Clearance.

Otherwise, can you hear us?

Yes, I can.

Okay, great.

We're about to start.

Are you okay if we have Alder Allen read your report?

Yeah, I already asked her to do so.

Okay, great.

Great.

And then uh, she hasn't received any, but have you received any requests for separate consideration?

No, I did not.

Okay, thank you very much.

Okay.

Well, good evening, everyone.

Welcome to this uh City of Counts City Council meeting for the City of Racine on this 20th day of April 2026.

First order of business is the call to order.

After that, uh, we have the opportunity to do the Pledge of Allegiance.

If you could please join me as you are able 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.

Okay, we have three proclamations for this uh for this meeting, there are um many, many public servants who do great work, and in uh in this month, we recognize all of them in various forms, and we have three proclamations that uh recognize those in various forms.

The first is regarding National Libraries Week, and I'm gonna read the proclamation into the record, where it reads The Proclamation City of Racine, libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering spaces where people of all ages can find joy through exploration and discovery.

Whereas libraries serve as a vibrant community hub, connecting residents with knowledge, technology, and resources that foster civic engagement, critical thinking, and cultural enrichment.

And whereas libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programming, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have the support they need to learn, connect, and thrive.

And whereas libraries partner with schools, businesses, and organizations to maximize resources, expand access to essential services, and strengthen the community, that libraries empower job seekers, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners by offering resources, training, and opportunities that support career growth and economic success.

Whereas libraries nurture young minds through story times, steam programs and literary literacy initiatives that foster curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

Libraries protect the right to read, think, and explore without censorship, standing as champions of intellectual freedom and free expression, and that dedicated librarians and library workers create welcoming spaces that inspire discovery, collaboration, and creativity for all.

So now, therefore, I, Corey Mason, mayor of the City of Racine, do hereby proclaim April 19th through 25th, 2026 as National Library Week in the City of Racine.

I encourage all residents to visit their library, explore its resources, and celebrate the many ways libraries help our community find joy.

Here I have signed um the seal of of the city and cause my signature to be affixed.

Moving on to the next proclamation, it reads, Whereas the United States observes and pays tribute to local, state, and federal peace officers who have died or have been disabled in the line of duty.

And whereas President John F.

Kennedy signed public law 87726 on October 1st, 1962, designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week in which May 15th occurs as National Police Week.

And whereas every day law enforcement officers across the nation face the threat of violence and danger, routinely putting their lives in jeopardy to defend others, placing themselves at the risk of injury, disability, or even death.

And whereas the Racine Police Department has made and continues to make important advancements in policy, policing, and transparency, and we recognize and appreciate the incredibly dangerous risk these individuals face each day while serving our community, reminding us of the sacrifices they make to protect and serve others.

Now therefore I, Corey Mason, mayor of the City of Racine, Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim the week of May 11th through 16th, 2026 as National Police Week in the City of Racine, and encourage all residents to pay tribute to and commemorate law enforcement's officers for the vital public services they provide.

The last proclamation is in regards to public recognition, I'm sorry, public service recognition week, and it reads, whereas public service recognition week honors federal, state, county, and local government employees whose dedication keeps our communities and nation running smoothly, and that many public servants, including police officers, firefighters, transportation workers, safety inspectors, health care professionals, and others, serve the public with courage and commitment, often at personal risk, and that the tireless work of public employees at every level of government ensures stability, continuity, and essential services for residents, businesses, and visit visitors.

And that the tireless work of public employees at every level of government ensures stability, continuity, and essential services for residents, businesses, and visitors.

And whereas the employee of the city of Racine exemplified professionalism and dedication, working each day to protect and enhance the quality of life in our city.

And whereas since 1985, the first week of May has been recognized nationwide as public service recognition week.

And whereas Professional Municipal Clerks Week, established in 1969, celebrates the vital role municipal clerks play in local governments through their stewardship of public records, supportive legislative processes, and administration of fair and free elections.

And whereas the city of Racine's municipal clerks demonstrate integrity, accuracy, and exceptional service, strengthening public trust and ensuring transparent, effective government.

Now, therefore, I, Corey Mason, mayor of the city of Racine do hereby proclaim the weeks of May 3rd through 9th, 2026 as Public Service Recognition Week and Professional Municipal Clerks Week in the City of Racine, and encourage all residents to join in recognizing the dedication and contributions of our public employees and municipal clerks.

We now move on to public comments.

I will ask the clerk to please remind everyone of the procedures before we begin.

The public comment segment is an opportunity for citizens to speak directly to counsel.

Speakers will limit their remarks to three minutes.

There shall be no dialogue or interaction between speakers 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 Trina Cotton at 3514 Republic Av.

And just as the first speaker is coming up, there will be a clock that appears on the screen that counts down from three minutes when your three minutes are up.

If we could pull the clock on the screen.

Good evening.

My name is Trina Cotton.

I am a resident here in the City of Racine, residing in District 11th, where I'm represented by Alder Land.

I am here to request that the City of Racine update its current light trespass ordinance.

At present, this ordinance only applies to businesses.

However, light trespass is an ongoing nuisance in our residential neighborhoods.

Like noise pollution, excessive light is a nuisance that causes significant distress.

It disrupts property use, prevents comfortable living, and in many cases poses health concerns by interfering with sleep.

The issue is a neighbor to the west of my property has installed bright lights on the side and back of her home that shine directly into my bedroom.

I am unable to open my windows for fresh air or sleep comfortably because the light shines directly on us in bed throughout the night or even relax in my bedroom.

I have made multiple attempts to resolve this civilly.

I first left a polite note with photos.

When that received no response, I spoke with the neighbor in person and offered suggestions for shielding or redirecting the light or even offering to put motion lights up.

These offers were declined.

Following my attempts to speak with her, I received a cease and desist notice with false claims of harassment from her attorney effectively ending any chance of private resolution.

I have consulted with with code enforcement, the racing police department, and the city attorney's office, while all parties agree that this is an ongoing concern in our city, they stated that current laws classify that this is a civil matter because the residential ordinance does not exist yet.

