Racine Common Council Meeting - August 5, 2026
Racine Common Council Meeting - August 5, 2026
The Racine Common Council met on August 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM to address a range of topics, including the adoption of an immigration enforcement ordinance, approval of a development agreement for the Geezy School property, and a conditional liquor license for a proposed grocery store. The meeting featured extensive public comment, with a strong majority of speakers supporting the immigration ordinance. Key votes included unanimous passage of the ICE ordinance and a narrowly approved development plan for 34 single-family homes.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from the previous meeting.
- Referred multiple items to committees, including parking meter implementation (to Public Works), several finance and personnel items (e.g., bond issuance, ERP software upgrade, Martin Luther King Community Center refunding), and public works items (sidewalk replacement, sewer lining, speed limit changes, etc.).
- Approved the consent agenda as a whole.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Diane Kanaski (5101 Wright Ave) spoke about bullying, drawing parallels to the need for community support and referenced her friend Rebecca Lyon.
- Oscar Salinas (521 6th St) urged council to remember public safety and honored a fallen police officer, reading a tribute.
- Ron Pearson (4720 Bird Ave) raised concerns about elevator breakdowns at his building, criticizing Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corporation and management.
- Angelina Cruz (State Representative, 720 South Marquette St) expressed support for the ICE ordinance, sharing her family's immigrant history and urging passage to protect families.
- Jose Palacios (2000 Kearney Ave) spoke as a former LULAC state director, citing the New York City Bar Association's alarm over ICE agents wearing masks, and asked for support for the ordinance.
- Aaron Etch (814 Russet St) spoke as a teacher and advisor for youth empowerment, emphasizing that hope is critical for students and that the ordinance would provide hope to immigrant families.
- Mary Maronk (1019 Crabtree Lane) from Racine Interfaith Coalition Immigration Task Force described ICE's actions in New Mexico and urged passage.
- Janet Serrano (1820 Jerome Blvd) spoke as an immigrant rights organizer, urging the city to choose compassion and inclusion, and noted this is only the beginning.
- Gary [last name unclear] (resident of Oakview Manor) echoed concerns about elevator issues and management by Meridian.
- Colin McKenna (724 Crabtree Lane) urged protection for immigrants from ICE.
- Dikshi Patel (6536 Biscina) spoke in support of his own application for a Class B liquor license for Danny's Grocery and Lounge, describing plans for a grocery store with a deli and social area.
- Fidel Hernandez (939 Wilson Ave) spoke with his son, a deaf individual, about support for the immigrant community.
- Diana Valencia (3919 Ruby Ave) thanked the council for the ICE ordinance, speaking as a LULAC deputy state director, and urged passage.
- Shavadalinia Jackson (2317 21st St) supported Dikshi Patel's license application, citing his responsible business ownership.
- Diane Lang (2908 Ruby Ave) spoke as a member of several organizations, urged passage of the ICE ordinance, and noted concerns about racial profiling and public trust.
- Nate Ortiz (3218 Northwestern Ave) spoke as a teacher, supporting the ICE ordinance so students do not have to fear for their families.
- Attorney (name not given) spoke in favor of Dikshi Patel's license, arguing that opposition from competitors should not block the application.
- Brianna Shaw (2007 Stone Bridge Dr) supported the liquor license, citing Patel's hard work and community support.
- Jose Charo (5900 Wildwood Dr) spoke as LULAC Council 320 president, urging passage of the ICE ordinance to protect children and families.
- Amy Wellnitz (9130 83rd St) spoke as an ESL teacher, describing students' fear of ICE and urging passage for their safety.
- AJ Zizek (2402 South Lennox St) spoke as president of Racine Educators United, supporting the ICE ordinance and calling ICE agents "masked thugs."
Discussion Items
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Immigration Enforcement Ordinance (Item 0665-26): The council debated proposed ordinance 0004-26, which restricts local police from acting as civil immigration enforcement and prohibits federal agents from wearing masks while on city property. Chief of Police confirmed the department has not actively participated in civil immigration enforcement and emphasized the importance of trust. Alder Weiner questioned the city attorney about the mask provision and the inability to require body cameras. Several alders spoke in favor, including Alder Pavone, Alder Allen, Alder Horton, and Alder DeMark, who argued that codifying policy is necessary to protect residents. The ordinance passed unanimously.
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Geezy School Development (Item 0659-26): The council considered a development agreement with Newman Companies LLC to build 34 single-family homes on the former Geezy School property (5120 Byrd Ave). The project would use $2.3 million from TID 31 for infrastructure and $1.7 million for down payment assistance ($50,000 per lot) for City of Racine and RUSD employees. Alder Weiner opposed, arguing TID 31 funds were promised for homeowners in the district and that the project would divert money from repair loans. Finance Director Fisher explained that the funds are infrastructure dollars and that homeowner grants are not affected. Supporters, including Alder Land, Alder Harmon, and Alder Jorgensen, emphasized the need to grow the tax base and provide housing incentives. The motion passed 11-1.
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Danny's Grocery and Lounge Class B Liquor License (Item 0660-26): The council debated a license for 1950 Taylor Ave. The Public Safety and Licensing Committee recommended denial due to alcohol saturation, proximity to Halo and a new mental health facility, and zoning restrictions (B1 district does not allow off-premises packaged sales). The applicant sought a Class B license for on-premises consumption. Alder Land, the district's alder, supported the license, citing a petition of 79 signatures and the applicant's clean record at Cristiano's Supermarket. A motion to defer failed 10-2. The council then voted on the committee's recommendation to deny; it failed (4-6-1). A subsequent motion to approve a conditional license under section 6-41 of the Racine Code of Ordinances passed unanimously (11-0), requiring the applicant to return to committee within six months to demonstrate compliance with the business plan, including a grocery store.
Key Outcomes
- Immigration Enforcement Ordinance: Passed unanimously (13-0). The ordinance codifies that the Racine Police Department will not assist in civil immigration enforcement and prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks on city property.
- Geezy School Development Agreement: Approved 11-1. Authorizes up to $2.3 million from TID 31 for infrastructure and $1.7 million for down payment assistance for eligible employees.
- Danny's Grocery and Lounge Liquor License: Conditionally approved (11-0) under section 6-41. The applicant has six months to complete work and obtain permits, and must return to the Public Safety and Licensing Committee to demonstrate the grocery store component.
- Referrals: Multiple items were referred to standing committees as outlined in the consent calendar.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after announcements, including recognition of National Night Out and upcoming community events.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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