Harding.

Hug.

Melton.

Roe.

Festerson.

Good one.

Mr.

President.

Here.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for opening remarks by Councilmember Pete Fesserson.

I just wanted to take uh one minute to talk about our sister cities organization.

I had the honor to uh represent Omaha in our delegation to Carlentini, Italy last week with our sister cities organization.

We met with uh Mayor Stefio and reaffirmed the Omaha Carlentini connection between our two cities.

We also had a chance to dedicate a new amphitheater in Carlentini to former Councilmember Subia Anzaldo.

His entire family was there.

It was a very touching tribute to them and to him.

And then lastly, we celebrated their Santa Lucia festival.

Ours just turned 101.

Theirs just turned 405.

So it was very well done.

Very strong connections to the community.

Some may not realize that two-thirds of our Italian-American population here in Omaha can trace us genealogy straight back to Carlentini.

So it was very meaningful for everyone involved.

The whole delegation is still over there.

Thanks.

We're catching up.

An affidavit of publication is on file, and a current copy of the Open Meeting Act is posted in a white binder on the East Wall of Legislative Chambers.

As a courtesy to those in attendance and to facilitate the conduct of our business, we ask that you please silence or turn off all electronic devices, a reminder that you will have three minutes to speak on an agenda item.

Please stay on topic.org.

And whereas poll workers are essential to maintaining a healthy democracy and ensuring the integrity of the voting process in Douglas County, which mobilizes up to 3,000 poll workers for each countywide election.

And whereas Mr.

Reed is recognized for his extensive knowledge, sense of commitment, and remarkable consistency, which have made him the bedrock of the volunteer program.

And whereas Mr.

Reed is recognized for his extensive knowledge, sense of commitment.

And it looks like I'm reading the same paragraph again because it got repeated.

So now, therefore, be it resolved that the City of Omaha, that this board probably recognize and honors George Reed for his decades of dedication to the Democratic process and his unwavering commitment to the Douglas County Election Commission and its voters that he serves.

In witness whereof, we have set our hands and caused the official seal of the City of Omaha to be fixed on this 26th day of August 2025.

Mr.

Cruz, I'll ask you to be in, and then we'd like to hear from Mr.

Reed as well.

Sure, I'll make this short.

Brian Cruz, Douglas County Election Commissioner.

Um the election commission conducts all elections in Douglas County, the City of Omaha elections.

About 85% of our voters are in the city of Omaha.

But you know, poll workers are the backbone of our democracy, as you can see by the numbers we just heard.

Poll workers have answered the call through peacetime, through wartime, through special elections, through recall elections, through scheduled elections, and through the pandemic, of which Mr.

Reed proudly worked both in that May of 2020 after the pandemic started, and then in November, uh continuing his service.

So, you know, we just we couldn't do this without the poll workers, and we thank them.

If anybody is interested in being a poll worker, I'll make my pitch since I'm here.

Please go to our website at vote DouglasCounty.com and go under the election worker tab at the top.

You can also call our office at 444 vote.

So uh my deputy Chris Carithers is with me here today.

We pretty much go everywhere together as partners uh regarding the elections because we are a nonpartisan office as as we all know.

So I would just again say we're having our ceremony tomorrow afternoon at 2 30 at our office at 122nd and center.

The public is invited, Secretary of State Bob Evnon is going to be there tomorrow uh with some additional awards and words for George.

And so with that, I would just like to say it's pretty remarkable.

Our nation will be 250 years old next year, and he's worked more than a quarter of the elections of our nation if you take 65 times four.

So with that, you all want to hear from him.

I'll turn it over, George.

Take it away.

I appreciate the council everything they've done for us in supporting the elections because when you work at the polls themselves, that's where the tire meets the road, so we know what kind of support we're actually getting.

And it has been good from here.

It's been a good working for the election commission.

Uh I must say we probably have one of the most honest elections there around, but you see it when you actually work at the elections.

So I appreciate everything you've done for us.

Keep up the good work.

Thank you.

And I just make a couple of comments.

George said he's served under 14 election commissioners.

And his family came, his wife is here, and his daughter traveled from Boston today to be with us.

So again, thank you, George.

And thank you to the family.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thanks for appreciate it.

Councilmember Hugg, you're recognized.

George.

Come back up for a second, please.

We want you to go back out.

Hi, George.

I got a very important question for you.

You said you worked under 14 different uh election commissioners.

Who was your favorite?

Well, actually, I had some really good ones.

I started with Sam Cooper, and then I went to uh boy, it goes back a ways.

Uh Jerry uh Hassett, Hassett now became pretty good friends afterwards.

Uh and then on up through them.

Uh we worked for uh the mayor when he was in this uh office.

Uh oh boy, I'm trying to think back 14 of us a bunch.

All right.

I would draw my question.

Okay.

Okay.

I will put you on the spot.

Thank you for your commitment and service.

Thank you.

Thank you.

May I speak?

Item six, the resolution to approve a revision to the 2026 budget to increase the general fund and community service programs by $50,000 for the Heartland Hope mission.

I will open the public hearing.

Are there any proponents here today on item number six?

I'm sorry.

Councilmember Rowe, I apologize, you're recognized.

Um the next six or seven, eight items on the agenda are opportunities for each of us in our council districts to appropriate fifty thousand dollars up to up to fifty thousand dollars into community primarily community service projects or are things that we can do in our districts.

And I wanted to move approval on item number six.

Uh number six is uh a mission that's near and dear to my heart.

Their uh Heartland Hope mission started in South Omaha actually as a food pantry and then expanded into uh Millard area at 156th and Industrial Road, and they provide uh you know basic service, human services every day, whether it be uh the food pantry or uh diapers for a new mom or education services, that kind of thing.

And so they've they're near and dear to my heart.