I then contacted Alderland, who offered for both parties to meet with a mediator, which I was willing to do, however, my neighbor declined.

Neighboring municipalities, including Sturdivant, the village of Mount Pleasant, Yorkville, Waterford, and Burlington already have residential life trespass ordinances ordinances in place.

Racing residents deserve the same protection against offensive lighting that disrupts the peace, enjoyment, and quality, quality of living.

I ask that you please amend the current ordinance to include residential areas.

Thank you for your time and for your dedication to our community.

The next speaker is Khalid Asad at 1615 Douglas.

Good evening.

Good evening.

One moment.

Hi, my name is Khalida Sad.

Uh, I'm here to appeal the denial of Douglas Depot uh at 1615 Douglas Avenue.

Um I was here for the meeting on April 15th last week.

Uh I was denied the um licensing for Douglas Depot earlier that morning at Douglas Depot.

I received an email for recommendation of approval for that uh licensing.

Um the committee was not informed of that, so they did not know that I had a recommendation of approval.

Um, uh I'm asking for reconsideration of my application to be reviewed again.

Um I was supposed to be technically grandfathered in because I uh applied for the licensing before the zone ordinances.

Um I was deferred two times at meetings because of zone ordinances weren't updated, so I was in the meantime uh getting all the occupancy permit completed.

I I was finishing the Awkward, and uh I I went today to look at the uh email that I received, and I was asking to be able to put the license back up for review.

That's about it.

Thank you.

Oh, also I'm sorry.

Uh I've done a lot of investing over the few months into the business uh business.

It was an abandoned uh a vacant building.

I've put a lot of money into renovating the business.

Um I feel like I should be grandfathered into it from uh applying well before the zone ordinance, and I asked the committee to hold the application to review again.

That'd be it.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Michael Bermeister at 3003 Durandav.

Good evening, everyone.

I wanted to speak to you about the renaming process for the uh what is most recently known as the Cedar Chavez Community Center and what was historically known as the Douglas Park Center.

After finding out what we found out about Mr.

Chavez, various places which have been named for him across the nation had immediately got for changing their names there.

And yes, choice very many options there.

The Dolores, your name, your mayor, your proposal of Dolores French there, that is a good proposal there to the one good proposal because she was worked with him, and now she was also victimized by his actions.

However, there are such many, however, there are numerous other choices there that I think the people of Racine would have would be glad to consider, such as Anita Herrera, Malia Maria Luisa Morales, or Father Bruce Clanton, people who dentists who are in Racine who worked for very similar causes there, people who have actual connections with community there, or still other people think it should be thought of the memories as its old name of Douglas Park, because one message we get what because one of the lessons we learned from that fallout of Mr.

Chavez's actions is that the movement should not be about one person, but about the people all the people together there.

But either way, I still think that the rename process should have been handled should be handled with a more open comment period.

Let people submit their ideas and then have the city council vote on would vote on it by the end, could sign it by the hear them, consider them and then make a decision by the end of the year.

With such as much other places across the nation are doing close to the West Coast for Mr.

Chavez did his work because thereby the people whenever we should side there, the new name for the committee center at Douglas Park should be its forever name, and I really think a more thorough process is needed for that trust for that decision to be made.

Thank you.

The last speaker is Oscar Salinas at 521 6th Street.

Good afternoon, council.

Um I come up here today as a business owner as a city resident, and first and foremost, I'd like to say thank you to a few of you guys that are leaving.

I know I'm not supposed to name you, but Tyler, thank you very much for your dedication.

Henry Asceda, thank you guys for the dedicated work.

In a few hours, you won't be here.

So thank you.

With that being said, I want to talk about a few things that happened this week, and I want to talk about the police department, and I want to talk about the recommendations by a police department and what they mean and making those decisions and following those recommendations for the safety and the better good of the community.

You get what you need because you're one of the ones that have been causing the problem.

The problem is is when you don't follow a police recommendation when they're saying, hey, this is for the better of the community, this is for the safety, and having everything work in congenital together instead of just one, that becomes a problem.

We have to look at the recommendation as itself, and we have to look at what is going to happen if we don't.

Why these recommendations were up there in the first place.

Thank you.

Thank you guys for all the hard work you've done.

This concludes the public comment segment.

All right, we now move on to committee referrals.

Thank you, Mr.

Mr.

Mayor.

I would like to uh refer the following items to the uh committee of the whole uh item 0298-26 communications sponsored by Alder Kelly and Alder Allen to request the director of city development to present to the council an update on economic development within the city and update on CDBG funding.

Next item 0297-26 communications sponsored by Alder Mack to request the city clerk to present to the comment to the council an overview on the ballot omission and processing and reconciliation of the AB ballots.

It's a motion and a second on these referrals.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye, opposed.

That motion carries.

We'll now move on to your referral to the executive committee.

Alder Horton, would you read the item?

Uh I would like to make a motion to move the following item to the executive committee.

Uh 0307-26 communications sponsored by Mayor Mason, presenting proposed ordinance 001-26, newcent property amendments, recommendation to approval.

Opposed.

Alder Weidner, you have the floor.

I'd like to speak to this item being referred to the uh executive committee.

Thank you very much for recognizing my button being pushed since the this motion had been made.

I'm going to speak against the motion to send this item to the executive committee for a very simple reason.

We, the council are the legislative body, the mayor is the executive branch, and I understand that he is also a member of the committee of the whole.

It is really the legislative branch that should be taking up these items and they should legislative items and those items should be taken up at the committee of the whole.

As you all are all aware, I have submitted two ordinances changes to this council asking that they go to the committee of the whole.

Instead, this body move them to the executive committee.

One has been sitting in deferred status since October, since September of 2025.

The other that was sent to the executive committee, the other ordinance has not been taken up in committee at all.

So I believe that this body should be sending all of legislation to the committee of the whole rather than to the executive committee, because in essence what we have done is we've allowed one individual, one member of the common council to determine when if and how any ordinances are sent for discussion by the full body.

So I would ask, rather than sending this ordinance to the executive committee that it be sent to the committee of the whole so that the entire council can take up consideration of this ordinance along with every other ordinance.

