Racine Common Council Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Racine Common Council met on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Room 205. The meeting was called to order by Council President Jorgensen, with 12 members present and 3 excused (Alders Frazier, Land, and Kelly). The meeting included public comments, a presentation from the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC), introduction of communications, committee reports, and votes on several items. The meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes from May 19 and May 26, 2026, were approved (11-0, 3 excused).
• Proclamations: Pride Month and Gun Violence Awareness Day were noted but not read due to absent text.
• Referrals to Committees: Numerous communications were referred to the Committee of the Whole, Finance and Personnel, Public Works and Services, and Public Safety and Licensing Committees, including items on cell phone usage, claims, grants, contracts, license renewals, traffic studies, and property transfers. All referrals passed on voice votes with 11 ayes.
• Committee Reports (Consent): The following items were approved unanimously on the consent agenda:
  • Finance and Personnel: Claims of Linda Smith, Bailey Berger and Sam Scarlato disallowed; acceptance of a search and rescue agreement; grant application for household hazardous waste; acceptance of a $2M grant for Lincoln King Community Center; and 2027 budget calendar.
  • Public Works and Services: Change order and final payment for Goold Street reconstruction; paving resolutions for assessable alleys; approval of transportation project plat; amendment to state/municipal agreement; and multi-site roofing contract.
  • Public Safety and Licensing: Renewal of dance hall license, premises report, police report, new liquor license for Banquet Hall Brindis, massage establishment license, change of agent for Walgreens, list of non-renewed liquor licenses, and quarterly reporting requirement for Community Safety Department.
  • Office of the Mayor: Appointments to the Transit Commission, Parks Board, and Zoo Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

Fifteen speakers addressed the council. Their positions are summarized below:

• Sharon Campbell (53-year resident): Expressed concern about Pearl Street yard waste drop-off being reduced to one day per week, citing long lines and neighborhood impact.
• Jim LaFortine (event organizer): Criticized the elimination of the Civic Center Committee, arguing it removed the voice of festivals, vendors, and constituents.
• Bob Weidmar (homeowner): Complained about rising property taxes due to lawsuits, stating that seniors are being forced out of their homes.
• Keith Fair (resident): Charged that redevelopment and gentrification displace black residents and black-owned businesses, while city investments prioritize revenue over resident needs. He called for transparency and accountability.
• Jeff Kingsfield (festival supporter): Opposed the current fee structure and contract delays for Festival Park, noting that the lack of a contract harms festivals and local businesses.
• Jackie Lambert (resident, 1100 block of Laird Avenue): Opposed the alley project assessment, stating that 90% of neighbors signed a petition against it. She proposed a phased repair-based approach or review of funding alternatives to avoid large direct assessments.
• Maureen Otoole (parent): Spoke about her son's addiction to THCA products from a local shop, criticizing the lack of enforcement and regulation. She supported federal legalization to eliminate black-market issues.
• Dan Dumont (property owner): Called for revocation of the hospitality center's license, arguing that it has failed to address safety and nuisance issues downtown.
• Corey Prince (organizer, Racine Juneteenth Parade): Invited the council and public to the fourth annual Juneteenth parade on June 13, 2026, emphasizing that the struggle for black freedom underlies all civil rights movements.
• Dan Kaiser (owner, former Pew Marina): Opposed the Riker Court assessment, stating it should be considered within broader redevelopment rather than as a standalone project. He warned that a $350,000 assessment would discourage future investment.
• Patrick Flynn (manager, Festival Park): Refused to sign the new contract, requesting three changes: removal of sign ordinance restrictions, contingency language for utility costs, and a profit-sharing structure rather than absorbing all losses.
• Mindy Flynn (wife of Patrick): Defended her husband's work, criticizing the city attorney and administrator for lack of negotiation and for searching emails for negative information.
• Christine Daugherty (claimant): Asked for reconsideration of her claim for damages caused by ice on the street, arguing the city was negligent in not remedying the ice. She urged the council to pay her claim.
• Ashley Hurlbut (friend of Christine Daugherty): Supported the claim, stating the city's failure to act led to the total loss of a vehicle and subsequent hardship.
• Pat McLeod (business manager, St. Lucy Catholic Church; chairman, Saints on the Lake Festival): Stated that signage restrictions at Festival Park threaten $25,000 in sponsorship revenue and jeopardize future events. He requested a resolution within 48 hours.

Presentation by Laura Million (RCEDC)

Laura Million, Deputy Director of the Racine County Economic Development Corporation, provided a mid-year review. She outlined RCEDC's focus on business attraction, business expansion and entrepreneurship, talent attraction, and partnerships. Highlights included: recent assistance to 8 businesses via Racine County Match Grants, 4 completed loans to city businesses, 8 downtown business enhancement grants, and 33 technical assists. She noted ongoing housing needs (4,300 units countywide) and upcoming programs such as Biz Starts Racine Cohort 4 and a summer intern mixer.

Discussion Items

• Claim of Christine Daugherty (Item 0402-26): A motion to refer this claim back to the Finance and Personnel Committee for further review passed 8-3 (Alders Weiss, Hodges, and Harmon opposing). The claimant had not provided an itemized statement, and the city contests liability.
• Contract with G Strategies (Item 0432-26): A motion to defer this item to the next council meeting passed 10-1 (Alder Peete opposing). The contract, valued at $150,000 for fundraising services for the Lincoln King Community Center, had not been bid, and questions arose about the company's compliance with state filings.
• Street Paving Resolution (Item 0396-26): After debate, a motion to refer the item back to the Public Works Committee failed (1-10). The original motion to approve the committee's recommendation (paving of Biscayne Avenue, Debra Lane, Howland Avenue, and Indiana Street, plus curb and gutter on Biscayne) passed 9-2 (Vice Chair Allen and Alder Peete opposing). City staff confirmed that property owners whose streets were deleted will receive notices.
• Banquet Hall Brindis License (Item 0404-26): An amendment to remove the phrase "bring in coolers" from the premises description passed 11-0. The license, as amended, was approved unanimously.
• West Street and Wilson Street Intersection (Item 0488-26): A motion to refer the contract award to the Public Works and Services Committee passed 11-0, as the item had not been previously discussed by that committee.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Referral of claim 0402-26 to committee: 8-3.
  • Deferral of G Strategies contract: 10-1.
  • Rejection of referral of street paving item: 1-10.
  • Approval of street paving resolution: 9-2.
  • Amendment to Banquet Hall Brindis license: 11-0.
  • Approval of amended license: 11-0.
  • Referral of West/Wilson intersection contract: 11-0.
• Consent Agenda: All remaining items were approved on a voice vote with 11 ayes.
• Next Meeting: The council will next meet on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.