I've been to both locations, seen their work, and really appreciate what they do.

And I'd like to move approval of this 50,000.

Um, I'm sorry.

I will second it after he goes.

Thank you.

Let's do the opponents and proponents.

Thanks, Donald.

I promise I'll come back to you.

Okay.

Is there any other proponents on item number six here today?

Seeing none, is there any opponents on item six?

Public hearing is closed, and we had a motion and a second.

Yeah.

No further lights.

Roll call.

Harding.

Yes, hug.

Melton, roe, festerson, yes.

Good one.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item seven, a resolution to approve or revision to the twenty twenty-six budget to increase the general fund and community service programs by fifty thousand dollars for the Omaha Parks Foundation.

I will open the public hearing.

And who's this?

Councilmember Melton, proponent.

Uh thank you.

And uh I'm taking what happens when I get two sheets.

Okay, thank you.

Um my 50,000, as I've done in in previous years, I've been looking at in different neighborhoods, um, in parks and wanting to do things for kind of improved maintenance in our various parks.

And uh this year uh we picked I I picked Sunny Slope Park.

Their tennis court is in desperate need to be resurfaced, and I know there's not really money in the there wasn't really money in the budget to do so, but I would like to note, although I'm uh allocating uh 50,000 to the Omaha Parks Foundation.

The reason it's going to the Parks Foundation instead of straight into the park's budget, it's because this project actually costs more than 50,000 and the neighborhood is raising the additional money.

Um and so I which I think is great.

So um we'll be allocating this, and then Omaha Parks will is also assisting.

I think that Sunny Slopes raised close to 3,000.

The estimated cost of the project is gonna be around 60,000 or more.

So if you'd like to donate to Sunny Slopes Project, you can go to the Omaha Parks Foundation website and you can donate to the the Sunny Slope Project if if you're inclined to do so.

So we're hoping to have that money raised in the next in the next couple months.

But I love it.

It's how we come together and how the neighborhoods coming together, they're not just asking for the city to do it all themselves, they're actually working towards it.

And so I'm happy that to allocate this, and I hope I get the support of my colleagues.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Second.

Motion a second roll call.

Harding.

Yes, hug.

Yes, Melton.

Yes, Rowe, Festerson, yes, good one.

Yes, Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item eight, a resolution to approve a revision to the 2026 budget to increase the general fund and community service programs by 35,000 for the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education, and $15,000 for the furniture project.

The public hearing is open on item number eight.

I know Mr.

Vecchio is here on behalf of the $35,000 that I earmarked for the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education.

Everybody knows that when we build our communities, there's a tremendous need for building trade men and women to build our communities and our infrastructure in our state and our city and our nation.

Mr.

Vecchio is here today on behalf of the Nebraska Center for workforce development education to talk briefly about what that money is used for and what the organization does.

Good afternoon, Mr.

Vecchio.

Good afternoon.

Council President Bagley, thank you for the opportunity today, as well as your colleagues here on City Council.

The Nebraska Center for Workforce Development Education is just here is as the Nebraska registered 501c3.

And uh our primary mission is create opportunities for those individuals to expose them in the various uh skilled trades occupations that are here that are available in the local area.

Uh part of the challenge is addressing the skill gap because for every uh you know five people that we have aging out or retiring out of the skilled trades, we have one coming in.

So our primary focus is working with Omaha Public Schools as a very loose, I'll use the word term loose partnership with them.

Uh it's been going for three years straight, where we have a trade camp series that happens throughout.

Well, it did start in the summer.

Now it's expanded into the school year because there's so many students that are interested in pursuing the various skilled trades and participating in our camps, where we do a very immersive experience where we bring them in to uh a different trade, uh whether that's a three days uh you know, a three-day camp or a five-day camp where they learn to uh what it is to be to spend a day in a life in a sheet metal worker, an iron worker, an electrician, uh you you you name it.

And uh by doing that and exposing these kids in the in the various skilled trades, we're trying to keep uh obviously uh jobs, skilled jobs, sustainable jobs, high-paying high wage jobs in the Omaha community, and we and and that's our primary mission is to keep these students here and to provide opportunities for them to uh for uh more sustainable career uh career fruit in the future.

Thanks, Jim.

And can we get your name and address for the record?

Yeah, I should have started with that.

I'm sorry.

Jim Vecchio, 12016 Winward Avenue, 68046.

Thanks, Jim.

And that that's a great summary of the great connections that we're making with our younger men and women in high schools to get them exposed to what great potential of jobs in the building trade.

So appreciate you being here today.

Thank you.

The next one is um $15,000 for the furniture project.

I believe Mr.

Hoppe is here today.

Um I I got to know Drew Gherkin from my youth, and he created this several years ago, and it helps those in need in our community.

A lot of people saw the major issues they were having at City View apartments in my district, and Drew Girk and his team at the furniture project immediately started helping the men and women through no fault of their own that were dealing with terrible challenges with the vacation of that apartment building there.

So uh Mr.

Hoppe, I appreciate you being here today.

Thank you.

Yeah, my name is uh Matt Hoppe.

It's 2248 South 186th Street, 68130.

Uh and I am the executive director at the furniture project.

The furniture project delivers excuse me, the furniture project delivers furniture, housewares, and hope into the homes of our neighbors during their time of need.

In 2024, we furnished 1,622 family homes, distributed over 2,800 beds, and served 5200 vulnerable vulnerable individuals in our community.

Working with more than 225 local service social service organizations, the furniture project serves victims of domestic violence and trafficking, children in foster care, individuals tra transitioning out of homelessness, and many, many more.

Recently, the furniture project was called upon to furnish the homes of 45 families displaced from the City View apartments.

This grant will help the furniture project continue to provide furniture and household items to our neighbors completely free of charge.

Thank you to President Begley and the entire city council for your consideration and a warning of this grant.

