Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting - September 9, 2024

The Lincoln City Council met on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. (note: the instruction indicated 11:00 UTC, but the agenda states 3:00 p.m. local time). The meeting covered consent items, liquor license applications, an interlocal agreement, zoning changes, and various first-read items. All votes were unanimous unless a conflict of interest is noted.

Consent Calendar

• Reports of City Officers:
  • 24R-370: Approved a Professional Services Agreement Supplement No. 2 with WSP USA, Inc. for engineering on A Street between 40th and 56th Streets Rehabilitation Project (adopted 7-0; A-94765).
  • 24R-371: Approved a Professional Services Agreement Supplement No. 1 for environmental services with WSP USA, Inc. for the same A Street project (adopted 7-0; A-94766).
  • 24R-282: Approved distribution of interest earnings on IDLE funds for July 2024 (adopted 7-0; A-94767).
  • Report from City Treasurer on cash on hand as of July 31, 2024 (placed on file).
  • Clerk's letters and Mayor's approvals for resolutions and ordinances from August 22 and August 26, 2024 (placed on file).
• Petitions & Communications:
  • 24R-383: Set a hearing for September 23, 2024, for Salt Mine City, LLC dba Salt Mine Brewing Co. for a Class CG liquor license (adopted 7-0; A-94768).
  • 24R-384: Set a hearing for September 16, 2024, for On the Rise Lincoln, LLC dba Blaze Pizza manager application (adopted 7-0; A-94769).
  • 24R-385: Set a hearing for September 16, 2024, for Heinegill, Inc. dba Dish Restaurant manager application (adopted 7-0; A-94770).
  • Administrative amendments approved by Planning Director (placed on file).
  • Referred to Lincoln Transportation and Utilities an informal petition for a Water Special Assessment District along Fletcher Avenue between 7th and 14th streets.
• Miscellaneous Referrals: None.

Public Hearings & Votes

Liquor Resolutions:

• 24R-386: Application of Arango Investments, LLC dba Graze Craze Lenox Village for a Class D liquor license at 4500 South 70th Street, Suite 112 (adopted for approval 6-0; Beckius declared a conflict of interest; A-94771).
• 24R-387: Manager application of Brian Schukar for the same Graze Craze location (adopted for approval 6-0; Beckius conflict; A-94772).
• 24R-388: Application of The Sitch, LLC dba The Sitch for a Class I liquor license at 1140 O Street (adopted for approval 7-0; A-94773).
• 24R-389: Manager application of Rachel McGill for The Sitch (adopted for approval 7-0; A-94774).
• 24R-390: Application of Home-Grown Industries Lincoln dba Mellow Mushroom for addition of a Catering License to existing Class I license at 601 R Street, Suite 110 (adopted for approval 7-0; A-94775).

Other Resolutions:

• 24R-372: Approved an Interlocal Agreement between the City (LLCHD) and Lincoln Public Schools to facilitate recognition of opioid overdose and emergency administration of intranasal naloxone (NARCAN) (adopted 7-0; A-94776).

Ordinances – 2nd Reading & Related Resolutions (Items 6.a-6.d had 2nd reading; action date set for September 16, 2024):

• 24-106: Amending Lincoln Municipal Code Section 3.24.080 Telecommunication Occupation Tax rate from 6% to 4% pursuant to state law.
• 24R-373: Approving the N. 26th & U Street Redevelopment Agreement with Maureen Development, LLC for properties on Vine and U Streets.
• 24R-374: Authorizing $357,706 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the N. 26th & U Street Redevelopment Project.
• 24-107: Authorizing issuance of Tax Allocation Bonds for the same project.

Ordinances – 3rd Reading:

• 24-105: Text Amendment 24011 (request of DaNay Kalkowski) to amend LMC 27.59.060 regarding blanket height permits in Airport Hazard Area. Passed 7-0 (#21655).

First Reading Items (No votes taken; noted for future action)

• Resolutions 24R-391 through 24R-401: Various reappointments, keno satellite approval, engineering agreements, claims report, Otoe-Missouria Day declaration, trail agreements, and Comprehensive Plan conformance for Constellation Studios expansion.
• Ordinances 24-108 through 24-114: Lease agreements for Aging Partners services in various Nebraska communities (Geneva, Osceola, Hickman, Bennet, Firth, David City, Malcolm).

Pending List (Extended One Week)

Items related to the "Falcon Corner" development at NW 48th Street and I-80 (24R-18, 24R-35, 24R-36, 24-10, 23R-638, 23-158, 23R-639, 23-159) were continued on the pending list without a date certain.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items were adopted as presented.
• Liquor licenses for Graze Craze, The Sitch, and Mellow Mushroom were approved.
• The interlocal agreement with LPS for naloxone administration was approved.
• The telecommunications occupation tax rate change was introduced (2nd reading).
• The N. 26th & U Street redevelopment package (TIF, bonds) was advanced to final action on September 16, 2024.
• The airport height permit ordinance (24-105) was passed on 3rd reading.
• The Falcon Corner pending items remain deferred.
• No public comments were heard; open microphone sessions are scheduled for September 16 and 30, 2024.

The meeting adjourned at 3:28 p.m.