Any further discussion on the motion?

Seeing none, are we doing roll call or are we doing?

We do have several people who are participating virtually, uh so we are gonna need to do uh roll call when the clerk calls your name.

Please vote as you wish.

Alder Harman.

I'll come back around.

I I know she's on, but I think they're having trouble getting her into the panelist section.

Alder Pavone.

No.

Alder Townsend.

Aye.

Alder Mack.

Aye.

Alder Jorgensen.

No.

Alderman Weidner.

Aye.

Alder Horton.

No.

Alder Skada.

Alder Allen.

Alder Pete.

No.

Alder Land.

Alder Land.

Alder Perez.

Aye.

No.

Thank you.

And Alder Harman, one more time.

I'm not sure if they were able to move you up or not.

All right.

That would be at seven ayes, six no's.

Motion carries.

Moving on now to referrals to the finance and personnel committee.

Umder Allen, would you please make a motion for the referrals?

Okay.

Thank you, Mayor.

Make a motion to refer the following items to the finance and personnel committee.

Item 0251-26.

Subject communication sponsored by Alder Pavone.

Requesting to allocate $7,600 year from the council's stationary budget to cover the cost of dedicated aldermatic phones and phone lines.

Fiscal note funds are available in an account.

Subject communication sponsored by Alder Land on behalf of the finance director.

Requesting authorization to carry forward various budget items from 20025 to 20026.

Subject communication sponsored by Alder Land on behalf of the Fire Chief.

Requesting permission to accept the Wisconsin Emergency Management Office of Emergency Communications for Year 2026.

Item 028926, subject communication sponsored by Alder Land on behalf of the finance empowerment.

I'm sorry, empowerment center coordinator requesting permission to apply for and accept a $3,000 donation from landmark credit union to support the program operations and initiatives of the Financial Empowerment Center.

Item 300-26 subject communication sponsored by Mayor Mason submitting the racing fire staff officers associations 2025 to 2028 collective bargaining agreement for consideration.

Item 0303-26 communication sponsored by Mayor Mason on behalf of the finance director requesting permission to submit the presentation, the unaudited preliminary fourth quarter 2025 fiscal results and the first quarter 2026 fiscal results and investment summaries.

Item 031726 communication sponsored by Alder Horton requesting the new finance and pronounce the new finance and personnel committee select a chair and vice chair for the 2026-2027 calendar year.

The motion is second to refer these items to finance and personnel.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Opposed.

That motion carries.

On behalf of Thomas Haskell from Pentecost Switzerland Church, requesting a close Jerome Boulevard between Coolidge and Case for the 22nd annual neighborhood block party on July 25th from 7 a.m.

to 7 p.m.

Item 0259-26 communication submitting bid results for contract 2026010-2026 city resurfacing.

Item 0260-26 communication submitting bid results for contract 2026011-2026 accessible street scenales.

Item 0261-26 communication requesting approval of the transportation project plat for state project ID 2703-09-02 slash 72.

Mount Pleasant Street, Rapids Drive to Romane Avenue.

Item 0266-26 communications submitting change order number one to contract 2024058 2024 city resurfacing the lawn contractors.

Item 0305-26 communication submitting amendment one to contract 2025-187 state municipal financial agreement for state project 2290-10-02 slash 72 State Highway 38 Bridge Over River.

Item 0302-26 communication submitting bid results for contract 2026015 Rapids Drive Lighting Phase 2.

And finally, 0319-26 communication sponsored by Alder Horton requesting the new Public Works and Services Committee.

Seconded by Alder Moan.

All those in favor of these referrals, please say aye.

Opposed.

We'll move on now to public safety and licensing committee.

Alder Weiner, would you like to make a motion regarding these referrals?

Thank you.

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

First item 0203 communications submitting a new application for a Class B retail fermented ball beverage and intoxicating liquor license for JN Abden of Caledonia LLC Marcy's second round located at 236 Main Street, Marcy Brulee, Agent, First District.

Item 0230-26 communications sponsored by Alder Kelly to have the police department come present their quarterly Q1 2026 report to the public safety and licensing committee.

Also note if the previous quarters have not yet been presented for quarters three and four from 2025.

Please include those as well.

Item 023126 communication sponsored by Alder Kelly requesting to update from the Good Neighbor meeting on Parlay on Main Street located at 240 Main Street.

Item 244-26 communication submitting application for a premise description change for me Jacalito LLC DBA My Jacalito Restaurant located at 1318 Douglas Avenue Alejandra Sanchez Agent Fourth District.

Item 042 0246-26 communication sponsored by Alder Kelly to have the Racine Police Department discuss formation of a tavern unit dedicated to patrolling bars during bar closing hours from 8 p.m.

till close.

Item 0250-26 communication submitting a change of agent application for a Class B retail fermented malt beverage and intoxicating liquor license for the Racine Art Museum Inc.

LLC Racine Art Museum located at 4401 Main Street Sharon Marchinoff Agent First District.

Item 0252-26 communication submitting a new application for a Class B retail fermented malt beverage and intoxicating liquor license for Sam and Wills Pizzeria and Pub LLC DBA Salmon Wills Pizzeria and Pub located at 3840 Douglas Avenue Samantha Stanko Agent 15th District.

Item 027226 communication on behalf of the city clerk requesting the appearance of Jimmy Muchie for a new operator's license.

Item 0274-26 communication submitting a change of agent application for a Class B Club retail fermented balt beverage intoxicating liquor license for Somerset Club Inc.

LLC Somerset Club located at 2016 Street, Russell Wires Agent, 1st District.

