Racine meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Racine boards weigh $26.5M in water bonds, school property acquisition, and more

Racine city boards and commissions have a full slate of meetings this week, covering major infrastructure spending, property redevelopment, and public safety matters. As of this writing, no minutes have been published for any of the recent meetings, so all items remain pending decisions.

Water and wastewater infrastructure

The Waterworks Commission met Aug. 19 to consider two bond resolutions totaling $26.5 million for water system improvements, funded through the state Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. The resolutions authorize up to $7,692,681 in Series 2026A revenue bonds at 2.365% interest (with $1.6 million in principal forgiveness) and up to $18,800,607 in Series 2026B taxable bonds at 0.250% interest (with $21.35 million in principal forgiveness). The commission also reviewed change orders on two contracts: a $564,758 increase on the STH 31 water main replacement (bringing that contract to $2,821,328) and a no-cost extension on the 2025 private lead service replacement. In addition, the commission discussed submitting an intent to apply for a $30 million state loan to replace roughly 3,000 lead service lines over two years.

The Wastewater Commission met the same day and considered a $1,617,975 bid from Mid City Corp. for Lift Station #10 upgrades, a $351,050 bid from Hoerr Construction for a sanitary sewer lining project, and amendments to two professional services agreements (Carollo for UV disinfection system replacement, not to exceed $180,121, and SEH for air permitting, not to exceed $50,000). The commission also reviewed a $42,721.31 state household hazardous waste grant and a request from the Village of Caledonia for a sanitary sewer extension at Harbor View.

Property and development

The Community Development Authority met on Aug. 17 to hold a public hearing on Resolution 26-13, which would acquire the Racine Unified School District property at 5120 Byrd Avenue for blight elimination and redevelopment. The board also considered Resolution 26-14, authorizing use of TID No. 22 infrastructure funds for a development agreement with Newport Builders at 500 Walton Avenue, and reviewed the terms of the Racine: Rehabbed and Ready program.

The Planning Heritage and Design Commission met the same day to hold public hearings on four rezoning requests and a major amendment to a conditional use permit for the Racine Zoological Gardens. The items include rezoning 234 Wisconsin Avenue to B4 with a historic overlay and landmark designation, rezoning 1025 Marquette Street from B1 to R3, rezoning 4515 and 4525 Washington Avenue from R3 to O Restricted Office, and a permit amendment for a new zoo veterinarian hospital and education facilities at 2131 N. Main Street.

Public safety and nuisance appeals

The Sex Offender Residency Board held a public hearing on Aug. 10 for two exemption requests: Dakota Hensley to reside at 1534 West Street and Jacob Lord to reside at 1510 Buchanan Street. The board then went into closed session to consider medical history and deliberate before announcing decisions in open session.

The Due Process Board met on Aug. 20 to hear an appeal of the police department's July 15 decision to designate 501 Sixth Street as a Chronic Nuisance Premises under Section 66-1003(b) of the municipal code.

Library, harbor, and other boards

The Library Board and its Finance and Personnel committee met on Aug. 20 to consider a new Library Assistant (Public Service) position (Grade E), revised Patron Behavior and Equipment Use policies, and a written appeal regarding library privileges for Kyle Harris. The board also discussed a Prairie Lakes Library System resource library board position.

The Board of Harbor Commission met on Aug. 20 to discuss dredging and piling upstream of the State Street Bridge, structural repairs to that bridge, and old abutment repairs. No new contracts or ordinances were on the agenda.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled for the next two days:

• **Finance and Personnel Committee** (Aug. 24): Will vote on up to $22.7 million in general obligation promissory notes for capital projects, $15.6 million in refunding bonds for the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, and authorization of the waterworks revenue bonds and $30 million lead line loan application. Also on the agenda is a $450,000 software contract with Tyler Technologies.
• **Public Works and Services Committee** (Aug. 25): Will consider awarding a $337,898 sidewalk replacement contract to Beardsley Concrete, LLC, final payments for sewer and roofing work, and a revocable occupancy permit for 1301 N. Wisconsin Street with a $150 fee.

Racine roundup: Council borrowing proposal, immigration ordinance, and upcoming meetings

Racine's Common Council met Aug. 5 with an agenda that included authorizing up to $22.7 million in general obligation promissory notes for capital projects and equipment, and up to $15.61 million in refunding bonds for the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center. Minutes from that meeting have not been published, so the outcome of these and other items is not yet known. The same applies to all recent meetings listed below — they are agenda items under consideration, not final decisions.

