2026-09-22 - City Council

Heat. Heat. Roll call. >> Hardin >> here. >> Hug >> here. Melton >> here. >> Row here. >> Fester >> here. >> Good. >> Mr. President >> here. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance and remain

standing for opening remarks by council member Amy Melton. >> Aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with

liberty and justice for all. >> Everyone, please be seated. Um, I just wanted to take a moment um for September. Um, it is National Suicide Prevention Month. And I just thought it would be a good time

to make a note that everyone is affected by suicide, not just the victims. Suicide impacts family and friends long after the loss of a loved one. On average, one person commits suicide every 16.2

minutes. Twothirds of the people who commit suicide suffer from depression. I just want everyone to know if you know anyone who may be suffering from um depression or you fear may be suicidal, you can

refer them to the national suicide prevention number 1 800-273-8255 or you can go to nami.org. It's nami.org. Um, and that's the National Association for Mental Illness. So, if you know anyone, make

sure you reach out to them and let them know that there are people that care. Um, and that everyone's life is valued. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> An affidavit of publication is on file

and a current copy of the Open Meeting Act is posted in a white binder on the east wall of legislative chambers. >> Good afternoon. Welcome to this meeting of the Omaha City Council. As a courtesy to

those in attendance and to facilitate the conduct of our business, we ask that you please silence or turn off all electronic devices. A reminder that you will have three minutes to speak on an agenda

item. Please stay on topic. For those not providing in-person testimony and would like your comments entered into the public record, you can email the city clerk's office at city clerk at city of

omaha.org. Council members receive the emails and we read them. Finally, council members may ask members of the audience back up for clarifying questions, but not for extra time to speak. I would like

to also remind council members to speak clearly into their microphones so audience members in attendance and at home can hear. And if you're coming to the podium to speak, please speak between the two

microphones so we can hear you at home and in attendance here at well as well. Thank you. >> Item six, a resolution to approve the city of Omaha 2027 property tax request. >> Council discussion.

Council member Melton, you're recognized. >> Thanks. Well, I I didn't have a punch, but I think it would be important to note I even received a text message over lunch um that was asking me not to

increase the property taxes because apparently they must have saw something this morning on the news that said we were increasing the tax. We are not. Um we are leaving the levy the same. We did have

a proposal to reduce the levy so that we didn't take advantage of um the increased value of the assessments. And I know people say my property taxes are going up because the value of my house went up.

We did attempt that. Um it did fail, but I would like everyone to be clear. Um we are keeping the levy the same. We are not increasing the levy as other taxing entities are actually doing. So with

that, I will move to approve. Second. >> Have a motion and a second. No further lights. Roll call. >> Harding. >> Yes. >> Hug. >> Yes. >> Melton. >> Yes. >> Row. >> Fester. >> Yes. >> Good one. >> Mr.

President. >> I. >> Motion pass seven to zero. Item seven to consider a class liquor license for Medy's located at 10317 Pacific Street. >> The public hearing is now open on item seven. I believe the

applicant is by Zoom. Mr. Chaffa. Okay. Can you hear us? Okay. >> Can you hear us now? >> I can hear you. I'm also with his team at Medy's. I'm not sure if he's he's connected. I just don't know if

he's having issues. >> We can hear you. Okay. if you could provide your name and address for the record for us, please. >> My name is Oh, go ahead, Chris. >> Hi, my name is Christopher Chaffy. Uh, my

address is 320 North 40th Street, apartment number 6 Omaha, Nebraska, 68131. >> Thank you. Did Did you want to give your name and record as well, ma'am? >> Can she? >> Sure. My name is Lesie Dixon and

I reside at 1634 South Me Street, Witchah, Kansas. I'm a representative from Medy's. Thank you. We'll come back if we have any questions. Thank you. Are there any proponents here on item number seven?

Seeing none, are there any opponents? Public hearing is closed. >> Got a motion and a second. Roll call. >> Hardin, yes. Hug >> Melton Row Fester. >> Yes. >> Goodwin. >> Yes. >> Mr. President, >> I.