Item 028526 communication submitting a new application for a Class A retail fermented beverage malt beverage and intoxicating liquor license for SNS Racine Business Enterprise LLC DBA Spring Street Mobile located at 3700 Spring Street Chandra Sakar Agent Ohla Agent 9th District Agent Zero Item 0286-26 communication for a new petition to exceed geographical and quota restrictions for a class A retail fermented malt beverage and intoxicating liquor license for SNS Racine Business Enterprises L C DBA Spring Street Mobile located at 3700 Spring Street Shanda Secure Pula Agent 9th District 0287-26 Communications submitting a new application for a cigarette tobacco and electronic vape device retail license for refreshed faith community LLC DBA Corner and Moore store located at 1600 North Memorial Drive Tetriana Mayfield Agent 8th District Item 0308 communication for the licensed premise report 030926 communication requesting any consideration any formal expression of concern or other actions pursuant to the police report item 0310-26 communication on behalf of the public safety and licensing committee requesting the appearance of Donna Pushen Agent for Honors Racine LLC DBA honors recent located at 1330 Washington Avenue pursuant to a formal expression of concern and also requesting consideration of rescinding the formal expression of concern third district we're almost there 0311-26 communication on behalf of the public safety and licensing committee requesting the appearance of Ronald Guarosic Yo Junior Agent for Uptown Pub and Grill located at 1510 Junction Avenue pursuant to a formal expression of concern and also requesting consideration of rescinding the formal expression of concern third district uh 0318-26 communication requesting the new public safety and licensing committee selected chair and vice chair for the 2026 calendar year 0320 communication sponsored by Mayor Mason requesting the city attorney's office present the annual attorney training as required by ordinance to the public safety and licensing committee 0321-26 communication sponsored by Alder Kelly and Alder Widener requesting to review and amend the supplemental liquor license application that is the final item.

For these referrals, all those in favor of referring these items to the public safety and licensing committee, please say aye.

Opposed that motion carries.

We now move on to committee reports.

Did you have any requests for separate consideration on any of these items?

I don't have any.

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

Alder Mack, if you could give the public working services, can we report any requests for separate consideration?

Yes, uh item 0213-26.

I'm sorry, could you repeat that number?

Item 0213-26.

Thank you.

Could you please read the item?

The item uh communication sponsored by Alderman Mac and Alderman Davis requesting to close Wisconsin Avenue from 4th Street to 8th Street from 8 a.m.

to 1 p.m.

to close 4th Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, and 8th Street between Main Street and Wisconsin Avenue from 8 a.m.

to 1 p.m.

to close Main Street from 4th Street to 14th from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

to close 14th Street from Main Street to Grand Avenue from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

to close Grand Avenue from 14th Street to Curron Butler Drive from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

for the Juneteenth parade on Saturday, June 13th, 2026.

The recommendation of the Public Works and Services Committee is at the route be determined by the City of Racine Common Council based on any alternatives presented.

Um the action was what uh you found there in the um first paragraph.

But the action was what you found there in the first paragraph.

Is there a second on this item?

Second.

Okay.

Seconded by Alder Prabone.

So I would move that we approve the item.

My apologies, Aldermack.

I got ahead of you there.

There's a motion to approve it, seconded by Alder Pabone.

Alder Mac, would you like to speak to your motion?

Yeah, I'm gonna have to make a motion to amend the item.

After a lengthy discussion at the meeting, we were presented with three alternatives.

The first um proposal was what the parade committee had suggested, and they uh the sticking point wasn't the parade route itself as much as it was the staging area, which would have been along Lake Avenue.

That would have impeded access to the marina and to the farmers market down at Festival Hall.

Uh the second and third proposals, the alternates presented by the police department would have changed uh both the staging area and the parade route.

The parade organizers were adamant that they wanted to maintain the parade route that they've been using for the last several years.

During the discussion, Alderman Davis came up with a proposal to utilize Wisconsin Avenue.

At the time, it looked like a viable alternative, moving the staging area west of Main Street.

The problem was that we can't block off the law enforcement center, uh, which this proposal would do.

It was later recommended to me by somebody in the community that we should consider Water Street.

I got a hold of the police chief the next day.

He was already on that, and I believe that the chief has the alternative staging area um ready to present to us.

If there are no objections, Alder Mac, are you inviting the police chief up to could we to clarify?

If there's no objections, could we have the police chief come up to clarify what my amendment will be?

All right.

Uh Chief Ramirez, if we do not if you would not mind describing to the council and the public what the proposed amendment that Aldermack has would do to the parade rapid.

All right, good evening, council members.

Mayor, good evening.

That's correct.

Uh we had some discussion.

I also had a discussion with the parade organizer about moving the staging area to Water Street, right around 4th Street.

Um, where there'll be ample room for people to stage there and will not impede any of the traffic in and around the um law enforcement center that's needed for people to use uh on Wisconsin Avenue.

And I think that was a proposal from the beginning.

Do you have the streets that I need to put into the amendment?

It would be helpful if it indicated the streets and then the cross streets from the area, you know, on Water Street from Street X to Street Y.

Okay, the the uh we have the stage and area to be right on area on Water Street.

I believe this should be a map for everyone there, and should be the attachments.

Is there from Wisconsin Avenue?

We'll keep Wisconsin Avenue up until the parade starts.

So people need to uh get in and out of Wisconsin Area up until the parade starts would be west of uh 4th Street on Water Street, stage and area for three blocks.

Uh if we need more room, we can make take it up to Marquette.

But we have that that's the area that we proposed.

Um obviously there's a lot less traffic along Water Street there, and it should have no problem coming in at force uh with the stage and air parade to begin at 4th and Main and go on uh south as the parade uh route indicated.

So Marquette would be the farthest west.

But farthest west would be Market.

So I would make an amendment to this that we delete to close Wisconsin Avenue from 4th Street to 8th Street from 8 a.m.

to 1 p.m.

to instead close Water Street from Main Street up to Marquette.

Was that sound correct?

Except I don't think that Water Street arrives at Main Street.

Okay, I think it terminates at Wisconsin.

Right.

All right, to Wisconsin then that's correct.

Yeah, Marquette if we need it, but we can go up to either billow or grand up to that area there.

But okay.

That amendment to the motion will be in order.

Is there a second?

Uh seconded by Alder Press by a whisker.

If I could speak on the amendment just real quickly, yes.

It was a long discussion, and I think this is a compromise that hopefully satisfies all parties.

