Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2024

The Lincoln City Council met on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 3:00 PM with all seven members present. The council addressed a consent agenda, multiple liquor license applications, zoning and annexation items, and several resolutions. Key actions included approval of the Shops at Lincoln redevelopment project with tax increment financing, denial of a liquor license for Tru by Hilton, and adoption of the Lincoln Firefighters Association labor contract. The meeting adjourned at 4:14 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Community awards presented: Certificate of Merit to Marie "Elaine" Smith, Tony Bisesi, Mary Lingelbach, Ruth Kupfer, and Linara Grace Renee Carlson; Life Saving Awards to Brooklyn Kindschuch, Emily Schnieder, Ashlee Anderson, Pedro Arroya Varela, Robert Fitch, and Gary Kuhnel; Meritorious Conduct Award to Brian Sims.
• Reappointment of Becky Hanna to the Lincoln Housing Authority Board (term to expire July 1, 2029).
• Reappointment of Ryan Dale to the City Personnel Board (term to expire June 22, 2029).
• Reappointment of Mike Donlan and Douglas Emery to the Charter Revision Commission (terms to expire July 15, 2028).
• Resolution levying special taxes for the College View, Havelock, North 27th Street, South Street, University Place, and West O Street Business Improvement Districts. All consent items were adopted by a 7-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were recorded during the open microphone session.

Liquor License Resolutions (Public Hearing)

• 24R-211 & 24R-212: Application of O Street Hotel Associates, LLC dba Tru by Hilton for a Class C Liquor License and manager application of Amanda M. Cadena at 305 North 50th Street. Both were adopted for denial by a 7-0 vote.
• 24R-213 through 24R-221: Applications for special designated licenses for outdoor events were all adopted for approval by 7-0 votes:
  • Sideshow Spirits, Loup River Distilling, and Blended Distilling for an event at 1630 P Street on June 1, 2024 (8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.).
  • The Mill and Scarlet Hotel for an event at 2021 Transformation Drive on May 25, 2024 (4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.).
  • Hiro 88, Gate 25, and Longwells for the Food Truck Rodeo on Canopy Street on May 25, 2024 (2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
  • Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery for the Haymarket Farmers Market on multiple Saturdays from June 1 through October 12, 2024 (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.).

Resolutions (Public Hearing)

• 24R-203: Report of new and pending claims against the City for April 16-30, 2024, was adopted (7-0).

Ordinances – Second Reading & Related Resolutions

• 24-56: Text Amendment 24004 removing parking requirements for restaurants, social halls, and on-premises alcohol sales in B-2 and B-5 zoning districts.
• 24-57 & 24R-205: Zone change from AGR to R-3 and special permit for a residential healthcare facility (up to 85 units with height waiver) at S 70th and Pine Lake Road.
• 24-58, 24-59, 24R-206: Annexation of ~37.75 acres, zone change from AG to I-1 Industrial District, and conditional zoning/annexation agreement for property at NW corner of N 70th Street and Arbor Road.

Ordinances – Third Reading & Related Resolutions

• 24-49: Amended purchasing threshold from $10,000 to $50,000 for one-time purchases (passed 7-0).
• 24R-186, 24R-187, 24-50, 24-51: Approved the Shops at Lincoln redevelopment agreement (6400 O Street), authorized $7,534,974 in tax increment financing, issued tax allocation bonds not to exceed $7,534,974, and imposed a 0.5% occupation tax effective September 1, 2024. All adopted/passed 7-0.

Resolutions – First Reading

• 24R-204: Approved the labor contract between the City and the Lincoln Firefighters Association, Local No. 644 (IAFF) for the term August 17, 2023 through August 31, 2026.
• 24R-208: Comprehensive Plan Conformance for the Greater Downtown Principal Corridors Redevelopment Project, adding the Central at South Haymarket Redevelopment Project and updating boundaries.
• 24R-209: Consultant agreement with North Risk Partners, LLC for insurance brokerage services (4-year term, renewable for two 2-year terms, not to exceed $60,000 annually).

Ordinances – First Reading

• 24-52 & 24-53: Land exchange agreement with Cotswold Management, LLC at 7th and M Streets, and amendment to the Real Property Agreement with the West Haymarket JPA.
• 24-54: Amended pay schedule for employees in F-prefix pay ranges, effective August 17, 2023 (related to firefighters contract).
• 24-60: Amended definitions for hiker-biker trails, prohibited motorized vehicles on shared use paths and trails, and clarified swimming/bathing/wading prohibitions in fountains.

Pending List

• Items related to the Falcon Corner Redevelopment Project (NW 48th & I-80) and the Wilderness Crossing street vacation (South 1st Street) remain on the pending list with no date certain for action.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items, reappointments, and business improvement district levies were approved (7-0).
• Liquor license for Tru by Hilton was denied; all special designated licenses were approved (7-0).
• The Shops at Lincoln redevelopment package (TIF, bonds, occupation tax) was fully approved.
• The firefighters' labor contract was adopted.
• Several ordinance changes advanced to final reading or were introduced for first reading.