Good evening, everyone.

The hour of six o'clock, having arrived on the second of December 2025.

It is my honor to call to order the city of Racine Common Council.

Our first order of business, as always, 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 on your God.

Okay.

And then uh President Horton, I would also ask for an approval of the Journal of Council proceedings or minutes from November 18th, 2025.

Who's approved?

There's a motion to approve the item seconded by Alder Frazier.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

The motion carries.

The first item before us is communications introduced to council.

The first item is an item to be referred to the executive committee.

Alder Horton, would you please?

My apologies.

City clerk?

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 rulings 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 comments shall be limited to ideas or concerns regarding the city of Racine.

We encourage you to submit a detailed concerns in writing to the city clerk's office or your aldermen, where they can be properly documented and directed for response.

Sir, hello everyone.

I've been in the Racine about 10 years, and about five years ago, I've seen kind of at least my area on First Avenue.

Like, you know, kind of just get neglected on the plowing.

It's it's it's really bad.

And it goes to the point where um like this last time they got to the plowing about nine or nine o'clock at night, um, which while that time was frozen snow, which created massive boulders, right?

I live in a community that has a lot of um elderly people, and I'll be honest with you.

Um I mean, I'm not a spring tricker myself, but I'm 48 and like and picking those boulders up slot.

And I have a tiny little Chevy bolt, and I was like, there's no way I'm gonna be driving over these things without destroying something.

Now I know the media and everything on uh has been going on and really talked about some people damaging their cars and stuff like that.

I know nothing's gonna be solved today.

But I guess what I'm asking is that like can we look at like what maybe the problem is there is a way to change it and make it better?

Um, you know, uh let's like rattle some cages of the DPW and and like just hold people accountable.

I understand that it was within the 24 hours.

I'd like to see a little bit better than that.

I mean, 24 hours, like it's it is what it is.

Uh but I can't I guess the last thing I was gonna mention is that I don't I I know it's probably some social media thing, and someone posted from the city or seeing that remind everybody make sure you know uh shovel your sidewalks, otherwise you're gonna get fine, right?

Just like you know, can you read the room a little bit and feel like what the people are feeling here, like without kind of like antagonizing them, I guess uh as it's still like it.

So all I'm asking is please like think about like you know what's going on.

You're probably gonna hear a lot more of what I'm saying.

And again, I I know it's not gonna be fixed today, and it's gonna take a while to fix, but like let's look at it.

We can do this better.

I guarantee we can do this better.

So that's all I had to say.

And thank you.

The next speaker is Alice Irvin, 3119 Chatham Street.

Good evening.

My name is Alice Irvin, and I have owned a home in Racine for 15 years.

As a taxpaying property owner, I'm here tonight to voice my concerns and extreme dissatisfaction over the amount I pay in property taxes versus the lack of timely residential snow removal.

Over the past weekend, despite the forecast and fully expected heavy snowfall, my street as well as other neighbors all over town were completely ignored for several days.

While I appreciate the hardworking snow plow drivers for their tireless work during a holiday weekend, I have no patience for the departmental leadership's handling of what did and did not count as a priority.

I find it wholly unacceptable that on Sunday, November 30th at 1 p.m., Festival Parks Facebook page was thanking people and posting photos of their clear pathways, and yet my street remained untouched until 11 p.m., a full two days after the snow had begun.

Not only was removal service delayed, it also occurred after the wet snow had frozen into ice boulders at the apron of everyone's driveways and turning streets to ice.

It created a very difficult and hazardous condition for everyone the next morning.

My next door neighbors are in their eight late late 80s and were left in potentially dangerous situations vulnerable to the elements.

Well, it is a shame that budget cuts can put strain on resources.

There are still ways to manage current routes, trucks, salt, sand, and drivers that are available.

The fact that the main thoroughfares were repeatedly plowed while the residents in neighborhoods could not get out of their driveways is unacceptable.

On Monday morning, my street had not received any salt or sand.

Yet there was so much salt on main street, it actually created speed bumps.

Over the past five years, I have witnessed a continual lowing lowering of standards with regard to city snow removal services.

I believe we need a new system that expands beyond clearing main streets while the residents of the city who pay for these services are left stranded in their homes.

Failure to listen to your residents in order to maintain the status quo is not fulfilling your civic duty as city administration.

To add insult to injury, the city of Racine is sending reminders that residents have only 24 hours to clear their sidewalks or face fines.

The next speaker is Karen Brewick at 4522 Apple Tree Circle.

Good evening.

I also have those same exact concerns as the other two.

So we won't need to actually rediscuss all of that.

What we need to figure out is a process.

If an ambulance needed to get down that road, they would never made it.

And thankfully, Grace came through and actually assisted us.

