Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting – May 20, 2024

The Lincoln City Council met on May 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:02 p.m. All members were present except Councilmember Bowers (absent for several consent and liquor items). The Council acted on a wide range of items including liquor licenses, a firefighter labor contract, a downtown redevelopment plan, land exchanges, zoning changes, and various administrative matters. No public comments were recorded.

Consent Calendar

• Clerk’s Letters & Mayor’s Approvals for resolutions and ordinances passed on April 22, 29, and May 6, 2024 – placed on file.
• Lincoln Electric Financial & Operating Statement for April 2024 – placed on file.
• Liquor license hearing dates set for June 10, 2024 (3:00 p.m.) for: Residence Inn, Drybar, Hampton Inn & Suites Lincoln South Heritage Park, Red Zone Sports Bar & Grill, Tailwind LNK addition, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and Tank’s Country (Class CK and Entertainment District). Also a hearing date of June 3, 2024 for RC’s Boxing Productions outdoor addition. All resolutions adopted 6-0 (Bowers absent).
• Referrals to Planning Department for various zone changes, special permits, text amendments, and use permits (details in agenda).

Public Hearing – Liquor Resolutions

• Canyon Joe's Barbecue (Class I liquor license) – Approved 6-0 (Bowers absent). Manager Joseph T. Hager also approved.
• Pinnacle Bank Arena – Addition of indoor and outdoor areas – Approved 6-0 (Bowers absent).

Public Hearing – Resolutions

• Lincoln Firefighters Association (IAFF) Labor Contract (2023‑2026) – Approved 7-0.
• Comprehensive Plan Conformance 24007 – Amendment to the Greater Downtown Principal Corridors Redevelopment Project, adding the Central at South Haymarket project, updating TIF amounts, etc. – Approved 7-0.
• Consultant Agreement with North Risk Partners (insurance brokerage, up to $60,000 annually for four years, with renewal options) – Approved 7-0.

Public Hearing – Ordinances 2nd Reading & Related Resolutions

• Land Exchange Agreement with Cotswold Management, LLC (7th & M Streets) – Ordinance 24-52 approved.
• West Haymarket JPA Amendment (real property transfers) – Ordinance 24-53 approved.
• Pay schedule adjustment for certain employee groups (related to IAFF contract) – Ordinance 24-54 approved.
• Trail and waterway ordinance (hiker‑biker trail definition, motorized vehicle prohibition, fountain swimming prohibition) – Ordinance 24-60 approved.

Ordinances – 3rd Reading & Related Resolutions

• Text Amendment 24004 – Removes parking requirements for restaurants, social halls, and on‑premises alcohol sales in B‑2 and B‑5 districts – Passed 7-0.
• Change of Zone 24009 (70th & Pine Lake Road) to R‑3 and Special Permit 24011 for a Residential Healthcare Facility (85 units, height waiver) – Passed 7-0.
• Annexation 23008 (37.75 acres at N. 70th & Arbor Road) – Passed 7-0.
• Change of Zone 23057 (34.24 acres at same location to I‑1 Industrial) – Passed 7-0.
• Conditional Zoning & Annexation Agreement with Pacific Empire Developers – Adopted 7-0.

Resolutions & Ordinances – 1st Reading

• Appointment of Lynn Sunderman to Board of Zoning Appeals (term to 2029) – 1st reading.
• Claims Report (May 1–15, 2024) – 1st reading.
• MOU for Ricoh copy machines (through 2026 with renewal options) – 1st reading.
• Change of Zone 24011 (N. 27th & Wildcat Drive, H‑1 to H‑3) – 1st reading.
• Comprehensive Plan Conformance 24009 (conservation easement for West View PUD) – 1st reading.
• Corporation Warranty Deed to Par 72, LLC – 1st reading.

Pending List (Deferred Indefinitely)

• Falcon Corner Redevelopment Project (items 24R‑18, 24R‑35, 24R‑36, 24‑10, 23R‑638, 23‑158, 23R‑639, 23‑159) – Continue on pending list without a return date.
• Street & Alley Vacation 23005 (Wilderness Crossing, near S. 1st & Pioneers) and related amendment – Continue on pending list.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: All consent items, liquor licenses, labor contract, comprehensive plan amendment, and insurance broker contract passed with unanimous votes (6‑0 or 7‑0).
• Ordinances: All second‑ and third‑reading ordinances passed unanimously.
• Deferrals: Eight items related to the Falcon Corner project and one vacation matter remain on the pending list with no set return date.
• Next Meeting: No meeting on May 27 due to Memorial Day; next regular meeting will be June 3, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.