Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting

The Lincoln City Council met on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 3:00 PM, adjourning at 4:04 PM. The meeting included a Mayor's Award, approval of consent items, liquor licenses, interlocal agreements, and multiple ordinance readings and votes. All council members were present except Weber.

Mayor's Award of Excellence

• The Mayor's Award of Excellence for November 2025 was presented to Gerald Okra and Jon Mora (LTU Operations and Maintenance) in the category of Valor and Bravery.

Consent Calendar

• 25R-528 – Approved the Professional Services Agreement Supplemental No. 3 for environmental services for the A Street, 6th to 17th Street Project. (Adopted, 6-0; A-95507)
• 26R-1 – Set a hearing date of January 26, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for assessment of demolition costs, fees, and penalties on multiple properties. (Adopted, 6-0; A-95508)
• 26R-2 – Approved distribution of interest earnings on short-term investments of IDLE Funds for October 2025. (Adopted, 6-0; A-95509)
• City Treasurer's report of cash on hand as of October 31, 2025 – Placed on file.
• Lincoln Electric Financial and Operating Statement for November 2025 – Placed on file.
• Clerk's Letters & Mayor's Approval of Resolutions and Ordinances from December 8 and December 15, 2025 – Placed on file.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on the consent agenda or any other agenda items during this meeting.

Discussion Items

• Liquor License Applications (Items 3a–3c): Heard and approved:
  • 26R-3 – Remy Restaurant Group, LLC dba Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs at 200 South 21st Street for a Class I Liquor License. (Adopted for Approval, 6-0; A-95510)
  • 26R-4 – Manager Application of Andrea Remaklus for Cheba Hut. (Adopted for Approval, 6-0; A-95511)
  • 26R-5 – Manager Application of Javier Lara for Walmart #1943 at 4700 North 27th Street. (Adopted for Approval, 6-0; A-95512)
• Interlocal Agreement (Item 4a): 25R-534 – Approved lease of a vehicle by the Police Department for use by Community Corrections. (Adopted, 6-0; A-95513)
• Ordinances – 2nd Reading (Items 5a–5g): These items were read for the second time; no votes were taken:
  • 25-133: Parking enforcement code amendments.
  • 25-134: Text Amendment 25011 – household living use regulations.
  • 25-135: Change of Zone 25025 – AG to AGR on property at SW 89th and Buckboard Dr.
  • 25-136 & 25R-529: Text Amendment 25014 and related design standards for early childhood care facilities.
  • 25-137: Change of Zone 21020D – lot area standards for the South of Downtown Planned Unit Development.
  • 25-138: Annexation 25004 – correcting legal description of a previous annexation.
• Ordinances – 3rd Reading (Items 6a–6d): Passed:
  • 25-129 – Amended multiple sections of Chapter 2.76 (personnel rules) including layoff/reduction in force, leave, and sick leave policies. (Passed, 6-0; #21822)
  • 25-130 – Adjusted pay range for Police Records Supervisor from C26 to C28. (Passed, 6-0; #21823)
  • 25-131 – Deleted the classification of Gatehouse Attendant I from the N pay schedule. (Passed, 6-0; #21824)
  • 25-132 – Authorized issuance of Tax Supported Lease Rental Revenue Bonds (not to exceed $19,200,000) for the Lincoln-Lancaster County Public Building Commission. (Passed, 6-0; #21825)
• Resolutions – 1st Reading (Items 7a–7k): Introduced; no action taken:
  • 26R-6: Appointment of Jose Soto to Commission on Human Rights.
  • 26R-7: Reappointment of John Goldrich to Commission on Human Rights.
  • 26R-8: Reappointment of Eileen Bergt to Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission.
  • 26R-9: Reappointment of Cindy Ryman Yost to Board of Zoning Appeals.
  • 26R-10: Reappointment of Hugh Sieck to Examining Board of Plumbers.
  • 26R-11: Keno lottery fund appropriations of $250,000 for Human Services.
  • 26R-12: Report of new and pending claims (Dec 1–31, 2025).
  • 26R-13: Consulting services agreement with SCS Engineers for environmental compliance (not to exceed $1,190,300).
  • 26R-15: Municipality Financial Agreement for Highway 6 and Adams Street bridges over I-180.
  • 26R-16: Use Permit 125C – Exchange Bank sign modification at 7655 Pioneers Blvd.
  • 26R-17: Comprehensive Plan Conformance 25012 – Amendment to Terminal Building Redevelopment Project (TIF period extension).
• Ordinances – 1st Reading (Items 8a–8e): Introduced; no action taken:
  • 26-1: Lease agreement for Lancaster County Records Management at 901 W. Bond St.
  • 26-2: Street name change of N. 54th Street to N. 54th Court.
  • 26-3 & 26-4: Annexation and zoning change for ~4.96 acres at 6701 Folsom Street.
  • 26-5: Amendment to loitering/trespass ordinance (Section 9.24.190) to align with state statute.
• Pending List (Items 9a–9c): Extended one week – Change of Zone 24018, Special Permit 24030, and Conditional Zoning Agreement for Sesostris Temple Holding Corp. property north of O Street and Anthony Lane.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and liquor items were approved unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance 25-129 (personnel code amendments) passed with modifications to layoff, leave, and discrimination policies.
• Ordinance 25-132 authorized up to $19.2 million in bonds for the Public Building Commission.
• Several items (2nd reading ordinances, 1st reading resolutions and ordinances) were introduced and will return for further action at a later meeting.
• The pending Sesostris Temple items were continued for one week.