Thanks, Matt.

And I'll also conclude that you're located on 108th and J.

I've been out there.

I haven't had a tour, but I've dropped furniture off if I'm not taking it to Drew at his house out there.

And it's a it's a real it's a tremendous organization you guys have helping people, so I'm glad to support it today.

Yeah, thank you.

Uh Councilmember Harding, you're recognized.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I I first met Drew.

I don't know how I came across him, but I think the first time I had some furniture, he came over in a minivan.

And um and the uh this is probably I don't know, seven, eight years ago, maybe, and and the growth that he is um I mean it it's just uh incredible work that he does, and and I believe if if I remember I that um didn't um Mike Rowe end up giving him uh or helping fund the larger step van so that he could move.

Yeah.

And I think it's an incredible story, and and I I don't know, Danny, if I heard you say it, but I mean Drew's a firefighter and and um appreciate his service to the community in that regard, and then with this incredible project.

I was actually walking through uh uh a church last uh Saturday and looked down, and there was a uh a box of information for the furniture project, and it's just amazing how he's grown this this project and he gave from his heart and uh and I'm more than willing.

I'm so glad that you're funding part of uh your your 50,000 to Drew's efforts.

Thanks.

Thank you.

No further lights, need a second.

Thank you.

Motion and second, roll call.

Harding, yes, hug, Melton, yes, roe, Festerson.

Yes, goodwin, Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item nine, a resolution to approve a revision to the twenty twenty-six budget to increase the general fund and parks and facilities by forty-five thousand dollars, and police uniform patrol bureau by five thousand dollars.

I'll open the public hearing on item number nine.

Proponents, council member Festerson.

Thanks, Mr.

President.

Um notice a theme in these amendments.

Uh a lot of them have to do with park improvements and park maintenance.

That's something I think all of us are very interested in pursuing, and definitely something we're heard during our public hearing on the budget.

So I I feel this is responsive to that particular concern.

And this item um will allocate uh $45,000 to Florence Park Improvements for a total of $65,000 to that park.

It needs it badly.

Um it needs new picnic tables, it needs new merry-gounds, new swing sets, and it's a very important part of that neighborhood business district right at 30th and state.

This park is actually in district two, uh, just across the street from District One.

But as we frequently do, we're partnering on these concerns, and I know it'll be a make a difference maker for the Florence community.

Uh the second part of this amendment is five thousand dollars to a permanent speed monitor on 30th Street, right in the Florence area.

Uh we had a serious incident there um about a year ago uh near the Crancastle, which is a daycare, uh, someone speeding and crashed uh over the sidewalk into that business.

This is the issue in Florence when we talk about speeding on 30th Street and truck traffic that we're still trying to address from a long-term perspective, but we think this will help.

This will go directly to the police department who has agreed to post this sign uh in that area uh permanently.

And then lastly, this is not actually part of this amendment, but I have some Florence people here, so I want you to know we have confirmed also in the 2026 budget is still the five million dollars for North Ridge Drive repaving um for the first time ever in that community.

So thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Motion to forget motion and a second, roll call.

Harding, yes, hug, Melton, yeah, roe, Festerson, good one.

Yes, Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item 10, a resolution to approve or revision of the 2026 budget to increase the general fund in parks and facilities by $3,000, and police uniform patrol bureau by $15,000.

Increased general fund in community service programs by $20,000 for victory boxing, $5,000 for Omaha Parks Foundation, $4,000 for South Omaha Museum, and $3,000 for South Omaha Neighborhood Association.

The public hearing on item number 10 is now open.

Proponents, Councilmember Hug, you're recognized.

Uh as you heard from the clerk.

I'm spreading that $50,000 out over six different organizations.

Um $20,000 to Victory Boxing for the support the wonderful work that they do.

There is a couple of specific cameras.

I'd like to encourage the Omaha Police Department to buy to use for surveillance and monitoring illegal dumping.

Um so we'll give them $15,000 in hopes that they take my advice on which cameras to buy.

They're not obligated to.

Um, with the intent to do an exhibit um recognizing the history and um of the South Omaha South Side Terrace.

As we start to see those buildings come down, I thought now would be a good time to try to capture that history.

And $3,000 to Sona, South Omaha Neighborhood Association, $3,000 to help them in their efforts and their commitment to the community.

$3,000 to Omaha Parks, and specifically it's to buy a storage type unit.

So the Blue Bucket Project will have a place to store their cleanup supplies.

Blue Bucket Project has been doing wonderful work in uh cleaning up a lot of parks, and it's been dedicated a lot of time to Spring Lake Park.

But the problem they have is they have to bring all their equipment and their cleanup tools, and this will give them a hopefully a place where they don't have to take that equipment home, it don't have to be stored at somebody's house.

It can be on site to make better use of their time.

And uh last but not least, I think that's it.

So I move to approve.

Got a motion and okay, got a motion to approve.

Is there any other motion and a second?

Are there any other proponents?

Item number 10.

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Seeing none, public hearing is closed.

We got a motion and a second.

No further lights, roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug, Melton, Roe, Festerson.

Goodwin.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item 11, a resolution to approve a revision to the 2026 budget to increase the general fund in parks and facilities by 45,000.

And increased general fund and community service programs by $5,000 for North Omaha Music and Arts.

The public hearing on item number 11 is now open.

Proponents, Councilmember Goodwin, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Again, I echo my colleague Councilmember Festerson, and that clearly you can see there's a theme.

Clean and green, parks preparation.

I do appreciate his designation to the Florence Park.

And so when I reached out to the parks department to see what other parks in my district might need a little upkeep, initially the they said that there are some of the bigger parks like Miller Miller Park and Coons Park had already received some level of upgrade, not necessarily saying that they're finalized and complete, but uh so I then started looking at how uh we could expand city services around clean and green initiatives.

