Racine Common Council Meeting – August 6, 2025: Woodman's License, Healthcare, Gun Violence Briefing
Racine Common Council Meeting – August 6, 2025
The Racine Common Council met on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Racine Public Library Community Room. Fourteen of fifteen aldermen were present (Jorgensen excused). The meeting included a public hearing, debate on multiple agenda items, and a consent agenda. Key actions included approval of a Woodman's liquor license, approval of a new healthcare plan, and a directive for a closed-session briefing on gun violence.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of July 15, 2025 (14-0).
- Approved consent agenda containing numerous routine items including: claim disallowances, second quarter fiscal report presentation, Washington Ave HISP Grant application, Purdue Pharma settlement authorization, Racine Zoological Society agreement (land lease for Conservation Education Center and Maintenance/Veterinary Center), street closure requests (Better Ways Deliverance Ministries, St. George Serbian Orthodox Church), contract amendments and final payments for sidewalk replacement and downtown lighting, renewal of cigarette/tobacco/vape licenses for multiple Dollar General stores, and several public safety/licensing items (operator licenses, premise changes, formal expressions of concern).
- Approved committee reports from Finance & Personnel, Public Works & Services, Public Safety & Licensing, Planning Heritage & Design, and CDBG Advisory Board (with several items pulled for separate votes).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Brandon Campbell (1600 Albert St) expressed concern about lack of communication on resources and health services for residents, especially with potential SNAP benefit losses; urged leaders to share information on food pantries and health services.
- Jeff Coe (1044 Villa St) criticized high water/wastewater utility bills, noting usage fees make up 90% of his bill; urged council to scrutinize fees at budget time and criticized the mayor's hiring practices.
- Oscar Salas (521 6th St) spoke about the Racine Fire Department Local 321 and police contract impasse, urging the mayor to negotiate a fair contract; mentioned that fire and police personnel often use personal funds to help community members.
- Ed Larkin (2054 Orchard St) requested city support for a chess program called "Chessmates LTV" that teaches social-emotional learning in schools and community; asked for resources and committee members.
- Matt Ostergaard (1433 Valley View Dr) appeared on two topics: (1) his application for an open vacancy on the CDBG board was denied due to living outside city limits, but he argued he has special interest as a veteran service provider; (2) as board member of Veterans of Wisconsin (VAO), highlighted that 36% of Racine County veterans live in the city, VAO serves 750 veteran households, distributed 193 tons of food in first half of 2025, maintains 15 tiny homes at 100% occupancy, and has a suicide prevention program; he urged housing support from the city.
Public Hearing: Woodman's Food Mart License (5900 Durand Ave)
- Brandon Campbell (1600 Albert St) spoke in favor, citing his experience at Speedway and importance of proper training.
- Oscar Salas (521 6th St) expressed conditional support but questioned fairness: noted the city previously denied a two-million-dollar renovation project for a liquor license citing proximity to children's facilities, while Woodman's location is near a kids' gym, parks, and a sports complex; suggested a trial beer license first.
- Colin McKemg (724 Brad Tree Lane) spoke in favor, noting other grocery stores (Sendik's, Piggly Wiggly) have similar licenses.
- Jeff Coe (1044 Villa St) voiced opposition to the process, citing inconsistency after the mayor vetoed a previous liquor license for another business; urged fairness.
Discussion Items
- Communication 0782-25 (Gun Violence Briefing): Ald. Maack requested a presentation from Community Safety Director Tate on a comprehensive plan, analysis of gunfire/shooting calls, and strategies. Ald. Perez successfully amended the motion to include the Police Chief and to hold the meeting in closed session due to sensitive strategies. Ald. Weidner added an amendment requiring the briefing within 30 days. The referral passed (14-0).
- Item 0543-25 (Healthcare Plan): Ald. Land moved to approve the healthcare program as presented (Centivo networks WI-1 and WI-2). Significant debate: Ald. Perez asked about pediatric providers; HR benefits manager noted there are pediatricians in the area and that disruption analysis showed 99% coverage for current employees. Finance Director Fisher clarified projections: staying with UHC would increase costs ~$2.2 million, while Centivo would increase only $200,000-$250,000. Ald. Weidner, Townsend, Turquoise-Davis, Esqueda, and Perez voted no. The motion passed 8-6.
