Racine public meetings in 2024
15 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Public Safety and Licensing Committee
The Public Safety and Licensing Committee approved several license applications, including secondhand article and jewelry dealer licenses for Wisconsin Discount II, Ancient Horizons, and One Stop Shop Thrift, as well as liquor license agent changes for Bridge Tender Tavern and Chart Room, and premise/hour changes for Dynasty Restaurant and El Buen Manantial. Two applications were deferred: Wisconsin Gold & Coin Exchange and Main Massage, both later approved on January 15, 2025. The minutes from November 26, 2024, were also approved.
- Approved secondhand dealer license for Wisconsin Discount II LLC at 1733 Douglas Ave
- Approved secondhand jewelry dealer license for Ancient Infinity LLC DBA Ancient Horizons at 5790 Durand Ave Unit A148
- Deferred secondhand dealer license for Wisconsin Gold & Coin Exchange at 3845 Douglas Ave (later approved 01-15-2025)
- Approved secondhand article dealer license for One Stop Shop Thrift at 240 Main St
- Deferred massage establishment license for Qiuxia Song DBA Main Massage at 1324 Main St (later approved 01-15-2025)
- Approved liquor license agent change for Bridge Tender Tavern at 303 Dodge St
- Approved liquor license agent change for Chart Room at 209 Dodge St
- Approved premise/hour changes for Dynasty Restaurant at 2427 Lathrop Ave and El Buen Manantial at 2207 Lathrop Ave
Library Board
The Racine Library Board approved the November meeting minutes, invoices and credit card purchases for September through November, and the financial executive summary for those months. The executive director's report was received and filed, and committee, liaison, and foundation reports were filed. No substantive policy decisions were made.
- Approved minutes from November 21st board meeting
- Approved invoices & credit card purchases for September, October & November
- Approved financial executive summary report for September, October & November
- Received and filed executive director's report for December
- Filed committee & liaison reports
- Filed foundation report
- Filed trust fund update planning discussion
Sister City Planning Committee
The committee confirmed seven host families for the April 23-May 1, 2025 French student visit, with some able to host two students. They discussed extending the Oiso exchange by two days, but no formal vote was taken. The meeting was largely informational, with no formal decisions made.
- Confirmed seven host families for French student visit (April 23-May 1, 2025)
- Discussed extending Oiso student exchange by two days (no vote)
- Deferred approval of November 20, 2024 minutes
- Received and filed updates from Aalborg, Montélimar, Oiso, Zapotlanejo
- Received and filed SCI Young Artists and Authors Showcase report
- Received and filed SCI 2025 Youth Leadership Summit report
- Deferred decision on 2025 monthly meeting day
Affirmative Action and Human Rights Commission
The Affirmative Action and Human Rights Commission met on December 12, 2024, and approved the minutes from the October 10 meeting. Director John Tate II presented an overview of the Department of Community Safety, which became its own department on January 1, 2024, and focuses on intervention and outreach. No substantive decisions were made; the next meeting on January 9, 2025, was cancelled.
- Approved minutes of October 10 meeting (motion by Nathan Pabon, seconded by Barbara Farrar)
- Received presentation on Department of Community Safety by Director John Tate II
Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board
The CDBG Advisory Board approved up to $2 million in HOME funds for demolition and redevelopment of 2509 Sixteenth Street and development of the city-owned lot at 1624 Holmes Avenue. The board also approved three CDBG home repair loans/grants for properties on Clairmont St., Douglas Ave., and Gilson St. All motions passed by voice vote.
- Approved up to $2M HOME funds for redevelopment at 2509 Sixteenth St. and 1624 Holmes Ave.
