[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6750828,"mediaKeyId","2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755","parentId",2178713,"title","Racine council accepts donor funds, approves lease for downtown COP office after debate over metrics and sustainability","audioSeconds",317,"startMs",1440000,"endMs",1757000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755&start=1440&end=1757","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755/thumbnail_1440000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6750828/Racine/Racine-County/Wisconsin/Racine-council-accepts-donor-funds-approves-lease-for-downtown-COP-office-after-debate-over-metrics-and-sustainability","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750828-841be8d6b4f4d4ed5334c8273e146e74/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205301&Signature=Q~SlR-Qf6I39RI2ffTeQnBXZKsXeXqiLw8xVxDke4DRw8k3q0LM8VVCuHmDKvUKtAYtC2sQtt8OQ13be-pYeAmjy77E4QRQ-ztAzIfKx11gKzv11jNJ2D-Ys8XiW-lGdUhI0dsLEpp08ExD5N6ePtt-HF912NkeRAJKWBzwjpeEoYhT28zSo4vIsSNnsWwmNGannpQdXG4-OpzlHTV9LpnvNMOChwKu~UJILatYyWECSoL5Nt65HuSewhrw~tjAqNubYKwq2cyJ5mUgRiooVXb7rs5qnuWOQ5fYM1AvXKFwxTe0EXqXJFn~vA8BjceniOhsGWIxut7AsNFpNRwsUMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Racine","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Racine Common Council voted Jan. 21 to accept donor funding to help start a downtown community‑oriented policing office and to enter a three‑year lease for space at 434 Main Street.

Mayor Corey Mason presented the two items after the Finance and Personnel Committee recommended them for approval. The council first approved item 0037‑25, authorizing the chief of police to accept funding from the Racine Community Foundation and SC Johnson to cover start‑up costs for a downtown COP office and one officer; the motion passed 10–1. The council then approved a related lease authorization (agenda item 0053/0054‑25) to occupy 434 Main Street; the lease vote carried 9–1 with one member recorded as present but not voting.

The police department described the planned downtown location as a smaller, nontraditional COP office intended to “address a lot of the downtown issues,” particularly quality‑of‑life complaints, vulnerable populations and problems that occur after bars close. The chief of police told the council, “We will assign 2 officers to that. They will walk the beat, they'll stop in the businesses, get to know the business owners, and have meetings when everyone is requested there.”

Council members pressed for details. Alder Kaprielian asked for the lease terms and performance metrics; the chief said the lease is three years and the donors would cover furniture, wiring and IT startup costs, and he offered to provide the specific budget items to council members. Director Tate of the Department of Community Safety described the department’s need to “put resources behind our ability to express to our community what it is we're doing,” and said professional communications work was part of planned outreach.

Several council members sought clarity on the office's role and longevity. Alder Davis, voting no on the funding item, repeatedly asked whether the office would be staffed primarily for enforcement or for connecting vulnerable people to services. The police response emphasized discretionary, situational responses and partnerships with homeless and mental‑health advocates: “We approach things differently. Discretion is used differently when it comes to dealing with individuals,” the chief said.

Council discussion also noted operational questions: what hours the downtown officers will cover, how the office will coordinate with existing COP houses and whether the nonprofit Outpost would be used to apply for future grants if donor support ends after the three‑year period. Several members said they supported the pilot but urged staff to pursue additional funding if the program is continued beyond the donor period.

The council recorded these results: item 0037‑25 (accept funding) passed 10 ayes, 1 no (Alder Davis). Item 0053/0054‑25 (lease authorization) passed with a tally announced in the meeting as 9 ayes, 1 no (Alder Davis), and one member recorded as present/not voting. The police and department directors agreed to provide the council with the lease terms and measures of effectiveness for the pilot.

The downtown COP office will be located near Fifth and Main and is expected to provide a visible police presence in downtown streets and parking ramps. The council directed staff to return with details for evaluation as the pilot proceeds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Racine - 1-21-25 Common Council - Jan 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Racine Common Council voted Jan. 21 to accept donor funding to help start a downtown community‑oriented policing office and to enter a three‑year lease for space at 434 Main Street.","taxTitle","Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin","taxId",2856,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750808,"Council refers Taylor Avenue liquor change‑of‑ownership after application lists five gaming machines",178,6578000,6756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755&start=6578&end=6756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755/thumbnail_6578000.jpg","/articles/6750808/Racine/Racine-County/Wisconsin/Council-refers-Taylor-Avenue-liquor-changeofownership-after-application-lists-five-gaming-machines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750808-20d2778536b99aaa212cf221986c08ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205301&Signature=SsOsNhn3pTp1pjI3RdEOvsfxHTpP7sBs7hRcacReiGSCfU5WriFPOhVPT9tLT7eqlbeuChRQjYnAxGpjv-6t-aCGEo5gLHU9AtaxlmRdkBH~kumNSdCA1RL0o4Q0gyTx~xDwexXRKbSq31MHplJj70~Zt5mqqpcRY1yshP9Y68xivvm2T3CJLUyRD7RTliIsHCpwsXhvT00YqQNo7IfaLkFkXi1hVDouSVL-sD7PyVDfvsH8TueOCPXpIWZlZBXxX3pDZmzZ4ZvhCqatm4Z1DD9-VeaK-eE-yvTS89nsZd409-z7-SoZ4oPHzwOkl~ozFahJ03FyFKE~wKrc00PKWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council on Jan. 21 referred a change‑of‑ownership liquor application for Taylor Avenue Food Mart back to the Public Safety & Licensing Committee after members raised concerns that the application listed five gaming machines, which are illegal in Wisconsin outside narrowly permitted contexts.

