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.