Testing, testing, one, two, three.

That's pretty good.

If Alders can guess could please take their seats, we'll begin momentarily.

If Alders and guests could please take their seats, we'll begin momentarily.

It's a little bit louder than maybe than needed.

Good evening, everyone.

If IT could turn down the volume just as smidge, that would be great.

But good evening, everyone.

Thank you very much.

So Alder Frazier is joining us remotely.

And then President Horton, do we have any excused absences this evening?

Mo to approve.

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

Any discussion on the minutes.

See none.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Opposed.

That motion carries.

We now move on to proclamations.

We do have a proclamation this month because it is Women's History Month.

And so we have a Recene proclamation that reads, whereas in 2026, the National Women's History Alliance has selected the theme leading the change, women shaping a sustainable future, recognizing the vital role women play in building a more just resilient and sustainable world.

And whereas this theme highlights women's leadership in confronting global challenges, including climate change, economic inequality, healthcare disparities, and social justice, while advancing solutions that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.

And whereas the theme also broadens the understanding of sustainability beyond environmental stewardship to include financial stability, community resilience, leadership succession, and intergenerational equity.

And whereas women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made historic and enduring contribution to the growth, progress, and strength of our nation in both recorded and unrecorded ways.

And whereas the city of Racine proudly honors the stories, achievements, and leadership of women in our community throughout Wisconsin and across the nation, whose efforts continue to inspire and unlip uplift future generations.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Corey Mason, mayor of the City of Racine do hereby proclaim March 2026 as women's history month in the city of Racine and encourage all residents to celebrate and reflect upon the women whose vision, courage, and dedication have shaped our shared history and continue to guide our collective future and witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the city to be affixed this 26th day of no this third day of February or March 2026.

Moving on to the council, uh next item, which is public comments.

I will ask the city clerk to read the procedure 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.

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

There will be four speakers this evening.

The first is Jill Ballantine, 2300, Washington Ave.

When that three minutes is up, the microphone gets turned off.

That is not a reflection on your commentary, just an effort to treat everybody fairly as we move along.

So as soon as we we've got the clock, um is it on this?

There we go.

Okay.

Please begin.

Hi, my name is Jill Ballantine.

I live in the city of Racine, and I live in an area that is just plagued by these horrible, horrible, loud bomb-sounding.

Um I don't know if you'd call them fireworks, because they don't make the display in the sky.

And this is happening behind my house.

Um they're jumping the fence over to the public golf course area, and it makes this um such a loud noise, such a loud bomb-sounding noise that it shakes windows of everyone in the area, it shakes the ground, and it makes this um smoke that makes your eyes tear and it's hard to breathe, and it goes on all night, and it goes on almost every day at night in July.

Um, you can see where they're climbing over the fence, and I'm just asking that the noise ordinances and disturbance of the peace be um be uh followed up on, and maybe we can take some um precautions or some steps ahead of time to prevent this from happening, and uh maybe encourage if people are going to set these things off to do it at their own houses, um, even though I know it's illegal to do, um, maybe then we can find them better.

Across the street from me, they also um do ones that are illegal fireworks that have the displays that come down and the sparkles come down and they create smoke and fire onto like bushes and trees.

We had to call the fire department last year.

Um, this is uh a dense, highly populated area, and um I understand for the July is a celebration of you know time, but it it could end up in a bad way, and it really disturbs um everybody's peace and everybody's you know holiday time.

Um I'm just asking that uh current laws and current noise ordinances be enforced.

Um I guess that's about it.

I'm not asking, you know, for the world.

I'm just asking for that we um do something about something that affects everybody, it affects our pets, it affects um veterans, veterinarians will tell you it's the number one night that dogs get run over from running into the street because of the noise, and um it's all night almost every night, and I have had it.

I've had it, and my neighbors have had it, and I know um everybody is probably affected by these things, so maybe we can work together and um head this off before it happens.