Alder Perez noted the application included projected sales and a list of five gaming machines and said the combination of no inside seating and five gaming devices appeared inconsistent: “If you're going to have a gaming machine, you're going to have seats,” he said. City staff explained applicants sometimes report entertainment machines on license forms; municipal enforcement typically relies on police or the city attorney to follow up if illegal devices are discovered.

Council members pointed out that while some establishments operate similar machines, enforcement is complaint driven and the clerk’s office lacks investigatory authority. The council voted to send the application back to committee so P&S members can examine the application, seek clarification from the applicant and involve enforcement staff as needed.

Action taken: item 1105‑24 (change of ownership) was referred to Public Safety & Licensing for review and clarification; a related petition to exceed quota (1106‑24) remained on the table and had separate consideration in committee.","A proposed change of ownership for Taylor Avenue Food Mart prompted questions after the application included five 'gaming machines.' Council voted to refer the matter back to Public Safety & Licensing for further review and enforcement follow‑up.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750813,"Food‑truck owners urge council to rethink proposed midnight limit; ordinance referred back to committee",318,341000,659000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755&start=341&end=659","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755/thumbnail_341000.jpg","/articles/6750813/Racine/Racine-County/Wisconsin/Foodtruck-owners-urge-council-to-rethink-proposed-midnight-limit-ordinance-referred-back-to-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750813-ce036e3e1fcb115ae44863db90f8ee1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205301&Signature=fdL63tpiKV9una9v6vNQyU1PFeK3PFCiv46fh9BmB75c0LyVaxPYYH1lbVZVLCdqlkX80-4e0-ewq3Qh97D-A6mWHnt-mXoW2-AEK5zQoLot3bEiH8X9kjDFWJ-o6iuX1SBj~wsysXhPubKMfI2fX04di4gy5yYrNUqN0b6RKrku8b0Gm606zyOBNhZs4rJtb8ht-DD759vFGLEEXq1r-E-uUKjoPwFhXocUyC~qlNaxkSzlRnDdn~GyPe47onH3uuWb7QkJ935rxdww~FhdUygsQcGkBfXoh1LfMk8rX7m5yHnZ9eI1jy8cN7r~B~opLDAfajteSU9qJbMS1iBA9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two Racine food‑truck operators told the Common Council Jan. 21 that a proposed ordinance limiting mobile food establishment hours to midnight would be unfair and harm employees who prefer late‑shift work.

Eric Scarvers, owner of Ed’s Taste the Soul Seafood Chicken and More, told the council he and other operators want parity with restaurants and requested more discussion with the police chief before a final vote: “These food trucks...we pay the same amount of taxes...I would like you guys to reconsider those hours and allow us along with the police, chief to discuss this before you take a vote,” Scarvers said during the public‑comment period.

Kevin Lynch, owner of AK Wings and Things, said a midnight cutoff would reduce income for employees who work third shift and argued trucks are not comparable to bars that serve alcohol late at night: “We’re not selling no alcohol. We're selling food off our food truck,” Lynch said.

The item on the agenda (ordinance 0896‑24) had been considered by the Public Safety & Licensing Committee; council members emphasized the value of additional conversation with the chief and the food‑truck operators. The council voted to refer the ordinance back to Public Safety & Licensing to allow further negotiation with the chief of police and stakeholders.

Action taken: referral to Public Safety & Licensing for further consideration and outreach to affected operators and the police department.","Two food‑truck operators told the council that a midnight closing would harm their businesses and employees; council voted to send the mobile‑food hours ordinance back to Public Safety & Licensing to allow more discussion with the police chief and food‑truck owners.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750818,"Council refers $100,000 sole‑source marketing contract for Community Safety back to finance committee",1249,3787000,5036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755&start=3787&end=5036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755/thumbnail_3787000.jpg","/articles/6750818/Racine/Racine-County/Wisconsin/Council-refers-100000-solesource-marketing-contract-for-Community-Safety-back-to-finance-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750818-9c9604341e1789590cb996721f7469f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205301&Signature=ZTNvMGp5GevKX-khDF42YOU4vHq7Piog1gjjWrdb9UHZQyG0GFcZF6H~uLX0UkOCmAUbgMZpJXhntOC~sZtFI~iOUkxbh-bMeu6M~w92gQhkLLfWpXXBCBw1ylxkE-1YmGW62xVzNiCcnt37-ApExnAA~RZ2cfR6FdYPHqsmumpFWb2fcman7uNBjRg~GLbuQIt~tQm21l4Lm5gthKX~xx1th~49M5sv5sNlsSExMyI7YrRfIG0L8SqKDrJ~VMl~F6now9E4G4-qGoJQ2EFgYzzcSTEVujD5jK5TWDE6XhM1JvMkDzoyVJftmu3ILVsJIdlb51jpNzfqD7DxOZEs-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmembers on Jan. 21 voted to refer back to the Finance & Personnel Committee a request from the Department of Community Safety to enter a sole‑source agreement with Cane/Cain Communication LLC for marketing and communications services (agenda item 0027‑25). The department sought approval to spend up to $100,000 from the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Community Safety Fund to develop outreach assets, branding and campaign materials.