Yes, it was late at night, but we now have a path.

Should it be down to the pavement?

100%.

There's zero chemicals, zero sand.

Last night I had trucks doing donuts for several minutes.

I'm okay with that.

It's fine.

But they could do damage, they could hurt themselves.

That's my main concern is other people.

I also have a job I had to go to.

Couldn't go.

Now all of you, I bet your streets were probably plowed and probably very nicely.

I want you all to think of the citizens.

We all don't live on main streets.

The majority of the residents of this city live on a side street.

So how are we all going to come together and make sure that we can have these streets plowed in a proper manner?

I now have a rigid road alongside with all my neighbors to drive down.

What are we going to do?

I'm guessing that's up to you to figure that out.

But if you need assistance, I'm here for you, and I will certainly be available for any assistance needed to get this job done.

The next speaker, and I apologize if I say this name right.

Uh, Judah Kennedy at 3012 North Wisconsin.

Yes, it's you to, but that's okay.

Yes, I've been living on my street approximately 30 years, and I have never had this issue as far as plowing as everybody's sentiment is.

Um where we had lake effect, where west of 31 really had nothing, and we had everything, they did not come one time down that street.

And I know we might be shorthanded or whatever, but they didn't have to do all of recent past 31.

And again, did not get plowed until late that evening.

And I just don't understand within the last five years what has happened with uh that we do not get one swipe at least during the day.

Because Melvin, I watched them go down about three times, and that was bare cement.

Why are they doing something that's already been plowed?

And I do understand because it is an emergency route and that, and I get all that, but uh I do believe we should have got at least one time during that big snowstorm.

It lasted how many hours?

So I just think there should be DPW, should be uh closely looked at to see what's going on as far as do they want to save money for the city or whatever their reasoning is that this is starting to happen.

And that's all I gotta say.

Thanks.

The next speaker is Marlon Williams, 1705 Erie Street.

Marlon Williams, 1705 Erie Street.

Okay, Jalen Riviera, 2112 Lawn Street.

Hi, my name is Jileen, and I'm a former bartender at Mahoffers.

I am providing this statement because I believe it is necessary for the common council to understand the conditions and safety concerns I personally observe during my employment.

I am offering this information despite a genuine fear of retaliation, including threats I have previously received from the owner.

Nevertheless, I feel it is my responsibility to share what I witnessed so that the safety of both staff and customers can be properly considered.

In my experience, the safety risks with Emma Hoffers were persistent and stem largely from management's negligence.

These concerns include but are not limited to the following.

Certain individuals and management openly expressed the belief that carrying weapons was a God-given right.

So they didn't want to take that away.

But while also believing sales don't indicate a substantial crowd nor fit the need for security on Thursdays.

As a result, firearms and alcohol continuously existed together inside the bar without proper safety measures or preventative protocols in place, even after us bartenders pleaded for better safety.

This allowed customers to begin getting comfortable.

Failure to address weapons-related incidents has been a problem as well.

There were multiple instances involving guns inside the bar.

We've had multiple people, including another business call us with concern about our customers waving guns on Snapchat inside Mahoffers.

Management consistently failed to implement corrective action and enforced policies to protect employees and patron patrons.

Next, harassment, threats, intimidation within the establishment.

I personally experienced and witnessed harassment in various forms within Mahoffers, including sexual harassment, verbal abuse, offensive or inappropriate comments, and physical intimidation, directed at both employees and customers.

I, along with others, experienced direct or implied threats from the owner, creating a work environment where employees were afraid to report misconduct or raise concerns.

Intimidation tactics, including attempts at blackmail and the use of money, were used to silence staff and discourage individuals from speaking out, even today.

But I will not be silenced by Mahoffers.

Personally, Mr.

Brooke has disregarded my personal space numerous of times, stepping to me, screaming and waving his hands at my face.

Recently, he's been caught on recording demanding that his security guards harm me and another bartender for $2,000.

Individuals in position of authority routinely misuse their power in ways that contributed to an unsafe, unpredictable, and hostile work environment.

On multiple occasions, the owner has used the DJ's microphone to make aggressive, unprofessional announcements to customers.

On such statement, include the following and excuse my language.

Everybody in here needs to shut the fuck up and have a good fucking time.

We are not letting anybody in or out.

If you are in my bar right now, you need to shut the fuck up, have a good time, and everybody is getting home safe, as he repeated.

When we asked for him to stop the embarrassment because of the embarrassment, he responded with, fuck them, this is my bar.

I can say whatever I want.

Ma'am, if you could refrain from the profanity, please.

Yes, sorry about that.

Thank you.

Done.

The next speaker is Marisella Rios, 1108 Railroad Street.

Good evening.

My name is Marisola Rios.

