Lincoln City Council Meeting - November 3, 2025

The Lincoln City Council met on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 3:00 PM. All members were present except Councilmember Washington. The meeting included consent agenda items, public hearings, and first/second readings of ordinances and resolutions. Several items were approved unanimously, while others were delayed to future dates. The meeting adjourned at 5:12 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments to Community Health Endowment: Dr. Darla Eisenhauer and Mary Ann Stallings appointed for terms to expire September 1, 2028 (25R-449, adopted 6-0). Dr. Michael Ferris reappointed for term to expire September 1, 2028 (25R-450, adopted 6-0).
• Professional Services Agreements: Supplement No. 6 with JEO Consulting Group for Lincoln Beal Slough Trail (25R-451, adopted 6-0). Supplement No. 1 with Alfred Benesch & Company for traffic signal project at Cotner Blvd and Adams Street (25R-452, adopted 6-0).
• Setting Hearing Dates: Board of Equalization hearing on November 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM for downtown management districts (25R-466, adopted 6-0). Weed abatement assessment hearing on December 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM (25R-467, adopted 6-0).
• Idle Funds Interest Distribution: Approved for month ending August 31, 2025 (25R-468, adopted 6-0). City Treasurer's cash report placed on file.
• Clerk's Letter & Mayor's Approval: Of resolutions and ordinances passed on October 20, 2025 placed on file.
• Liquor License Hearing Dates Set: For Sakura Japanese Restaurant (Nov 17), The Night Before Lounge (Nov 24), and Kripa Indian & Nepali Cuisine (Nov 24) – all adopted 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made at this meeting. The open microphone sessions for November are scheduled for November 17 and 24, 2025.

Discussion Items

• Lincoln Electric System 2026 Budget and Rate Schedules (25R-454, 25R-455): The council unanimously voted to delay action for two weeks to November 17, 2025.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment 25002 (25R-456): Application to amend the 2050 plan for approximately 155 acres (113 acres from Tier I Priority C to Priority B, 42 acres moved into Future Service Limit and changed from Tier II to Tier I Priority B, and changed from Agriculture to Urban Residential) near S 98th & Pine Lake Road. Unanimously delayed two weeks to November 17, 2025.
• Ordinances – Second Reading: Items 25-105 through 25-109 and related resolution 25R-457 had second reading, including creating a Technology Project Coordinator classification, changing Broadband Conduit System Manager pay range from W04 to W02, regulating cryptocurrency ATMs (Chapter 9.70), and amending code for wastewater lift stations (definitions, plat approvals, design standards, fees). No action taken; placed on file for future reading.
• Ordinances – First Reading: Resolutions 25R-458 through 25R-465 and ordinances 25-110 and 25-111 had first reading. These include: Street Superintendent certification; two keno satellite approvals (GolfXperiences, 12th Street Pub); professional services agreement for Randolph Street rehabilitation; blighted and extremely blighted declarations for an area bounded by N. 56th, Superior, N. 27th, and Holdrege; authorization for tax allocation bonds; repeal of Chapter 5.26 Amusement Devices; and amendment to lottery/raffle permit amount to $15,000. No action taken.
• Pending List: Items 24-130, 24R-526, 24R-527 (Sesostris Temple Holding Corp. zone change, special permit, and conditional zoning agreement) were extended one week.

Key Outcomes

• Mayor's Award of Excellence: Presented to Wade Noll from Parks and Recreation for June 2025.
• Public Health Nuisance Abatement (25R-453): Costs assessed on 21 properties adopted 6-0.
• Liquor License Approvals: Nelnet Cafe (Class C, 5-0) with manager Brandon Akert; Super C 2 (Class D, 5-0) with manager Joel Larson; Tru by Hilton (Class C, 5-0) with manager Amanda Cadena.
• Labor Contract (25R-443, 25-103): Approved the LMCEA contract effective August 14, 2025 through August 31, 2027 (6-0); corresponding pay schedule amendment passed 6-0.
• Annexation (25-104, 25R-444): Annexation of 8.56 acres at NW 48th & W Vine Street passed 6-0; conditional annexation agreement amendment with Ringneck Development and LPS approved 6-0.
• Other Resolutions: All consent items adopted unanimously. No ordinances were passed to third reading.