- Approved CDBG home repair loan/grant for 3617 Clairmont St. ($35,500 total, $17,750 grant, $17,750 loan at 0.75%)
- Approved CDBG home repair loan/grant for 2915 Douglas Ave. ($36,950 total, $10,000 TID grant, $13,475 forgivable grant, $13,475 loan at 0.75%)
- Approved CDBG home repair loan/grant for 2501 Gilson St. (up to $50,000 total, up to $25,000 grant, up to $25,000 loan at 0.75%)
- Approved minutes from October 14, 2024 meeting
🗳️ How they voted (4 roll-call votes)
Board of Health
The Racine Board of Health met on October 8, 2024, and approved the minutes from the September 10 meeting. The board also received and filed the September reports from the Public Health Administrator, Deputy PHA, and division directors. No public comment was made, and the meeting adjourned at 4:58 PM.
- Approved minutes of September 10, 2024 meeting (voice vote)
- Received and filed September reports from administration, community, environmental, and laboratory divisions (voice vote)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Common Council
The Common Council approved an update to Chapter 10 (Animals) of the municipal code, including a new definition for dangerous animals and changes to holding periods and enforcement duties. It also approved a $1.7M HOME fund allocation for rehabilitating 20 units at 2000 Washington Ave, a rezoning at 800 Goold Street, and a new fare structure for the transit system. Several other items were approved on consent, including contracts, grants, and settlements.
- Adopted Chapter 10 animal code update with amendments (7-6)
- Approved $1,711,606 HOME funds for rehab of 20 units at 2000 Washington Ave (10-0)
- Approved rezoning of 800 Goold Street to B-1 with FD overlay (11-0)
- Approved transit fare capping, weekly pass replacing 10-ride, $1 monthly pass reduction (voice vote)
- Approved $944,893 Ascension health center renewal, city share $345,672 (voice vote)
- Approved $335,000 workers' comp settlement for Craig St. Amant (voice vote)
- Approved $78,750 sole-source contract for BuildingBlocks software (voice vote)
- Approved appointments: Alder Davis to Board of Health, Stacy Shepherd to Waterworks/Wastewater, Karri Hemmig to Sex Offender Registry (voice votes)
🗳️ How they voted — 4 divided votes
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole approved using the same appointment practice as the 8th District to fill the vacant 14th District seat. The motion passed 9-0 with four members excused. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved using 8th District practice to fill 14th District vacancy (9-0)
Wastewater Commission
The Wastewater Commission approved the 2025 Operations & Maintenance Budget and Capital Improvement Plan, referred them to the Committee of the Whole, and approved the 2025 sewer service rates with referral. It also approved a $55,635 change order for the Biogas Conditioning Project, three sewer extensions for Mount Pleasant, and a resolution recommending DNR approval of a biosolids storage facility plan. Officers for 2024-2025 were elected with one nay vote.
- Approved 2025 O&M Budget and CIP, referred to Committee of the Whole
- Approved 2025 sewer service rates, referred to Committee of the Whole
- Approved Change Order #2 for Biogas Conditioning Project, increasing contract to $1,961,761.00
- Approved resolution recommending DNR approval of biosolids storage facility plan at 13800 Golf Rd.
- Approved sewer extension for Braun Road (Mount Pleasant)
- Approved sewer extension for TID#7 (Mount Pleasant)
- Approved sewer extension for Christina Estates East (Mount Pleasant)
- Elected officers: President Natalia Taft, VP John Tate II, Secretary Mollie Jones (one nay)
🗳️ How they voted (10 roll-call votes)
Waterworks Commission
The Waterworks Commission approved the proposed 2025 Operations & Maintenance Budget and the 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan, referring them to the Committee of the Whole. It also approved several contracts and agreements, including a $959,615 bond issuance for lead service line replacement, and deferred a developer's agreement for the Mount Pleasant TID#7 project.
