Racine · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Racine public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Alley considered for 2027 construction
Alders Kelly and Pabon want to revisit the city's alley paving and patching ordinance; the topic was referred to Public Works and Services.
2027 Office Space Lease Agreements
The city's 2027 leases for office space at City Hall, the City Hall Annex and the Safety Building were up for approval. The leases bring in roughly $260,000 a year in rental revenue. Action was postponed when the meeting was cancelled.
Neighborhood TID Program application window in TID No. 27
Alder Weidner says the CDA changed neighborhood TID grant rules — like focus areas and code-violation requirements — without the council ever approving those changes, and the amended plans would let the CDA keep changing policy on its own. She wants the council, not the CDA, to control those changes.
Public Health Grant Funding Package
The city's health department relies on a bundle of state grants to fund HIV services, infant mortality reduction, lead testing, immunizations, women's health clinics, and emergency preparedness. The committee recommended accepting about $1.16 million, most with no local match required.
Liquor and Business Licensing Docket
New Class B liquor licenses for Old English Pub and La Esquina del Barrio were referred to committee, and Doobies Beer Joint was called in for a formal expression of concern over a police report.
Flock camera system future
The committee split 3-2 on whether to keep or terminate the Flock camera contract, ultimately keeping it through the end of 2026. The full council will now weigh in on a surveillance system that has divided city leaders.
2027 Sewer and Water Rates
Sewer rates stay flat for Racine residents but jump 12.5% for Caledonia and Mount Pleasant customers, and household hazardous waste fees rise $1 to $4 a year.
Kohl Philanthropies Donation for King Community Center
Full fee elimination at the King Center failed 4-9, and the narrower youth non-resident fee cut survived only after being amended to ask neighboring municipalities to chip in funding for reduced rates.
2027 Special Assessment Rates for 2028 Paving Projects
Residents on Layard Avenue presented a near-unanimous block petition opposing roughly $6,500-per-property assessments to rebuild their alley, warning the 6% interest over ten years turns the bill into $9,000 for those who can't pay upfront. Marina owner Dan Kaiser opposed a Raker Court assessment of nearly $350,000. The council approved street paving 9-2 but sent the alley item through with the consent agenda after adding a notice requirement for deleted streets.
Election workers and election administration resolution
Mayor Mason proposed a resolution affirming support for election workers and free, fair, secure elections while opposing unlawful interference. It was referred to committee rather than adopted.
Zoning code rewrite (Chapter 114)
The city adopted its full zoning code rewrite, replacing Chapter 114, with last-minute additions covering tuckpointing design review and resident mail notices. No one spoke at the public hearing.
Habitat for Humanity homes
The city is moving forward on a deal with Habitat for Humanity and the CDA to build four homes, using up to $2 million in previously authorized HOME funding plus about $237,573 in NSP program income.
Federal policy impacts on Racine
The mayor raised concerns about ICE enforcement creating fear in the immigrant community, tariffs raising prices, cuts to food assistance and healthcare, and interference with mail-in ballots. He urged residents to hold onto democratic principles and vote.
Lead service lateral replacement outreach funding
An extra $178,571 from the Wisconsin DNR will fund outreach and education about replacing lead water service lines, on top of the original $150,000 grant. This helps residents understand risks and programs connected to getting lead pipes out of the ground.
State funding shortfall and local control
Mayor Mason said state aid to Racine fell more than $300 million short of inflation over two decades, pushing costs onto property taxpayers. He also criticized the state for passing over a hundred laws stripping cities' authority on issues from minimum wage to rental inspections.
Vacant home renovation ('Racine: Rehabbed and Ready')
$1.077 million from an expired TID will fund roughly $25,000 renovations on vacant, abandoned homes — about 40 properties — with strict owner-occupancy requirements to return blighted houses to the tax roll.
Chicago Street & Golf Avenue local roads improvement
A $600,000 road improvement project on Chicago Street and Golf Avenue is moving forward through a state-municipal agreement. The state covers $150,000 and the city's $450,000 share is already in the capital budget.
Water and sewer loan applications
The city is seeking tens of millions in low-interest state loans: $30 million for about 3,000 lead service line replacements, $17 million for water main replacements, $50 million for the Main and Goold interceptor and $10 million for Lift Station #1.
2026 General Obligation Borrowing
The city moved forward on its annual borrowing — up to $22.7 million for capital projects, vehicles and equipment — plus $15.6 million in refunding bonds to permanently finance the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center. Both were referred to Finance and Personnel.