While not perfect, uh it does allow the parade organizers to continue with their established route, and it also gives us an alternative for staging that alleviates hopefully the problems uh along Lake Avenue that we've seen in the last couple years.

Any other discussion on the motion or on the amendment to the motion?

I'm sorry, just to clarify.

Okay, just to be clear what we have before us then is an amendment to item 213-26, which would change the staging area from uh the Wisconsin uh Avenue location indicated in the motion to Water Street from Marquette to Wisconsin.

Any further discussion on that amendment?

See none when the clerk calls your name, please vote as you wish.

Alder Kelly, aye, Alder Harmon.

Aye.

Alder Pabone, aye.

Alder Townsend, Alder Davis, Alder Mack, Alder Jorgensen, Alderman Widener, Alder Horton, Alder Skada, Alder Allen, Alder Pete, Alder Land, Alder Perez.

Aye.

14 ayes, zero no's.

The amendment to the motion passes.

Now we go to the main motion as amended.

Any further discussion on the main motion now that it has been amended.

See none when the clerk calls your name, please vote as you wish.

Alder Kelly.

Aye.

Alder Harmon.

Aye.

Alder Pabone.

Aye.

Alder Townsend.

Aye.

Alder Davis.

Aye.

Alder Mack.

Aye.

Alder Jorgensen.

Aye.

Alderman Widner.

Alder Horton.

Alder Skada.

Alder Allen.

Alder Pete.

Aye.

Alder Land.

Aye.

Alder Perez.

Aye.

Fourteen ayes, zero no's.

The motion carries.

We move on then.

Uh I'm sorry, Alder Mac.

Did you have any other items for separate consideration?

Then without objections, we'll place the remainder of this report onto the consent agenda and move on to the public safety and licensing committee.

Alder Widener, did you have any items for separate consideration?

I do.

I have three items for separate consideration.

First item is 0088-26.

That's communications submitting a new application for a cigarette tobacco and electronic vape device retail license for Douglas Depot LLC Douglas Tobacco located at 1615 Douglas Avenue.

Khalid Asad agent, 4th district.

I would make a motion to send this item back to the committee.

And if I have a second, I'll explain why.

Second.

Seconded by Alder Townsend.

Thank you.

Mr.

Asad did speak here tonight.

He's a young man that made a major investment in to a uh an abandoned building.

And during the time he was making that investment, there was a change in the zoting ordinance, which gave made it more difficult for individuals that are applying for a cigarette tobacco and uh vape license.

Um this young man could have been grandfathered in based on the time period in which he was up he had applied for the conditional use permit.

So it was up to the committee to either grandfather him in or not.

The committee chose not to according to Mr.

Assad, he did receive a letter on the same day that the committee met, although he did not know at the time and we did not know that he had received an email uh from the city indicating recommendation of approval based on the uh improvements that he had made to the building in his application for a conditional use permit.

Um I would like to send this back to committee to give the uh if there's a new committee or the whatever committee is there, an opportunity to look at all the information, including the time period in which the item had been deferred based on him making the improvements to that building.

approval based on the uh improvements that he had made to the building in his application for a conditional use permit um i would like to send this back to committee to give the uh if there's a new committee or the whatever committee is there an opportunity to look at all the information including the time period in which the item had been deferred based on him making the improvements to that building so I would ask that um that the council agree to uh send this item back to the committee for further consideration any further discussion on the motion to refer back to public safety and licensing seeing none when the clerk calls your name please vote as you wish Alder Kelly aye harman aye alder Pavone ayezen aye alder Davis Alder Macr Jorgensen aye alderman weiden aye alder Horton Alder Skada Alder Allen Alder Pete Alder Land Aye Alder Press 14 ayes zero no's motion carries uh Alder Widener did you have other items for separate consideration I do uh next item is 0190-26 this was a communication submitting an application for a class A retail fermented malt beverage and intoxicating liquor license for neighborhood pantry inclc located at 1511 West 6th Street Sarah Bit Radwa agent 8th district I would like to defer this item uh until the next uh PSL meeting Alder Widener would it be all right if the city attorney clarified the public hearing requirement absolutely uh recent ordinances require the common council to hold a public hearing on any request to exceed the quota so uh common counsel is the one my suggestion is that it be deferred to the next common council meeting okay so motion to defer this item I'm sorry I didn't hear if there was a second was there a second to defer this item alder townson seconded it alder widener would you like to speak to the motion uh I just would like to uh ask the attorney if we can take 0190 and 0191 together because that is the I think at the discretion of the chair it would be okay that motion would be in order at this time if you wanted to make that motion to refer to both items I would move to refer both items the second item being actually the um the petition to exceed the geographic geographical and the quota restrictions for the class A retail license so we and just to clarify um you want to defer this this item not refer right a defer those to the next common council meeting to allow for a public hearing on the uh geographical and quota restriction yeah I'm just making sure the clerk has your intention correct um so Alder Townsend made the second on the first motion it'll be important for him to accept the second on the follow-up motion that includes both items Alder Townsend are you okay with that?

Okay then uh the motion before us is in order which is to defer item 0190 and 01910-26 to defer those items to allow for the public hearing requirement under the city ordinance uh at our next meeting um any further discussion on this seeing none when the clerk calls your name please vote as you wish Alder Kelly Alder Harman aye alder Pabone ayezen aye alder Davis Alder Mack Alder Jorgensen Alderman Widener aye alder Horton Alder Scada Alder Allen Alder Pete Alder Land Alder Perez 13 ayes one no motion carries Alder Wynder did you have any other items for separate consideration I do not think without objection these items will be placed on the consent agenda we'll now move on to the transit commission uh Alder Horton was this an item that was requested for separate consideration no it wasn't and without objection those will be placed on the consent agenda we'll then move on to the office of the mayor report Alder Horton did you get any requests for separate consideration on these items no I did then without objection ohder weider uh not separate consideration so much I would just like um I'd like to know uh on one of the I have a question on one of the items if you could take your question and name the item on item 0312-26 this was in regarding of the bid uh for the contract for the 2026 Pershing boat launch I'm just wondering um if there were other bidders than the one uh the director of parks recreation and cultural services is here if I could ask Mr.

