Racine Common Council Meeting - May 19, 2026
Racine Common Council Meeting - May 19, 2026
The Common Council of Racine, Wisconsin, met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall, Room 205. 14 members were present (Alder Frazier, Weiss, Turquoise-Davis, Maack, Weidner, Horton, Hodges, Vice Chair Allen, Peete, Land, DeMark, Kelly, Harmon, Pabon) and 1 was excused (Chair Jorgensen). The meeting included public comments, referrals to committees, committee reports, and a significant debate on creating and closing Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs). The meeting adjourned at 8:19 PM.
Consent Calendar
- May 5, 2026 Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously (14-0-1).
- Communications Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee: Approved on a voice vote. Included claims for disallowance (Linda Smith, Christine Daugherty, Bailey Berger and Sam Scarlato), acceptance of the State Urban Search and Rescue Agreement (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028), a $2M grant for the Lincoln King Community Center, and a $150,000 contract with G Strategies for fundraising.
- Communications Referred to Public Works and Services Committee: Approved on a voice vote. Included change orders, final payments, resolutions for paving streets and alleys, the State Street Bridge project, N. Main St. financial agreement, Multi-Site Roofing contract ($316,390.00 to Carlson Racine Roofing), and a pedestrian crossing beacon at DeKoven Street and Taylor Avenue.
- Communications Referred to Public Safety and Licensing Committee: Approved on a voice vote. Included license renewals and new applications for liquor, dance hall, massage, tobacco, and towing licenses.
- Finance and Personnel Committee Report: Approved on a voice vote. Included $7,600/year for dedicated aldermanic phones, Sewer Ordinance Amendments, a $1,000 donation for the K9 Unit, several claim disallowances, a workers' compensation settlement for Horace Ponder (total over $33,419.40), acceptance of a $157,500 DNR grant for boat launch piers, and a $100,000 donation from CNH for the Lincoln King Community Center.
- Public Works and Services Committee Report: Approved on a voice vote. Included change order and final payment for 2024 Sanitary Sewer Repairs, Transit Center Phase III Renovations ($1,046,000 to Berglund Construction), Concrete Street Reconstruction ($1,357,256.24 to LaLonde Contractors), Multi-Site Tuckpointing ($810,500 to Tiger Restoration), a parking management contract ($582,461.52 to ABM Industry Group), and replacement of a yield sign with a stop sign at Monroe Ave and Victory Avenue.
- Public Safety and Licensing Committee Report: Approved on a voice vote. Included denial of an operator's license for Jimmy Mutchie (non-appearance), approval of a new tobacco license for Corner & More Store, appointment of two Humane Officers, and renewal/new licenses for Carriage House Pedal Tours, 1 Stop Exchange, Jensen Towing, Stix Tavern, and Floyd & Sons Towing.
- Committee of the Whole Report: Approved on a voice vote. A presentation on redevelopment strategy and TID plans was received and filed.
- Office of the Mayor Report: Approved (13-0-1, Alder Kelly absent). Appointments to boards/commissions were confirmed, and a $60,000 (year 1) / $20,000 (year 2) grant from Focus on Energy for a dedicated energy efficiency staff position was accepted.
- Other Business: Alder Weidner's communication to resubmit item 1265-25 was referred to the Committee of the Whole (14-0-1).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bob Weidman (810 Saxony Drive): Expressed strong support for 5K Events, noting that Festival Hall had previously cost the city over $1.2 million under the old contract, and urged the council to give 5K Events a contract.
- Scott Kinderman (2062 1/2 Erie Street): Described confusion over snow emergency parking regulations, finding a discrepancy between the online map and the official ordinance. He requested the ordinance be updated for clarity.
- Jim LaFortune (1105 Carleton Drive): Supported 5K Events, stating that high rental fees and the inability to sell food/beverages had forced festivals to leave the site. He argued 5K Events had restored the park from neglect and should be retained.
- Patricia Caldwell (1506 Superior Street): A small business owner in the Lincoln King area, she reported a devastating loss of revenue due to construction blocking access. She requested clear signage, construction crew distance, and fee abatement or grants for affected businesses.
- Rebecca Haoglund (2808 James Boulevard): Executive Director of Festival Park, she described the human toll of nine months of contract limbo, leading to staff exhaustion and the loss of an events director. She asked for communication, transparency, and a temporary month-to-month agreement.
- Roberto Katzman (723 Harmony Drive): Proposed the city create a vintage movie theater ("The Roxy Racine") downtown to attract visitors and provide evening entertainment, offering to volunteer his expertise.
- Oscar Saias (521 6th Street): Accused the council of micromanaging and stated that Festival Park had gone from $300,000 in annual losses to turning a profit under 5K Events. He urged the council to sign a contract and support the events.
- Patrick Flynn (4124 Mona Place): Owner of 5K Events, he stated the city had ignored a 180-day notice requirement and had waited five weeks to present a "take it or leave it" contract. He requested free parking during voting, management of parking lot rentals, and direct utility billing, and noted instability was causing staff losses.
- Ashlie Hurlbut (5719 Heather Way): Spoke on behalf of Christine Daugherty, who lost her vehicle (a Fiat frozen to the ground) and subsequently became homeless. She asked the city to take responsibility and resolve the matter.
- Josh Sopczak (3212 Terrence High): President of Salmon Unlimited Wisconsin, he stated the organization commits $30,000–$50,000 in expenses annually for Salmonorama. He requested the council extend the contract with Festival Park LLC through the peak season to ensure continuity for upcoming events.
- Lily Sopczak (3212 Terrence High): Volunteered over 100 hours at Salmonarama and emphasized that detailed planning is critical, and a location change could be detrimental.