- Approved 2025 O&M Budget and 2025-2029 CIP, referred to Committee of the Whole
- Approved $959,615 taxable waterworks revenue bonds (Series 2024B) for lead service line replacement, referred to Finance & Personnel Committee
- Approved final payment of $348,481.73 for pavement restoration contract W-23-5
- Approved change order and final payment totaling $185,990.40 for water main replacement contract W-23-9
- Approved $63,000 Risk and Resiliency Assessment with Strand Engineers
- Approved $382,034 contract with CDM Smith for lead service line replacement management
- Approved developer agreements for Springs at Mount Pleasant, Wisconn Valley Way, and Highway KR water main extensions, referred to Finance & Personnel Committee
- Deferred developer agreement for Mount Pleasant TID#7 project
🗳️ How they voted (19 roll-call votes)
Board of Health
The Racine Board of Health met on September 10, 2024, and approved the minutes from the July 9, 2024 meeting. The board also received and filed the July and August reports from the Public Health Administrator and division directors. No public comments were made, and the meeting adjourned at 5:20 PM.
- Approved minutes of July 9, 2024 meeting (voice vote)
- Received and filed July-August reports from Public Health Administrator and division directors (voice vote)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Finance and Personnel Committee
The Finance and Personnel Committee recommended approval of all items on its agenda, including a $194,000 classification and compensation study for general employees, a $78,750 sole-source contract for BuildingBlocks software, and a $3,500 grant application. It also recommended disallowing two claims and approving two workers' compensation settlements totaling $376,500. All votes were 3-0 with two members absent.
- Recommended approval of $194K Classification and Compensation Study (3-0)
- Recommended approval of $78,750 sole-source contract with Tolemi for BuildingBlocks software (3-0)
- Recommended approval to apply for $3,500 Local Community Grant (3-0)
- Recommended approval to apply for NTIA Digital Equity Grant ($5M-$12M potential) (3-0)
- Recommended approval of $345,672 Ascension health center renewal (3-0)
- Recommended approval of $335K workers' comp settlement for Craig St. Amant (3-0)
- Recommended approval of $41,500 workers' comp settlement for Kristin Mireles (3-0)
- Recommended disallowance of claims by Donald J. Ford and DeJanique Powell (3-0)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Public Safety and Licensing Committee
The Public Safety and Licensing Committee deferred the liquor license application for La Hacienda Bar, rescinding an earlier motion to deny, and approved a 90-day extension for The Select LLC. It also deferred Pub 41 Banquet Hall's license pending an updated business plan, approved formal expressions of concern for three establishments, and changed its meeting schedule to the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.
- Deferred La Hacienda Bar liquor license application (unanimous)
- Approved 90-day extension for The Select LLC liquor license (unanimous)
- Deferred Pub 41 Banquet Hall liquor license pending updated business plan (unanimous)
- Approved formal expression of concern for Sports Pub on Washington (unanimous)
- Approved formal expression of concern for Taste of Soul (unanimous)
- Approved formal expression of concern for Honors Racine (unanimous)
- Approved meeting schedule change to 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 5:00 PM (unanimous)
- Received and filed police license premise report (unanimous)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole approved the creation of a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) in the Lincoln King Neighborhood, with no budgetary impact. The committee also referred a communication about developing a speed bump policy to the Public Works and Services Committee. Minutes from the August 8, 2024 meeting were approved.
- Approved creation of NRSA in Lincoln King Neighborhood (13-1)
- Referred speed bump policy communication to Public Works and Services Committee (14-0)
- Approved minutes from August 8, 2024 meeting (14-0)
🗳️ How they voted — 1 divided vote
Transit Commission
The Transit Commission recommended approval of a new fare structure that introduces fare capping, replaces the 10-ride pass with a weekly pass, and reduces the monthly pass cost by one dollar. The commission also approved RYDE Racine's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Three-Year Goal for 2025-2027 and received and filed an operating performance report and budget update. All votes were unanimous.
- Recommended fare structure with fare capping, weekly pass, $1 monthly pass reduction (unanimous)
- Approved RYDE Racine DBE Three-Year Goal 2025-2027 (unanimous)
- Received and filed operating performance report and budget update (unanimous)