I'm a former bartender at Mahoffer's Bar.

I'm here tonight to report serious safety violations, harassment, and threats that have occurred at this establishment, and to ask the council to take urgent action to protect our community.

I'm speaking today despite a fear of retaliation.

Former employees who tried to stand up to the owner have been met with intimidation and intimidation and threats.

In my case, the owner specifically offered his security staff $1,000 to harm me and another bartender because we refused to be silent.

He also threatened to harm my family, saying he would explain to them why after the Thanksgiving holiday.

These thoughts were recorded and these recordings are safely preserved.

During my time at Mahoffers, I witnessed guns being bought into the bar, violent altercations that were never reported to police, repeated incidents of sexual and verbal harassment toward both staff and customers, and security and management engaging in inappropriate behavior toward women.

Employees were pressured to remain silent under the threat and management consistently failed to take corrective action or meet basic safety requirements.

This is not just an employee dispute.

This is a public safety concern with a pattern of violence, intimidation, and unlawful conduct.

I am respectfully asking the council to consider launching a full investigation into Mahoffer's bar ownership and management practices in compliance with all safety and legal standards.

Review and if necessary, suspend the bar's liquor license until the establishment can demonstrate it operates responsibly and within the law.

No one in our community should be threatened targeted or have their family safety endangered for telling the truth.

I'm asking you to act not only to protect those directly impacted, but to ensure that every business in our city meets the standards of safety and respect the public deserve the public deserves.

Thank you for your time and commitment to our community safety.

I'm done.

Hello, I'm here today speaking out regarding a series of extremely inappropriate, unsafe and retaliatory actions that occurred during my employment at Mahoffers, owned by Bobby and Nikki Brooke.

Um, I worked there when it first opened in July till August 6th.

So during my time there, I witnessed and experienced numerous incidents involving Bobby that created a hostile, unsafe and abusive work environment.

These included unprofessional conduct, drinking while on duty, drug use with customers, and inability to manage the bar without consuming alcohol.

Sexual misconduct, making inappropriate sexual comments in front of staff, engaging in sexual relationships with staff members on the premises, attempting to pursue additional staff members, and making an unwanted sexual advance towards myself.

Violence and harassment.

Coercive behavior, attempting to involve staff, including myself, in situations of a sexual nature, and asking another bartender to arrange prostitutes for him.

Retaliation.

Then contacted me after he got arrested and asked me to come back.

That only lasted a week, and then staff members who reported any of the above to Nikki and or were subjected to Bobby Brooks' inappropriate conduct, including myself, were fired or dismissed with claims that we were lying.

So I would really really appreciate if again you guys could look into that because there's so much more going on behind closed doors that any than anyone is you know aware of.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Heather Weiss, a 4400 Blue River Ave.

So I was convinced to come here today.

I was actually supposed to be here today to speak on these girls and this matter.

Um I'm actually here to speak on pretty much every side of it.

Um I have been befriended by people that wanted nothing to do with me in this with this whole bar situation.

Um I was being told to say that I was being sexually harassed and all of these things.

And so originally there was a case filed against Mohoffers because I had gotten hurt at the bar.

I was angry.

It was a personal situation, but in the end, I was at fault.

I take accountability to what happened that night.

As I feel that these girls also need to take accountability to their actions as well, because yes, Bobby, not saying he's acting the way it he shouldn't act that way in some situations.

He may have a bit of a temper, but somebody isn't going to get mad and act that way for no reason.

There is um a case filed that these girls, it's already in process that for theft, um, harassment.

Um like these girls antagonized him.

They put videos of him on the internet antagonizing him while he was drunk.

Uh, pretty much putting fuel on the fire.

And even though I was upset with the situation because the case that was filed, I have every right to be angry with Mahoffers and what they have done, but I seen even when I was angry that these girls are just digging for anything to get back at this man just for revenge or a paycheck, and that's what I see.

That's just I don't have anything written down on paper today because I'm giving you my true feelings on the matter.

I I feel these girls are just trying to get a paycheck and they're trying to pull from all sides, and there are things all over the internet of harassment, and like it, they just won't give up.

I don't know.

I guess that's that's all I have to say on that matter.

I just feel that the whole situation is wrong, and I feel like these girls are just digging for something because they're angry with him.

The next speaker is Lisa Stacey, Bell Rhode in Caledonia.

Hello, my name is Lisa.

I am the bar manager at Mahoffers.

I have been there since before day one.

I helped them open the bar.

Um, I'm here in support of our our establishment.

We are everybody here that is here to speak against us has been fired, either for being caught stealing, for inappropriate behavior at work, drinking in excess behind the bar, unable to handle themselves appropriately, um, fighting and physical altercations that they themselves have started with their own friends and family inside of our bar, which has then created moments outside of our bar, still after that.

