Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2024

Note: The agenda for this meeting was dated Monday, September 16, 2024, at 3:00 PM, while the meeting timestamp provided is September 17, 2024, at 11:00 UTC. This summary reflects the agenda as provided.

The Lincoln City Council convened for a regular meeting. All members were present for most items; Councilmember Bowers was absent for the 6‑0 votes on items 7a‑7d. The meeting covered consent items, public hearings, liquor resolutions, ordinances, and resolutions.

Consent Calendar

All consent items were adopted 7‑0:

• Reappointment of Blake Anderson and Michelle Petersen to the Community Health Endowment Board of Trustees (24R‑391).
• Approval of Red Zone Sports Bar & Grill LLC as a keno satellite (24R‑392).
• Professional Services Agreement Supplement No. 1 with JEO Consulting Group for the Cotner Blvd. Rehabilitation Project (24R‑393).
• Professional Services Agreement Supplement No. 1 with HDR Engineering for environmental services on the same project (24R‑394).
• LPA Program Agreement with NDOT for Phase 2 of Standardizing Lincoln's Integrated e‑Construction (24R‑395).
• Professional Services Agreement Supplement No. 1 with Olsson, Inc., for Fletcher Landmark Trail construction engineering (24R‑398).
• Two LPA Program Agreements with NDOT for Carbon Reduction Program funds for widening the Rock Island Trail from A Street to Boosalis Trail (24R‑399 and 24R‑400).
• Setting a hearing date of September 30, 2024, for a liquor license application for Pickle Family, LLC dba Let's Pickle (24R‑402).
• Items placed on file and referred to the Planning Department as listed.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were recorded in the agenda.

Discussion Items

Public Hearings – Liquor Resolutions (both approved 7‑0)

• Manager application of Ross L. Gorham for Blaze Pizza (24R‑403).
• Manager application of Rachel McGill for Dish Restaurant (24R‑404).

Public Hearings – Resolutions

• 24R‑396 (Claims Report): A verbal motion to remove the claims of Justin Dubas and Ashley Beetum from denied and place them on pending for two weeks to September 30, 2024, was adopted 7‑0. The resolution as amended was adopted 7‑0.
• 24R‑397: Resolution declaring September 21st as Otoe Missouria Day adopted 7‑0.
• 24R‑401: Comprehensive Plan Conformance for the Constellation Studios Expansion Redevelopment Project adopted 7‑0.

Ordinances – 2nd Reading (Items 6a‑6g) – Seven lease agreements for Aging Partners programs in Geneva, Osceola, Hickman, Bennet, Firth, David City, and Malcolm received second reading; no vote recorded.

Ordinances – 3rd Reading and Related Resolutions

• 24‑106: Amending the Telecommunication Occupation Tax rate from 6% to 4% passed 6‑0 (Bowers absent).
• 24R‑373 & 24R‑374: N. 26th & U Street Redevelopment Agreement and TIF appropriation adopted as amended 6‑0 (Bowers absent).
• 24‑107: Tax Allocation Bonds for the same project passed 6‑0 (Bowers absent).

Resolutions – 1st Reading (Items 8a‑8g) – Seven resolutions introduced, including health insurance, pharmacy insurance, a special permit for a childcare facility, natural gas supply contract, Constellation Studios redevelopment and TIF, and the property tax levy.

Ordinances – 1st Reading (Items 9a‑9f) – Six items introduced, including annexation at S. 56th & Cavvy Road, a Verizon tower agreement, and the Center Terrace redevelopment project (action dates set for September 30, 2024).

Pending List – Eight items related to the Falcon Corner development (NW 48th & I‑80) remain on the pending list without a definite date, including comprehensive plan amendment, annexation, change of zone, redevelopment agreement, TIF, and bonds.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar adopted 7‑0.
• Liquor manager applications approved 7‑0.
• Claims report amended to move two claims to pending, then adopted.
• Otoe Missouria Day resolution adopted.
• Comprehensive plan conformance for Constellation Studios adopted.
• Telecom tax rate reduced from 6% to 4%.
• N. 26th & U Street redevelopment agreements and TIF bonds approved (Bowers absent).
• All other items introduced for first reading or placed on pending list.