Racine Executive Committee Meeting on July 13, 2026: Approval of Nuisance Property Ordinance and Shoop Park Lease Agreement
Racine Executive Committee Meeting on July 13, 2026: Approval of Nuisance Property Ordinance and Shoop Park Lease Agreement
The City of Racine Executive Committee met on July 13, 2026, at City Hall beginning at approximately 5:45 PM. The committee approved the minutes from the June 18 meeting and then addressed two main agenda items: an ordinance amendment regarding nuisance properties and a proposed long-term lease for the operation and redevelopment of Shoop Park by the Leipold Johnson Golf Group. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
Public comments were heard only on the second agenda item (Shoop Park lease). Speakers included:
- Jesse Booker (126 Sheffield Drive): urged acceptance of the $10 million private investment, arguing that the land has been developed multiple times over 109 years.
- Greg Thompson (221 13th Avenue): supported the proposal, citing the Kaiser family's track record of environmental stewardship and inclusive golf.
- Dr. Laura Brandman Johnson (District 5): expressed concern about losing affordability and the park's character for current users; urged keeping the interests of Racine residents central.
- Kevin Kastner (2814 Green Street), a Shoop Park employee and teacher: described the course as a community asset and challenged the investment group to preserve the community focus rather than becoming a corporate destination.
- Jeff Neubauer (1145 Main Street): supported the proposal, noting the deferred maintenance liability and the Johnson family's history of quality investment.
- John McLaughlin (62 Harborview Drive): supported the proposal, citing the success of similar projects like Sand Valley.
- John Batten (3430 Michigan Boulevard): supported, and suggested the city seek scholarships for youth to keep costs affordable.
- Vinny Ruttino (2312 Kinsey), Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster: supported, emphasizing tourism potential and youth employment through caddie programs.
- Kieran Johnson (5062 Hunt Club Road): opposed the proposal, citing the original deed's public park condition and warning against clear-cutting; announced formation of "Citizens for Shoop Park" and potential legal action.
- Richard Pierce (115 White Sand Lane), physician and kayaker: opposed, raising concerns about pesticide runoff, loss of lake access for kayak launching, and the need for broad community input.
- Harry Schultz (539 Newman Road): questioned affordability for non-Racine residents and sustainability of a high-end course that may never pay for itself.
- Adam Mattson (5440 Four Mile Road): supported, as a property owner and taxpayer.
- Remy Oskerson (2614 Indian Trail), a high school senior: opposed, stating that infrastructure issues do not require doubling the golf course size, and that tree roots are needed to prevent erosion.
Discussion Items
Item 0307-26: Nuisance Properties Ordinance Amendment
- City Attorney Matt Pearrs presented the proposed amendments to Chapter 66, Article 30 (Chronic Nuisance Premises). Key changes included: consolidating two tracks (police calls and code enforcement calls) into one with a trigger of three calls within 90 days; allowing code enforcement officers to consolidate abatement plans; adding authority for the city attorney to pursue abatement in circuit court and seek receivership; and fine-tuning the appeal process.
- Alder Jorgensen expressed support, stating it addresses chronic noise and property complaints.
- The committee approved the communication unanimously (5-0).
Item 0609-26: Shoop Park Agreement with Leipold Johnson Golf Group
- Presentation by Craig Leopold (Leipold Johnson Golf Group): Described a vision for a nine-hole golf course (revised from 12 holes after consultation with Kaiser Group), with a $10 million private investment covering shoreline revetment, clubhouse construction (matching lighthouse architectural style), new parking lot, public walking trails, beach access, a large putting green, and a café open to all. A 50-year lease with 10-year check-ins was proposed. Greens fees: $24 for the first two years for Racine residents, then tied to Johnson Park fees (currently $35), with a 5% annual inflator. They committed to keeping the course public, with no restrictions on tee times for residents.
- Questioning by Alder Allen: Raised concerns about equity of park use, affordability for residents, employment pathways for youth (e.g., RUSD connections), the 10-year opt-out clause, and the lack of a concrete plan for those items in the lease. She asked for guarantees beyond the initial two-year fee.
- Response by Leopold: Stated the investment is not expected to return financially; it is a community gift. The 10-year check-in protects the city; if they walk away, the city keeps all improvements. They cannot make the course private. They will not restrict resident tee times. For employment, they plan to hire locally and use junior caddies. Regarding fees, they may need to raise above Johnson Park fees if Troon (which operates Johnson Park) does not raise fees, to sustain the course.
- Alder Jorgensen: Asked about maintaining public access and amenities (trail, beach). Leopold confirmed public walking trail along Lighthouse Drive and beach cleanup and access.
- Alder Mack: Asked about tree removal, noting staff's separation of shoreline stabilization and golf course. Architect Craig Haltam explained that shoreline revetment will require removal of trees along the bluff, but the golf course will retain many specimen trees and will include a tree planting plan. The course will use fescue grass with minimal irrigation and fertilizer.
- Alder Harman: Expressed concern about loss of park space for non-golfers, citing the original intent of the park. Leopold noted the deed originally specified an old men's home, later a park, and argued the proposal enhances family-friendly access compared to current condition.