>> Motion pass seven to zero. >> Item eight to consider a class A liquor license for Dose and Dig located at 18010R Plaza Sweet 103. >> The public hearing is now open on item number eight. Applicant,

good afternoon. >> Hi, my name is Amanda Priority, owner of Dozen Dig. Um, my address is 18010R Plaza Sweet 103. That's Omaha 68135. >> Thank you. Are there any proponents on item 8? Seeing none, are

there any opponents? Public hearing is closed. >> Second. >> Got a motion and a second. Roll call. >> Hardin? >> Yes. >> Hug. Melton. >> Row. Fester. >> Yes. >> Goodwin. >> Mr. President, >> I. Motion

pass 7 to zero. Items 9 through 12 can be considered together for Chance Ridge Replat One located northwest of Skyline Drive and West Dodge Road. Planning board and planning department recommend

approval. Item nine, an ordinance to amend the boundaries of the ACI overlay district to incorporate this district into that property. Item or into that district. Items 10 and 11 are resolutions to

approve the preliminary plat and final plat. Item 12 is a resolution to approve the subdivision agreement. I will open the public hearing for items 9 through 12. Applicant, good afternoon. Uh, good

afternoon. Kyle B with ENA Consulting Group. Also with me today is Blley Douglas, the developer on the project. Uh, since this is a minor plat uh, and you haven't seen this before, maybe I'll just

give you a very brief outline. We're on the northwest corner of Skyline and West Dodge Road. Uh, there's two existing buildings uh, on the on this parcel. The south building had been previously

platted. The north building was still in lands and had not been platted. So, we're coming forward with a minor plat both prelim and final uh to keep the south lot on its own lot. So, it's basically a

replat to the south lot and then get that north lot in an actual platted lot. Uh we have previously gone through a couple use permits. Um the north building is slated to be a uh indoor uh soccer

training facility and then the south building is being split up into commercial bays. Uh with that happy to answer any other questions you might have. >> Thank you. Are there any proponents here on

items 9 through 12? Seeing none, are there any opponents? Public hearing is closed. >> Approved. >> Got a motion and a second. Roll call. >> Hardin. >> Yes. >> Hug. Milton Row Fester. >> Yes. >>

Goodwin. >> Yes. >> Mr. President, >> I >> motion pass seven to zero. Consent agenda. Any member of the city council may cause any item placed on the consent agenda to be removed. Items removed from

the consent agenda shall be taken up by the city council immediately following the consent agenda in the order in which they were removed unless otherwise provided by the city council rules of order.

>> The public hearing on agenda items 13 through 18 were held on September 15, 2026. Any discussion? >> Approve. >> We have a motion and a second. Roll call. >> Harding. >> Yes. >> Hug. Melton. >>

Row. >> Fester. Yes. >> Goodwin. >> Yes. >> Mr. President. >> I. >> Motion pass seven to zero. >> Item 25 is removed from the consent agenda. The public hearings on agenda items 19 through 24 and item

26 are today. If you wish to address the city council regarding these items, please come to the microphone. Indicate the agenda item number you wish to address. Identify yourself by your name,

address, who you represent, and if you are a proponent or opponent. I will open the public hearing. Are there any proponents? Seeing none, are there any opponents? Public hearing is closed. >> We have

a motion and a second. Roll call. >> Hardin. Yes. >> Hug. >> Melton. >> Yes. >> Row >> Fester. >> Yes. >> Goodwin. >> Yes. >> Mr. President. >> I. >> Motion pass seven to zero. >> Item 25 is a

resolution to approve the local match agreement with MAPA for the reconnecting communities pilot program grant from the US Department of Transportation. >> I will open the public hearing on item 25.