Could you say that again?

One bidder at North Beach and one bidder at uh Pershing Boat Launch.

And they're not the same bidder?

No.

Okay.

Thank you.

Okay.

Any other questions regarding these items?

Then without objection, these items will be placed on the consent agenda, which then brings us to the consent agenda.

Alder Horton, would you like to make a motion regarding the consent agenda?

There's a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

That motion carries.

We now move on to common council announcements.

This is also the area typically where we allow our outgoing alders to say any farewells or comments at their last meeting if they so choose.

So why don't we begin there?

Uh for anyone who may want to do that and then save general announcements until afterwards.

Alder Perez, would you like to begin?

Thank you, Honor.

Mayor, fellow alders, staff, lectors, friends, enemies.

I have lived the American dream being an elected official.

The first Hispanic elected to anything in the city of Racine has been awesome.

Serving since 2013 and having served one time on finance, two times on public safety, and 10 years on public works.

Served on the traffic commission, the cemetery commission, the community development committee, and being told I asked too many questions.

I have learned so much about the work and cost of government.

I've been challenged and grown and lied about and been disappointed.

I have been told to grow a thick skin.

We have done great things and not so great things.

We have supported departments and benefited from their service.

A special shout out to our fire department, our police department, and our public works department.

They do an amazing job with the little support we often offer them.

I urge you to look out for them that take care of us.

Don't just be progressive alone.

Show restraint at times, consider our constituents.

As I prepare to step away from this role, I've spent time reflecting on the purpose of government and the responsibility we have been entrusted with.

Government at its core is not about power.

It's about order, justice, and the common good.

It exists so that people may live in peace, so that what is right is protected, and so that what is wrong is restrained.

At its best, it creates the conditions where families can thrive, communities can grow and play, and individuals can pursue their God-given purposes.

Scripture reminds us in Romans 13 that governing authorities are established by God to serve as agents for good, to uphold justice and promote what is right.

That calling is both a privilege and a weighty responsibility.

It means our decisions matter, not just politically, but morally.

To those continuing in this work, do not lose sight of why you serve.

Lead with integrity when it's difficult.

Seek wisdom over popularity, and remember the exhortation of Micah 6.8 in scripture to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.

If we hold to those principles, we will serve our communities well.

Public service will test you.

It will challenge your patience, your convictions, and at times your faith.

It has mine.

But it is also one of the most meaningful ways to love your neighbor in a tangible way.

May God grant each of you wisdom, courage, and humility in the days ahead.

Thank you, and God bless you all.

And I want to show you what was on my desk because I think it's pretty cute.

When I came in, I found this box on my desk.

I'm not sure who this is, but I have an idea.

So whoever came up with this, thank you so much.

It will definitely be appreciated.

And it will go up with my other uh diplomas and uh awards that I've received in this community.

Thank you so much.

Do either of the other Alders who were ohder Townsend, you have the floor.

I want to echo a lot of what Henry said.

Um it's genuinely been an honor representing the second district and working alongside a lot of you.

Um this for me definitely isn't the end, but I like I said, I mean it's hard to follow Henry up with that one.

So the little bits that I want to add is uh I'm proud of what we were able to accomplish in a short time, and I tried to approach every decision with what I believe is right for the residents that I was elected put into the seat to serve.

I do think it's important to say this, though.

Nonpartisan races are meant to be the non-partisan.

When outside political influence start shaping them, it takes the focus away from community, and I think that's something we should all take very seriously.

And the reality is that that kind of environment pushes good people away.

People who care about their community, look at the games, the noise, and the way things get handled, and they decide it's just not worth it.

That should concern all of us because our city deserves people who are willing to step up, not turned off before they even start.

More broadly, this body works best when we stay focused on the people we serve and treat each other with professionalism and respect moving forward, even when we disagree.

When we fall short of that, the residents feel it and they deserve better.

As many of you have told me, keep fighting the good fight.

I plan to stay involved and continue showing up for the community I care deeply about.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um that concludes remarks from outgoing Alders.

We'll now move on to general announcements.

Alder Allen.

Thank you.

Before I go to my announcement, I wanted to say to Alder Henry.

Thank you so very much for all the support you've given me in the community.

I really appreciate that.

And I've enjoyed working with you.

To Alder Townsend.

It's been nice meeting you and working with you.

Thank you for your work on the SWI committee, too.

That's a very good asset to our community.

We thank you for that work.

And to Alder Esqueda, it's been nice working with you as well.

Thank you so much.

So uh as we know that this is happy national, plus happy national library week to um our executive director, Nick Dimsky, and I just wanted to let the community know that the Racing Public Library is a hub for the city, and this is a fantastic week to get involved if you have not had an opportunity to visit a library in the recent past.

It is beautiful, and there are a lot of great activities this week at the library for this week's celebration.

We are going to have the uh local author showcase and summer reading kickoff, which is going to be um from 10 to 4 on Saturday.

And I'm sorry, it'll be the local after local author showcase that's happening this week.

And then it's also free bus passes.

I don't know if people know that.

And they're handed out on Saturday between 11 and 12.

So just go on to the website, look at the uh events for this week, and then if you don't have a library card, go on down there and get one.

It again is a beautiful place to bring your children and your family.

Alder White.

Thank you.

What an honor it's been to serve with Alder Perez for well, it was seven years plus another two, so a total of nine years.

I have really enjoyed watching him grow into the position, and I was always struck by what humility that he approached everything.

It's been a real joy to serve with you.

You will be missed.

The council.

I saw Alder Townsend and Alder Esquada as real hope for the future.

And I'm saddened that the voters in their district didn't see them with the same eyes that I do.

I know that they'll be missed, but I also know that they're not going to be gone.

I know they'll be back.

I am also saddened to see us lose the diversity that we always say that is so necessary.

Henry is right.

He was the first Hispanic to have been elected to the common council.

And now we have Alder Esquada, and they both will be gone, and they with them they take perspective that I think was very integral to this council.

