Holly Gilvary
RACINE — Two weeks after a Racine Common Council meeting failed to meet quorum largely because of an alder boycott, members approved multiple ordinances related to the boycott and overrode one veto from Mayor Cory Mason.
The council on Tuesday approved an ordinance changing the procedure for handling communications that come to the council, granting alders the ability to view each communication and refer it to a standing committee.
After the appropriate standing committee approves the communication, it will return to Common Council for discussion and final approval.
Other ordinances related to the boycott that the council approved include:
- An ordinance prohibiting city employees who report directly to the mayor or have supervisory authority from serving on any city authority, board or commission, going against the Executive Committee's recommendation from Oct. 10 to disapprove.
- Amendments to a current ordinance involving dangerous animals, overriding a veto from the mayor.
- An amendment to a charter ordinance requiring the Common Council to establish a calendar in June of each year for the proposal, consideration and passage of a budget for the ensuing year, and requiring that the mayor present the budget to the council by Oct. 15.
Mason was not present at Tuesday's meeting. Council President Alder Terry McCarthy chaired the meeting.
The council also unanimously approved a recommendation to appoint Marlo Harmon to the vacant District 14 council seat until a special spring election in 2025.
The city clerk swore in Harmon immediately following the vote.
In other business, the council:
- Authorized a 2025 contract for RYDE Racine transit service in Caledonia, Mount Pleasant and Yorkville.
- Approved a developer's agreement for the Wisconn Valley Way Water Main Extension Project, which will service the upcoming Microsoft data centers in Mount Pleasant.
- Approved a developer's agreement for the Springs at Mount Pleasant Water Main Extension Project.
- Approved a developer's agreement for the Highway KR Development Project in Mount Pleasant.
- Novated the incentive agreements with J. Jeffers & Co. for phase IV of the Belle City Square redevelopment, which includes the city issuing a $8 million three-year bridge loan to the developer.
- Approved a developer's agreement for the Mount Pleasant Tax Increment District No. 7 Development Project.
- Voted to allow a claim filed to the city attorney's office requesting reimbursement for damages to the claimant's vehicle allegedly caused by concrete falling from the ceiling at the McMynn Parking Ramp, 120 Seventh St., where the claimant's car was parked.
- Authorized the issuance and sale of $16,525,000 of 2024 general obligation promissory notes to be used for paying the cost of various capital improvement and acquisition projects, vehicles and equipment as set forth in the 2024 capital improvement plan.
- Granted permission to the city to apply for the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant Program from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of $15 million to support the construction of the Lincoln King Community Center.
- Granted permission for the city to apply for the $500,000 Fiscal Year 2025 U.S. EPA Brownfield Community Wide Site Assessment Grant, and to accept the grant if awarded.
- Authorized the issuance and sale of up to $959,615 taxable waterworks system revenue bonds.
- Approved the donation from the Potawatomi Nation of a statue "Fire Keeper" to the city, which will be placed at the north entrance to Festival Hall along the Kipikawi Causeway.
- Authorized adding $160,200 to a contract with Complex Security Solutions Inc. for fiber contracting services, in order to fund repair and maintenance and routine work.
- Granted permission to the city to accept the 2024 Capital Project Fund Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program Grant of $576,049.
- Extended a contract with Baker Tilly Vantagen for the Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program through Sept. 30, 2026, for an amount of up to $350,000.
- Granted permission for the city to enter into a sole source agreement with Grant Galaxy LLC for grant writing services from Oct. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2026, for a cost up to $150,000
- Granted permission to the finance director to submit the presentation of the second quarter 2024 fiscal results and investment summaries.
- Granted permission to the finance director to present the 2025 Operating Plan for Business Improvement District No. 1, Downtown Racine Corporation for review and approval.
- Granted permission to the human resources benefits manager to present the healthcare employee premium equivalent rates for 2025, which are expected to be about $100,000 and will be incorporated into the 2025 healthcare budget.