Director Tate told the council the proposed work would build on assets the firm developed in 2024 and said the firm offered a discount; Tate said the department lacks internal capacity after an intern’s departure and that professional services were needed to create consistent communications. “We need our community to both know that, 1, we exist,” Tate said.

Several councilmembers raised procurement concerns and asked why the contract was being sole‑sourced rather than competitively bid. The city attorney explained an exception in city purchasing ordinance (Sec. 46‑39) that permits negotiated agreements for professional services where a particular consultant has provided prior services and where the council approves aggregate fees above $50,000 by resolution. Alder Mac, Alder Weidner and others questioned the budget size, whether intern or city resources could be used, and whether the grant funds should be directed to direct community programs rather than marketing.

A motion to refer the item back to Finance & Personnel for more detail passed 7–4. The department will return to committee with proposals, scope details and the vendor’s written proposal.","Council sent a proposed sole‑source marketing agreement with Cane/Cain Communications (up to $100,000) back to Finance and Personnel after members raised questions about procurement, deliverables and whether the funds should be devoted to direct services.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750823,"Council authorizes Shoop Golf Course option-to-improve-and-operate agreement with Kaiser group",313,909000,1222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755&start=909&end=1222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2178713-5670bf65978eeb078ea6b599ef1c6755/thumbnail_909000.jpg","/articles/6750823/Racine/Racine-County/Wisconsin/Council-authorizes-Shoop-Golf-Course-option-to-improve-and-operate-agreement-with-Kaiser-group","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750823-09e3d933b28122108f344ec188b5aa5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205301&Signature=HQaFe1bXyv7HT~ZVT9CEYHfUEqIrBwF2wDKY9K2IdHq5~FdxPhieT3WwY9tySOVhi34tZ3Zx2ICCYHKCehHxiDSpGag~I7FsCGwiTMjtojeGJbUloGnQ8BuBHWMQwRkz9Fl3t5XFO89zKLdLdkBhCtZ-sdh8WXiLWt-8NqFHhCXHigwv8PS0fYhLOH8DRLp7HXrk0~V2R1sEAbt1Cr7NJ-eSBRlsbkMX657~ZVrhl0Rh85zMbKs-jiZ0JyAam5jyxeFLy-HNtB8CS2im-nwR0uc91O4y4UnUWwrWC5LBYHNqrmtHgK2cGUMjioHB~153sx4~5TGOk6RRodMIZyTm3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council on Jan. 21 granted the city permission to negotiate and enter an option‑to‑improve‑and‑operate agreement for Shoop Golf Course with the Kaiser Golf Group and a Leopold/Johnson local team.

Residents Craig Leopold and Jerry Frank presented the concept to the council and described prior outreach by the Kaiser Golf Group to the city dating back to 2021. Leopold said the intention is to redesign and invest in the course without increasing green fees, to address drainage problems and to look for ecological design improvements. Frank said the proposal would most likely be structured as a public‑private partnership, and he emphasized that existing deed restrictions require the site to remain a golf course and that the land is city‑owned but located within the village of Wind Point, which could require coordination with two local governments and the Department of Natural Resources.

Alder Weidner asked whether deed restrictions prevent the city from negotiating such an agreement; the city attorney responded that leasing or having a third party operate the golf course is permitted under the current deed restrictions and that questions about a potential sale would require further review. The city attorney also noted that the existing operator contract for the city’s courses expires in 2026 or 2027, meaning the option negotiation would not conflict with the current operator schedule.

The council voted to approve item 0056‑25 by voice vote; the motion carried unanimously.

Action summary: the council authorized the mayor and staff to negotiate the proposed option‑to‑improve‑and‑operate agreement and directed staff to return with any formal agreement for council consideration.","Council authorized the city to negotiate an option-to-improve-and-operate agreement for Shoop Golf Course with the Kaiser Golf Group and Leopold/Johnson parties after residents described a proposal to redesign and invest in the course; approval was unanimous.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Racine council accepts donor funds, approves lease for downtown COP office after debate over metrics and sustainability

Council refers Taylor Avenue liquor change‑of‑ownership after application lists five gaming machines

Food‑truck owners urge council to rethink proposed midnight limit; ordinance referred back to committee

Council refers $100,000 sole‑source marketing contract for Community Safety back to finance committee

Council authorizes Shoop Golf Course option-to-improve-and-operate agreement with Kaiser group