Many many of you guys know that that's dear to my heart, and not just because we want to see spaces beautified, but also when you can clean up a vacant lot, uh maybe put a small fence around it, you can lower crime by 21%.

So uh these designations actually matter.

Um and so um I'm piloting something new that I hope that we can get some traction on, and that is uh funding uh dollars to our business improvement districts for additional services that they might need throughout the year, uh like parade cleanup, um, you know, parade preparation and other types of uh maintenance services that BIDs usually operate within.

Um and so and then with the $5,000, um, although it's it's just a start, uh I wanted to support the culture and arts uh for my district through supporting North Omaha music and arts.

Uh it is a tremendous organization.

I see Mr.

Murray and his wife here today, and I'll let him have a few words if he chooses.

Uh, but not only does it support uh emerging artists, but also educates youth.

And so um I'm excited to support that endeavor as we look to grow and and expand uh the cultural district along North 24th Street.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Oh, that's okay.

Tell us a little bit about North Omaha Music and Arts, please.

Proponent, correct?

Proponent.

Proponent, sir.

Good afternoon.

Um good afternoon, council, good to see you again.

Um I name Dana Murray, executive director of North Omaha Music and Arts, 2510, North 24th Street.

Um I know all of you sort of most of you know uh what we're about.

You were here at the beginning when you guys voted on us to get our building.

And I think at that time, you know, I came in with a lot of high bar goals.

And I think what I said to you was I'm someone that does what they say.

And I'm very proud to this day, because we said a high bar when we first came in, we've been in the building now almost three years.

I'm proud of our community partners, which include the Union for Contemporary Art, the 24th Street BID.

Boy, I'm old.

Empowerment Network, Culture House, Nebraska Writers Collective, those were in the community outside the community.

OPS School District, Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha Symphony, Opera Omaha, Omaha Conservatory of Music, UNO, UNL.

We've served over 10,000 young people to date.

At the time, we weren't really doing a lot of shows there.

And I think I came in and you guys voted on us to get a liquid license for our venue to hold national acts, local acts.

And to date, we do about a hundred and forty-five shows or events a year.

We've turned it to a real destination, not just for the community.

Actually, most of our constituents are outside of the community, and it was interesting because a lot of people told me we weren't gonna be able to do that when we first came down there, and uh it has become a spot.

So if you haven't been, I recommend all of you, I I welcome all of you to come down.

Um we've recently done a uh pretty major innovation to the entire um uh venue.

We've also built in um piano lab for our education, because that is the backbone of what we are.

Um, a drum lab, we have a broadcast lab, we have dance studio, we have a base lab.

So we are more education than um uh performance, but probably somewhat equal.

And that's that's that's a heavy, heavy, heavy lift.

To be honest, if I knowing how big this lift was gonna be when I first came in, I might have given it a second guess.

But it is extremely rewarding what we can do in that community uh because a lot of the problems in the community are almost unquantifiable.

You can't look at data sheets and analytics and come up with solutions a lot of times.

But I do know that the arts uh provide young people with um motivation with um uh self-assuredness, and it gives them focus and living on a block where a lot of the crime in this city happens, um, where just a few weeks ago there was someone murdered at a major event there.

Uh I have a sense of urgency with making things happen.

So it's not about getting on a soapbox and talking about oh, this is cool.

No, this is real stuff, right?

So I appreciate the opportunity to get a grant from um Lavanya, thank you.

And uh, yeah.

That's about it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Motion to approve.

Motion and a second, no further lights.

Roll call.

Harding.

Yes, hug, Melton, Roe, Festerson.

Yes, good one.

Yes, Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item 12, a resolution to approve or revision to the 2026 budget to increase revenues and the keynote by 150,000, and increase appropriations in the Keno Fund Community Service Programs by 37,500 each for our food bank of the Heartland, saving grace parishable food rescue, together Inc.

and Heart Ministry Center.

The public hearing and on item number 12 is open.

Proponents, Councilmember Fesserson, you are recognized.

Thanks, Mr.

President.

Uh as you know, the city council functions as the city's the city council's finance committee functions as the city's keynote.

And this body of peruved a new keynote arrangement with the city of Kearney in recent weeks that are actually is already in effect and already producing um a management fee, uh 2% of gross proceeds for the city of Omaha this year.

Uh but realizing we're talking about the 2026 budget.

What I'm proposing with this amendment is to capture that revenue that otherwise has not been budgeted in 2026 for 150,000.

We know both from the keynote operator and from our own finance estimates, that's a conservative estimate.

We believe that management arrangement will produce 250,000 dollars, but I think it's important we approach that um conservative conservatively as that as that begins.

And it would capture this 150,000 dollars in budget to two for trusted um partners of the city when we talk about fulfilling basic needs throughout the city.

Our food pantries in particular.

And the need is great.

One in eight adults in our metropolitan area is food insecure.

One in five of those are kids.

These four entities, Saving Grace Parishable Food Rescue, Food Bank of the Heartland, the Heart Ministry, and Together Inc.

are servicing these communities citywide.

And I know we'll shepher these funds very diligently as they try to meet these basic needs to our food pantries and to those families in need.

Sadly, I think this need will get worse in the next in the coming months, given the federal cuts to the SNAP benefits.

I know will impact these pantries and put more pressure on them.

So this is meant as a one-time influx to try and help them address that issue as we go forward here.

So I think some of them are here to speak to this item.

Uh so I'll stop there.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any proponents here today which to speak on this item?

There's a couple of us.

Good afternoon, everyone.

My name is Tim Williams.

Um I'm the government affairs officer with Food Bank for the Heartland, 10525 J Street, 68127.