Recent meetings

Common Council (Aug. 5)

The council's agenda included the two borrowing authorizations, a three-year contract with Passport Labs, Inc. for digital parking payments at a total cost of $24,255, a development agreement with Neumann Companies for the Giese School Property at 5120 Byrd Ave using TID 31 funds, and awarding Contract 2026195 for the 2026 Sidewalk Replacement to Beardsley Concrete, LLC for $337,898.31.

Executive Committee (Aug. 3)

The committee discussed Proposed Ordinance 004-26 on immigration enforcement, sponsored by Mayor Mason and Alders Weiss and Pabon. The agenda included considering referring the ordinance for further review, along with approval of prior minutes.

Sister City Planning Committee (Aug. 5)

The committee's agenda included approving minutes from April 15, 2026, receiving updates from partner cities (Aalborg, Montélimar, Zapotlanejo, Brantford), a report on the Summer 2026 student exchange with Oiso, a review of committee bylaws (item 0102-26), and a financial account update.

Planning Heritage and Design Commission (Aug. 7)

The commission held a special meeting to consider an appeal from MTZ Mufflers, LLC regarding revocation of a conditional use permit at 1501 Goold Street; a request from the Community Development Authority for approval of a 2-Lot Certified Survey Map covering properties on West, Wilson, and Prospect Streets; and a request from Dominion Properties for design review and approval of signage and facade changes at 512 Main Street.

Sex Offender Residency Board (Aug. 10)

The board held a public hearing on two exemption requests: Dakota Hensley sought to reside at 1534 West Street, and Jacob Lord sought to reside at 1510 Buchanan Street. The board then convened in closed session to consider medical history and other health information under Wis. Stat. sec. 19.85(1)(f) and to deliberate under sec. 19.85(1)(a), before announcing decisions in open session.

Coming up

Community Development Authority (Aug. 17)

The authority will hold a public hearing on Resolution 26-13 to acquire 5120 Byrd Avenue from the Racine Unified School District for blight elimination and redevelopment. It will also consider Resolution 26-14 authorizing TID No. 22 infrastructure funds for a development agreement with Newport Builders at 500 Walton Avenue, and review the Racine: Rehabbed and Ready program terms.

Planning Heritage and Design Commission (Aug. 17)

The commission will hold public hearings on four rezoning requests and a major amendment to a conditional use permit for the Racine Zoological Gardens. Items include rezoning 234 Wisconsin Avenue to B4 with Historic Overlay and designating it a local landmark; rezoning 1025 Marquette Street from B1 to R3; rezoning 4515 and 4525 Washington Avenue from R3 to O Restricted Office; and a major amendment for a zoo veterinarian hospital and education facilities at 2131 N. Main Street.

Due Process Board (Aug. 20)

The board will hear an appeal of the Racine Police Department's July 15, 2026 decision to deem 501 Sixth Street a Chronic Nuisance Premises under Section 66-1003(b) of the municipal code. It will also consider approving minutes from the July 16, 2026 meeting.

Board of Harbor Commission (Aug. 20)

The commission will discuss dredging and piling upstream of the State Street Bridge, structural repairs and old abutment repairs to that bridge, and hear reports from the Sheriff's water patrol and Parks/Recreation. It will also approve minutes from July 16, 2026, and set the next meeting for September 17, 2026 at the Racine Yacht Club.

Racine committees recommend Giese School development, approve licenses and street closures

The Finance and Personnel Committee recommended approval of a development agreement for the Giese School Property at 5120 Byrd Ave, a key step toward redeveloping the site. The committee also recommended a three-year digital parking contract and other measures. In other action, the Public Works and Services Committee approved street closures for a September event and a bridge contract amendment, while the Public Safety and Licensing Committee approved several liquor and business licenses and denied two requests.

Finance and Personnel Committee

The committee recommended approval of a development agreement for the Giese School Property at 5120 Byrd Ave. It also recommended updating the authorized representative for the State of Wisconsin Environmental Improvement Fund, approving a developer's agreement for settlement at Hood's Creek - Addition 6, and applying for the 2027 CVMIC Risk Reimbursement Program Grant (up to $10,000).

The committee recommended a three-year digital parking contract with Passport Labs, Inc. at a total implementation cost of $24,255. It approved a settlement of an employment action dispute regarding Jonathan Griffin in a 3-0 vote and approved the July 13, 2026 meeting minutes in a 4-0 vote.

Public Works and Services Committee

The committee unanimously approved street closures for the Party on the Pavement event on Sept. 19, 2026. It also unanimously approved Amendment 2 to Contract 2025187 for the STH 38 Bridge over Root River, final payment of $588,909.30 for the Racine Uptown Green Infrastructure Project, and Change Order No. 2 for that project, a deduct of $4,875.70.

The committee deferred a request for a four-way stop at Carmel Ave and Graham St pending a traffic study, and deferred a request to allow farmers market signs at city entrance signs. It received and filed a Root River Watershed presentation and a discussion on household item garbage pickup.

