Holly Gilvary
RACINE — The Common Council on Tuesday approved placing a referendum on the April 1, 2025, ballot asking for a $1.5 million increase of the city's tax levy for the City of Racine Fire Department.
Council members also approved an amendment proposed by Alder Terry McCarthy that clarifies language in the referendum specifying that the funds would be used to maintain RFD positions, as well as adding language to the resolution the money will be designated for RFD.
Additionally, alders approved an agreement with Kenosha Community Health Center Inc. to operate a Federal Qualified Health Clinic in the new Lincoln King Community Center and Clinic building, which is scheduled to open in 2026.
Despite some alders expressing concerns with KCHC's past performance at the Racine Community Health Center at Julian Thomas Elementary School, the motion passed 12-1, with Alder Melissa Kaprelian casting the dissenting vote.
Also at the meeting, Robert Mozol, the city's dangerous animal hearing examiner, announced his immediate resignation during the public comment period.
Mozol cited "harassment, stress and retaliation caused by (City Public Health Administrator) Dottie-Kay Bowersox" as the reason for his decision and said he plans to file a formal complaint.
In other business, the council:
- Approved an amended list, proposed by Alder Sandy Weidner, of 2025 Common Council meeting dates, adding Jan. 7, Feb. 19, April 2, June 18, July 1, Aug. 5, Nov. 4 and Dec. 16 so that the council will meet twice per month.
- Approved the list of alternate early absentee voting locations for 2025, with an amendment that removed the Shoop Park Golf Course at 4510 Lighthouse Drive in Wind Point, and the 26 privately owned locations that were on the list.
- Granted permission to the Racine police chief to apply for and accept the $121,434 2025 Beat Control Grant.
- Approved the adoption of an ordinance related to ambulance billing and lift assists cost recovery, ensuring that RFD is reimbursed for all costs related to non-emergency "lift assists," or requests to physically lift a person who does not require emergency medical attention.
- Authorized the issuance and sale of up to $10,450,921 in Taxable Wastewater Revenue Bonds Series 2024, which will be used for the design, construction and construction management of a 1.67 million gallon wastewater storage basin on Chicory Road.
- Authorized the acceptance of $62,213 from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness programs.
- Authorized acceptance of $222,700 from DHS for the Infant Mortality program, which will go to the Racine Healthy Beginnings program for serving the needs of low-income and Medicaid-eligible individuals.
- Authorized acceptance of $27,800 from DHS for the Cities Readiness Initiative Program.
- Authorized acceptance of $100,975 from DHS for COVID-19 immunization programs.
- Granted permission to the police chief to purchase bullet proof vets for the SWAT program.
- Disallowed the claim of Sedgqick Claims Management Services Inc. on behalf of Cintas Corporation.
- Authorized the mayor and city clerk to enter into an interagency agreement with the finance department to continue the Financial Empowerment Center oversight and administration using city director Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for 2025-26.
- Authorized the acceptance of and signing for the $91,663 FY 2024 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant from Wisconsin Emergency Management for equipment and training.
- Approved the 2025 Finance and Personnel Committee meeting calendar.
- Granted permission to the Human Resources Benefits Manager to present and propose a Restricted Duty Policy for approval.
- Approved assessment rates established for the 2025 public hearings for 2026 construction of Portland Cement Concrete paving, curb and gutter.
- Waived formal bidding procedures for the purchase of materials for the Johnson Controls Metasys System.
- Waived formal bidding procedures for the purchase of Neenah Foundry products to be approved.
- Waived formal bidding procedures for the purchase of a Case Tractor Loader.
- Waived formal bidding procedures for 2025 brush removal and wood chipping services from Mobile Reduction.
- Amended parking regulations to reflect the following: no parking any time on both sides of Chicago Street from Spring Street to 100 feet south, on the west side of Meacham Road from Maryland Avenue to 95 feet north, on both sides of Eaton Lane from 25 feet south of the cul-de-sac to the north; and on both sides of Knoll Place from Maryland Avenue to Rosalind Avenue.
- Waived formal bidding for the replacement and maintenance of Dock items.
- Approved the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Lateral Repair Fixed Prices submitted by the city engineer.
- Approved a change order to the contract for a sump pump installation program with PM Plumbing & Mechanical.
- Approved submission of final payment for the sump pump installation program to PM Plumbing & Mechanical.
- Accepted the $225,000 Wisconsin Targeted Runoff Management Grant.
- Accepted the $150,000 Wisconsin Urban Nonprofit Source Pollution Abatement & Stormwater Management Program Construction Grant Agreement funds.
- Approved a change order to the contract for 2024 sanitary sewer repairs with Genesis Excavators Inc.
- Approved the 2025 Storm Sewer Repair Fixed Prices submitted by the city engineer.
- Approved submission of final payment to Bukacek Construction for the Racine Public Works Transfer Station contract.
- Approved a change order to the contract with LaLonde Contractors Inc. for Island Parking parking lot improvements.
- Awarded the contract for Racine Fuel Depot Upgrades to M&M Mid-Valley Supply for $669,502.
- Approved a change order to the Assessable Streets and Alleys contract with Milwaukee General Construction.
- Approved a change order to the contract for Michigan Pathway Drainage Upgrade with A.W. Oakes & Son Inc.
- Approved a change order to the contract for the Racine Public Works Transfer Station with Bukacek Construction.
- Approved submission of final payment to Payne & Dolan Inc. for the Mound Cemetery Road Paving contract.
- Approved a change order to the contract with Payne & Dolan Inc. for Mound Cemetery Road Paving.
- Approved the 2025 Public Works and Services Committee meeting calendars.
- Amended the Chronic Nuisance Premises Ordinance to include an annual review of chronic nuisance premises for the year at the last meeting of the Public Safety and Licensing Committee.
- Approved an ordinance creating a process and procedure to appeal the health officer's administrative determinations to the Due Process Board.
- Approved an ordinance allowing any police officer to impound any vehicle involved in the commission of a reckless driving violation, as long as certain statutory requirements are met, consistent with state law.
- Amended the Chronic Nuisance Premises Ordinance so that it applies equally to both permanent and mobile commercial business establishments.
- Approved the appointment of two City of Racine humane officers.
- Approved the 2025 Public Safety and Licensing Committee meeting calendars.
- Approved the Racine County Hazard Mitigation Plan update for 2023-28.
- Approved the rezoning of the property at 1650 Russet St. from R3 Limited General Residence District to O-I Office/Institutional District, in order to open a group daycare.
- Granted permission to the Transit & Mobility director to apply for the 2025 Public Transit Assistance Program Grant through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
- Authorized agreement to purchase three paratransit vehicles for about $470,000.
- Approved the appointment of James Wells to the Board of Ethics for a term ending April 30, 2028.
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