Common Council 7/21/26

At the July 21, 2026 Common Council meeting of the City of Racine, the council unanimously approved (15–0) an agreement with Leopold Johnson Golf Group for shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, clubhouse construction, and a long-term lease to operate and maintain Shoop Park. The proposed 50-year arrangement leaves the land city-owned and the golf course open to the public, with discounted resident fees; the lease is subject to required approvals, including from the Wisconsin DNR and Army Corps of Engineers. Discussion centered on the park’s deteriorating facilities and shoreline, as well as concerns about wetlands, trees, bird habitat, and the project’s environmental effects. The council also heard that the city would avoid substantial repair costs, but no total project award amount was stated in the transcript.

The council unanimously sent a proposed three-year Passport Labs contract back to the Finance and Personnel Committee for further consideration. The proposal was described as costing $24,255, including a one-time $12,255 for hardware and equipment, to implement and maintain a parking-payment and enforcement system; questions included how the software upgrade relates to kiosks, payment options, and the broader parking-meter approach. No approval of that contract occurred at this meeting.