They have had multiple times where police have been around while they're fighting, and they still don't stop.

I'm obviously this is all public record, I'm sure.

Um, there's moments where they've called the police, and then them themselves have been walked out as a result of that.

Um I've known Bobby and Nikki for a long time.

They're very good people, they're hardworking, they have amazing careers outside of this bar.

They have grown children, grandchildren, they are upstanding individuals.

Um but as of right now, everything that um is coming against us is due to disgruntled ex-employees that are unhappy with the results of them being caught stealing.

Um, there are criminal charges and cases in place right now that will be proceeded forward for felonious theft, for trespassing, harassment, slander and defamation.

Um of the ex individuals that worked for us to up till yesterday were sitting outside of our establishment yelling to our customers as they walked in the door to not come in here.

They're sitting outside and trying to sabotage an entity and an investment in somebody else's life that I don't believe is appropriate, all because they were in their minds fired for no reason, but it is there is video footage, there is text messages, there is many things that they themselves have put themselves in and have confessed to that will be a caught up in court.

So that is my point.

Thank you very much.

Circling back one more time from Marlon Williams at 1705 Erie Street.

Okay, this concludes the public comment segment.

Okay.

Now moving on to referrals.

Yes, Your Honor.

Uh item number one two six five-25 communication sponsored Arnold Wagner presenting ordinance 0029-25 communication staff recommendation.

That proposal ordinance of 0029-25 be referred to the executive committee as it relates to ordinance 003-25, which is currently in the executive committee's queue for discussion, move to refer.

There's a motion and a second to refer this item to the executive committee discussion, Alder Winer.

Thank you.

I would ask that this uh item be referred to the public safety and licensing committee, and I'm gonna tell you why.

I referred a ordinance to the public safety and licensing committee back in May of 2025.

Uh, this body chose instead to send it to the executive committee, which I do believe is a conflict of interest as the executive committee is comprised and chaired by the mayor, who is the executive branch.

Ordinances are the business of this body of the city council.

Ordinances must go to a standing committee, and it is our choice if we're going to send it to the committee of the whole or another standing committee because it was an ordinance that I generated.

I asked that it go to public safety and licensing licensing.

So last May, when this body instead, on a vote, I believe it was eight to seven, uh, sent it to the executive committee, as the ordinance stands.

If the executive committee then does not take up that ordinance within 90 days, then the maker of the ordinance can ask that it again be sent to a standing committee.

So at the end of August, which was more than 90 days after the original referral was made, I submitted another communication to the council to refer that same ordinance to the public safety and licensing committee so that the council could have some discussion on this ordinance.

What the mayor did is he called an executive committee meeting at the last minute, which took place on September 3rd, and in that meeting, the mayor in the executive committee, instead of taking action on the ordinance so that this council could discuss it, instead deferred the item.

So that was September 3rd.

In that meeting during the discussion on the deferral, twice the mayor was asked should he uh call an executive committee meeting before the end of October when the council was to take up all the committee the whole meetings regarding the budget.

Twice the mayor assured the executive committee that he would call another executive committee to take up that deferred item by October 30th.

That did not happen.

So again, this week, I sub last week I submitted that same ordinance to public safety and licensing.

The clerk's office and the mayor determined that, and she's correct.

Um, she sent the email this afternoon saying the ordinance does not address the uh 90 days for deferrals only for 90 days for referrals.

So the ordinance that I submitted, 009-25, addresses that issue regarding deferrals for 90 days.

So not only was it important for the council to be able to take up that business within 90 days that deferral, it happens in other instances.

So for example, uh the plan commission just deferred the twins request for a zoning uh issue uh several months ago.

There's been several meetings of the planned commission since then that deferred item has never been taken up, so there is no time limit on when deferred items can be taken up.

The ordinance that I'm trying desperately to introduce for discussion by this body would address that kind of an issue.

So my concern with sending this ordinance to the executive committee, which I still am convinced that is inappropriate for ordinances to be taken up by the legislative body.

I'm asking that it gets sent to public safety and licensing so that it can be addressed in a timely manner.

So what I'm hoping that the this body will do is vote down the referral to the uh executive committee as recommended by the mayor.

Um, and then I will would introduce a motion sending it to public safety and licensing so that it can be taken up in a timely fashion.

Thank you.

Okay, uh just for clarification.

I'm not aware that if we submit communication that that gives a particular committee ownership to that communication.

Uh so I don't see why uh one particular committee would claim ownership just because they may have authored it.

Uh I think it's appropriate to look at the language of the communication and then determine where would be the appropriate place for it to be discussed.