Any proponents here today? Mr. England. Good afternoon. >> Yes. Hello. Eric England, Planning Department. Uh, thank you councel. Um, we're here to ask for your uh support. This is a local match from

CIP funds regarding the reconnecting communities uh pilot. Uh, the planning department, public works department, and mayor's office have been involved and will continue to be involved as we explore

all options. Uh, we do have uh Mike Hogersonson with MAPA that can get more into the project details, but here to answer any questions. >> Thank you. Are there any other proponents here on item 25?

Seeing none, are there any opponents Larry store 5015 Lafayette Avenue, Omaha 68132. I'm against that until we get some discussion of this because this doesn't make any sense to me. Why do we want to

reconnect with Council Bluffs, it's right across the river? What do you mean by reconnect communities? Please discuss it. >> Thank you. Are there any other opponents here on item 25? >> Public hearing

is closed. Council member Goodwin, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Mr. President. And actually, I would like to thank Larry for bringing that to the floor because that's the reason why we pulled it

from uh essentially the agenda for uh greater discussion. I want to be upfront. I'm actually in support of this initiative, but thought it was important since there's been two phases of it to to bring

uh the work forward. Uh I I'll start with a sum summary of of what I understand about uh the project and then ask uh that that Mike Helgerson of MAPA come up to just really give definition. Um, I

learned of thriving communities uh during really um the work around the infrastructure bill. Uh how they were looking h to to address the infrastructure needs of really uh bridges, roads, uh

sidewalks, um highways across the nation. A and one of the uh the initiatives that surfaced was the need to rectify the disruption of urban communities across the country that highway systems had

created in in the 70s and 80s. And so MAPA who is a partner with the city um in in this work applied for a firstphase grant which was a thriving communities program that provided se uh technical

assistance. Um that was a level of community engagement that I'm uh certain that Mr. Hulkerson can speak to in a moment. And then my question today was how does the reconnecting communities pilot

program uh that we're here to discuss today uh how does that work um in conjunction with the thrivings community program that we saw implement in previous years. So Mr. Dr. Hulkerson, if you could

please um tell us a little bit about the Thriving Communities program and how this new uh pilot program works and what the the goals are for it. >> Certainly. Mike Elgerson, executive director of the

Metropolitinary Planning Agency, 2222 Street here in Omaha. Uh that was a great introduction, Councilwoman Goodwin. So the reconnecting communities program, the grant that is in uh entertained uh in

this match agreement was a part of the new the latest infrastructure bill, the infrastructure investment and jobs act and uh very much on point to what councilwoman Goodwin indicated when we saw this

program. The north freeway like many other north like many other urban freeways across the country as well as railroads and ports are really the types of infrastructure that uh are made available to

both kind of plan for uh the future of and improve connectivity across or remove uh as a part of this program. And so we knew that uh there hadn't been a conversation really going on both with the

city of Omaha and N DOT uh about any sort such priorities. And so we really started with that community and stakeholder engagement through the thriving communities technical assistance program. The

output of that program was the successful application for these funds, the $ 1.5 million that we secured from US DOT to further plan and then ultimately do some preliminary engineering with NOT to

consider the future of this corridor. And so that early stakeholder involvement involved groups such as one Omaha and SparkCC as well as practice of democracy to really think about what those goals

might look like, how we might shape it, and really bringing all those policymaking partners to the table in partnership with the city of Omaha. And so it was really an opportunity we view to really

bring uh NDOT and other partners to the table to think about how this can advance the city's goals both on 30th Street, 24th Street, north of the urban core uh in light with uh recent investments. >>

Yeah, thank you Mr. Herson. And I want to elevate one that this particular project um is not in partnership with Council Bluffs. Um so I did want to answer that question, but I also wanted to talk

about um we often talk about the the disruption of highways in urban communities and specifically in Omaha in North Omaha specifically in the 1970s and early 80s, 1100 families were displaced. um they

were it was imminent domain. They were forced to sell their homes. And not only did that remove a significant population from the area, it affected the businesses along the 16th, the 24th, and the

