Lincoln City Council Regular Meeting – January 12, 2026

The Lincoln City Council met on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. All seven council members were present. The meeting covered consent items, public hearings on liquor licenses, resolutions, ordinances at second and third readings, first‑reading resolutions, and a pending list item. Key actions included a divided vote on keno lottery fund appropriations and a debated parking enforcement ordinance. The meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m. (Note: No transcript was provided; this summary is based solely on the agenda and action sheet.)

Consent Calendar

• 26R-6 – Appointing Jose Soto to the Commission on Human Rights (term expiring Dec. 31, 2028) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-7 – Reappointing John Goldrich to the Commission on Human Rights (term expiring Dec. 31, 2028) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-8 – Reappointing Eileen Bergt to the Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission (term expiring Jan. 9, 2029) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-9 – Reappointing Cindy Ryman Yost to the Board of Zoning Appeals (term expiring Feb. 1, 2031) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-10 – Reappointing Hugh Sieck to the Examining Board of Plumbers (term expiring Feb. 1, 2026) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-29 – Investment Activity Report for Quarter Ending Nov. 30, 2025 – Placed on file (accepted).
• Affidavit of Mailing for demolitions and property clean‑up fees (list of 18 properties) – Placed on file.
• 26R-18 – Setting hearing date for Cloud 9 Billiards Club Class M liquor license – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-19 – Setting hearing date for Hampton Inn manager application (Kendrick Carter) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-20 – Setting hearing date for Buffalo Wild Wings manager application (Amber Groszkrueger) – Adopted 7‑0.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were recorded during the open microphone session. The agenda noted that an open microphone session was available for matters not on the agenda or future agendas.

Discussion Items

• 26R-11 (Keno Lottery Funds for Human Services): An appropriation of $250,000 from keno lottery funds for various human services was adopted by a vote of 6‑1. One council member voted against.
• Parking Enforcement Ordinance (25-133): This ordinance amended multiple sections of the Municipal Code to revise parking enforcement area boundaries, fee schedules, and allow modernized payment platforms. A verbal motion to divide the question (to separate sections) passed 7‑0. Subsequently, an amendment (MTA #1) passed 6‑1. The ordinance as amended then passed 7‑0.

Public Hearing – Liquor Resolutions

• 26R-21 (White Elm Brewing – Class L license) – Adopted for approval 7‑0.
• 26R-22 (White Elm Brewing – Class C license) – Adopted for approval 7‑0.
• 26R-23 (Kolby Wood manager application for White Elm Brewing) – Adopted for approval 7‑0.
• 26R-24 (Jeffery Tyson manager application for Hillcrest Country Club) – Adopted for approval 7‑0.

Public Hearing – Resolutions

• 26R-12 (Claims report for Dec. 1–31, 2025) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-13 (SCS Engineers consulting agreement for environmental services, not to exceed $1,190,300) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-15 (Municipal financial agreement for Highway 6/Adams St. bridges over I‑180) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-16 (Use Permit 125C amendment for Exchange Bank sign at 7655 Pioneers Blvd.) – Adopted 7‑0.
• 26R-17 (Comprehensive Plan conformance for Terminal Building TIF amendment at 947 O St.) – Adopted 7‑0.

Ordinances – Second Reading (Items 6.a. through 6.e)

These ordinances received second reading only; no vote was taken:

• 26-1 – Lease agreement with Lancaster County for Records Management space at Municipal Service Center.
• 26-2 – Street name change from N. 54th Street to N. 54th Court.
• 26-3 – Annexation of 4.96 acres at 6701 Folsom Street (related to 26-4).
• 26-4 – Change of zone for same property (Agricultural Residential to Residential).
• 26-5 – Amendment to loitering/trespass ordinance to require actual communication for trespass notice.

Ordinances – Third Reading (Passed unanimously except as noted)

• 25-133 – Parking enforcement ordinance (see Discussion Items above).
• 25-134 – Text amendment to household living uses, conditional uses in O‑2 district, lot area in B‑2 district – Passed 7‑0.
• 25-135 – Zone change from AG to AGR at SW 89th & Buckboard Dr. – Passed 7‑0.
• 25-136 – Text amendment for early childhood care facilities – Passed 7‑0.
• 25R-529 – Related resolution for early childhood care facility design standards – Adopted 7‑0.
• 25-137 – Amendment to South of Downtown PUD (lot area and width reduction) – Passed 7‑0.
• 25-138 – Correction of legal description for Annexation 25004 – Passed 7‑0.

Resolutions – First Reading (No action taken)

• 26R-25 – Professional services agreement with JEO Consulting for N. 14th St. rehabilitation (preliminary engineering).
• 26R-26 – Professional services agreement with JEO Consulting for environmental services on same project.
• 26R-27 – Assessment of fees and penalties for demolitions/neglected buildings (see Consent Calendar for placed‑on‑file item).
• 26R-28 – Proclaiming January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.

Pending List

Items 24-130, 24R-526, and 24R-527 (Sesostris Temple zone change, special permit, and conditional zoning agreement at 95th & O St.) were extended one week.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments & reappointments to various boards/commissions approved unanimously (7‑0).
• Keno lottery fund appropriation ($250,000) approved 6‑1.
• White Elm Brewing (Class L & C liquor licenses) and two manager applications approved 7‑0.
• SCS Engineers contract ($1,190,300) for environmental compliance approved 7‑0.
• Parking enforcement overhaul passed 7‑0 after a motion to divide and an amendment (MTA #1) passed 6‑1.
• Early childhood care facility zoning changes adopted 7‑0.
• South of Downtown PUD amendment reducing lot standards passed 7‑0.
• No action on first‑reading resolutions; they will return for second reading.
• Sesostris Temple items remain on pending list.

The next regular meeting will be January 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. (The January 19 meeting was canceled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.)