Uh the executive committee seems like that would be the appropriate place for this ordinance to be discussed, and then if need be, we can bring it to the council floor, but there isn't a reason to send it to one particular committee just to ensure that the council has an opportunity to discuss uh going to the executive committee, and yes, I know who makes up that body, but it does not prevent any of us from attending that meeting and voicing some thoughts there, and then again, it can come back to the chamber of floors if I am being clear.

Any other discussion on this item?

There's a motion and a second to refer this item.

All those in favor of referral, please say aye.

Okay, we can open it up for a roll call vote.

All those in favor of referring this item to the executive committee, please uh please vote on your screen.

Sorry, we're voting electronically today as you wish.

Motion passes 8 to 5.

We'll now move on to referrals to finance and personnel committee.

Alder Land, would you like to make a motion on referring uh proposed items to finance and personnel?

Yes, I'd like to make a motion to refer the following items to finance and personnel.

Item 1223-25 communication on behalf of the fire department requesting permission to waive formal bidding for firefighter protective equipment and award the bid to Conway SHIELD.

Item 1234-25 communication requesting a retention bonus for all 2026 seasonal lifeguards and supervisors.

Item 1239-25 communication by the mayor wishing to accept apply and accept a grant in the amount of 25,000 from the U.S.

Japan Foundation for Sister City Activities.

Item 1241-25 communication sponsored on behalf of the director of deputy director of community development authority seeking to utilize funds from the land account and tax increment district 14 to purchase property at 90 Rikert Court.

Item 1242-25 communication on behalf of the director and deputy director of the community development authority seeking to utilize funds from the IG fund to purchase property at 1229 and 1236 street.

Communication submitting the claim of eerie insurance on behalf of their insured on Louise on Peterson.

Item 1248-25 communication submitting the claim of Asusina Padilla Ben Humia.

Item 1249-25 communication submitting the claim of Julia Palmer.

Item 1250-25 communication submitting the claim of our tour of as quest.

Communication submitting the claim of Patricia Caldwell on behalf of Queen's Corner Store.

Item 1253-25 communication submitting the claim of on Louise Peterson.

Item 1254-25 communication requesting commission to enter in a sole source one year rolling professional service agreement with Sentinel Technologies to provide network professional services.

Item 1255-25 communication requesting permission to enter into sole source three-year professional agreement service with Sentinel Technologies to provide security professional services.

Communication requesting permission to award one contract for tree pruning.

Communication on behalf of the chief of police requesting permission to enter into 60-month contract with Axon Enterprise for a contract which includes Taser 7, body worn cameras, fleet cameras, interview cameras, acts on standard software and related software and training.

Communication on behalf of the fire chief requesting permission for purchasing manager to sole source the purchase of a 2026 Ford Horton Medical Response Unit from Foster Coach of Sterling, Illinois.

Second by Alderbone on referring these items to finance the personnel.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed that motion carries.

No parking zone, schedule F.

Add the following items from the section, no parking anytime, Washington Avenue, West Side from 8th Street to South 150 feet.

Item 1235-25 communication submitting change order to number one to contract 2025-181 for scene uptown green infrastructure project AW Oaks and Sun Contractor.

Item 1245-25 communication submitting bid results for contract 2025-745 Bryan Center Parking Lot Edition.

Communication from Alderman Wagner to discuss the plowing of leaf piles from curb line back up into the parkway.

Second by Alder Pabone to refer these items to public works and services.

Any discussions seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye.

Opposed that motion carries.

Those are not listed here on the referrals.

Can I make those referrals without them being listed on the list that was provided from the clerk's office?

I believe that because it was a short week last week for city employees that those two items were missed, but they're critical for the public safety and licensing agenda.

Well, sorry.

Um as we all know, uh the common council set forth a process by which communications get to committee, which is there's a referral that's submitted and uh presented to the common council under the Wisconsin open meetings law, unless something is noticed, unless an issue is noticed 24 hours ahead of time for a public meeting.

So before 6 o'clock yesterday for the common council meeting, it cannot be considered by this body.

Well, we are not discussing the items, we are only referring them to committee for discussion.

And my concern here is we heard several speakers tonight talk about concerns that they had on a particular licensed premise.

And if of the licensed premise report is not on the next public safety and licensing committee, which is next week, I believe on the 10th, public safety and licensing does not meet until the second week of January.

So that means that that committee will not be taken up any issues regarding license premises for it will be two months.

So it is critical again that these two items be referred to public safety and licensing for discussion.

So I would ask that we suspend the rules.

I would make a motion to suspend the rules so that these items can be referred to public safety and licensing.

So well, I have sympathy for the idea of taking the item that we heard about up.

I'm just gonna ask the city attorney to again restate whether or not we have the authority to suspend state statutes on open meetings law to add items that are not currently on the agenda.