- Jeff Kingsfield (5903 Regency Hill): Supported 5K Events, stating they had made the festival site financially viable for nonprofits. He called it unacceptable that no contract had been provided early in the year, affecting planning and donor confidence.
- Christine Daugherty (no address given): Said she had lost her job as a crossing guard and in-home caretaker after losing her vehicle. She reported a decline in mental health, including suicidal ideation, and pleaded for the council to approve her claim.
Discussion Items
- TID Plan Amendments and Creation (Item 0414-26): A major debate occurred over a resolution to approve amendments to TIDs 11, 13, 23, 28, and 31, amend the plan and boundary of TID 22, create TIDs 32 and 33, and close TIDs 10, 16, and 27.
- Alder Weidner argued against the package, stating the 725 Lake Avenue site (TID 33) had no developer, no specific proposal, and a $30.8 million public financing structure would lock out school, college, and county taxing bodies for up to 27 years. She also criticized creating TID 32 in Lincoln King, where development was already underway with state funds, and noted that TID 27 was being closed without having spent any infrastructure dollars. She moved to send the item back to the Committee of the Whole; the motion died for lack of a second.
- Alder Allen countered that the previous developer's TIFF ask ($15 million over 10 years) was not financially viable, that the state funding shortfall for schools was a state-level issue, and that rejecting the package would stall the Lincoln King Community Center project.
- Alder Pabon emphasized that TIDs are a vital tool for development, given the city's $1 billion state surplus not allocated locally. Finance Director Fisher explained that sharing increment from older TIDs into newer ones is a common practice (e.g., Kenosha) and necessary for economic development. Assistant Director Hence clarified that the CDA's ability to modify plans administratively was only for minor operational matters, not substantial changes.
- Alder Turquoise-Davis attempted to divide the question to vote separately on creating TIDs 32 and 33. The finance director warned that delaying TID 32 would jeopardize reimbursement for essential infrastructure (sidewalks, street lights, road widening) in Lincoln King. The motion to divide (creating TIDs 32 and 33 separately) failed (9-5-1).
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the main motion as presented. The motion passed (13-1-1), with only Alder Weidner voting no.
Key Outcomes
- TID Package Approved: The resolution to approve amendments to TIDs 11, 13, 23, 28, and 31, amend TID 22, create TIDs 32 and 33, and close TIDs 10, 16, and 27 passed 13-1 (Weidner no, Jorgensen excused). This authorizes up to $30.8 million in public financing for these districts, including $21 million in projected incentives for the Lake Avenue site (TID 33).
- FY 2026 Annual Action Plan Approved: The plan enabling receipt of HUD funding ($1,711,710 CDBG, $433,741.39 HOME, $153,237 ESG) was approved 14-0-1.
- Public Comments Heard, No Direct Action Taken: No votes were taken on public comment issues; they were received for informational purposes.
- Referrals to Committees: All communications introduced were referred to the appropriate committees as indicated, without separate consideration.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:19 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Testing, testing one, two, three. Whenever IT is ready, if you want to begin the broadcast, we can begin. Okay. Well, good evening, everyone. Welcome. The hour of six o'clock having arrived on this nineteenth of May twenty twenty-six. Is my honor to call to order the City of Racine Common Council. First order of business 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. Second by Alder Land. Any discussion seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed. That motion carries. We'll now move on to public comments where I will ask the city clerk to read the procedures, and then we will begin. Speakers will limit their remarks to three minutes. Profane, disruptive, threatening or conduct that otherwise impedes the safe, orderly, and effective conduct of the common council meeting is equally unacceptable during the public comment period, as it is during all other portions of city meetings. Candidates for public office may not use this opportunity to campaign for office. Speakers during the public comment period shall follow all rules of the common council and rulings of the chair, including a decision to terminate the remarks if the speaker does not adhere to these rules. Public comment shall be limited to ideas or concerns regarding the city of Racine. We encourage you to submit any detailed concerns in writing to the city clerk's office or your alderman, where they can be properly documented and directed for response. There will be 13 speakers this morning there this evening. The first speaker is Bob Wideman at 810 Saxony Drive. And is Mr. Wideman is approaching the DS. I just want to let people know we will have a three-minute clock that appears on the screen. When your three minutes are up, the microphone is turned off. That is not a reflection on any of your commentary, but rather an attempt to treat uh everybody equally. Sir, if we could wait just a second until we get the clock up, and then you can begin. Hang on, just one minute. Good evening. Uh my name is Bob Wideman, 810 Saxony Drive, Versine, Wisconsin. I'm a longtime member of Salmon Unlimited. And my salmon Rama committee. When Festival Hall was originally built, it was the pride of Verscene. For some reason. Over the years, the contract with the previous venue works has put the building to shame. In the six years from my total, it costs the city over one million 1.2 million dollars. The park was then taken over by 5K events. They brought the property back to what the citizens could be proud of again at this time and made it profitable. After all they have done, I cannot understand why instead of recognizing their efforts, you would consider unproven entities to take over. I'm hoping you will reconsider and give 5K a contract that they so well deserve. Thank you. The next speaker is Scott Kinderman at 2062 and a half Erie Street. Hello, uh Scott Kinnerman. I'd like to share an experience that I had uh regarding the recent snow emergency and the proper handling of the ordinances that go with it. Um the snow emergency was declared. I double checked the website, looked at the map, and determined that my address was not marked on that the map on the website in the red that indicates the arterial routes. Um I chose not I chose to park as normal, went upstairs, came downstairs in the morning to a ticket. The this I double checked the website a second time, did this no, uh, my average is not listed.
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