Public Safety and Licensing Committee

The committee approved a Class B liquor license for Marino's Little Italy (2-0), a change of agent for Vero International Cuisine (2-0), a Class C wine license for Vero Tea Room (2-0), a Secondhand Article Dealer License for Salt Commons (2-0), and a Tobacco and Vape Retail License for Moes Market (2-0).

It denied a Class B liquor license for Danny's Grocery & Lounge (2-0) and a Massage Establishment License for Sunflower Spa (2-0). The committee deferred discussion on a loitering ordinance and fee schedule (2-0).

Other meetings

The Executive Committee met Aug. 3 and discussed a proposed ordinance on immigration enforcement, sponsored by Mayor Mason and Alders Weiss and Pabon. No minutes have been published.

The Sister City Planning Committee met Aug. 5 with an agenda that included updates from partner cities and a review of bylaws; minutes are not yet available.

The Common Council met Aug. 5. Its agenda included authorizing up to $22.7 million in general obligation promissory notes for capital projects and equipment, up to $15.61 million in refunding bonds for the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, a digital parking contract, a development agreement for the Giese School property, and a sidewalk replacement contract. Minutes have not been published.

The Planning Heritage and Design Commission met Aug. 7 to consider an appeal of a conditional use permit revocation for MTZ Mufflers, a certified survey map, and a design review for signage and facade changes at 512 Main St. Minutes are not yet available.

Coming up

The Sex Offender Residency Board will hold a public hearing Aug. 10 on two exemption requests: Dakota Hensley at 1534 West St. and Jacob Lord at 1510 Buchanan St. The board will deliberate in closed session and announce decisions in open session.

The Due Process Board will meet Aug. 20 to hear an appeal of a chronic nuisance designation for 501 Sixth St. and consider minutes from its July 16 meeting.

Racine committee approves $588,909 final payment for Uptown Green Infrastructure; licenses and street closures decided

The Public Works and Services Committee approved a final payment of $588,909.30 for the Racine Uptown Green Infrastructure Project, the largest dollar item decided across Racine's recent government meetings. The committee also approved street closures for the September 19 Party on the Pavement event and a bridge contract amendment.

Public Works and Services Committee (July 28)

The committee voted unanimously on several items:

• **Final payment of $588,909.30** for the Racine Uptown Green Infrastructure Project.
• **Change Order No. 2** for the same project, a deduct of $4,875.70.
• **Street closures for Party on the Pavement** on Sept. 19, 2026, covering Main St (State St to 7th St), 6th St (Lake Ave to Grand Ave), and Wisconsin Ave (4th St to 7th St).
• **Amendment 2 to Contract 2025187** for the STH 38 (State St) Bridge over Root River.

The committee deferred a request for a 4-way stop at Carmel Ave and Graham St pending a traffic study, and deferred a request to allow farmers market signs at city entrance signs. Members received and filed a Root River Watershed presentation and a discussion on household item garbage pickup.

Finance and Personnel Committee (July 27)

The committee recommended approval of a development agreement for the Giese School Property at 5120 Byrd Ave and a 3-year digital parking contract with Passport Labs, Inc. with a $24,255 implementation cost. Members also recommended approval to apply for the 2027 CVMIC Risk Reimbursement Program Grant (up to $10,000), a developer's agreement for Settlement at Hood's Creek – Addition 6, and an update to the authorized representative for the State of Wisconsin Environmental Improvement Fund.

In closed session, the committee approved settlement of an employment action dispute regarding Jonathan Griffin on a 3-0 vote. Meeting minutes from July 13, 2026 were approved 4-0.

Public Safety and Licensing Committee (July 29)

The committee approved several licenses and denied two:

• **Approved (2-0):** 'Class B' liquor license for Marino's Little Italy; Change of Agent for Vero International Cuisine; 'Class C' wine license for Vero Tea Room; Secondhand Article Dealer License for Salt Commons; Tobacco and Vape Retail License for Moes Market.
• **Denied (2-0):** 'Class B' liquor license for Danny's Grocery & Lounge; Massage Establishment License for Sunflower Spa.
• **Deferred (2-0):** Discussion on loitering ordinance and fee schedule.