Well, again, the open meetings law is not a rule of procedure of the common council, it's a state statute that requires actions to be taken by the common council to be on an agenda that's published 24 hours ahead of time.

It's not a rule of procedure, which is all that can be suspended.

So let me just read the first line of the common council's ordinance on rules of proceed suspension of rules.

Any rule of procedure of the common council may be suspended, and there's a procedure set forth.

This is not a rule of procedure.

This is an issue that this council has said has to be on agendas.

Well, I disagree with your interpretation, and I'm gonna reiterate we are not going to be discussing the license premise report.

We are just referring it to committee for discussion.

So I believe that by Roberts' rules, it is perfectly appropriate to suspend the rules to refer these two items to the appropriate committee.

That motion's out of order, it violates state law.

I move the following items to the public safety and licensing committee.

Item 1229 communications submitting a change of ownership application for a Class B public facility retail fermented vault beverage license for Memorial Hall located at 72 7th Street, Rebecca Hogland, agent first district.

Item 123025 communication submitting a change of ownership application for a Class B public facility retail fermented malt beverage license for festival hall located at 55th Street, Rebecca Holklin agent first district, item 1238 communication for a new application for a Class A retail fermented malt beverage license for MSBA services, LLC DBA Lathrop Cash Discount located at 2501 Lathrop Avenue, Mohammed Bazaar Agent 11th District.

Item 1240-25 communication for a new petition for a geographical restrictions for a class A retail fermented malt beverage license for MSBA services, LLC, DBA Lathrop Cash Discount located at 2501 Lathrop Avenue.

Mohammed Bazaar Agent 11th District.

Those are the referrals to public safety and license.

Any discussion?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

Motion carries just as a point of procedure before the laws were changed last year on how things have to be noticed before they get referred to committee.

Had those rules not been changed by the council last year, at communication would have been put be able to put in as late as this Friday, so that an item could have gone directly to public safety and licensing for consideration.

Because we've changed the rules as a council the way we we did, we no longer have that flexibility.

I hope it's something we'll consider changing as we move forward.

Moving on to committee reports, finance and personnel uh committee report, Alder Land.

Do you have any items for separate consideration?

No, your honor, I don't.

Then without objection, these items will be placed on the consent agenda.

And we will move on to Alder Mack with the public works and services committee.

Uh Alder Mack, do you have any items for separate consideration?

I do not.

Okay, then without objection, these items will be placed on the consent agenda.

Then we'll move on to public safety and licensing.

Alder Weiner, do you have any items on this report for separate consideration?

I do not.

Okay.

Then we'll move on to the office of the mayor report.

Um Alder Horton, would you like to make a motion or have you had any requests for separate consideration on this?

No, I do not.

Okay.

Um is there a particular item somebody would like to pull out?

Uh Alder Pavone.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I would like separate consideration of item number one two three seven-two five communication sponsored by the mayor presenting the 2026 common council meeting dates.

So um Alder Horton, could you read the item and make a motion, please?

All right.

Uh item number one two three seven-two five direct referral communication sponsored by Mayor Mason presenting the 2026 common council meeting dates moved to approval.

The motion and a second to approve the item.

Uh Alder Horton, would you like to speak to the motion?

No, not at this time, Your Honor.

Alder Pavone.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I would um like to, if this motion fails to make a motion to just add two more dates on here.

Uh this proposed calendar takes into account that this coming year is a very heavy election year, and I understand the lighter schedule in those months, but I think because we are having a lighter schedule in February, April, August, and November, um, then it is uh incumbent upon us to make sure that we are um going through our legislative duty as thoroughly as possible.

So if we add the dates of January 6th and the dates of July 7th to ensure that if there's any backlog from those months that we do have the elections, and we only have one council meeting that we are able to satisfy our duty.

So motion to amend um to add back January 6th and July 7th, seconded by Alder Jorgensen.

Um, just as a point of reference, this is the first year we've had a first Tuesday and January meeting that anybody can remember.

Typically, we don't have those meetings before beforehand, but if it is the will of the council to add those those dates back, that is something that can be done.

Um, so what we have before us then is an amendment to the calendar um to adopt it with the addition of January 6th and July 7th.

I'm trusting these are both Tuesdays, Alder Pavone.

Um, that we would add just for point of clarification on the notes.

You will also notice that there is a Wednesday meeting in August that is to reflect um national night out that occurs the day before.

Um any further discussion on the amendment.

Uh Alder Kelly.

Thank you.

Um, I am going to speak in favor of Alder Pabone's uh motion.

Um, I think I uh a lot of you have heard me vehemently uh speak about the condensed calendar uh previously, um, probably several months ago, and we have tried this exercise one time before and very quickly found out, especially for public safety and licensing that this does not work.

