Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting – March 31, 2025

The Lincoln City Council met in regular session on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. All members were present except Councilmember Washington. The council voted 6-0 on all consent items, liquor resolutions, and regular resolutions that came before it. The meeting included public hearings, second and third readings of ordinances, first readings of resolutions and ordinances, and items continued on the pending list. The council adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Reappointed Stacie Bleicher, Katherine Garcia, and Tom Randa to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Board of Health for terms expiring April 15, 2028 (Resolution 25R-98, adopted 6-0).
• Placed on file the Clerk's Letter and Mayor's Approval of resolutions and ordinances passed on March 17, 2025.
• Set a public hearing for April 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for the Class I liquor license application of GolfXperience, LLC dba GolfXperience at 7125 South 29th Street, Suite D (25R-102, adopted 6-0).
• Set a public hearing for April 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for Salt Mine City, LLC dba Salt Mine City Brewing Co. to add an indoor area of approximately 90 feet by 40 feet and an outdoor area of approximately 20 feet by 15 feet at 801 R Street, Suite 100 (25R-103, adopted 6-0).
• Set a public hearing for April 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for Red Zone Sports Bar & Grill, LLC dba Red Zone Sports Bar & Grill to add an outdoor area of approximately 25 feet by 15 feet at 3111 NW 12th Street (25R-104, adopted 6-0).
• Set a public hearing for April 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for Lincoln Petroleum, LLC dba NP Mart 29 for a Class D liquor license at 1448 North 48th Street (25R-105, adopted 6-0).

Public Hearing – Liquor Resolutions

• Approved the manager application of Bryan J. Stanley for Aldi Inc. (Kansas) dba Aldi 27 at 8701 South 28th Street (25R-106, adopted for approval 6-0).

Public Hearing – Resolutions

• Approved the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Test and Reduction Grant Program Agreement between the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for the Lead Remediation Project (25R-99, adopted 6-0).
• Accepted the report of new and pending claims against the City for March 1 through March 15, 2025 (25R-100, adopted 6-0).
• Adopted a resolution expressing gratitude and honoring Don Wesely for his outstanding service to the State of Nebraska and the City of Lincoln (25R-101, adopted 6-0).

Public Hearing – Ordinances (Second Reading)

• Conducted the second reading and public hearing for the following related applications by Fire Ridge, LLC: Annexation 25002 (25-22) to annex approximately 2.82 acres at S. 98th Street and Van Dorn Street; Street and Alley Vacation 25001 (25-23) to vacate a portion of Tupelo Lane right-of-way northeast of S. 102nd Street and Van Dorn Street; and Change of Zone 25005 (25-24) to change the zoning from AG Agricultural to R-3 Residential at S. 98th and Van Dorn Street. No vote was taken; these items remain pending for third reading.

Ordinances – Third Reading

• Passed Ordinance 25-21 (6-0, #21715) amending Title 10 of the Lincoln Municipal Code to create new definitions and prohibitions for race track and racing, and adding Chapter 10.43 “Nuisance Vehicles.” The new chapter declares any motor vehicle in violation of listed city ordinances and Nebraska statutes to be a disorderly vehicle and public nuisance, and subject to impoundment.

Resolutions – First Reading

• Received the first reading of Resolution 25R-107, approving a Programming Agreement between the City of Lincoln and the Nebraska Department of Transportation for use of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds for preliminary engineering, right-of-way, utility relocation, construction, and construction engineering on the 27th Street Bridge south of Rokeby Road.
• Received the first reading of Resolution 25R-108, appointing Dr. Karen Kassebaum and Kevin Koester to the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights for terms expiring December 31, 2027.

Ordinances – First Reading

• Received the first reading of Ordinance 25-25, Street and Alley Vacation 25002, application of Chateau Properties North, LLC, to vacate a portion of Grainger Parkway right-of-way generally located at S. 44th Street and Dillon Drive.

Pending List – Date Certain

• Continued to April 7, 2025, Ordinance 25-8, which would amend the pay schedule for employee group “M” by changing the pay range for class 3161 “Emergency Communications Head” from M05 to M07.

Pending List (Extended One Week / No Date Certain)

• The following items remain on the pending list with no date certain: 24-129 (Verizon Wireless tower space agreement at 2201 S. 84th Street); 24-130 and related 24R-526, 24R-527 (Change of Zone 24018, Special Permit 24030, and Conditional Zoning Agreement for Sesostris Temple Holding Corp. property generally located north of O Street and Anthony Lane). No action was taken on these items.

Public Comment

• No public comments were recorded during the open microphone session. Per the agenda, open microphone sessions are held on March 10 and March 31, 2025, for individuals to address the council on matters not on the agenda.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items, the liquor resolution, and the three public hearing resolutions were adopted by 6-0 votes.
• Ordinance 25-21 was passed on third reading by a 6-0 vote.
• Second reading items (Fire Ridge annexation, street/alley vacation, and change of zone) were heard but not voted on.
• Ordinance 25-8 was continued to April 7, 2025.
• Several pending items remain under review without a set action date.