Omaha City Council Meeting - August 5, 2025: Liquor Licenses, Rezonings, TIF Projects
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Omaha City Council Meeting - August 5, 2025
The Omaha City Council convened on August 5, 2025, to address a range of items including liquor license applications, rezonings, transitional living permits, and multiple tax increment financing (TIF) redevelopment projects. All votes were unanimous except where noted. The meeting began with opening remarks from Councilmember Breaker Hardy, who humorously acknowledged National Underwear Day.
Consent Calendar
- Items 21–23: Public hearings held on July 29, 2025. Approved 7–0.
- Items 24–32: Public hearings held at this meeting with no proponents or opponents. Approved 7–0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 6 (Liquor License – 2025 Deer Park): Michael Marcello (2025 Deer Park) opposed, citing a blighted neighborhood with existing six liquor licenses within two blocks and a nearby substance abuse facility. He expressed concern that the license would lead to larger alcohol purchases.
- Item 8 (Crescent Moon Alehouse Special Designated Liquor License): Candice Gladwin (applicant representative) described the annual two-day Oktoberfest event with live music, polka bands, contests, and family-friendly daytime atmosphere.
- Item 16 (Rezoning at 5108 Reed Street): The developer stated they had delivered letters to 13 properties within 300 feet and cut the overgrown grass after city notice.
- Item 17 (Special Use Permit for Transitional Living): David Levy (attorney for Mental Health Association of Nebraska) outlined outreach to the Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Association, letters of support from Lincoln City Council and Senator Terrell McKinney, and a granted variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for proximity (0.47 miles instead of 0.5). Casey Parker (Mental Health Association) clarified staffing: certified intentional peer support workers 24/7, with 1–2 overnight and up to 4 during the day; maximum 8 occupants. One opponent on Zoom (address in Denver) asked about occupants and staffing.
- Item 18 (Brando Town Homes TIF): Don Seaton (Planning) described a 7-unit workforce rental project. Cheryl Garst (Income and Housing Development Corporation) emphasized the project was based on neighborhood input and leveraged 15% permanent bank loan. Opponent Larry Storr (5015 Lafayette Ave) argued that TIF is a giveaway to developers, that the area is not blighted, and that it raises property taxes.
- Item 19 (Central at Columbus Park TIF): Don Seaton described a 156-unit affordable rental project with $57.8 million total investment. Bob Griffith (proponent) was available for questions.
- Item 20 (Chambers Court TIF): Don Seaton outlined an eight-site, four-phase mixed-income project with 205 units (74 market-rate, 131 affordable) and one commercial building. Bob Griffith and Jake Hoppy (developer) noted extensive community outreach and partnership with minority developer Don Curry. Councilmember Goodwin praised the mixed-income approach and encouraged ongoing community engagement.
- Item 33 (Agreement with UNMC for Forensic Services): Captain Jennifer Russell (Omaha Police) was proponent. Donnie Rod Johnson (Johnson Equation Foundation) spoke in favor but suggested adding money for fingerprinting issues. Opponent Larry Storr criticized the council for limiting public comment time (President corrected that three-minute limit is standard).
- Item 34 (Interlocal Agreement with Kearney for Keno Proceeds): Bill Harvey (proponent) highlighted the availability of a mobile app for Omaha Keno locations.
Discussion Items
- Item 6: Councilmember Hug moved to amend the license to prohibit sale of 50 milliliters or less of liquor or beer and any single 16 ounces or less. Amendment passed 7–0; as amended, license approved 7–0.
- Item 7: Applicant requested withdrawal of the special designated liquor license for Cabalgata Zapata. Withdrawn 7–0.
- Item 8: Councilmember (presumably) expressed support for the annual Oktoberfest. Approved 7–0.
- Items 9–11 (Westroads Replat): Councilmember Festerson noted the mall’s success and that the items would facilitate additional investment. Approved 7–0.
- Items 12–15 (Jackson Street Edition): Approved 7–0.
- Item 16: Councilmember Goodwin questioned the developer about public engagement and property maintenance. Approved 6–1 (one opposed, not specified).
- Item 17: Councilmember Melton moved to amend exhibit B to make the special use permit specific to the applicant (Mental Health Association of Nebraska) and void upon change of ownership. Amendment approved 7–0; permit as amended approved 7–0.
- Item 18: Approved 7–0.
- Item 19: Approved 7–0.
- Item 20: Councilmember Goodwin noted the mixed-income model and potential commercial use. Approved 6–0 (Goodwin abstained).
- Item 33: Public hearing held; no council discussion recorded; moved to consent? Actually the transcript shows after public hearing, they moved to next item. No vote shown but likely approved as part of consent? The agenda item 33 was separate, but after public hearing the council moved to item 34. The transcript does not show a vote on item 33. However, under
Meeting Transcript
Melton. Mr. President. Here. Please stand for Pledge Allegiance and remain standing for opening remarks by Councilmember Breaker Hardy. Please be seated. So there are many important and serious issues we as a council deal with, for example. We're in the process of considering the twenty twenty-six budget and CIP or the safety of our children on the streets as they go back to school, but I'll leave that for uh next week and Councilmember Melton because it always seems, I don't know how, but always seems to fall on her week for opening comments. Um and we should also recognize that um tonight is uh national night out. But every once in a while I think we need to take a step back and enjoy a little bit of humor. So that's the route that I'm taking today. August fifth is National Underwear Day. I realize that that might be a risque subject to bring up at City Council after all speaking in public about one's preference for the type and material of one's undergarments is personal. So in the spirit of National Underwear Day, I will be brief. Reminder that you will have three minutes to speak on an agenda item. Please stay on topic.org. Council members receive these emails and we read them. Okay. Good afternoon. Um Michael Marcello, 2025 Deer Park. Where do we start? Um neighborhood is a blighted area. We um have a homeless problem. We have a drug abuse problem in our neighborhood. I realize we're not gonna sell fireball shooters or things like that, but that will just uh probably result in people buying larger volumes of alcohol. That neighborhood, our neighborhood um already has I believe six liquor licenses within two blocks of that address. Um do we have enough? There is also within 500 feet a substance abuse facility. Um we should probably all be cognizant that those folks um take a break from their daily treatment and uh wander the neighborhood. I'm just uh concerned for all of us. Thank you very much. Have a good day. Thank you. Is there any other opponents here to item number six? Public hearing is closed. Councilmember Hug, you're recognized. I want to make an amendment to amend this to include the prohibit the sale of uh 50 milliliter or less of any singles and 16 ounces or less. Let me rephrase that. That wasn't clear enough. So I want to amend this to include prohibiting the sale of any motion is liquor or beer, 50 milliliter or less, and any single 16 ounces or less. We have a motion and a second to amend for 50 milliliters and less. Sorry, what Ron said 50 milliliters less and 16 ounce? We good? 17 and a half mr. Kelly, do you agree to that? Motion by Mr. Hug? We do. Okay, thank you. No further lights.
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