So not only their youth, but also their heritage that they brought with us at a perspective that they brought.

So to all three, it's been a privilege to serve with you, and I know I'll see you all around.

And then I would also like to um I'd like to read in just a moment another proclamation as April is uh organ donation month.

So April is organ donation months.

The remain of the remains of one individual can enhance increase the life of at least at least the official count of 72 individuals.

For example, from a deceased, the heart, skin, and corneas can be donated, and live donors can you can donate one of your kidneys, one of your lungs, arteries, bones, ligaments, blood, skin, just to name a few of the transplantable tissues and organs that are available.

Um in April of 2000, when I first got elected, I had the privilege of being introduced to Mr.

Dale Slosted, who he uh received a new heart on my birthday on March 29th, and we have always uh recognized each other on the day that I was born and the day that he received a new heart, and he's the one that asked me if I would read a proclamation on his behalf.

And this um proclamation actually was uh presented by Governor Evener Evers, so I would like to read that as we had not done a proclamation in April for Dorgan Oregon Donor Month.

So, whereas every organ donor can save up to eight lives and positively impact over 75 more through tissue and cardio donation, and whereas, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, currently there are more than 1,500 Wisconsinites and more than a hundred thousand people nationwide on the national wait list for an organ transplant.

And every day upwards of 10 people die waiting for a transplant.

And whereas nearly every person in Wisconsin has the potential to be a hero and can register to be an organ tissue and eye donor online or at their local division of motor vehicles, and whereas a testament to the life-saving work of organ procurement organizations and countless registered organ donors across the country.

2025 was the fifth record-breaking year for organ transplants in the U.S.

with over 49,000 organs transplanted, according to the United Nightwork Network of Organ Sharing.

And whereas this month, the state of Wisconsin honors nearly three million registered organ tissue and eye donors across the state for their generosity and encourages all eligible Wisconsinites to register as donors, support local blood drives, and give the gift of life through donation.

Now, therefore, I Tony Evers, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do here proclaim April 2026 as National Donate Life Month throughout the state of the Wisconsin and commend this observance to all of our state's residents.

This one was for you, Dale.

Thank you.

Thank you.

April 29th is denim day.

It's where individuals are to wear denim to protest against uh protest against victim blaming and sexual assault cases and support support survivors.

This isn't um if you are not aware, April is sexual assault awareness month.

So I just wanted to let folks know that denim day is April 29th, and shout out to Team Teal 365, who is an advocate for survivors and champions of sexual assault violence.

It's one in two women, one in six men have experienced some type of sexual contact that unwarranted.

Alder Papoon.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I just want to echo some of my colleagues' sentiments about my our outgoing colleagues here, Alderman Townsend, Alder Escada, and Alder Perez.

Thank you for your services.

This is not something that uh is easy, I think as we all know.

The job comes with stresses, but hopefully, one of the biggest takeaways is being able to serve the community, and I know that that doesn't stop just because you don't have the title.

So thank you all for taking that time and adjusting your life, and hopefully, you have a bit more free time coming up here.

And also thank you for accepting the will of your constituents gracefully and with class, I think that's really important as well.

Um, I just on the mayor's proclamation from earlier tonight with the public service.

I just thank the city staff, all they do, the elections that just went on, um, from the city attorney's office to Director Kopenick to uh Commissioner Rooney and and Director Fisher, so on and so forth.

We are very it's a very vital part of our job is to be able to connect with these people and work with them hand in hand.

Um sometimes we don't you know always get what we want, but they provide us the information.

I think that's commendable.

So thank you to all of you for what you do.

And also recently, just uh in between the last council meeting and this one, we got uh my nieces some public library cards.

They think that they are the big the biggest thing in town now because they have a card, so it was really cool to see them trying to sign their name, but anyway, I digress there.

They're reading up a storm and it's gonna continue this summer, so thank you.

Thank you.

I need to give a shout out to my number two grandson Tanner.

We went up to Sheboygan yesterday to celebrate his seventh birthday.

I'll probably say something again tomorrow because I think he's coming down for a photo op uh with grandpa.

Uh, last oh, I saw on Facebook something about today being a 420 day.

I don't know what that means, though.

Um, but I didn't see any proclamation for that.

And last week was severe weather awareness week.

And my previous you okay, Nathan.

My um previous life was in emergency management, and I went probably 20 years before I saw a tornado in Racine County, and I think the count was five or six last week, and the state has already exceeded the average number of tornadoes in a year, and the season's only getting started.

Um, a lot of misinformation out on Facebook about warnings and everything else, and I just want to take a minute to quickly go over outdoor warning sirens are meant to be heard outdoors.

Not all communities have outdoor warning sirens.

All these people in Caledonia that were going on and saying they heard their siren, Caledonia has no warning sirens.

Mount Pleasant has no warning sirens.

The city of Racine has a robust uh set of warning signs, but they're meant to be heard outdoors.

My wife slept through the outdoor warning siren activation that first night.

I was awake.

I monitored.

If your phone uh and when a tornado warning is issued for Racine County, they're not differentiating necessarily, and therefore countywide the sirens are activated.

Unless your phone goes off, you're in all likelihood not in the path of the tornado.

But when your phone goes off, take cover.

Also, even though that first night I heard the outdoor warning sirens in the middle of the night, I was still monitoring, even though my phone didn't go off, just to make sure that we weren't going to be upgraded.

So that's my um 32nd PSA on severe weather.

More to come in weeks uh to follow.

Uh, we have a couple cool projects in the fourth district.

Kids Cove is getting a rehab, and we are putting a new playground in at Lakeview.

There'll be several phases, hopefully, to that, and phase two will hopefully be raising money to actually um expand that.

And then finally, um tonight's bittersweet, as we say so long to some of our colleagues.

This day will come for all of us, whether we want it to or not.

Some of us are gonna leave on our own terms.

Some of us are helped out.

That's a burden that we carry as elected officials.

Nonetheless, I don't think that there's any one of us who would choose not to serve knowing that the outcome is out of our hands.

I've watched Cynthia grow up.

And it was a proud moment to see her appointed to the council when there was that vacancy.

