lives daily. Second, he spoke in favor of the Fuel & Save license at 930 Washington Ave, arguing that the business has contributed to community redevelopment, that the location is a gateway to downtown, and that the convenience store would not harm nearby businesses. He encouraged approval.
Public Hearing: Fuel & Save Geographical Restrictions
- A public hearing was held to consider exceeding geographical restrictions for a Class A Retail Fermented Malt Beverage License for Fuel & Save LLC at 930 Washington Ave. Oscar Salas appeared to speak in support, as noted above. No other public speakers came forward. The hearing was closed, and the item was later approved on the consent agenda.
Discussion Items
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2026 Budget Calendar and Process Resolution (Item 0567-25): The Finance and Personnel Committee recommended approval. Alder Weidner called out the item for separate discussion, raising concerns about a new attached resolution that codifies budget amendment deadlines and restrictions. Specific points: amendments must be submitted in writing by close of business on Friday, October 31 (the day after the public hearing); late amendments will not be considered; amendments must identify cuts of equal or greater amount; and amendments for capital projects can only come from capital sources, operations from operations sources. Alder Weidner worried this would limit the Council’s ability to amend the budget during floor debate. The City Attorney explained that the resolution is a rule of procedure for this year’s budget only and can be suspended by a supermajority. Finance Director Fisher confirmed the city faces a structural deficit. Alder Pete and others argued the resolution provides necessary focus. After debate, the motion to approve passed 11-3 (Weidner, Perez, Kelly voting no).
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Direct Referral – Wisconsin Emergency Management Hazardous Materials Response Team Contract (Item 0584-25): Mayor Mason requested authorization to sign a contract for July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027, with the city receiving $98,190.25 per year. Alder Weidner asked why it was a direct referral; answer: timeliness. Passed 14-0.
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Direct Referral – State Street Bridge Engineering Agreement (Item 0607-25): Three-party agreement between City, WisDOT, and Hardesty & Hanover LLC for structural rehabilitation of the State Street Bridge over Root River, not-to-exceed $1,241,240.58 (city share $310,310.15, state share $930,930.43). Passed 14-0.
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Direct Referral – Law Enforcement Accreditation Grant (Item 0615-25): Application for 2025 Community Development Grant Supporting Law Enforcement Accreditation, up to $300,000 with no city match. Passed 14-0.
Key Outcomes
- 2026 Budget Calendar approved 11-3 (Ayes: Townsend, Turquoise-Davis, Maack, Jorgensen, Horton, Esqueda, Allen, Peete, Land, Harmon, Pabon; Noes: Weidner, Perez, Kelly; Excused: Frazier).
- Hazardous Materials Response Team Contract approved 14-0.
- State Street Bridge Engineering Agreement approved 14-0.
- Law Enforcement Accreditation Grant approved 14-0.
- Consent Agenda (including all committee reports and remaining items) approved 14-0.
- The Council noted the sixth anniversary of Officer John Hetland’s death in the line of duty, observed a moment of silence, and lit a candle in his honor.
Announcements
- Alder Horton reminded of the Island Park beer garden bridge-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 20, at 4:00 PM.
- Alder Land announced an NAACP/American Red Cross Blood Donor Day on June 20, 12:00-5:00 PM, with gift cards and a prize drawing.
- Several Alders congratulated organizers of Juneteenth celebrations and other community events.
- Personal milestones and memorials were shared.
The meeting adjourned at 6:51 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right, Mayor, you are live. People can please take their seats will be started to hear up there, okay? Yes. Good. Okay, great. Good evening, everyone. The hour of six o'clock having arrived on the seventeenth of June twenty twenty-five. My honor to call to order the city of receiving common counsel. First order of business is the pledge of weaknesses. The motion is second. Any discussion of the minutes. See no discussion. All those in favor, please say I oppose. We'll now move on to public comments, and we'll call upon the clerk to read the procedures before we begin public comments. Profane, disruptive, threatening, or conduct our conduct that otherwise at least safe, orderly, and effective conduct of the common council meeting is equally unacceptable during the public comment period, and it is as it is during all other courses of city meetings. When a group of people representing one inquiry wishes to address the council, one person should be appointed the designated speaker or the group. Candidates for public office may not use this opportunity to campaign for office. Speakers during the public comment period should follow all rules of the common counselor and rulings of the chair, including a decision, a decision to terminate the remarks if the speaker does not adhere to these rules. Public comments should be limited to ideas or concerns regarding the city of Racine. There will be two speakers this evening. First speaker of Mike Langendorf, uh Women's Way, Missing, Wisconsin. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and uh members to the council. Thank you for your dedication to our community. I would conservatively guess that you are addressed with complaints 95% of the time versus compliments. I'm Michael Langendorf, Dragger Langendorf Funeral Home 4600 County Line Road in Mount Pleasant. And I'm here this evening just to say a few words regarding the fountain at Mound Cemetery, as I find myself being a voice of those who are no longer with us. On September 11th, 2001, the violent attack with the Twin Towers in New York City killed thousands of people in a matter of minutes. It was then that the phrase, we will never forget, began to be used quite frequently. To remember the thousands of lives from that day, an eternal permanent, peaceful monument was built so that we could always remember. Exactly six years ago today, June 17, 2019, we're seeing police officer John Heppling was killed in the line of duty. We will never forget. Early this morning, just today, June 17th, 2025. The patriarch of our funeral home, Jerome H. Traeger, passed away at the age of 93. During his career, he helped thousands of families through the most difficult times in their lives. We will never forget. Mound Cemetery is a permanent, sacred land to honor those who were an important part of Racine's history. From the Indian burial mounds to a young man passing through Racine in the early 1900s with the circus that was accidentally trampled by one of the circus elephants, but there was no way to send him home. He's at Mount. S. C. Johnson, William H. Horlick, J.I. Case, W. P. Wigley, a special section for Racine Fire Department, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Slauson, Mr. Lathrop, and many other four founders that are laid to rest at Mound Cemetery.
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