The Racine Common Council met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM in City Hall, Room 205. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, referrals to committees, and votes on several key items including community development block grants, tax incremental district policies, and property acquisitions. 14 alders were present, with Alder Kelly excused.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
If alders could please take their seats. Can you turn that off if I can grab the air? Just want to do a sound check. Can people hear okay? Okay. One, two, three, one, five. Nine. Good evening, everyone. The hour of six o'clock having arrived on the 7th of October 2025. It is my honor to call to order the City of Racine Common Council. Our first order of business is the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. If you could please join me as you are able in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegations to see the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. No, I do not. Okay. Then at this time, President Horton, I would entertain a motion to approve the minutes or council proceedings from September 16th, 2025. There's a motion to approve it, seconded by Alder Mack. Any discussion on said minutes? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion carries. We do have uh two proclamations that I will read uh into the record this evening. The first of which is uh World Mental Health Day. It's a proclamation from the City of Racine, and it reads whereas World Mental Health Day established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health and supported by the World Health Organization shines a global spotlight on mental health challenges and the urgent need for improved care, understanding and support. And whereas the theme of World Mental Health Day 2025 is it is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace, calls attention to the millions who spend most of their waking hours at work and emphasizes the importance of creating mentally healthy work environments. And whereas poor mental health is the leading cause of lost work days with work-related stress, burnout, discrimination, and lack of support undermining confidence, productivity, and overall quality of life. And whereas the City of Racine recognizes that all residents, organizations, and institutions share the responsibility to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for equitable access to mental health care and support of workplaces. Now, therefore, I, Corey Mason, mayor of the City of Racine do hereby proclaim October 10th, 2025 as World Mental Health Day in the City of Racine, and encourage all residents to foster a culture of understanding, compassion, and support for mental health and well-being in every workplace and community. Signed this day, October 2025. The other proclamation we have is for Digital Inclusion Week. Our MIS department has done a lot of work in the space, and I want to acknowledge that before I read this proclamation, which reads, whereas broadband services are essential infrastructure for the 21st century and play an important role in providing access to knowledge and opportunities from communities locally and around the world. And whereas digital equity ensures all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy, and is necessary for civic and cultural participation, lifelong learning, and access to essential services. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for broadband infrastructure and digital equity across the city, as 27 and a half percent of residents do not subscribe to broadband or internet service at home, and approximately 10% of households rely solely on mobile data plans. Now therefore, I Corey Mason, mayor of the city of Racine do hereby proclaim October 6th through 10th, 2025 as digital inclusion week in the city of Racine, and ask the people of Racine to join me in raising awareness of digital equity and broadband access issues and to do all we can to close the digital divide signed this day, 2025. Moving on then to public comments, uh I will ask the clerk to read the procedures before we begin. 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. Time is the time is not intended to be a debate or discussion. The common council shall not hear 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 other portions of city meetings. 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 does not adhere to these rules. Public comment shall be limited to ideas or concerns regarding the city of Racine. We encourage you to submit any detailed concerns in writing to the city clerk's office or your aldermen, where they can be properly documented and directed for response. There will be two speakers this evening. The first is Lisa Baelloin at 2313 Olive Street. Just ma'am, before you start, I just want to let everyone know you get three minutes uh to to speak.