Well, good evening, everyone.

The hour of six o'clock having arrived on this fourth of November 2025, it is my honor to call to order the City of Racine Common Council.

Now, the first order of business that we have after this call to order is the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

If you could please rise as you are able and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance, I pledge allegiance to 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.

Uh Aldermack, Arthur Kelly, Aldo Wagner will be late about 45 minutes, and Alder P will be late about 20 minutes.

Thank you very much.

So we duly noted in the minutes.

Now we do have three of them, and I will read them into the record now.

The first one is in regards to Veterans Day coming up.

It reads a proclamation from the city of Racine.

And whereas Racine's veterans have made the noble choice to serve and protect, and it is our collective responsibility to honor their service.

It is also a proclamation from the City of Racine, and it reads me just one second.

Whereas Small Business Saturday is an annual event held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, established in 2010 to encourage customers to shop locally and support the small businesses that serve as the backbone of our economy.

And whereas the city of Racine is proud to be home to a diverse array of vibrant small businesses, including shops, galleries, personal service providers, delis, bakeries, coffee shops, eateries, and pubs that enrich the character and culture of our neighborhood.

And whereas shopping locally during the winter holiday season promotes sustainable practices, offering residents the opportunity to choose environmentally friendly products and get meaningful experiential gifts crafted within our community.

And whereas we encourage all residents to shop and dine at small, independently owned businesses, whether in downtown, uptown, West Racine, along the Douglas Avenue or Corridor, the Lath Avenue Corridor, or throughout our neighborhoods, not only on Small Business Saturday, but throughout the year.

Now, therefore, I, Corey Mason, mayor of the City of Racine, do hereby proclaim Saturday, November 29th, as Small Business Saturday in the City of Racine, and urge all residents to support our local entrepreneurs and celebrate the vital role small businesses play in building a thriving and connected economy.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Racine to be affixed, accomplished at the city at City Hall this fourth day of November, 2025.

One final proclamation to read.

It's a proclamation that reads from the City of Racine, and it says, whereas the first American Indian Day was celebrated in 1916, following the historic journey of Blackfeet Nation member Red Fox James, who rode across the country on horseback to gain endorsement from 24 states for a day honoring American Indians.

And whereas in 1990, the United States Congress authorized the president to proclaim the month of November as National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of indigenous peoples across the nation.

And whereas the City of Racine's history is deeply rooted in the legacy of the Pottawatomi Nation who stewarded this land for centuries before being forcibly displaced in 1883.

Their enduring presence continues to shape our community's identity and values.

And whereas the Fire Keeper statute donated by the Pottawatomi Nation in 2024 stands proudly outside Festival Park along Kippikawi Causeway, serving as a lasting tribute to shared history and cultural continuity.

Now therefore, I, Cory Mason, mayor of the City of Racine, do hereby proclaim the month of November 2025 as National Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month in the City of Racine and invite all residents to join in recognizing the enduring strength, wisdom, and cultural richness of Native communities, past, present, and future, and witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Racine to be affixed this fourth day of November 2025.

Just for the record, I wanted to note that Alder Pete has joined us.

And then now we may move on to public comments.

I will ask the city clerk to read uh the procedures before we begin.

Hang on, just one second, Sam.

Go ahead.

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 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 alderman, where they can be properly documented and directed for response.

There will be four speakers this evening.

Alder Pavone, did you have a point of order or something you want to do?

Yes, thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I just we did not go over letter C on the agenda.

I didn't know if that was intentional.

Or no, it was an oversight on my part.

Okay.

Thank you for uh for bringing that up.

Uh my apologies before we begin public comments.

Um at this time I would entertain a motion to approve the approval of the council of proceedings for October 21st, 2025.

Move to approve, Mr.

Mayor.

There's a motion and a second from Alder Pete to approve the minutes.

Any discussion on said minutes from October 21st, 2025.

See none, all those in favor of those minutes of October 21st, 2025.

Please say aye.

Opposed.

That motion carries.

My thanks to Alder Probone.