30th Street corridor corridor. And that's why this work is is so important. Um it's looking to not only go back and look at that that harm but also how we proactively um re repair that it's really

economic injustice really and I so I want to be clear about that. Um I will be in support of of this uh agenda item. So I would like to motion to approve um item number 24. Um and thank you for your

time Mr. Hkerson. 25. >> 25. Thank you. >> Gotcha. We have a motion and a second for item 25. Council member Melton, you're recognized. >> Thank you. Mr. Hogerson, could you come back up? >> Sorry. >>

No, that's okay. Um, I also think it would be important to note because when we hear about this, you hear about just it's for studies and then you hear 1.8 million, which sounds like a really large

number and I I understand. Can you just give us a little more detail of I know that 1.5 is coming from the US Department of Transportation and it's a grant so we're not using >> city taxpayer

residents taxpayer dollars for this but for about $189,000 in matching funds which is required by the grant. Could you just give us a little more detail of how that money is going to be spent or how

it's budgeted and who runs it and how do you determine how it's spent? >> Yeah, that's a great question. So it is split up across multiple phases. One to continue the community engagement that we

started and really kind of hone in on what those priorities are. There'll be a planning uh phase that will really kind of build and really kind of set up a vision for the different port the different

parts of this corridor. As you know, there's very many sort of nodes and and elements of this that have probably different trajectories and different different uh priorities based on the community

based organizations working there. But the final piece is actually preliminary engineering uh in partnership with NDOT. So each of those phases, you know, can roughly kind of think a third, a third, a

third. Um, with that last third probably being larger than a third as we get into the kind of technical engineering about what projects might come out of this and what priorities NOT and others might

be able to advance through uh, federal programs. And so it's it's sort of helping build the actual project development pipeline around projects in this corridor and allowing the city then too, if

there's other priorities that the city has to bundle those alongside DOT. So, it's all three of those things, not just planning, but all the way getting up to preliminary engineering. >> Okay. And

that and I think that preliminary engineering is is really important because that's where there's a lot of cost involved in the actual engineering of of the plans and the design phase of it. And so,

that'll be included in this. So, you'll almost have I don't want to so to speak you'll have project maybe project ready proposals by the end of this. >> Yeah. And that's obviously a priority of NDOT

and something we've been working at MAPA and with the city of Omaha very closely with them on. Uh the the latest infrastructure bill had a lot of new programs. We didn't have a lot of shovel ready

programs and projects ready to go. Uh if you paid attention to the uh news uh release a couple weeks ago with NDOT and the announcement about the stitch and the regional infrastructure accelerator,

this is all part of that effort to really consider where we might compete well for federal funding and really take on priorities that have that nexus with local priorities and state priorities. And so

it's it's a good effort. >> Okay. Thank No, thank you for giving us a little more detail in regards to how that was spent. I support it. I just wanted to kind of provide that additional information.

So thank you for your work on that. >> Absolutely. >> I have nothing further. Okay. >> Thank you, Council Member Goodwin. You're recognized. >> Thank you. And I think those questions were val

valuable. If I can kind of rephrase it for the public, the thriving communities program essentially started the community engagement which then set the framework and the connectivity with a thriving

communities project at the federal level. Kind of teed up MAPA and the city and NOT for this reconnecting communities pilot program. And now our hope is that the engineering projects will now be

available for a potential additional funding to actually implement the projects that come out of this next phase. >> Yes, that's our hope. Yeah. And and I think that's part of the, you know, the

intentionality with how we approach this, not just looking at it as an opportunity to plan, but really thinking about and setting aside resources to take those ideas and translate them into actual

real projects. As you know, it takes that engineering approach to navigate the federal approvals that are necessary, but also to compete for federal funding. You can't do it with a plan. You really

need to have much of that work done. >> Absolutely. And so that's the purpose of this discussion today. And I do think it it has just helped to just lift up the fact that you know the work is not only

valuable, it's needed and that the f the the city has partnered with state and federal entities to to address these these situations. I also just want to state that I believe the community engagement

uh part of this is going to be critical. It's a sensitive issue, but I also think it's going to be important that we have neutral parties that address it so that we can not only make sure we reach out

