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.
Lathrop Avenue street project contract amendment
Amendment 1 to Contract 2025259 for the Lathrop Avenue project was up for committee action. Because the meeting was cancelled, the project amendment remains pending.
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.
5120 Byrd Avenue surveying and engineering work
Mayor Mason asked that yield signs at Byrd Ave/Oregon St and Byrd Ave/Illinois St be replaced with stop signs via an attached ordinance; it was referred to Public Works after Weidner noted the ordinance attachment was missing.
Receivership of 2321 Prospect Street
The CDA was asked to authorize itself as receiver for a property on Prospect Street — a tool for taking control of problem properties and getting them rehabilitated.
2027 Proposed City Budget
City departments laid out their 2027 goals, funding needs, operational changes and capital projects for the council. These presentations set the stage for next year's budget decisions that will shape city services and taxes.
Business Improvement District 2027 Operating Plans
Operating plans for the Downtown, Douglas Avenue and Uptown BIDs were scheduled, with special charges placed on commercial property tax bills to fund district improvements.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Settlement discussions in lawsuits against the city
Two active lawsuits against the city — the Bennie Nunn case in county court and the Kimberlyn Stafford federal case — are headed to closed-door settlement presentations at the Finance Committee.
Proposed 2027 City of Racine Budget
Mayor Mason submitted the city's full 2027 budget — general fund, debt, capital projects, enterprise funds and fee schedules. It now goes to Committee of the Whole, where the spending and tax decisions will be debated before final adoption.
Racine Zoo Funding
The council approved roughly $6.4 million in federal and state transit grants plus student transit contracts with Gateway Technical College and Racine Unified, keeping bus service funded for the year.
City Sump Pump Program
A new committee — with realtors, plumbers, city staff, a council member, and a citizen — gets six months to find a better way to cut clearwater flows, with its recommendations coming back for a Council vote.
Early Voting
Early voting starts Tuesday across Racine County, giving Racine voters a chance to cast ballots before Election Day and skip the lines. The county is pointing residents to local early-voting sites, so if your schedule is packed on Election Day, this is your window.
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.
Public hearing speaker time limit
The chair had capped budget hearing speakers at 3 minutes, but aldermen voted 12-2 to appeal that ruling, giving residents more time to testify on the budget.
Formal expression of concern for Doobies Beer Joint
Based on the police report, the council accepted the licensing committee's recommendation to call Doobies Beer Joint in for a formal expression of concern — an official warning step short of license revocation.
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.
Annual Holiday Parade street closures
Downtown Racine Corporation got committee approval to close Ontario, Main and 6th Streets for the Holiday Parade on November 14, 2026.
School crossing improvements near Racine Christian School
Alder DeMark asked the Department of Public Works to paint crossing lines near Racine Christian School at Kinzie and Virginia Street — a small but direct pedestrian safety fix. It went to the Public Works Committee.
Washington Avenue corridor traffic study
A request for a traffic study and traffic-calming options on Washington Avenue from Lathrop through Uptown was received and filed, while one commenter urged a moratorium on traffic changes, citing the Weston-Taylor roundabout as a cautionary tale.
Election workers and election administration resolution
The committee advanced a resolution affirming support for election workers and free, fair, secure elections, and opposing unlawful interference in election administration.
5th Street Boat Launch pier replacement
Parks officials want a Wisconsin Coastal Management Program grant to replace the piers at the 5th Street Boat Launch. The city's share is roughly $99,000, already penciled into the 2027 capital plan.
Transit funding and regional RYDE service
The council locked in 2027 state transit operating aid applications, accepted a $1.25 million state grant for bus capital projects, and renewed the contract to run RYDE Racine buses into the Village of Yorkville.
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.
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.