When my kids uh outgrew walking in the parade with me, her and her sister eagerly walked with Amy and I.

And this has nothing to do with politics or positions.

It has to do with relationships and the relationship that my family and I have had with the Escada family.

And it all started because I was an alderman years ago.

And Vince was on our planning commission, and then we cemented that relationship when we went to Zapolaneho as part of the Sister City trip.

And Vince and I were inseparable.

And then to watch Cynthia grow up and become a woman and to run her family business.

Her dad's, I'm sure, immensely proud of her.

And there's still great things to come.

You are young.

You have a whole future ahead of you.

And Tyler, I didn't really know you before you got on the council, but I was impressed with how dedicated you were to your district and how hard you worked.

When those people had an issue with their heating and air conditioning at the apartment, that's not something an alderman usually gets involved with, but you tackled that problem and you helped them resolve it.

And when that young girl tragically died, and her family, I believe, lives in your district, you jumped on that.

Not because you were looking to score points, because but it was because you genuinely cared.

And Henry, what can I say about Henry?

You ask a lot of questions.

No, we actually got our meetings down a reasonable amount of time.

But uh Henry, you asked good questions, and one day I asked you why, and you said because you wanted the public to understand what we were doing.

That it wasn't necessarily about you having to understand it, but it's if we're televising these meetings, uh, and they're seeing us approve all this stuff, they should have an understanding what we're approving, why we're approving it.

And uh 13 years is a good run.

And 10 years on public works, and you were uh a good vice chair to me, and I thank you for that.

I've been on the other side, there's life after counsel, Sandy knows that.

Um, and so you may find yourself tuning in, you may find yourself wanting to call your aldermen at times and say, what do you think you're doing?

But um, there's life after counsel.

You get your life back, you have less meetings to go to, but I encourage you guys to stay involved in our community.

We need you, we need your enthusiasm, we need your passion, um, we need you to stay involved.

A community only works when there's a diversity of voices.

When we live or work in an echo chamber, we don't get the best outcome.

But when we're forced to compromise, when we're forced to look at other sides, and Alderman Jorgensen and I were talking about something his dad was involved in in the state legislature.

His dad had all the votes necessary, but somebody on the other side of the aisle said she'd support it if there were some fixes to it, and they sat down and they hammered it out, and they came out with something better, and that's what we need.

We're lacking civility in politics today.

Thank you.

Thank you, Honor.

I just want to give a shout out to uh two of my sons who are having birthdays in the next couple days.

Adam, who's a professor at Belmont University in Nashville, and Aaron, who is a um a really good Amazon Spider Man.

Alder Kelly.

Thank you.

Um that's a lot to follow up with.

Uh you guys made me really emotional over here.

So thank you for that.

Um I just wanted to wish um Alder Perez, uh, Alder Escada, Alder Townsend, the best of luck.

Um, I have had uh the great pleasure working with you.

Uh thank you, Henry, for getting me involved in all this crap.

Um, and uh I wish you the best of luck.

I know you are not done with your journeys, and um I thank you guys for all of your um hard work that you've put in into this community.

Um that's all I had to say.

Thank you.

Alder Horton.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh, first of all, I'd just like to uh thank Alder Perez, Alder Townsend, and Aldo SKADA Holder Perez, I serve with you for probably like eight years here uh at the council.

That's a long time.

Uh want to thank you guys, family members, for allowing you to take the time.

Uh sometime this, you know, it never stopped, whether it's a Saturday, a Sunday, a Friday, it seems like it's politics all the time.

But being able to be with family and to sit back and watch a game here and there and enjoy yourself and grandkids, uh is great doing that also.

Uh, thank you guys for uh coming in, uh representing your districts, uh the districts that sent you here.

Uh and uh truly uh Alder Perez, I see you out at the school all the time.

I know your public service just doesn't stop here.

I see you in other forms of public service when you're dealing with the young people out at the school, and uh we we know that uh with with with the school district, there's a lot of kids and families that need need your help.

Um with that on another note, I'd just like to wish my daughter uh happy birthday, Brianna Horton uh Chatman.

Uh today she turned 28.

Uh, we love you, and uh we thank God for you.

Alder Jorgensen.

I uh it's been said.

I I just wanted to uh thank uh Alder Townsend and Escada um for all the work that you've done.

It's been a pleasure getting to know you, but I also really wanted to um to thank uh Alder Perez for really giving uh giving me the opportunity to work together with him.

Uh one of the first things that I got done on the council um was getting some yield signs changed to stop signs.

Uh and it was it was a real pleasure working with Alder Perez uh and navigating uh the ins and outs of the council.

I was new to the Racine City Council, and he was um you know he he listened to my pitch of of why I wanted to do it, and he said, you know, it makes total sense, and let's let's get it done, and and we did together, and so I had a real pleasure working with you.

Uh it's been a pleasure getting to know you, and I'm I'm sure we'll stay in touch.

So other couple of announcements.

I want to acknowledge the work that the parks department did today with uh with Walden 3 School.

We planted several trees in Island Park today in anticipation both of Earth Day and Arbor Day, which are coming up this week, uh, and our new Forester started today.

So congratulations to our new forester who came aboard just today, but just want to acknowledge them.

Uh, want to acknowledge both my father and my sister who had birthdays in the last week, so happy related birthdays to them.

And then on May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Walden School will be doing performances of the musical Mama Mia.

So if you're looking to take in an RUSD produced Walden musical in the weekend ahead, please feel free uh to make yourself available for that.

Uh, if there are no other announcements at this time, Alder Horton, I would entertain a motion.

Oh, I'm sorry, Alder Allen.

Oh, well, that's one, thank you.

I wanted to thank Alder Horton and Alder Harmon for being uh the wonderful leaders that you were this this past year as president and vice president.

Just wanted to put that out there.

Thank you so much for your leadership.

Thank you for that announcement.

Alder Horton at this time, I would entertain a motion to adjourn.

We'll to adjourn.

Several seconds to adjourn.

All those in favor of adjournment, please say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it, and we are adjourned until tomorrow.