Um I'm here today representing the food bank as well as our 168 pantry uh meal provider backpack mobile pantry and child feeding sites that uh we partner with across the Omaha, the Omaha Metro and the thousands of Omaha neighbors that we serve each and every day.

Um we're here in and speak and to speak in favor of the budget resolution.

We first want to thank Councilman Festerson for for bringing forth uh this this amendment and thank him and uh have gratitude uh for bringing forth this and his support in working to address food insecurity across Omaha.

So, as uh the councilman said, food insecurity uh has been climbing year after year with current rates at historic levels.

From the latest data that's been released from uh report released from Feeding America called Map the Meal Gap, Douglas County alone has seen uh a 49.5% increase in that food insecurity rate from 2023 to 2025, with our current food insecurity rate sitting at approximately 14.5%.

So our neighbors in Omaha continue to feel the effects of years of high inflation and food costs that continue to remain high.

So, in turn, this has placed a really high and increased burden on the food bank and our network partners in order to meet the higher need for food assistance in fiscal year 25 alone, Food Bank for the Heartland, along with our network partners across the region.

We served approximately 904,567 duplicated individuals, which translated into 293,000 households, which is duplicated as well.

So this high demand is not expected to um to dissipate as we continue to move uh forward into this upcoming fiscal year.

In addition to this increased demand, we at the food bank have seen a reduction in the available resources, uh, most keenly felt on the side of the USGA through the federal commodities for this upcoming fiscal year, so fiscal year 26.

We are uh projecting a loss of approximately 2.6 million pounds of food in comparison to fiscal year 24.

And this is due to previous federal funding cuts, sort of the continued uncertainty that remains, and further anticipated rollbacks in federal support.

Furthermore, the cuts that were passed this uh over the summer regarding public benefit programs with SNAP and Medicaid in the the uh budget reconciliation package will only exacerbate our growing uh this growing problem.

These changes will have a ripple effect on our community, and with the extent of their impact still not really known and years down the road.

So it's all these factors combined that make uh this budget allocation, this budget resolution really a monumental first sort of step to working towards meeting this high need in this really altered landscape that we are all working in uh in order to meet the need within the emergency food system.

Uh they will greatly aid the food bank and its mission to provide high quality nutritious foods for your three minutes is up.

Thank you so much for being here and for the work you do.

Thank you.

Good job.

Is there any other proponents here?

Alicia, good afternoon.

Hi, I'm Alicia Christensen, uh Director of Policy and Advocacy at Together uh 812 South 24th Street.

Together is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to healthy food and safe affordable housing.

Our nourish program operates a choice pantry where participants can select food that fits their families' dietary needs and preferences during regular business hours five days a week.

In recent years, as Tim and uh Councilmember Professor Nimson has mentioned, there's been an increase uh um of need in the community.

So for us, that's looked like an average of 155 visitors per day in 2023, which increased to an average of 170 visitors per day in 2024.

And so far this year, we have averaged 203 visitors per day at our pantry.

And so as we anticipate additional challenges as a result of the historic underinvestment in basic needs programs at the federal level, we greatly appreciate the city's foresight and strengthening Omaha's food support system.

Together, which maybe some of you know was formed in the wake of the 1975 tornado that devastated the city.

Uh, we're celebrating our 50th anniversary this year.

And this funding will help us increase capacity to meet the growing need, and we appreciate the city's support and partnership as we continue our commitment to serving Omaha into the future.

So thank you very much.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today?

Good afternoon.

Hi everyone, uh, I'm Lenley Corbett Koontz with Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue.

Our business address is 4611 South 96th Street, uh, suite 154.

I'm here to speak in support of the resolution and thanks to Councilman Festerson for his um inclusion of us in this.

We are a nonprofit organization uh operating in the Omaha metro area.

Our mission is about rescuing excess perishable and prepared food that already exists from food sources, such as grocery stores, caterers, event centers, and hospitals, and then we deliver that food same day to a network of almost 50 nonprofit organizations who are serving community members in need.

We utilize a fleet of refrigerated vehicles to do this and operate five days a week.

The food that we rescue is highly nutritious and consumable that unfortunately would likely just be thrown away.

Nationally, over 30 percent of food produced goes unsold or uneaten.

So we have excess food and hungry people, and we're working to connect those.

We operate with a just-in-time model, meaning the items that are approaching a best buy, sell by, or use by date are being moved off shelves but still need a good home.

Our trucks and drivers match those uh that access food with organizations that are serving members of our community.

We don't warehouse any of the food, meaning uh the partners receive it uh as fresh as we do.

And through July of this year, 65% of the food that we've rescued of our 850,000 pound goal is produce and dairy, which are two very highly requested items.

We believe that the best use of food is to feed people.

Keeping food out of landfills also helps to contribute to a healthier climate.

Food in landfills as it decomposes, releases methane gas, which is a terrible contributor to air pollution.

Uh we know that in uh speaking with our nonprofit organizations, our partner organizations that include places such as homeless shelters, pantries, senior centers, transitional living, that their numbers are increasing and that more feed more food is needed.

As you've heard, they're seeing new populations and people who haven't needed assistance before.

Uh, in addition to those that we already partner with, we do have a wait list of nonprofits that are seeking our assistance, uh, which just continues to demonstrate that the need is increasing, not decreasing.

As an organization, we'll celebrate 12 years in existence next month, and before the end of the year, we will reach 10 million pounds of food rescued and redistributed.

Food that will uh has become millions of meals uh delivering uh hope in our community, uh helping to address food insecurity and hunger, and knowing that that food might have otherwise be thrown away.

Uh, we appreciate that these funds could be invested uh to be uh uh used for the delivery.

Uh, we do that free of charge to our partner organizations, and so investing these dollars into that will help our trucks uh remain in motion, uh, that mission alive in our community uh and help us to create a community where all members are nourished.

Thank you.

Good afternoon to all of you.

