Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting - September 22, 2025

The Lincoln City Council held its regular meeting on September 22, 2025, at 3:00 PM. All seven members were present. The council addressed a range of items including appointments, liquor licenses, land use changes, and departmental reorganizations. The meeting adjourned at 3:55 PM.

Reports of City Officers

• 25R-369: Appointed Dr. Steve Joel to the Charter Revision Commission for a term to expire July 15, 2029 (previously delayed from September 15, 2023). Adopted 7-0.
• 25R-388: Appointed Zuleika Doremus and Scott Hajek to the Air Pollution Control Advisory Board (term to September 1, 2028). Adopted 7-0.
• 25R-389: Reappointed Ed Hubbs to the Air Pollution Control Advisory Board (term to September 1, 2028). Adopted 7-0.
• 25R-391: Approved distribution of interest earnings on IDLE funds for the month ended July 31, 2025. Adopted 7-0.
• Report from City Treasurer of cash on hand as of July 31, 2025 – placed on file.
• Clerk's Letter and Mayor's Approval of resolutions from September 8, 2025 – placed on file.
• Lincoln Electric Financial and Operating Statement for August 2025 – placed on file.

Petitions and Communications

• 25R-392, 25R-393, 25R-394: Set hearing dates for October 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM for liquor license applications: Cornhusker Bar and Grill (Class I), Arbor Axe House (Class A), and Milieu Market (Class C). All adopted 7-0.
• Administrative amendments to Use Permit 103, Northstar Crossing (increased square footage on Lot 13 and Lot 15, approved by Planning Director on September 2, 2025) – placed on file.

Public Hearings – Liquor Resolutions

• 25R-395: Application of Authentic Taqueria el Alteno for a Class I liquor license at 2701 North 48th Street, Suite 4 – approved for issuance 7-0.
• 25R-396: Manager application of Carlos Lomeli for the same establishment – approved 7-0.

Public Hearings – Resolutions

• 25R-390: Comprehensive Plan Conformance 25007 (City of Lincoln application) for a permanent conservation easement at Bridges First Addition (SW 33rd Street and W Bow Bridge Road) – adopted 7-0.

Public Hearings – Ordinances 2nd Reading and Related Resolutions

• 25-89: Service agreement with CenterPointe, Inc. for Permanent Supportive Housing Services at 810 J Street, including lease of city-owned property – second reading held; no final vote.
• 25-90: Text amendment to allow up to three main buildings in AG or AGR districts if one is a dwelling – second reading held.
• 25-91: Ordinance to merge Planning and Building and Safety Departments into a unified Planning Department – second reading held.

Ordinances – 3rd Reading and Related Resolutions

• 25-85: Creating classification "Assistant Director of Planning" and amending pay schedule – verbal motion to delay action one week to September 29, 2025 (7-0).
• 25-86: Changing pay range for Control System Support Specialist from A11 to A15 – passed 7-0.
• 25-87: Real estate sales agreement with Malcolm Construction for city-owned property near NW Roundhouse Drive and West O Street – passed 7-0.
• 25-88: Change of zone for 45.83 acres from AG to R-5 Residential PUD at South 91st Street and Rokeby Road (Smetter Development) – passed 7-0.
• 25R-377: Comprehensive Plan Amendment 25003 for 13 acres on the same property, revising future land use from Residential-Urban Density to Commercial – adopted 7-0.

Resolutions – 1st Reading

• 25R-397: Appointment of Maddie Gates and Misty Muff to Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (terms to April 28, 2028) – first reading.
• 25R-398: Professional Services Agreement Supplement No. 3 for environmental services on the Lincoln Beal Slough Trail – first reading.
• 25R-399: Accepting and approving report of new and pending claims against the City for September 1-15, 2025 – first reading.
• 25R-400: Adoption of the Belmont Neighborhood Subarea Plan as an amendment to the 2050 Comprehensive Plan – first reading.

Ordinances – 1st Reading and Related Resolutions

• 25-92: Amending pay schedules for "P" pay ranges per bargaining agreement – first reading.
• 25R-401: Approving labor contract with Lincoln Police Union (LPU) for term August 14, 2025 through August 31, 2028 – first reading.

Pending List (Extended One Week)

• 24-130, 24R-526, 24R-527: Sesostris Temple Holding Corp. applications: Change of Zone 24018 (AG to H-4 Highway Commercial), Special Permit 24030, and Conditional Zoning Agreement for property at 95th and O Street. These items have been delayed multiple times and were extended one week on the pending list.