Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting – April 28, 2025

The Lincoln City Council met on April 28, 2025, with all members present except Bowers and Carlson. The agenda included consent items, liquor license hearings, resolutions, ordinances, and a pending list. This summary is based on the agenda/action sheet; meeting minutes were not available and the transcript was empty.

Consent Calendar

• 25R-139: Appointing Andy Barry to the Charter Revision Commission for a partial term expiring July 15, 2028 — adopted 5-0 (A-95124).
• 25R-140: Appointing Lynn Ayers to the Citizen Police Advisory Board for a term expiring November 17, 2027 — adopted 5-0 (A-95125).
• 25R-141: Appointing Drake Bray to the Veterans Memorial Garden Advisory Council for a term expiring November 1, 2027 — adopted 5-0 (A-95126).
• 25R-142: Appointing Isaac Remboldt to the Veterans Memorial Advisory Council for a partial term expiring November 1, 2025 — adopted 5-0 (A-95127).
• 25R-144: Clarifying and reappointing John Goldrich to the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights for a term expiring December 31, 2025 — adopted 5-0 (A-95128).
• 25R-145: Approving Joint Funding Agreement between the City of Lincoln/Lincoln Water System and Lower Platte South Natural Resources District for USGS water quality monitoring at Leshara — adopted 5-0 (A-95129).
• 25R-146: Approving On-Call Construction Engineering Services Task Order with Speece Lewis Engineers for the 56th Street, Van Dorn to Spruce Rehab Project — adopted 5-0 (A-95130).
• Lincoln Electric System Financial and Operating Statements for January, February, and March 2025 — placed on file.
• 25R-149, 25R-150, 25R-151: Setting public hearing dates of May 12, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for liquor license applications (DaVinci's, Haymarket Park, and VFW 3606 manager application) — adopted 5-0 (A-95131 through A-95133).
• Administrative Approval 25010 to Special Permit 17022B (Dominion at Steven Creek CUP) — placed on file.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The agenda included an open microphone session for public comments on matters not on the agenda. No specific comments were recorded in the provided agenda/action sheet; no transcript or minutes were available.

Public Hearing – Liquor Resolutions

• 25R-152: Of the Earth Florals, LLC dba Of the Earth Florals, Class C liquor license at 8320 Glynoaks Drive — adopted for approval 5-0 (A-95134).
• 25R-153: Manager application of Dara Wells for Of the Earth Florals — adopted for approval 5-0 (A-95135).
• 25R-154: TFL Inc. dba Mega Saver, Class D liquor license at 5700 North 33rd Street — adopted for denial 5-0 (A-95136).
• 25R-155: Manager application of Kamol Samiev for Mega Saver — adopted for denial 5-0 (A-95137).
• 25R-164: Kinkaider Brewing Co., LLC dba Sideshow Spirits, special designated license for an outdoor area of approximately 170 by 315 feet at 1630 P Street on June 7, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. — adopted for approval 5-0 (A-95138).

Public Hearing – Resolutions

• 25R-147: Report of new and pending claims against the City for April 1–15, 2025 — adopted 5-0 (A-95139).
• 25R-148: Appeal of Special Assessment Revolving Committee recommendation regarding the Water District at Fletcher Avenue from N. 7th to N. 14th Streets — lost, 4-1 (#38-4783).

Public Hearing – Ordinances 2nd Reading

• 25-31: Amending LMC 3.16.010 to continue the local option sales tax increase of 1/4 percent (from 1.5% to 1.75%) for eight years for street rehabilitation, reconstruction, and new arterial streets — public hearing held; no final vote at this reading.

Ordinances – 3rd Reading

• 25-26: Amending pay schedule to create classification "Emergency Communications Technology Specialist" — passed 5-0 (#21720).
• 25-27: Text Amendment 24015 revising definitions (club, floor area for accessory buildings, recreational facilities), salvage yard regulations, and off-premises sign provisions — passed 5-0 (#21721).
• 25-28: Change of Zone 25006 from AGR Agricultural Residential to R-1 Residential at 6620 Almira Lane — passed 5-0 (#21722).
• 25-29: Change of Zone CZ24022 adding historic overlay on property from S. 6th to S. 9th, J to N Streets — motion to accept substitute ordinance passed 5-0; ordinance passed as amended 5-0 (#21723).
• 25-30: Street and Alley Vacation 24008 east of S. 16th Street and north of Dakota Circle — motion to accept substitute ordinance and amended exhibit passed 5-0; ordinance passed as amended 5-0 (#21724).

Resolutions – 1st Reading

• 25R-156: Appointing Lisa Danette Matty to the Veterans Memorial Garden Advisory Council (term expiring 11/1/2027).
• 25R-157: Appointing Dr. Sonya Türkman to the Historic Preservation Commission (term expiring 4/15/2028).
• 25R-158: Reappointing Edward Hoffman, Helen Meeks, and Laurie Thomas Lee to the Telecommunication/Cable Television Advisory Board (terms expiring 7/1/2027).
• 25R-159: Clarifying prior appointments of Dr. Karen Kassebaum and Kevin Koester to the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights (partial terms expiring 12/31/2026).
• 25R-160: Amending Lincoln-Lancaster County Air Pollution Control Regulations and Standards (Article 1, Section 6; Article 2, Sections 1, 5, 7, 8, 15, 17, 18, 22, 28, 34).
• 25R-162: Comprehensive Plan Amendment 25001 to adopt the "University Place Subarea Plan".
• 25R-163: Use Permit 140H for Christianson Companies to reduce rear setback to 10 feet and allow mini-warehouse uses west of S. 88th Street at Andermatt Drive and Eiger Drive. These items were read for the first time; no final action was taken.

Ordinances – 1st Reading & Related Resolutions

• 25R-161: Approving labor contract between the City of Lincoln and the Lincoln City Employees Association (LCEA) for August 15, 2024 through August 31, 2026.
• 25-32: Amending pay schedules for employee group 'A'.
• 25-33: Amending pay schedules for employee group 'C'.
• 25-34: Text Amendment 25005 to increase opportunities to grow and sell produce in residential districts by updating definitions, allowing Urban Gardens as a permitted use, and clarifying home occupation sales.
• 25-35: Change of Zone 21020C for Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders to amend the South of Downtown PUD for a Neighborhood Support Service use with a height waiver to 40 feet at 919 S. 12th Street.
• 25-36: Street and Alley Vacation 24003 for Highway 2 Development, LLC and 3814 Farnam, LLC near Pine Lake Road and Nebraska Parkway. These items had first reading; no final action was taken.

Pending List

• 25R-112: 101 North 14th Street Redevelopment Project — delayed to 5/12/25 with continued public hearing and action.
• 25-8: Pay schedule change for Emergency Communications Head (class 3161, M05 to M07) — pending, no date certain.
• 24-129: Verizon Wireless tower space agreement at 2201 S. 84th Street — pending, no date certain.
• 24-130, 24R-526, 24R-527: Sesostris Temple Holding Corp. zoning, special permit, and conditional zoning agreement items north of O Street and Anthony Lane — pending, no date certain.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items adopted unanimously (5-0).
• Liquor licenses: Of the Earth Florals approved (license and manager); Mega Saver denied (license and manager); Sideshow Spirits special designated license approved.
• Fletcher Avenue appeal resolution lost by a 4-1 vote.
• All five third-reading ordinances passed unanimously (5-0).
• Public hearing held on the sales tax continuation ordinance; action deferred to a later reading.
• Numerous appointments and first-reading items were advanced without final votes.