- Staff Presentations:
- Director Koepnick (Parks & Rec): Presented a tree assessment. 270 bird species documented; 60% do not use tree/woodland habitat. On the course, 40% of 184 surveyed trees are five low-value species (silver maple, green ash, etc.). Many are small (<10 inch diameter) and limited canopy habitat. Norway maple is invasive; ash trees threatened by emerald ash borer. Shoreline stabilization requires removing bluff-edge trees to prevent future erosion.
- Commissioner Rooney (DPW): Detailed the shoreline revetment plan (1.2-1.3 million cost, engineered by Tamcor and reviewed by Smith Group). The revetment toe will be above ordinary high water mark, preserving a beach. Existing buildings have high facility condition index scores (clubhouse 0.37, service garage 0.42) with limited remaining life. City faces $1.8 million in deferred maintenance if no action taken.
- Alder Mack: Asked if the city has funds to improve Shoop Park; Rooney said no, given other priorities (fire station, police, etc.). Mack stated the 10-year investment provides a decade of no city expenditure on the property.
- Final Committee Discussion: Alder Land moved approval; seconded by Alder Peete. Alder Mack made extensive supportive remarks, highlighting the lack of city funds, the quality of the family, and the intangible benefits of tourism and youth employment. Alder Jorgensen noted her initial apprehension but was convinced by the fee structure tied to Johnson Park and the opportunity for residents to access a world-class course affordably. She suggested the business community might provide scholarships for youth.
Key Outcomes
- Motion on Item 0307-26: Approved unanimously (5-0; Land, Harmon, Peete, Jorgensen, Allen; Mayor Mason present but not voting). The ordinance amendment will be referred to the full City Council.
- Motion on Item 0609-26: Approved unanimously (5-0; same roll call). The committee recommends authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into the lease and agreements with Leipold Johnson Golf Group for Shoop Park.
- Next Step: Final consideration by the full City Council on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Hi, everyone. We're still waiting for the finance and personnel committee to finish up in room three or three. So you may have noticed the committee tonight was noticed to start at five forty-five or upon adjournment of finance and personnel. It's taking a little bit longer than we had imagined. However, if you are here and would like to offer public input on this item on either of the items, I'm guessing most people are here for the second item and not the first. But if you would like to offer public comment on either of the items on the agenda this evening, if you could please sign in on the clipboard there that's on the rail, uh, then uh we will know to call those who want to testify. And as we're waiting, just to let people know in terms of what the rules are, everybody gets three minutes to speak when your three minutes are up. Uh, the the microphones are turned off. That's not a reflection of your commentary or the validity or lack thereof of anything having to say. It's just an uh an opportunity to treat everyone who's here to comment equally. So if you if you want to speak to the items tonight, uh again, please, there's a clipboard right there on the on the rail or the bar there. Uh, please sign in if you'd like to comment on those items. Uh, otherwise, uh, we will begin as soon as finance and personnel has adjourned from upstairs. Uh, and comment then. Thank you. If all thers can please be seated, we will begin momentarily. If alders could please be seated, we will begin momentarily. Okay. You have the sheets. Well, good evening, everyone. The hour of five forty-five having arrived and the finance and personnel committee having adjourned. I will now call to order the city of Racine Executive Committee. The first order of business is the approval of minutes for the June eighteenth meeting. Is there a motion from executive committee members to approve said me? So there's a motion and a second to approve the minutes of June 18th, 2026. All those in favor, please say aye. Opposed? That motion carries. Okay, so we have a number of people here to talk on. We have two items on the agenda tonight, one regarding an amended ordinance regarding nuisance properties, uh, that attorney Matt Pearr's will uh have a discussion of uh as we go through that item. And then I'm guessing most people are here to discuss uh the second item, which is item zero six zero nine dash two six. If you want to speak to that item again, we'll be taking public input. Uh it is up to three minutes that you can speak on an item. Um there is a clock that will count down your time. Uh, when your time is up, the microphones are turned off. That is not a reflection on the merit or lack thereof of what you're saying, but rather an effort to treat everybody equally and give everyone uh equal time. So uh if you have uh desire to sign uh or to speak to the item and have not signed in, we do need people signed in on the clipboard, uh so we want to be able to do that. So um uh the first item is item zero three zero seven dash two six. This is a communication sponsored by Mayor Mason presenting proposed ordinance zero zero zero one dash two six nuisance properties amendments. If uh Mr. Purrz could come to the DS and describe the uh amended change to the nuisance property. Good afternoon. Thank you. Well, you have before you are some proposed changes to chapter sixty-six article thirty dealing with nuisance properties. Primarily these ordinance amendments deal with the chronic nuisance premises ordinance. Currently, we have an ordinance which allows a code enforcement officer, which could be the chief of police, public health director, um, building director, building inspector, I apologize. And others to essentially move to declare a property a chronic nuisance if they have three responses or uh inspections within a certain time period. Currently, that's a three pe three police calls within sixty days, or three public health building inspection responses within a hundred and eighty days. Well, the ordinances as before you is attempt to essentially consolidate efforts and clarify the process so this can go smoother. Primarily there are five or six main changes.
openpublica.com