Racine Common Council Meeting – July 21, 2026

The Racine Common Council convened on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Room 205, with Mayor Cory Mason presiding. The meeting lasted until 8:40 PM and featured extensive public testimony, a presentation by the Leipold Johnson Golf Group, and significant votes on a 50‑year lease for Shoop Park, an immigration enforcement ordinance, a parking‑meter software upgrade, and disciplinary referral for a downtown liquor license.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes from July 7, 2026 (16‑0 voice vote).
• Communications Introduced to Council (all approved on voice votes unless noted):
  • Referral to Finance & Personnel: Giese School Property development agreement (0659‑26).
  • Referral to Public Works & Services: household item disposal (0636‑26); 4‑way stop at Carmel/Graham (0637‑26); Root River watershed presentation (0638‑26); Party on the Pavement street closure (0662‑26); change order and final payment for Uptown Green Infrastructure (0646‑26, 0647‑26); farmers market signage (0664‑26).
  • Referral to Public Safety & Licensing: multiple license applications, operator’s license, loitering ordinance discussion, etc. (0648‑26 through 0661‑26).
  • Referral to Executive Committee: Immigration Enforcement ordinance (0665‑26) – later considered separately.
• Committee Reports (most approved on consent unless pulled for separate vote):
  • Executive Committee: Nuisance Properties Amendments (0307‑26); Shoop Park lease (0609‑26) – pulled for separate consideration and later approved 15‑0.
  • Finance & Personnel: DNR lead service line grant (0538‑26); Passport Labs parking contract (0610‑26) – pulled and referred back to committee.
  • Public Works & Services: change order/final payment for Bryant parking lot (0596‑26, 0600‑26); Ohio St. engineering contract amendment (0598‑26); contract correction (0603‑26).
  • Public Safety & Licensing: multiple license renewals and changes (0467‑26 through 0608‑26); Select 627 and Taste of Soul appearances (0606‑26, 0607‑26) – 0606‑26 pulled and referred to City Attorney.
  • Office of the Mayor: appointments to boards and commissions (0663‑26).
• Consent Agenda Package – approved unanimously on a voice vote after separate items were removed.

Public Comments & Testimony

Thirteen individuals addressed the Council. Speakers and their positions included:

• Taylor Richards – expressed support for the Shoop Park proposal, citing the Johnson/Leopold family’s history with public golf.
• Wendy Coey – tavern owner, requested clear guidelines for the Public Safety & Licensing Committee and consistency in enforcement.
• Jeff Neubaun – fourth‑generation resident, strong support for Shoop Park project, emphasized $10 million private investment and avoidance of $1.8 million in city expenses.
• Dawn Horn – spoke on public safety and asked that loitering tickets be enforced; supported reviewing the loitering ordinance.
• Colin McKenna – opposed the Shoop Park lease, arguing it violates the 1917 deed for public park use; called the $2 million donation a “bribe.”
• Melissa Warner – expressed cautious support for Shoop Park, noting tourism potential but acknowledging uncertainty about future erosion and storm impacts.
• Mary Guardiola – urged a pause to allow a compromise that preserves public park space alongside a golf course.
• Michael Burke (President, Hoy Audubon Society) – opposed the redevelopment plan due to its impact on bird habitat; noted 270+ bird species and a Wisconsin Ornithological Society letter urging preservation.
• Fantasia Edwards – argued the park was donated for the people; supported renovating the golf course but not altering the shoreline or taking other parkland.
• Phil Poletti (Executive Director, Cadia Leadership Academy) – strongly supported the project, saying it would provide a training ground for caddies and access to the Evans Scholarship (worth up to $320,000 at Marquette).
• Christie Kern – read a prepared statement from Abigail King; opposed approving the lease before permits and deed questions are resolved; noted a November 2025 DNR denial on wetland treatment.
• Gregg Maki – supported the Shoop Park development, citing improved golf experience and economic spin‑offs.
• Karen Johnson – proposed a compromise: install a living shoreline, provide discounted fees to all Racine County residents, and protect the migratory bird habitat.
• Kevin Zlevor – supported the lease, citing the developer’s track record and the opportunities from the caddy program.

Discussion Items

• Shoop Park Lease (0609‑26) – Presentation by Greg Leopold (Leipold Johnson Golf Group) and Director Koepnick (PRCS). Leopold emphasized that the $10 million investment is not expected to be recouped; the course will remain public with discounted rates for Racine residents; caddies are optional and free; and the lease (50 years with city ownership) is subject to DNR and Army Corps permits. The City Attorney opined that a municipal golf course is a legitimate public park use consistent with Dr. Shoop’s deed. Council members spoke in favor, citing deferred maintenance, bluff erosion, and the lack of city funds. The lease was approved 15‑0 on a separate vote.
• Immigration Enforcement Ordinance (0665‑26) – Alder Weidner moved to receive and file the ordinance, arguing it is unenforceable, duplicates existing discretion, and exposes the city to litigation. The motion failed (3‑11‑1). A motion to refer to Executive Committee passed (13‑2).
• Passport Labs Parking Contract (0610‑26) – Alder Frazier moved to refer the item back to Finance & Personnel for more discussion on implementation, especially regarding elderly users and business owner concerns. The motion passed unanimously (15‑0).
• Select 627 License (0606‑26) – After committee recommendation to refer to a Good Neighbors Meeting, Alder Kelly moved to send the licensee to the City Attorney’s office for potential disciplinary proceedings. The motion passed unanimously (15‑0). The Chief reported multiple violent incidents at the establishment.

Key Outcomes

• Shoop Park Lease (0609‑26) – Approved 15‑0. Mayor and City Clerk authorized to enter into a 50‑year lease with Leipold Johnson Golf Group for shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, clubhouse construction, and operation of Shoop Park. $10 million private investment; $1.9 million one‑time contribution to Lincoln‑King Center plus $25,000 annual gift.
• Immigration Enforcement (0665‑26) – Motion to receive and file failed (3‑11‑1). Referred to Executive Committee (13‑2) for further review.
• Parking Software Contract (0610‑26) – Referred back to Finance and Personnel Committee (15‑0) to address outstanding questions on implementation and public outreach.
• Select 627 License (0606‑26) – Referred to City Attorney’s office for disciplinary proceedings (15‑0).
• Consent Agenda – All remaining items approved on a single voice vote.
• Next Meeting – Scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, 2026 (rescheduled due to National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4).