Uh we're so honored to be here today along with our partners.

My name is Domini Ron.

I'm the CEO of the Heart Ministry Center located at 2222 Binny Street, uh, the heart of North Omaha.

Our mission is to provide food, health care, and a way forward to people severely affected by poverty in the Omaha area.

We are here today to express our strong support for the proposed amendment in the 2026 city budget to appropriate uh an additional 150,000 for food distribution services in Omaha.

The demand for food assistance in our community continues to rise.

And without added resources, too many of our neighbors will struggle to meet their basic needs.

The Heart Ministry Center operates the largest pantry in Nebraska.

And our work highlights the scale of the food scarcity challenge.

In 2025 alone, we project to distribute more than 3.17 million pounds of food over 160,000 community members, uh, will open our doors.

These numbers reflect both the incredible reach of the center and the rever reality faced by families across Nebraska who are experiencing food insecurity.

Increased city support for food pantries across Omaha will ensure organization like ours can continue to meet this ever-growing demand.

Every dollar invested goes toward feeding children, families, seniors, uh, and individuals uh otherwise may not know their next know where their next meal is coming from.

Food security is critical for health, stability, and opportunity.

By funding this amendment, the city council will demonstrate a commitment to ensuring Omaha residents the uh can have access to nutritious food.

Thank you for your leadership and consideration of this important investment uh in the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents here today?

How's it going?

My name is Nick Kohler, uh, 4806 Dodge Street.

I'm also the policy and funding analyst for Apex Family Care, uh, Social Services and Foster Care Agency.

Um thank you, Councilmember Festerson for bringing this to the forefront.

You know, where the federal government has failed and put an unnecessary burden on local and state uh governments and organizations to pick up the finances, it's the most vulnerable individuals who are the most impacted.

Uh SNAP as itself is a crutch, not a catch-all for the individuals, regardless of what individuals may think.

I would know this firsthand as my mother who is a teenager and I relied on SNAP to get by as a child.

Working in social services and in foster care, whether it be at Apex or during my time at Meals on Wheels, I've seen firsthand just how much a little assistance can do and can go a long way.

A hungry child cannot learn or focus as they're consistently wondering where their next meal will be and whether or not they're going to have a meal or dinner in their belly that night.

You all have the opportunity to make a direct impact here in your community and for the individuals you see every single day, and I want to remind you all of that.

Thank you so much, Cons member Festerson and the rest of the city council, and I greatly encourage you all of you to vote yes for this amendment.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, City Council members.

My name is Clarice Dombeck.

I live at 901 Farnham Street, and I am here today representing no one but myself.

Um so for the last five years, I've been the lead organizer for a community garden on 24th in Pratt called Healing Roots African Diaspora Garden.

In those five years, we have provided free and fresh produce to all of our neighbors.

Um not only free and fresh produce, free, fresh, and culturally relevant produce to all of our neighbors.

And for the first time this year, we joined in with Free Farm Syndicate, which is a grassroots-led organization that also provides free and fresh produce to communities across North and South Omaha.

And since June, um, and may I add that is an entirely volunteer-based organization.

And in since June, at our stand on 24th in Pratt, we have seen we have served 70 individuals every Sunday.

We have provided free, fresh, and culturally relevant produce to 70 individuals every Sunday.

That is almost 900 people so far this season.

And the majority of those individuals are walking to the farm stand because they don't have access to a vehicle.

They are coming from Evans Tower, excuse me.

They're coming from Evans Tower, where it's primarily elders and community members with disabilities.

They are intergenerational families in our neighborhood where the grandmother is taking care of multiple grandkids.

They are single mothers or people who have recently come into hard times that are looking to make ends meet in a time where our federal state and local government is not meeting the need.

People need more, and without more, folks are going to continue to go hungry.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today?

Are you guys proponents?

Are there any upholders here?

Council members already recognize.

Oh, I'm sorry, I thought Amy Ladies first.

Councilmember Melton, you're recognized.

Thank you.

It was she was at first.

Well, and I I just I actually wanted to make it just make a few clarifications.

Um Mr.

Fesserson didn't just make this money magically appear.

Um what happened was a couple weeks ago the city council appeared approved a contract to provide um the keynote basically services to the city of Kearney.

So actually who all you all should be thanking would be the keyno players in Kearney, because the keyno loser players in Kearney, right?

Um so they're the ones it's bec that's the reason that we did not have this anticipated revenue in the original drafted budget was because the mayor this wasn't passed.

And so what the reason this hundred and fifty thousand actually exists is because this council passed that contract with the city of Kearney a few weeks ago.

The and the finance committee, we just got the the the estimated 150,000 in our last meeting.

So normally this money then the increase, it would be the mayor that would then allocate this through the mayor's community service grants.

Uh Mr.

Festerson took it upon himself to decide who he wanted it to go to, and I think the council looked at it and we all said, you know what, food banks are really good.

So um I I think we support that.

I just wanted to let everyone know, all seven of us couldn't have said I have 150,000 and now I get to pick um my nonprofits uh where it's gonna go.

So I I wanted to kind of make that that clarification of how we got that money.

And then also keyno money, a lot of people are unaware, keyno money can only be used for community service um projects.

We cannot take keyno money and put it into public works to fix our roads.

We we cannot um put it into uh anything that the city needs.

Like we can't give it to the parks department um for maintenance.

It's Nebraska statute requires that uh keyno money um be allocated just to community service programs.

And so happy we're happy to do that, and we're glad that the food banks will be able to make good use of of these additional kino funds that we're getting from our sister city carney.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Council member right now.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I just wanted to add uh a little clarity uh to uh council member Felton's words.

Um, I do thank Councilmember Festerson for the foresight.