It we have to be able to continue to conduct our city business.

Um there are dates that are um we have deadlines to make with the um licenses for the alcohol, and I know that year that I was serving on the public safety and licensing that was a major issue of trying to push things through in a timely manner so that they would get to council in time.

So I would uh encourage my uh colleagues to support uh Alder Pavone's amendment.

Thank you.

Alder Jorgensen.

Yeah, I I I seconded the motion because I I understand um you know there's some time-sensitive matters and those two additional dates don't impact an election.

Um but I also do uh I like that the motion kept the um the dates that do uh impact elections off the calendar, and this is really important because one of the things that's being approved tonight is the poll workers.

Uh and one notice that you'll probably one thing you'd notice if you read through it is there are sure is quite a few uh of the um clerks office that's that's also being poll workers.

Um so the the when we have these elections and especially these large ones that we have coming up, it does put uh quite a bit of stress on the clerk's office, and I would rather have them having their full focus on on continuing to have um uh good and fair elections as opposed to worrying about trying to get an agenda or trying to uh get things ready for the council meeting the next day, especially if there's recounts or counts going into the early more early hours of the the day that we would technically meeting if we met the day after an election.

So I think this is a good fair balance of of adding dates where we can, but still also respecting that there is very important work to be done when it comes to elections and protecting our democracy.

Seeing no further discussion on the item, the amendment to the motion is to add January 6th and July 7th to the calendar.

When the clerk opens the roll, please vote on your screen as you wish motion passes 11 to 1.

Now we will go to the main motion as amended.

Just looking to the clerk.

When does anyone want to speak to the main motion now that it's been amended?

It might be redundant, but nonetheless, we're back to the main motion as it's been amended.

Seeing no discussion, I'm just looking for gonna give the clerk a second to do some work on the electronic voting.

But basically, what we have before us is the item for the calendar to be adopted as presented with the amendment just adopted by Alder Pavone and seconded by Alder Jorgensen to add the dates of January 6th and July the 7th to the calendar.

Um when the clerk opens the roll, please vote on your screen as you wish.

Motion passes unanimously.

Okay.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

That motion carries.

We now move on to common council announcements.

Reminder that announcements are limited to recognition of city residents and employees, memorials, and non-political community events.

Discussion of matters related to governmental business is prohibited.

Are there announcements this evening?

Alder Mack.

Thank you.

I was asked by uh Starbuck School's fifth grade class if I would help them with a civics lesson here at City Hall.

And so over two days, a Thursday and a Friday, I had the entire fifth grade class come in.

We had a mock city council meeting.

The first day, Thursday, the students that played the role of the mayor and the common council voted not to install a stop sign.

The second day, the students who played the role of city council members and the mayor voted to put the stop sign in.

So two different outcomes over two different days.

Um I prescripted some comments for various alders to make um to spur uh discussion.

So each one got on the microphone.

I think they just like playing with the microphone and said, Happy Thanksgiving.

But I gotta say that this was a very well behaved class over both days.

I do need to um thank some people.

I could not have done this without the IT department having everything set up for me.

Um the city clerk's office, especially Sam, who came in and played the role of the city clerk, which really helped guide the new mayor and um kept things flowing the way it should.

I want to thank the mayor for taking time at the last minute.

I walked into his office and asked uh is the mayor available to just pop in and say hello to the kids, and they uh seem to like asking them questions.

Uh number one question is who's the guy uh on the wall behind the mayor.

And then um the mayor's assistant Nick was also very helpful in uh coordinating and helping me with some logistical things like I needed scissors to cut up the script to hand out to the students.

Officer Gabby Hood um assisted the second day, took the students over to the police department, gave them a tour, and uh the first day um Mr.

Molleter and Mr.

Young came in and talked to the students about working in city government, and Mr.

Molliter was real helpful, giving me some background information so I could educate the students about stop signs.

So a lot I said, apologize for that, but it was just a real fun uh two days, and I was so proud of those Starbuck uh students, and a shout out to their to the administration to the principal to the teachers for how well behaved they were.

So thank you.

And thank you, Alder Mack for facilitating that.

That was a great experience for those kids.

Uh Alder Jorgensen.

Uh, this past Thanksgiving, uh, I spent uh a good majority of my day volunteering at the uh the Thanksgiving feast at uh Festival Hall, and so I just wanted to extend uh a heartfelt thank you to one who everyone who came out and made it a really great event.

Uh and and uh on top of that, thank everyone who volunteered as well as those um that worked tirelessly to put it on and and make it what it is.

Uh it really was uh a fantastic event.

Um there the the news coverage around it was all over the state.