to the surrounding uh population, whether they be businesses, res residents, organizations, and churches, but that it's communicated well what the end goal is, and that we're touching all voices. And

so, I think the neutrality of how we go about that community engagement is going to be important. and we talked a little bit about that today, but I did didn't want to state that publicly. So, I have

no further questions. I will then motion again to approve item number 25. Um, and then move forward. Thank you. >> Thank you. No further lights. We had a motion and a second. Roll call. >> Hardin, >>

yes. >> Hug, yes. >> Melton, >> Row, yes. >> Fester, >> yes. >> Goodwin, >> yes. >> Mr. President, >> I. >> Motion passed seven to zero. Item 27, an ordinance vacating a portion of South 26th Street

right-of-way adjacent to lot one progressive protein subdivision. Planning board and planning department recommend approval. >> I will open the public hearing on item 27. Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents? Public hearing is closed. >> Item 28, an ordinance to approve a major amendment to the Ginger Creek Mixuse District Development Agreement. Planning board and

planning department recommend approval. The public hearing is now open on item 28, proponents. Good afternoon. >> Hi, my name is uh Brendan Findle with Lampern 14710 West Dodge Road. I'm here on

behalf of the applicant. Happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you. Are there any other proponents here on item 28? Seeing none, are there any opponents? Public hearing is closed. Item 29, an

ordinance to approve the Venton silos tax increment financing redevelopment agreement. >> The public hearing is now open on item 29. Miss Hadley, good afternoon. >> Good afternoon, Bridget Hadley.

City Planning uh here to answer questions you may have. >> Thank you. Are there any proponents here? Item 29. Seeing none, are there >> I'm sorry. Larry Store, 5015 Lafayette Avenue, Omaha 68132. I'm

definitely for this. It's been a long time coming. It's been a blighted area, severely blighted area, much more so than many of the other areas that you've gone after in this body. Thank you. >> Thank

you. Are there any other proponents here on 29? Good afternoon. Patrick Mason, Dicon Corporation, 11506 Nicholas Street, part of the ownership and development team. Just here to uh ask u for your

support and answer any questions you have. >> Thank you. Are there any other proponents? Seeing none, are there any opponents? Public hearing is closed. >> Item 30, an ordinance to approve an

interlocal agreement with the city of Friend for Kino Services. The public hearing is now open on item number 30. >> Good afternoon. Good afternoon. >> Are you a proponent? >> Proponent. Yes. Melody

Simzac with Big Red Kino 112 48 John G Boulevard. Happy to answer any questions that the council might have regarding the item. >> Thank you. And you're in person and not on Zoom like my list said. >>

I know. I decided to come today. >> All right. You're throwing a curveball at me. I I brushed it off. Thanks for being here today. Are there any other proponents here on item 30? Seeing none, are

there any opponents? Public hearing is closed. >> Item 31, an ordinance to approve a lease agreement with the University of Nebraska for the lease of city-owned property located near UNO Nebraska

Village and Baxter Arena for parking and parking related uses. >> The public hearing is now open on item 31. Are there any proponents? Seeing none, are there any opponents? Public hearing is closed.

Item 32, an ordinance to approve an interlocal agreement with metropolitan community college area to provide a shared library automation service framework for a 5-year term for May 2026 through April

2031. >> The public hearing is now open on item 32. Are there any proponents? Seeing none, are there any opponents? Public hearing is closed. Non-action items. Items 33 through 53 do not require

public hearing or city council consideration at this meeting, but will be placed on a future agenda for public hearing and or vote. The reason for non-action is noted after the item on the agenda, as

well as the date the item is expected to appear on an agenda for consideration. >> Got a motion and a second to adjurnn. Roll call. >> Harding. >> Yes. >> Hug. Meltton. >> Row. Fester. Yes. >>

Goodwin. >> Mr. President, >> I. >> Motion passed 7 to zero. Meeting is adjourned at 2:26.