Um when uh we heard the public hearing and many people talked about the food insecurity, the cuts to SNAP, um, you know, his response, I don't know who all he reached out to, but it was, you know, we knew we did have the 150,000 that was had not been designated from keynote, um, and said, hey, what about looking how to distribute this to, you know, help with food insecurity in Omaha in response to our public hearing?

Um I worked in a food pantry prior to um my current gigs for six years.

And so I did give a little perspective actually as to what would be the highest impact, knowing that there's a hundred and sixty-eight food pantries that the food of the heartland serves.

And so what you hear see here is a little bit of strategy.

One, you have uh together, that's midtown almost South Omaha, uh that you have Heart Ministry Center, that's North Omaha, and then you've got uh food bank of the Heartland and Saving Grace that serve all pantries or those that they're in partnership with.

And so um really it there was some thought to how do we respond to public hearing and let people know that you can't move a ton of money within one uh budget uh public hearing in that way, but how can we show constituents that we're listening to them and that and that this council does uh play a role in in supporting our most vulnerable population.

So just wanted to add a little more context to that.

Thank you.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

So normally I would be hesitant to increase revenues and and just picking a number and increasing revenues, but uh and especially with the new venture, but uh knowing the operator being big red keynote and the fact that Kearney already had a keyno operation, that it's just that big red is now taking over the management and operation of that, knowing that there is a track record of the the revenues that that would produce.

Um so I'm I'm comfortable with with the amount that uh the council member Festerson has put forward to to address this uh need.

Um so I'll be supportive of that.

One of the questions I was originally going to ask, and I hope I just want to put it out there, but I don't want to start a food fight in the sense that if there isn't enough money in there, how do you allocate that if everyone's getting 75,000?

I just I I know that food fight will not occur.

Um, but um I know the this is a conservative estimate as to what the revenues will be uh produced from the the operations in Carney, and again, thanks to our our uh fellow Nebraskans in Kearney for helping us out in Omaha.

Um so as I said, normally I wouldn't be supportive of an increase in revenues with the new venture, but this is not, I don't think you can consider this a new venture because it was an existing operation that is now being operated by uh big red keynote.

So I will support it in that regard.

Motion to approve.

Got a motion and a second.

My comments are I Mr.

Harbing, when he brought this to us a couple weeks ago, in order for us to get this this revenue.

Um I commend Councilmember Fesserson for his leadership.

We certainly recognize the hunger in our community, and we are doing all we can with these funds to help that, and it's gonna be a growing need.

And I thank everybody that was here today and the work you do in our community to combat hunger and help people.

Thank you.

No further lights, roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug?

Melton?

Yes.

Rowe.

Yes.

Festerson.

Yes.

Goodwin.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Item 13, a resolution to approve a revision to the 2026 budget to increase the general fund and community service programs by $35,000 for the Omaha Parks Foundation and $15,000 for the Omaha Municipal Land Bank.

Public hearing is now open on item number 13.

Councilmember Harding proponent you recognize.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Here's the broken record again.

This is for the uh a parks project.

Um ideally it's uh we have not identified the specific park yet, but it will be in District 6 uh to address some of the maintenance issues in that area.

Uh that's for $35,000.

I was also then approached um before this went to our agenda about um a gap for the the land bank that I think needed to be filled.

The uh 2026 uh proposed funding level uh was fifteen thousand dollars less than it was in in 2025.

And the land bank is doing incredible work for our community and to getting properties um that are uh sitting fallow, if you will, and getting them to be um productive and uh uh tax paying in the sense of property taxes uh and contributing in that regard to the to the city.

So to fill that gap of fifteen thousand dollars, I I chose to uh take that from the fifty thousand I had to put in toward the land bank.

So with that I will ask for um I'll make the um motion to approve.

Got a motion and a second.

Are there any other proponents on item number thirteen?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed, no further lights, roll call.

Harding.

Yes, hug, Melton, Roe, Festerson, yes, good one.

Yes, Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item 14, a resolution to revise the 2026-2031 capital improvement program funding for the North 24th Streetscape Improvement Project.

Public hearing is now open on item number 14 proponents, Councilmember Goodwin, you're recognized.

So thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh this item is near and dear to my heart, the North 24th Street Streetscape Master Plan in its totality, what it looks to do is to improve pedestrian safety, walkability, multimodal transportation options within the North 24th Street corridor, improved traffic signaling, as well as um bring uh multimodal amenities to that corridor.

And this amendment is basically because uh prior to my running for council, I'd rate I'd raise $13 million for the streetscape plan, and we were seeing some of it programmed within the CIP, but we were not seeing the HUD proportion programmed, uh which those dollars expire in 2030.

And so I appreciate the council staff, public works and planning, uh working with us just to um get all of those dollars programmed.

Uh and so we'll sh we should be seeing groundbreaking within this project in 2026.

And so I'm excited to um essentially uh support this amendment.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents here?

Yes, sir.

Uh Donnie R.

Johnson, the Johnson Equation Foundation and North Omaha Concerned Citizen Foundation.

One of the things on this North 24th.

Now we I I talked to Mr.

Roe, and we lost the money out or not lost a bid for $122 million for the person that's not plaza.

So now we're looking at would a cat mutual Omaha building, would that be a product?

Because there's a some developers who want to buy the whole process for embassy and counsel it.

So could we add that another person to negotiate with that?

So first and I just want to walk anything else up on these projects.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today?

Item number 14.

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Seeing none public hearing is closed, Councilmember Goodwin, you're recognized.

I think it's okay.

I'm just looking at the buttons here.

Councilmember Fesserson, you're recognized.

Thanks, Mr.

President.

Uh, I'm pleased to support this amendment today.

Thank you to Councilmember Goodwin for bringing it.

It's a great project.

I'm pleased to see her bring her enthusiasm for the renovation of North 24th Street.

