Kenosha council approves basin expansion, multiple license actions and awards $64,600 pavements contract; one operator application sent back to committee

On May 4, 2026, the Kenosha Common Council voted to approve multiple administrative and capital items, including the award of a $1,815,600 contract for the Tarabassi Basin Expansion and a $64,600 contract for pavement markings, while sending one operator-license application back to committee for additional vetting.

The council unanimously moved to advance several ordinances and zoning items and concurred with Finance on resolutions authorizing 2026 special events and dissolving Tax Incremental District No. 8. Council also approved the final plat for a subdivision and multiple routine license renewals and approvals recommended by committees.

The two most significant contract awards were announced during the public-construction section. The council authorized awarding project 26-1141, Tarabassi Basin Expansion, to AW Oceansense Inc. in the amount of $1,815,600 and project 206-10 (pavement markings) to Brookline Inc. for $64,600; both motions carried after committee concurrence. Council also accepted final completion of the 55th Street resurfacing project with a final contract amount of $601,956.48.

Licensing decisions included a range of operator and entertainment licenses handled on the consent calendar. Most routine items were approved without discussion. In a contested licensing moment, the council voted to send Rafael Jamie Caballero’s operator-license application back to the License & Permits Committee after Caballero said he had missed a prior review because notices went to his spam folder and offered to provide documentation of his rehabilitation and character. "I attached all of my record on the application, so I did not lie about anything on there," Caballero told the council, asking them to reconsider his application. A motion to return the file to committee carried.

Another licensing item that drew discussion was the new operator application of Christina Barnhill. Barnhill described returning to Kenosha to raise her family and requested approval to work; Robert Grishkowiak, owner of Villa de Carlo, spoke in her support. Council members debated the committee’s recommendation to impose 95 demerit points given the applicant’s prior record; several alderpersons noted the number of supporting letters and references and ultimately the body concurred with the committee to grant the license subject to 95 demerit points.

Procedurally, the council advanced first- and second-reading ordinances affecting committee-chair terms and parts of the zoning code. Several rezoning items and neighborhood-plan amendments were approved by roll call as recommended by committee.

Next steps: items sent back to committee will be reviewed at the License & Permits Committee for additional documentation; finalized contract awards will proceed to implementation per the city’s procurement schedule.