Items still pending — agendas only, minutes not yet published

Several bodies met or will meet with agendas available but no published minutes confirming outcomes:

• **Common Council (July 21):** Scheduled to vote on Ordinance #0001-26 amending nuisance property rules, street closures for Party on the Pavement, Amendment 2 to Contract 2025187 for the STH 38 Bridge, Change Order No. 2 for the Uptown Green Infrastructure Project, and an additional award of $178,571 from the WI DNR for Lead Service Lateral Replacement Outreach and Education.
• **Community Development Authority (July 23):** Considered Resolution 26-10 (TID No. 31 funds for 5120 Byrd Avenue), Resolution 26-11 (rules for Racine: Rehabbed and Ready), and Resolution 26-12 (purchase offers for five Lincoln King Townhome units), plus closed sessions on townhome marketing and acquisition of 1229 Sixth Street.
• **Planning Heritage and Design Commission (July 20):** Held public hearings on conditional-use permits for a funeral establishment at 816 Sixth Street, a building addition at 5111 Wright Avenue, and a religious institution at 2005 Lathrop Avenue, plus design review for facade changes at 1101 Mound Avenue.
• **Board of Review (July 21):** Reviewed and certified the city assessment roll, including corrections under Wis. Stat. §70.43 and scheduling of objection hearings.

Coming up

• **Executive Committee — Aug. 3, 2026:** Discussion of proposed Ordinance 004-26 on Immigration Enforcement, sponsored by Mayor Mason and Alders Weiss and Pabon, with possible referral for further review.

Racine Roundup: Public Works Approves $209,554 Parking Lot Payment, Nuisance Property Rules Advance

The Racine Public Works and Services Committee approved a final payment of $209,554.39 for the Bryant Center Parking Lot Addition and a $209,298.25 contract correction with A.W. Oakes & Son, Inc. during recent meetings. The Executive Committee also advanced amendments to nuisance property rules.

Public Works & Infrastructure

The Public Works and Services Committee approved several contract actions on July 14. Motions by Vice Chair Pabon, seconded by DeMark, approved the final payment of $209,554.39 for Contract 2025745 (Bryant Center Parking Lot Addition) and Change Order No. 2 to the same contract for $8,214.39. The committee also approved a correction to Contract 2026026 with A.W. Oakes & Son, Inc. for $209,298.25. A professional services agreement for Frederick Street Reconstruction was approved up to $76,000, motion by Alder Weidner, seconded by Vice Chair Pabon. The committee received and filed bid results for Humble Park Baseball Lighting Upgrades and Horlick Baseball Field Lighting Upgrades. A motion to rename the Cesar Chavez Community Center to Douglas Park Community Center was deferred with a vote of 3 Ayes and 2 Noes.

Executive & Finance

The Executive Committee approved Ordinance #0001-26, amending nuisance property rules, with a 5-0 vote on July 13. The committee also approved an agreement with Leipold Johnson Golf Group for Shoop Park (5-0). The Finance and Personnel Committee recommended approving a three-year contract with Passport Labs, Inc. to transition parking payments to a digital platform. The committee also recommended an additional $178,571 grant from the Wisconsin DNR for lead service lateral replacement outreach.

Public Safety & Licensing

The Public Safety and Licensing Committee approved multiple retail licenses on July 15. Change of Agent applications for three Family Dollar stores (#21565, #25950, #22816) were approved 3-0. A Class B Retail Fermented Malt Beverage License was approved for Sausage Kitchen (3-0), and a Class B Retail Fermented Malt Beverage and Intoxicating Liquor License was approved for Long Story Short DBA Uncorkt (3-0). A Cigarette, Tobacco, and Electronic Vape Device Retail License was approved for Butler Candyland and More (4-0). A Massage Establishment License for Anthony Mielcarek and a Secondhand Article Dealer License for ECOatm LLC were also approved 4-0. The Sex Offender Residency Board granted residency exemptions for Caleb Bixler, Michael Ayers, and Christ Robinson regarding 1534 West Street. A request from Dakota Hensley was deferred, and an application from Noah Ciro Jaimes was received and filed.

Other Boards

The Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board met in closed session to consider forgivable home repair loans for three Eleventh Street properties: up to $40,390 for 813 Eleventh Street, up to $59,652 for 819 Eleventh Street, and up to $59,485 for 907 Eleventh Street. The Board of Health received and filed June 2026 departmental reports. The Wastewater Commission considered a professional services agreement with TY Lin for photovoltaic design not to exceed $59,664. The Waterworks Commission considered a final payment for Contract W-25-7 at $473,884.70.

Coming up

• **July 20:** The Planning Heritage and Design Commission will hold public hearings on conditional-use requests for a funeral establishment at 816 Sixth Street, a building addition at 5111 Wright Avenue, and a religious institution at 2005 Lathrop Avenue.
• **July 21:** The Common Council will vote on Ordinance #0001-26 (Nuisance Properties Amendments), review street closures for the September 19 Party on the Pavement event, and consider a $178,571 state grant for lead-service outreach.
• **July 21:** The Board of Review will review and certify the city assessment roll.