- Granted permission to the human resources benefits manager to plan the design for the city's Retiree Medicare Advantage Health Plan, the changes of which will result in a $1.2 million decrease in the city-wide cost of the program for 2025.
- Granted permission to the human resources benefits manager to discuss the city's Stop Loss Insurance Coverage for 2025 before the Finance and Personnel Committee.
- Submitted bid results for CCTV Sewer Inspection, awarding the contract to Green Bay Pipe & TV LLC for $665,035.
- Submitted bid results for City Hall elevator upgrades, awarding the contract to Express Elevator LLC for $315,000.
- Submitted bid results for the Myers Park Breakwater Restoration project, awarding the contract to C.W. Purpero for $82,084 with an alternate bid of $99,918 for a total of $182,002.
- Accepted and authorized the final payment for the Lincoln/Spring Street bridge removal of $116,827.
- Approved a request from Jeff Sturdevant, directing principal of Walden III Middle and High School, to close the south sidewalk of Rupert Boulevard from Chicago Street west to the cemetery during the 2024-25 winter season.
- Approved the use of 2131 N. Main St. for North Main Street Road Improvement Project.
- Approved an amendment to the contract between the City of Racine and Waste Management adding Waste Management's Pheasant Run Landfill as an option for tipping municipal solid waste.
- Approved a change order to a contract with Bukacek Construction for the Racine Public Works Transfer Station for $111,010.
- Approved a change order to a contract with Berglund Construction for Core Building Tuckpointing for $116,263.
- Authorized submitting a final payment to Globe Contractors for sewage work for a total contract amount of $704,139.
- Authorized submitting a final payment to Absolute Construction Enterprises for work for Island Park Pavilion staircase relocation, for a total contract amount of $46,400.
- Approved a change order to a contract with Beardsley Concrete LLC for College Avenue curb replacement and Erie Street joint repairs for $81,320.
- Authorized submitting a final payment to Beardsley Concrete LLC for College Avenue curb replacement and Erie Street joint repairs for a total contract amount of $205,478.
- Approved a transportation project plat for Ohio Street.
- Authorized a state/municipal agreement for a project on Spring Street.
- Approved a professional services agreement between the city and AECOM for 2024-25 sewer inspection for up to $184,660.
- Authorized an amendment to the Three-Party Professional Engineering Services Contract between the city, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Stand Associates Inc. for a project on North Main Street for up to $450,486.
- Granted permission to the Downtown Racine Corporation to use city right-of-way for the annual holiday parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, closing Ontario Street, State Street between Ontario and Main streets, Main Street from State to Sixth streets and Sixth Street from Main Street to City Hall
- Authorized the city's purchase of about 7,000 tons of road salt from Cargil Inc. for ice control during the 2024-25 winter season under their proposed one-year contract price of $84.12 per ton delivered.
- Authorized the approval of the FFY 2025 Federal Highway Administration/WisDOT Subrecipient Title VI/Nondiscrimination Assurances agreement, allowing for the city to continue to receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Approved the licenses premise report.
- Approved a "Class B" fermented malt beverage and intoxicating liquor license for Olive Garden Italian Restaurant at 6000 Durand Ave. and Kafana LLC DBA Markos Neighborhood Bar at 3001 Douglas Ave.
- Denied a "Class B" fermented malt beverage and intoxicating liquor license for Day 10 Bar & Grill at 1102 Mound Ave. and La Hacienda Bar at 1455 Douglas Ave.
- Authorized the city attorney's office to represent all city employees and officers in BREG Pike River Development Inc. and BREG Pike River LLC v. City of Racine, et al., Racine County Case No. 2024CV964.
- Approved free parking in downtown Racine on Nov. 29, 2024; Nov. 30, 2024; Dec. 7, 2024; Dec. 14, 2024; and Dec. 21, 2024.
- Approved appointments from the mayor of Valena Coleman to the Board of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, county representative position; and Malik Frazier to the Affirmative Action and Human Rights Commission, each for terms ending April 30, 2027.
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