Immigration Enforcement Ordinance
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 0004-26 on immigration enforcement, a measure sponsored by the mayor and nine alders. It shapes how city government interacts with federal immigration enforcement and matters to many immigrant residents and their families.
Giese School Property Development
The council approved a development agreement with Neumann Companies for the former Giese School property at 5120 Byrd Ave. About $2.3 million in TID 31 money will build roads and utilities, and $1.7 million will fund $50,000-per-lot down payment assistance to help families buy the new homes.
Shoop Park redevelopment and 50-year lease
The city is considering a deal with the Leipold Johnson Golf Group to stabilize the shoreline, build a clubhouse, and lease and operate Shoop Park as a dune-style golf course. Residents packed public comment worried about the 1917 deed requiring a public park, tree and bird habitat loss, and future golf fees. The council referred it to the Executive Committee, with a possible vote July 21.
Polling place change for District 4
Voters in District 4 (wards 9 and 10) will now vote at the Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency at 2113 N. Wisconsin Ave. instead of Red Apple School.
New Fire Station 1 Headquarters
The council approved design work for a new Fire Station 1, possibly with apartments attached — a first for Racine. Alders pressed on whether the city would become a landlord; architects said Phase 1 is a feasibility study that answers exactly that. Total project cost is around $30 million.
Communications ordinance and referral authority
The proposed ordinance would let city staff submit agenda items without an alder's sponsorship, let the council refer items to any board or commission, cap deferrals at 90 days, and — after amendment — keep the 250-signature citizen petition process. It heads to the full council for a final vote.
1308 Franklin Street rehabilitation loan
A grandmother in a wheelchair whose family has owned her home for 60+ years will get a $290,000 forgivable loan for a full code-compliance renovation — an unusually large award aldermen scrutinized before approving it unanimously.
Municipal judge race omitted from spring ballots
The city clerk explained how the municipal judge race went missing from some April ballots and what the city did to fix it. Bottom line: the county clerk prints the ballots and the city never sees them before they arrive — a gap alders want closed.
Festival Park / civic center management contract limbo
Event organizers say the stalled Festival Hall contract is jeopardizing festivals, vendors and sponsorships — one organizer says a fest opens three days after the 5K contract expires. A festival chairman says a signage restriction could cost his event $25,000 in sponsor fees within 48 hours.
No-bid G Strategies fundraising contract
The council pumped the brakes on a $150,000 no-bid fundraising contract, with questions about bidding rules and the firm's delinquent state filings; the mayor wasn't there to answer.
Downtown hospitality center relocation
A former downtown building owner says the hospitality center should have lost its license 13 years ago and questions demolishing the McMynn parking ramp while downtown struggles.
TID plan overhaul: closures, amendments and two new districts
The city wants to close TIDs 10, 16 and 27, amend several neighborhood TIDs, and create TID 32 (Lincoln King) and TID 33 (the old YMCA site at 725 Lake Avenue). The changes are needed to stay under the state's 12% cap on TID value, and closing TID 27 is what makes the new districts possible. Alders get the final vote next week.
Structural deficit and net new construction
Finance Director Fisher explained the city can only raise its tax levy by its net new construction percentage — 1.36% last year — while costs rise about 5% a year, leaving a $4-6 million annual gap. That's why economic development and TIDs matter so much to the budget.
Spring Valley Drive commercial driveway safety
Residents of Spring Valley Drive are asking the council to reverse a newly approved parking lot entrance from a Spring Street business into their sidewalk-free residential street. They cite kids on bikes, strollers, cut-through traffic and a promised commitment from decades ago that the business would never access the neighborhood street.
Firefighters' 2025-2028 labor contract
The tentative agreement with firefighters provides 2.5%-3% annual raises and higher health premium contributions, totaling about $1.6 million over four years. It's headed to Finance and Personnel before a final council vote.
water usage disclosure for Microsoft data center
Racine just dropped records showing Microsoft’s planned data center would use about 8 million gallons of water a year. That’s a lot for a city to commit to big tech, and it raises questions about water resources and what Racine is giving up.
Election Lawsuit Over Poll Worker Hiring
The Republican National Committee is suing Racine, saying the city didn’t hire enough Republican poll workers. The case could force changes in how Racine recruits and staffs elections—and cost local taxpayers in legal fees and staff time.
City Administration Appointment
Racine has a new City Administrator: Jim Sullivan is taking over day-to-day city operations. That makes him a key person to watch, since he’ll help steer how City Hall runs.