I have uh family members that are up in the Fox Valley and they saw it on TV, and so it just really is a good way to highlight our community of uh the fantastic work um that our residents do to take care of each other and really make Racine a great place to live.

Alder Press.

Thank you, honor.

I just wanted to uh point out that um I got several calls and texts about the snow situation, and our public works department covered over 300 miles of plowing within those um 48 hours, and so it's a big challenge, and in some places it was done real well, in other places we wonder, and like we saw today, it really created some difficult situations for our uh for our constituents.

But um, as a member of the public works committee for the last 10 years, I assure you that this comes up almost every year.

We re-examine the plan, we look at it again, we have advice, we changed and tweaked some things, but it's really difficult to uh handle uh one foot snowfall.

And that's what they did.

So they did a good job, yes, where they're shortcomings, absolutely.

But overall, um people were hurt, but overall people uh were thankful.

The calls I got were all thanking me for um having public works do such a good job as they did.

Thank you.

Oh to go.

Okay, we'll try this again.

Um I left some little uh holiday bags for everybody.

Um I will this will be my uh last meeting in person for a little bit.

So I just wanted to say um happy holidays and merry Christmas to everybody.

Um hope you have a wonderful time with your family and enjoy.

Thank you.

Alder Pavone.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I just want to echo Alder Perez's sentiments about DPW.

There was um about again 300 miles that were covered, and it wasn't perfect, but they were out there doing their job working hard.

Um so a big thanks to them for that.

And um, you know, when it that time does come to reevaluate and discuss this, I hope that um um constituents and and alters alike will show up to those meetings and express their concerns and work really collaboratively to to put a better plan in place um for that.

Also, piggybacking off of all Alder Jorgensen here with the Festival Hall Thanksgiving event was amazing to see those kind of things going on.

Um Halo is having a holiday gift drive as well.

So if anyone wants information about that, they can go to their Facebook page.

Um the hospitality center did a lot of amazing work over the holiday as well, and we'll continue to do so, serving the community members most in need um to kind of help us keep running here.

And there's also a um I have shared on my Aldermanic Facebook page about a an initiative that is called Santa Does Exist.

And essentially it's it's all 100% donation funded, and they take a hundred percent of those donations and they award local families in need with a 250 dollar target gift card to help them during the holiday season.

So if anyone's interested in that, the link is on my my Aldermanic Facebook page.

Um, and just again, thank all the the city staff for doing what they do to keep the city running.

Alder Allen.

Okay, thank you.

So I'm gonna try to be really quickly quick about this.

Uh first I would like to thank everyone who came out tonight to join us for our council meeting in spite of the weather.

We appreciate you taking the time out and letting us know how you are your sharing your concerns uh with us.

Secondly, I too want to thank everyone for what I saw throughout our community for Thanksgiving.

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, a safe Thanksgiving, and a blessed Thanksgiving.

We had a number of organizations that and volunteers throughout the city that took time out to serve in our communities, and a lot of families were touched by that, and so I thought it was just a great way for the city of Racine to reach out to our neighbors.

Uh third, uh Halo.

Just to piggyback off of what Alder Pabone was speaking of, but Halo right now needs food donations.

They experienced uh some shortages over the last couple of days because some of their food uh spoiled.

And so if anyone listening or present uh is able to take food over to Halo, that would be much appreciated.

And lastly, no, I'm sorry, lastly, two things.

The NAACP is having a Christmas party on December the 20th, and they were asking that people come to the party but bring a gift for of toys or clothing for children that are age um three until 12.

Okay, and that is going to be from 4:30 to 7:30 on that day.

That's a Saturday.

And now, lastly, anyone who wants to come out and see me.

I'm always available second Saturdays of the month at the dish from 8 30 to 10.

So I welcome those in my district, but anyone that would like to come uh and chat with me.

Remember, I am also on the school board, so I'm open for that too.

All right, thank you so much.

Alder Townsend.

Yeah, um, this time tomorrow, I'll be at the Bryant Center from five to seven.

Um, just chatting with everybody.

Just want to hear what everyone has to say and what everyone's thinking.

Also, um a shout out to Traviant Weather Spoon.

She uh went down to Florida this week and she won, she was representing Racine in a pageant, and she won a few national awards.

Some of them was the first time that are given out.

She's now heading to an international contest.

So yeah, Miss Junior, usually um, among some other things like National Ambassador and other awards.

So uh make sure to keep an eye out for her and support how you can.

She's she's representing well.

Alder Horton.

All right, thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh, first of all, I'd just like to thank Alder Kelly for this Christmas, uh, early Christmas gift, and I wish you well, uh, you and your family, and I hope everything goes well with you.

Alder Horton, would you like to make a motion to adjourn?

Uh motion to adjourn in multiple seconds.

All those in favor, please say aye.