The Common Council met on August 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Room 205. The meeting included public comments, committee reports, and votes on several key items. Notable outcomes were the unanimous passage of an immigration enforcement ordinance (Ordinance 0004-26), approval of a development agreement for the Giese School property with a 12-1 vote, and conditional approval of a Class B liquor license for Danny's Grocery & Lounge after a lengthy debate. The consent agenda included multiple routine approvals and referrals.
Twenty-one speakers addressed the council. The majority spoke in favor of the proposed Immigration Enforcement Ordinance:
Alder Weidner's communication (0687-26) was initially recommended for referral to Finance but after clarification that it concerns implementation of new meters (not removal), it was referred to Public Works and Services committee unanimously.
Mayor Mason and multiple alders presented the ordinance. Police Chief stated that the Racine Police Department "is not a civil immigration enforcement agency" and has never participated in such operations. Only two instances of interaction involving DHS were noted. Alder Weidner asked about requiring body cameras on ICE agents, but the city attorney noted the city cannot require federal equipment. Debate included support from Alders Pabon, Allen, Horton, Weiss, DeMark, Turquoise-Davis, and Frazier. Alder Frazier emphasized that policy is not law and that the council determines policy. The ordinance passed unanimously (13-0).
The agreement with CDA and Neumann Companies LLC for 34 single-family homes at 5120 Byrd Ave. was debated. Funding: $2.3M from TID 31 for infrastructure, $1.7M for down payment assistance ($50,000 per lot) for City of Racine and RUSD employees, and $300,000 from stormwater funds. Alder Weidner opposed, arguing TID 31 residents were promised repair loans and have not received them, and that the funds should go to alley assessments. Alder Land, Harmon, Jorgensen, and Allen supported the project as a way to increase tax base and address housing needs. Finance Director explained that homeowner repair grants will continue and that IG funds are reserved for future years. The motion passed 12-1 (Weidner voting no, Turquoise-Davis, Maack, Kelly excused).
The committee recommended to receive and file a formal expression of concern against Doobies (3701 Durand Ave.). Alder Weidner questioned the frequency of incidents. Alder Harmon noted issues both inside and outside. The council approved the committee's recommendation 11-1 (Weidner opposed).
The Public Safety and Licensing Committee recommended denial of a Class B liquor license for 1950 Taylor Ave. (Danny's Grocery & Lounge). Council debate: Alder Land (district alder) supported approval, citing the owner's 15-year record at Cristiano Supermarket and the need for a grocery store. Alder Jorgensen moved to defer until permits were obtained; that failed 10-2. The original motion to deny failed 4-6-1 (Vice Chair Allen abstained). Then Alder Pabon moved for conditional approval under Racine Code Section 6-41, requiring the applicant to comply with the business plan (including grocery store) and return to the committee in six months. That motion passed 11-0. The Mayor spoke against the license, citing the density of liquor licenses near Halo and the new mental health facility, but supported the grocery store.
If alders and members of the public could please take their seats, we will begin momentarily. Well, good evening, everyone. The hour of six o'clock having arrived on this fifth of August 2026. It is my honor to call to order the City of Racine Common Council. The first order of business as always is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you could please rise as you are able and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. So motion and a second to approve said minutes. All those in favor of the minutes, please say aye. Aye. Opposed. The other proclamation before us is regarding Women's Equality Day. And it reads whereas the nation is celebrating America's 250th anniversary, and whereas women's history is recognized as essential for understanding the courageous complexity of our nation, that knowing women's stories provides essential role models for everyone, that role models are genuinely needed to face the extraordinary changes and unrelenting challenges of the 21st century, that learning about women's tenacity, courage, and creativity throughout the centuries is a tremendous source of strength, and that women in the United States have continuously worked to gain full rights and responsibilities, public or private, legal or institutional, as citizens of the United States. And that women in every state and every cultural and religious group worked to expand democracy by securing the right to vote for women. And that Congress has designated August 26th, the date the 19th Amendment enfranchising women was certified as women's equality day. And whereas recognizing Women's Equality Day as a day of celebration throughout the country emphasize the importance of women's work for democracy. Now, therefore I, Corey Mason, mayor of the city of Racine to hereby proclaim that in conjunction with the celebration of the nation's 250th birthday, commemorate Women's Equality Day, August 26th, as a national day celebrating the importance of women's suffrage movement and women's work to secure and expand equal rights today, signed this fifth day of August 2026. Thank you for that, everyone. We will now move on to uh to public comments. I will ask the city clerk to read the rules. I will say I know there's a lot of people here who have a lot of passion that they want to bring to the issue. There are two rules I want to just lay out before the clerk goes over the rules most broadly. The first of which is you will see that there is a three-minute clock uh on on each speaker uh after the three minutes are up, your microphone is turned off. That is not a reflection on your commentary or what you're saying. It is instead an effort to treat everybody equally. Everyone gets up to three minutes. You don't have to use all three minutes, uh, but you get no more than three minutes. The other thing is I know this is a passion issue, but as a matter of decorum, uh, if people could refrain from shout-outs or uh or applause, um, if people want to do the signed language applause, that would be appreciated if they want to show support. Uh, but as a matter of decorum and respect if people could refrain from commenting on or applauding or booing any of the comments that are made here today. And so with that, I'll ask the city clerk to plead please read the rules of procedure for public comments. The public comment segment is an opportunity for citizens to speak directly to the common council. Speakers will limit their remarks to three minutes. There shall be no dialogue or interaction between the speaker 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 21 speakers this evening. The first one is Diane Kanaski at 5101 Wright Av. Hello. Um, I'd like to speak about two issues tonight. I'm gonna refer to discussion, talk about bowling first and clutter second. The reason why here um the all tool barbecue with me is uh it reminds me of a friend that Annette and I met at Halo, Rebecca Lyon, although Rebecca Lyon was Caucasian, the spirit and the likelihood and the likeliness of Rebecca's leadership reminds us of all um how she handled bowling and also how she is an ally to many people, LGBT, and she is very kind in helping the mothers give them a respite when she would play basketball with the children that was needed at Halo. The other point about bowling, what I like to mention though, too, is that um sometimes people bully because people have to have someone that's a different partners at different skin color. Years ago, when I had a friend I was seeing, we went down to one fast food restaurant that when I lived in Kenosha, and I I had a great time with parents went there, but when we went there, everyone went and it's like, guess who's coming to dinner 2017 style? And at one point, even the magic came up and spoke and said, All you guys are supposed to be this, and you were you are owners from L1C, and you knew the you know her parents, and he was very disappointed. And even my friend was saying, Well, let's go. So basically, that's another that's a form of bowling that also can happen, sometimes does happen.