- Item 0672-25 (Woodman's Class A Liquor License – Food Market): Ald. Harmon, district alder, supported the license noting no resident opposition and the need for a major grocery store. Ald. Turquoise-Davis questioned the existing ordinance and asked for explanation on consistency with previous denials. City Attorney explained the ordinance allows two-thirds majority to exceed geographic/quota restrictions. Ald. Maack asked if the project would proceed without a liquor license; committee chair Weidner said it was not asked. Ald. Allen raised concerns about fairness and the number of vape/tobacco licenses. Ald. Horton supported the license, citing job creation and no constituent opposition. The motion passed 13-1 (Perez opposed).
- Item 0673-25 (Woodman's Gas Station License): Approved 13-0 (Turquoise-Davis excused).
- Item 0674-25 (Petition to Exceed Geographical/Quota Restrictions for Woodman's): Ald. Turquoise-Davis spoke in favor, emphasizing consistency and fairness; Ald. Allen noted differences in district concerns. Ald. Weidner stated the committee applies consistent guidelines. The motion passed 14-0.
- Item 0588-25 (FY 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan): Ald. Weidner requested clarification on approval of fund allocations versus buckets. Director Reddings explained they are approving the plan and broad funding amounts (CDBG $1,771,629; HOME $515,160; ESG $158,967), which can be amended later. Ald. Weidner voted no. Motion passed 13-1.
Key Outcomes
- Gun Violence Briefing: Approved a closed-session meeting with Community Safety Director and Police Chief within 30 days, with possible public portion afterward.
- Healthcare Plan: Approved the new healthcare program (Centivo networks) effective for employees, with an anticipated cost increase of $200,000-$250,000, saving approximately $2 million compared to UHC renewal.
- Woodman's Licenses:
- Class A liquor license for food market: Approved (13-1).
- Gas service station license: Approved (13-0).
- Petition to exceed quota/geographic restrictions: Approved (14-0).
- Consolidated Plan: Approved FY2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and FY2025 Annual Action Plan for submission to HUD (13-1).
- Racine Zoo Operating Contract: Approved (14-0).
- Party on the Pavement Street Closure: Approved for September 20, 2025 (14-0).
- The meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM.
Meeting Transcript
The first order of business and order is the first weekend of the rise as you were able to do it. All right, we will proceed. Then President Horton at this time and entertainment a motion to approve the council proceedings or minutes from July 15th, 2025. Move to approve. There's a motion and second from Alder Balogue. Any discussion on said minutes. Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed. The motion carries. We'll now move on to public hearings. I will ask the city clerk to read the procedure for public hearings. The public comment segment is an opportunity for citizens to speak directly to the common council. Speakers will limit their remarks to three minutes. There shall be no dialogue or interaction between the speaker and elected officials or staff. This time is not intended to be a debate or discussion. The common council shall not hear any personal complaints or attacks against any city employee or elected official or any matter related to an individual claim, citation, appeal, or lawsuit. Profane disruptive threatening or conduct that otherwise impedes the safe, orderly, and effective conduct of the common council meeting is equally unacceptable during the public comment period, as it is during all their portions of city meetings. When a group of people representing one viewpoint wishes to address the council, one person should be appointed the designated speaker for the group. Candidates for public office may not use this opportunity to campaign for office. Speakers during the public comment period shall follow all rules of the common council and rulings of the chair, including a decision to terminate the remarks if the speaker did not adhere to these rules. Public comment shall be limited to ideas or concerns regarding the city of Racine. There will be five speakers this evening. The first is Brandon Campbell from 1600 Albert Street. Thanks before the first speaker begins. I just want to remind her you get three minutes when your three minutes are up. The conversation ends. That's not a critique of what you're saying. It's just to keep everybody to three minute rule. So please proceed. Good evening. I am the most concerned about the lack of communications with resources and health services for the received town residents. Because of this, there's probably gonna be a lot more people needing more help when given what's going on in the federal level with people losing SNAP benefits. When they help the communication of local leaders, they should be able to give out resources to food pantries, green clinics, and help in onto marketplace or any other health and food services. We need to have open communications. We've gotten help and safety for the residents. Thank you. The next speaker is Jeff Coe, 1044 Villa Street. Evening everybody, I'm here to talk about something we all should be concerned about. Our water and wastewater utility bills. Public fire, 10.20 cents. Sewer usage, 11 dollars and 56 cents. City sewer charge 30. Household hazardous waste 75 cents. Stormwater's charge 46 and 67. 46.86 cents. The total of fees for my water usage of 12.44 cents comes to 121 dollars and 67 cents. This is getting out of hand. How is it fair that the actual water usage is the smallest part of the bill? I'm trying to be mindful and conserved.
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