Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting - July 30, 2024

The Lincoln City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, July 29, 2024 (per the agenda) at 5:30 PM, adjourning at 7:32 PM. All members were present except Weber. The meeting included consent agenda items, public hearings on liquor licenses and resolutions, second readings of ordinances, and first readings of FY2024-26 budget-related items. Votes were recorded on several items.

Consent Calendar

• 24R-314: Reappointed Lachel Bradley-Williams and Jessica Gieseke to the Community Forestry Advisory Board for terms expiring August 14, 2027. Adopted, 5-1 (A-94705).
• Clerk's Letter & Mayor's Approval of resolutions and ordinances from July 8, 2024 placed on file.
• Lincoln Electric Financial and Operating Statement for June 2024 placed on file.
• Administrative Amendment #24031 to the Southwest Village Heights 1st Addition Preliminary Plat approved by the Planning Director on July 15, 2024, placed on file.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were recorded in the agenda or transcript. The agenda noted opportunities for public input on consent agenda items and an open microphone session, but no specific testimony was documented.

Public Hearing – Liquor Resolutions

• 24R-320A (MCO, LLC dba The Mercato, Class C license): Approved 6-0 (A-94706).
• 24R-321 (Manager Krista L. Hauptmeier for The Mercato): Approved 6-0 (A-94707).
• 24R-322 (Hopper Mobile Bar Inc. dba Hopper Mobile Bar, Class CK license): Denied 6-0 (A-94708).
• 24R-323 (Manager Jazmin Patton for Hopper Mobile Bar): Denied 6-0 (A-94709).
• 24R-324 (Leighton's Pub, LLC dba Leighton's Pub, special designated license for outdoor area on August 24, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.): Approved 6-0 (A-94710).

Public Hearing – Resolutions

• 24R-316: Directing submittal of a $13,900,000 General Obligation Bond Issue for Stormwater Drainage and Flood Management System Improvements to voters on the November 5, 2024 General Election Ballot. Adopted 6-0 (A-94711).
• 24R-319: Accepting and approving the report of new and pending claims against the City for July 1–15, 2024. Adopted 6-0 (A-94712).
• 24R-320 (Miscellaneous 24004): Reclassifying NW 27th Street north of Purple Heart Highway from Collector to Minor Arterial in the Access Management Policy. Adopted 6-0 (A-94713).

Public Hearing – Ordinances (Second Reading)

• 24-94 (Change of Zone 24016): Application of Diamond Enterprises, LLC to rezone property at 3501 W O Street from H-3 Highway Commercial to I-1 Industrial. Second reading held; no vote recorded.
• 24-96 (Text Amendment 24008): Application of Youth Actors Academy of Lincoln to amend Lincoln Municipal Code Section 27.02.020 to modify the definition of “Academies.” Second reading held; no vote recorded.

FY2024-26 Budget Items – First Reading (Public Hearing August 5, 2024; Action Delayed to August 26, 2024)

The following items were introduced for first reading. A public hearing is scheduled for August 5, 2024, and council action is requested to be delayed until August 26, 2024:

• 24R-342: Adopting the 2024-26 City of Lincoln Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and One- and Six-Year Street and Highway Program.
• 24R-325: Miscellaneous 24005 – Adopting fee schedules for application reviews under Ch. 14.20, Title 26, and Title 27 for FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026.
• 24R-326: Updated fees for ambulance services for FY 2024-2025.
• 24R-327: Updated permit fees for salvage, recycling, and composting operations under LMC Chapter 5.41.
• 24R-328: Updated fees for open burning permits under LMC Chapter 8.06.
• 24R-329: Updated fees under LMC Chapter 8.08 (Body Art Establishments).
• 24R-330: Updated fees under LMC Chapter 8.20 (Food Code).
• 24R-331: Updated noise variance fees under LMC Chapter 8.24.
• 24R-332: Updated fees under LMC Chapter 8.32 (Solid Wastes).
• 24R-333: Updated fees under LMC Chapter 8.44 (Water Wells).
• 24R-334: Updated fees under LMC Chapter 8.38 (Public Swimming Pools).
• 24R-335: Updated fees under LMC Chapter 24.38 (Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems).
• 24R-336: Updated permit fees under LMC Chapter 24.42 (Regulation of Property Transfers with Onsite Systems).
• 24R-337: Updated permit fees under LMC Chapter 28.02 (Illicit Discharges).
• 24R-338: Amending Lincoln-Lancaster County Air Pollution Control Regulations, Article 1, Section 6 Fees.
• 24R-339: New rate schedule for Lincoln Water System for FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026 (proposed increase in water use charges).
• 24R-340: New rate schedule for Lincoln Wastewater System.
• 24R-341: New rate schedule for Lincoln Solid Waste System.
• 24R-343: Resolution to increase restricted funds authority by 1% per Neb. Rev. Stat. §13-519.
• 24-97: Amending LMC Chapter 5.56 (Emergency Alarm Systems) to revise processing and renewal fees.
• 24-98: Amending Section 8.32.150 to provide for an occupation tax on refuse haulers.
• 24-99: Authorizing issuance of 2024 Municipal Improvements Bonds not to exceed $12,200,000.
• 24-100: Approving transfer of unspent and unencumbered appropriations between certain Capital Improvement Projects.

Pending List (Extended One Week, No Date Certain)

The following items remained on the pending list:

• 24R-18, 24R-35, 24R-36, 24-10, 23R-638, 23-158, 23R-639, 23-159: All related to the Falcon Corner Redevelopment Project (FFF, LLC) at NW 48th Street and Interstate 80, including comprehensive plan amendment, annexation, zoning, development agreement, and TIF bonds. Action was delayed indefinitely per a January 29, 2024 motion.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (5-1): Reappointment of Bradley-Williams and Gieseke to the Community Forestry Advisory Board.
• Approved (6-0): Liquor licenses for The Mercato (Class C and manager), Leighton's Pub special designated license, and all three resolutions (bond election, claims report, street reclassification).
• Denied (6-0): Hopper Mobile Bar Class CK license and manager application.
• Second Reading Held: Two ordinances (rezoning at 3501 W O Street and text amendment for academies) received second reading; no vote recorded.
• First Reading Held: All FY2024-26 budget items (resolutions and ordinances) were introduced; public hearing set for August 5, 2024, with action delayed to August 26, 2024.
• Pending Items: The Falcon Corner redevelopment package remains on the pending list without a scheduled return date.