The City of Racine Common Council convened for its first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, January 6. The session began with the Pledge of Allegiance, the approval of minutes from December 16, 2025, and the formal proclamation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Council members referred several committee items regarding finance, public works, and public safety. A specific item to relocate a polling place due to building demolition was unanimously approved. The meeting concluded with community announcements and adjournment.
Yeah, just one sentence. Go ahead and tag me in. I don't mind the same. If Alders can please take their seats, we will begin momentarily. Well, good evening, everyone. Happy New Year, and welcome to the first meeting of the City Council for Twenty Twenty-six. It is Tuesday, January sixth of twenty twenty-six, and is my honor to call to order the city of Racine Common Council. Our first order of business for the year, as it is at every meeting, is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you could please rise as you are able and join me in the pledge. Okay, the next item on our agenda is the approval of the minutes for the December sixteenth, twenty twenty-five meeting. There's a motion to approve, seconded by Alder Mack. Any discussion on said minutes. See none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed. That motion carries. Move on to our proclamation. It is in anticipation of our next meeting that we have a proclamation that will be uh related on Martin Luther King Day this year. And it is a proclamation that reads from the city of Racine, whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister, civil rights leader, and political philosopher who championed justice and equality as central as a central figure in the civil rights movement from 1955 and Hill is assassination in 1968. And whereas Dr. King led the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, how found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, organized nonviolence protests in Birmingham, delivered the iconic I Have a Dream speech in the March on Washington, and played a pivotal role in the Selma to Montgomery March marches that advanced voting rights. And whereas, beginning in 1971, cities and states established annual observances honoring Dr. King, culminating in the creation of a federal holiday first observed in 1986 and celebrated nationwide since 2000. And whereas in 2026, we gather under the strategic theme Mission Possible 2, building community, uniting a nation, the nonviolent way. This theme serves as a blueprint for action, guiding our programs, inspiring our outreach, and anchoring our commitment to building the beloved community where love and justice prevail. And whereas in 2026, as the United States commemorates the 250 anniversary of its founding, or its uh semi quincentennial, Dr. King's life and legacy remind us that the nation's promise of liberty and justice for all has been shaped by shaped and strengthened by those who labor to expand democracy, civil rights, and equal opportunity. Now, therefore, I, Corey Mason, mayor of the city of Racine, do hereby proclaim Monday, January 19th, 2026 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the city of Racine and commend its observance through participation in a day of service and observation. In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Racine to be this affixed this sixth day of January, 2026. We now move on to public comments. I could ask the clerk to please stipulate the procedure before we begin. There are no requests to speak for public comment this evening. Okay. Then we will move on then to uh referred to the finance and personnel committee items. Alder Land, would you like to make a motion regarding these items? I make motion to refer the following items to finance and personnel. Item 1298-25 communications sponsored by Mayor Mason on behalf of the city administrator, submitting the local 321 International Association of Firefighters 2025 to 2028 collective bargaining agreement for consideration. Item 130725 communications sponsored by Alder Horton on behalf of the Transit and Mobility Director, amending contract 2024008 for DBECO North American Corporates Corporation Sir Support Services for Mark Passenger Rail Commission and Pre-Corder ID activities. Item 1311-25 communication submitting the claim of Shakima Williams for consideration for disallowance. I need a second to move these. Alder Mack, would you like to make a motion regarding these items? Thank you. I'd make a motion to refer the following items to the public works and services committee. Item 1288-25 communication submitting change order number one to contract 2025-125-CDBG Rapids Drive Lighting Proelectric Inc. Contractors. Item 1289-25 communication submitting final payment for 2025 125-CDBG.