Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting – July 8, 2024

The Lincoln City Council met on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 3:00 PM (agenda time). Councilmembers Carlson and Shobe were absent, leaving five members present. The meeting covered a consent calendar, public hearings on a liquor license, numerous resolutions and ordinances, and updates on pending items. All votes were 5-0 unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Reports of City Officers: Approved supplemental professional services agreements for the Randolph Street Rehabilitation Project (engineering and environmental) with Felsburg, Holt & Ullevig; received the Investment Activity Report for quarter ending May 31, 2024; approved distribution of interest earnings on short-term investments for May; placed on file the City Treasurer’s cash report and Lincoln Electric System financial statement for May; and placed on file the Clerk’s Letter and Mayor’s Approval of resolutions/ordinances from June 10, 2024. (Items 1a–1g; all adopted or placed on file as listed.)
• Petitions & Communications: Placed on file administrative amendments regarding Cordner Court (reduced side yard setbacks) and Fire Ridge Community Unit Plan (temporary private roadway); referred to Planning Department a zone change for Diamond Enterprises (H3 to I1), a special permit for alcohol sales at 2200 Wildcat Drive, and a text amendment to define “Academies” in the municipal code. (Items 2a–2b)
• Miscellaneous Referrals: None.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were taken at this meeting. The agenda noted that open microphone sessions for July would be held on July 15 and 29.

Discussion Items

Several public hearings were conducted and actions taken:

• Liquor License (Item 4a): Application of Kinkaider Brewing Co. dba Bierhaus Maischaler for a special designated license at 151 N 8th Street on July 27, 2024, from 3:00–10:00 p.m. The council voted 5-0 to delay the public hearing to July 15, 2024.
• Stormwater Management Work Plan (Item 5a): Adopted the 2024-25 Work Plan for the interlocal agreement with Lower Platte South NRD.
• Health Department Interlocal Agreements (Items 5b–5e): Approved agreements with the Villages of Sprague, Hallam, Roca, and Raymond for health regulation inspection/enforcement.
• Claims Report (Item 5f): Approved report of new and pending claims against the city for June 1–15, 2024, including the Litwinowicz settlement.
• Joint Police Training Academy (Item 5g): Approved interlocal agreement between Lincoln Police Department and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office to create a joint training academy.
• Tactical Flight Officer Support (Item 5h): Approved interlocal agreement with Nebraska State Patrol.
• Beal Slough Trail (Items 5i–5j): Approved professional services supplemental agreement with JEO Consulting and interlocal agreement with Railroad Transportation Safety District for undercrossing of OPPD Bridge.
• Building Demolition & Neglected Properties (Item 5k): Adopted as amended, assessing costs for demolition and cleanup on multiple properties (826 H St, 3317 N 51st, etc.) and penalties for neglected buildings.
• Ordinances – 2nd Reading (Items 6a–6c): Items had their second reading: lease agreement with Lamar Company for billboard space at South & Winthrop; conditional change of zone agreement for Faiferlick property at 8401 N 70th St; and change of zone from AG to I-1 for same property. Action was taken on related resolutions (see Key Outcomes).
• Ordinances – 3rd Reading (Items 7a–7b): Street & alley vacation application (SAV23005) for Wilderness Crossing LLC passed as amended 5-0; related first amendment to annexation/change of zone agreement adopted 5-0.
• Ordinances – 3rd Reading (Items 8a–8d): All passed: lease for Health Department WIC program at Cornhusker Shopping Center; pay schedule amendments creating and adjusting classifications for Accounting Manager, Accountant III/II, Assistant City Controller, Assistant City Treasurer, and Transportation/Utilities Business Manager.

Key Outcomes

• Consent items were approved unanimously (5-0).
• Liquor license hearing delayed one week to July 15, 2024 (5-0).
• All public hearing resolutions (Items 5a–5k) adopted as listed, with Item 5k adopted as amended (5-0).
• Second reading ordinances (Items 6a–6c) advanced with related resolutions (24R-276 adopted with substitute resolution, 5-0).
• Third reading ordinances (Items 7a–8d) all passed (5-0).
• First reading items (Items 9a–9m, 10a–10u) were introduced, including appointments to advisory boards, professional services agreements, keno satellite approval, budget committee recommendations, preliminary plat amendment, claims report, library software agreement, youth crisis response center interlocal agreement, special permit amendment, and Pioneers Mixed-Income Row House redevelopment project (with TIF). Action dates set for July 22, 2024 for some items.
• Pending List (Items 11a–11h): All Falcon Corner/FFF LLC related items (comprehensive plan conformance, redevelopment agreement, TIF, bond issuance, comprehensive plan amendment, annexation, conditional annexation/zone change, and zone change) remained on the pending list with no date certain, extended one week.

The meeting adjourned at 4:54 PM.