Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting and Board of Equalization - May 6, 2024

The Lincoln City Council convened on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 3:00 PM with all members present. Prior to the regular meeting, the Board of Equalization met to consider several maintenance business improvement districts. The meeting began with the Mayor's Award of Excellence presented to Scott Parker of the Lincoln Police Department. All actions during the meeting were approved unanimously (7-0) unless otherwise noted.

Board of Equalization (convened at 3:00 PM, adjourned at 3:17 PM)

• The Board elected a chair and read the opening statement. The City Clerk read the districts into the record.
• Approved the following Maintenance Business Improvement Districts (all 7-0):
  • College View Maintenance Business Improvement District (South 48th Street between Calvert Street and Pioneers Boulevard)
  • Havelock Street Maintenance Business Improvement District (Havelock Avenue from Cornhusker Highway to 64th Street)
  • North 27th Street Maintenance Business Improvement District (North 26th to 28th Street, O Street to Fair Street)
  • South Street Maintenance Business Improvement District (alley west of 9th Street to 19th Street)
  • University Place Maintenance Business Improvement District (North 48th Street from Colby Street to half block north of Adams, and Saint Paul Avenue from North 47th to 50th)
  • West O Street Maintenance Business Improvement District (West O Street from 3rd Street to Homestead Expressway)
• No public testimony was presented. Staff remarks were heard. The Board then voted and adjourned.

Consent Calendar (Items 1-3)

• Idle Funds Interest (24R-207): Approved distribution of interest earnings on short-term investments for March 2024. (Adopted, 7-0)
• Lincoln Electric System Reports: Placed on file the financial and operating statements for December 2023 through March 2024, and the 2023 Annual Report.
• Liquor License Hearings (24R-198 and 24R-199): Set hearing dates of May 20, 2024, at 5:30 PM for applications from Canyon Joe's Barbecue and SMG Food and Beverage (dba Pinnacle Bank Arena). (Adopted, 7-0)
• Administrative Amendments: Referred to Planning Department for amendments to Special Permits (Camp A Way and Dominion at Stevens Creek) approved by Planning Director.
• Miscellaneous Referrals: None.
• Vote on Consent Items: All consent items were approved as presented.

Public Hearing - Ordinances 2nd Reading & Related Resolutions (Items 4.a-4.g)

• Street & Alley Vacation (24-47) and First Amendment to Annexation/Change of Zone Agreement for Wilderness Crossing (24R-185): A verbal motion placed both items on the pending list with no date certain and continued public hearing (7-0).
• Purchasing Division Threshold (24-49): Amended municipal code to raise the threshold for one-time purchases from $10,000 to $50,000. (Second reading, action date May 13, 2024)
• Shops at Lincoln Redevelopment (24R-186, 24R-187, 24-50, 24-51): Items related to the redevelopment at 6400 O Street, including approval of redevelopment agreement, CIP amendment for $7,534,974 in TIF, authorization for tax allocation bonds, and a 0.5% occupation tax effective September 1, 2024. All had second reading and action date of May 13, 2024.

Ordinances - 3rd Reading & Related Resolutions (Items 5.a-5.b)

• Text Amendment 24002 (24-44): Amended LMC Section 27.72.060 to allow air conditioners/heat pumps to be placed 4 feet (instead of 3 feet) from the side yard building line. (Passed, 7-0)
• Change of Zone 07060D (24-45): Amended the Wilderness Heights PUD to increase commercial space by 17,000 sq ft (total 231,000 sq ft), increase dwelling units by 47 (total 1,451), and allow townhomes on Blocks 8-10 with waivers, at S. 40th Street and Yankee Hill Road. (Passed, 7-0)

Resolutions - 1st Reading (Items 6.a-6.d)

• Reappointments:
  • Becky Hanna to Lincoln Housing Authority Board (term to 2029)
  • Ryan Dale to City Personnel Board (term to June 22, 2029)
  • Mike Donlan and Douglas Emery to Charter Revision Commission (terms to July 15, 2028)
• Claims Report (24R-203): Accepted and approved new and pending claims for April 16-30, 2024.

Ordinances - 1st Reading & Related Resolutions (Items 7.a-7.f)

• Text Amendment 24004 (24-56): Removed parking requirements for restaurants, social halls, and on-premises alcohol sales in B-2 and B-5 zoning districts. (First reading)
• Change of Zone 24009 (24-57) and Special Permit 24011 (24R-205): For property at S. 70th and Pine Lake Road, changing zone from AGR to R-3 and allowing a residential healthcare facility for up to 85 units with a height waiver. (First reading)
• Annexation 23008 (24-58), Change of Zone 23057 (24-59), and Conditional Zoning/Annexation Agreement (24R-206): For property at NW corner of N. 70th and Arbor Road, annexing 37.75 acres and changing zone from AG to I-1 Industrial (34.24 acres). (First reading, action date May 20, 2024 for the agreement)

Pending List (Items 8.a-8.h - extended one week)

• Falcon Corner/Pending Items: All items related to the Falcon Corner project (comprehensive plan amendment, annexation, change of zone, redevelopment agreement, TIF, tax allocation bonds) remained on the pending list with no date certain, as previously motioned.

Public Comment (Open Microphone)

• No open microphone session was held at this meeting; the next sessions are scheduled for May 13 and 20, 2024.

Key Outcomes

• All votes during the regular meeting were unanimous (7-0) where recorded.
• Items 4.a and 4.b (Wilderness Crossing) were placed on pending list with continued public hearing.
• Items 4.c through 4.g and 7.a through 7.f have scheduled action dates (May 13 or May 20, 2024).
• The Falcon Corner project remains on pending list.
• The meeting adjourned at 3:52 PM.