Omaha City Council Meeting Summary - August 26, 2025

The Omaha City Council held a regular meeting on August 26, 2025, beginning at 2:16 PM (transcript start time). The meeting included a ceremonial recognition of poll worker George Reed, a series of budget amendments allocating $50,000 in community service funds per council district, a debate on a resolution to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) language from the 2026 budget, updates to the food inspection code, and approval of several liquor licenses and other ordinances. All votes were recorded, with the DEI resolution failing 3-4 and the food inspection amendment passing 5-2.

Consent Calendar

• Items 24–27: Public hearings held on August 19, 2025 – approved unanimously (7-0).
• Items 28–38: Public hearings held on August 26, 2025 – approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 12 (Food Bank Funding): Multiple proponents spoke in favor of the $150,000 Keyno amendment for food pantries, including representatives from Food Bank for the Heartland (Tim Williams), Together Inc. (Alicia Christensen), Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue (Lenley Corbett Koontz), Heart Ministry Center (Domini Ron), and a community garden organizer (Clarice Dombeck). They highlighted rising food insecurity (one in eight adults, one in five children food insecure in the metro area) and the impact of federal SNAP cuts.
• Item 15 (DEI Resolution): A large number of public comments were heard, both in support and opposition. Proponents (including Councilmembers Harding and Melton) argued the resolution was necessary to protect federal funding (e.g., $50–60 million for a single road project, SAFER grants for firefighters, HUD funds for North 24th Street). Opponents (including citizens Alexander Liu, Lynn Mills, Melissa Polendo, and others) argued that removing DEI language was a symbolic attack on marginalized communities and would not guarantee funding protection, calling it a "slippery slope" and "toadying for a fascist." Several speakers noted that the city could change wording without eliminating the spirit of inclusion.
• Item 15 (Opponent): Larry Store opposed the resolution, arguing DEI is unconstitutional and illegal under executive order, and that the city should not rely on federal funds.
• Item 40 (Food Inspection Code): No public testimony was heard on the amendments, but Councilmember Festerson and Harding shared positive experiences shadowing a food inspector.

Discussion Items

• Ceremonial Resolution (Item before #6): Councilmember Festerson presented a resolution honoring George Reed for 65 years of service as a poll worker. Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Cruz spoke, noting Reed worked under 14 election commissioners and through the pandemic. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• Budget Amendments (Items 6–14): Each councilmember allocated $50,000 (or combinations) from their district funds to community projects. Examples:
  • Item 6: $50,000 to Heartland Hope Mission (Councilmember Rowe).
  • Item 7: $50,000 to Omaha Parks Foundation for Sunny Slope Park tennis court resurfacing (Councilmember Melton).
  • Item 8: $35,000 to Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education, $15,000 to the Furniture Project (Councilmember Bagley).
  • Item 9: $45,000 for Florence Park improvements, $5,000 for a speed monitor on 30th Street (Councilmember Festerson).
  • Item 10: $20,000 to Victory Boxing, $15,000 to police for surveillance cameras, $5,000 to South Omaha Museum, $4,000 to South Omaha Neighborhood Association, $3,000 to Omaha Parks Foundation for Blue Bucket Project storage (Councilmember Hug).
  • Item 11: $45,000 for parks maintenance and business improvement districts, $5,000 to North Omaha Music and Arts (Councilmember Goodwin).
  • Item 12: $150,000 from new Keyno revenue (from Kearney management contract) allocated to four food pantries: Food Bank of the Heartland, Saving Grace, Together Inc., and Heart Ministry Center (Councilmember Festerson).
  • Item 13: $35,000 to Omaha Parks Foundation, $15,000 to Omaha Municipal Land Bank (Councilmember Harding).
  • All items passed 7-0.
• Item 14: Revised the 2026-2031 CIP for North 24th Street Streetscape Improvement Project to correctly reflect existing HUD grant funds. Councilmember Goodwin noted $13 million already raised. Passed 7-0.
• Item 15 (DEI Resolution): Councilmember Harding introduced a resolution to remove the terms "diversity, equity, and inclusion" from the 2026 budget, citing a federal executive order that could jeopardize federal funding. Councilmember Melton co-sponsored, emphasizing the risk to road projects, SAFER grants, and CDBG funds. Councilmember Goodwin expressed disappointment, calling it a "dog whistle." After extensive public comment, the motion failed 3-4 (Harding, Melton, Roe voted yes; Hug, Festerson, Goodwin, Bagley voted no).
• Item 16: Budget revision to account for annexed areas (July 30, 2025) – passed 7-0.
• Item 17 & 18: Approval of the 2026 budget and 2026-2031 CIP as amended – passed 7-0.
• Item 40 (Food Inspection Code): Two amendments of the whole were proposed. Amendment 40-C (Councilmember Melton) sought to reduce regulation for small businesses. Amendment 40-D (Councilmembers Bagley and Festerson) updated the code, adopted no-bare-hands rule (per state law), and required food handler permits every two years with an exemption from fees for those under 18. After discussion, 40-D passed 5-2 (Harding and Melton opposed).
• Liquor Licenses (Items 19–23): All approved unanimously (7-0 or 6-0 for item 21 with Goodwin absent). Included Leo Ballroom, Pheasant 2.0 Sports Bar, North Atalia (Cheesecake Factory concept), NP Mart 31, and Luke’s Corner (added outdoor beer garden).
• Other Ordinances (Items 39, 41–53): Various items approved, including landscaping code updates, janitorial contracts, sewage sludge services, property acquisition, fiber optic license, firefighter health advisory services (Ready Rebound), classification amendments, mandatory retirement age change (from 65 to 68 for uniformed personnel), drone program expansion, library janitorial bid, and claims settlement authority. Most passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution honoring George Reed: Approved unanimously.
• Budget amendments (Items 6–14): All approved 7-0.
• DEI resolution (Item 15): Failed 3-4 (Harding, Melton, Roe in favor; Hug, Festerson, Goodwin, Bagley opposed).
• Food inspection code amendment (Item 40-D): Approved 5-2 (Harding, Melton opposed).
• All other items on consent and non-action: Approved 7-0.
• Meeting adjourned at 4:21 PM.