Uh uh now as a city council member, previously as a BID member to help get this done.

It'll be a game changer uh for that community and for our entire community.

And with this amendment, I have found in my work in this area in business district renovations, it's really important to have it expressed correctly in city documentation and in the city capital improvement plan in this case.

As we're going about the phasing of a project, and as we're going about raising additional money for our project, whether that be federal money or philanthropic money.

So uh this is uh a good way to go about doing that.

It's currently expressed as other local in 200 um seven or eight and nine, which sometimes means we don't exactly know what that's gonna be, uh, but also provides flexibility to what that's gonna be.

And from my perspective, whether it's philanthropic or not, this is something the city should do and should figure out as a match to the federal funds that otherwise would be wasted.

So um I'm happy to support this today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Melton, you're recognized.

Yes, and again, I the and this is for th those watching, I also like to clarify um I love the project, Ms.

Goodwin.

I and I won't repeat everything that you just said.

I think it's fabulous.

And actually, what is even more fabulous is this isn't money that's coming out of our general fund or bonds.

Um this is money that's actually being raised and that has already been raised.

Um so now we're just reflecting the correct numbers based upon the money that's being raised so that it it's reflected properly in our CIP.

We are not allocating any of your tax dollars to this project.

We're simply reflecting the money that Ms.

Goodwin and others have raised for this project, and then we have some matching dollars and some federal funds.

And so this is just a more accurate reflection of what needs to be done and in each year.

And so I I appreciate the clarification, but I always like to let people know that because I'll get this is it's even more fabulous when you're raising the money to do these things that benefit um various areas of our city.

And I think that's really important, and I thank you for all the work that you have done on that.

And I look forward to seeing the project as its phases complete over the next couple of years.

Thank you.

Thank you.

No further lights, roll call.

Oh, do we get a motion?

Sorry.

Motion is second, roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Yes.

Melton.

Yes.

Rowe.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item 15, a resolution to approve a revision to the 2026 budget to remove the terms, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

I will open the public hearing on item number 15 proponents, Councilmember Harding, you're recognized.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh the reason for this, and it it as it says it's for uh no financial impact on the budget, but it has the potential to affect the funds that come to the City of Omaha through the Federal Government.

So there was an executive order from the White House that puts in jeopardy if you have DEI or DEI programs within your organization, in this case the city, that you could lose Federal funding for your projects.

The amount of money that we receive from the federal government is millions upon millions of dollars that goes toward things like affordable housing, community development block grants, public works and our roads, parks, and the upkeep of those.

And in order to make sure that we are not putting the City of Omaha in jeopardy of losing those federal funds and delivering to the citizens of Omaha the services, the public services that we provide and the level of services that we provide, I thought that this was a necessary and prudent action to take to move forward for this.

Thank you.

Councilmember Goodwin, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

You know, well, it I was in a conversation earlier today where I talked about words.

And I think in this case, go back.

It could be interpreted as if we no longer care about equity.

We no longer consider the gaps that we know exist in this nation as it pertains to minorities, women, other underrepresented or marginalized communities.

But am disheartened that in 2025 we're here.

And sometimes I talk to my father-in-law, Dan Goodwin Sr., who fought on the front lines of civil rights in the city.

And honestly, he says, I thought we would be further.

You know, he actually went to the march on Washington for jobs and freedom because it wasn't simply about social expression.

It was about the right to literally sit where I'm sitting today.

And so whereas I understand the purpose, the political correctness of this moment, um, I'm disheartened.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And Councilmember Melton, you're recognized as a proponent.

I the order got mixed up, so I wanted to recognize you as a co-sponsor with Councilmember Harding, so the floor is yours.

Thank you.

And and I just want to say exactly what it says.

Um I don't want to put the the millions of dollars uh that this city receives uh for projects such as the project just before.

Um there was three million dollars that that uh we're receiving in HUD grants for the 24th Street landscape project.

It's a federal fund.

I don't want to see, I don't want to see 24th Street BAD lose that funding.

Um Safer grants for the fire department, 18.

We have currently we have 18 firefighters being funded by the safer grants that's provided by FEMA, federal funds, 18 firefighters.

And we've applied for another safer grant grant for another 18 firefighters, um, which is extremely important for our city.

But probably most important, and what you hear from everybody is roads, roads, roads.

We have to fix our roads.

We pay for all of our major road projects, eighty to ninety percent of the funding comes from the federal government.

We can't fund our road projects without the federal funds.

In addition, we have um C D BG funds, affordable housing funds, um, all of those funds come from the federal government.

And at it's almost every night um when I turn on the news, I hear of somebody losing federal funding based upon this directive um that we've received from Washington, D.C.

Uh universities are are losing their their funding for um a lot of their research grants and health care.

I don't want the city of Omaha to be on that list.

I don't want to turn on the news and see that the city of Omaha is gonna lose all of their federal funding.

Um Mr.

Steube, I'm not asking you to support or not support um this, but how much money do we uh receive on an annual basis from the federal government for infrastructure projects?

Do you have an estimate?

Pop Stuby Public Works.

I don't have an estimate on the top of my head, but obviously the Omaha metro area gets uh an allocation uh from the federal government on an annual basis.

And I'll give you an example of a project that probably would not get done if it wasn't for the fact that we got federal funds.

And if you drive 168th Street from Key Street all the way north to Pacific Street, you will recognize uh that that was probably close to 50 to 60 million dollars of federal funding that was utilized for that particular project.

So federal funding coming to the Omaha metro area, it's just not for city limits, it's for Douglas County, Sarpee County, and some of the other uh jurisdictions within the Omaha metro area.

So it's a very, very important source of funding for us.

So just that one project was 50 to 60 million.

If we were to lose federal funding for infrastructure projects, um we would go over a hundred million easily.

Is that I I'm assuming is that correct?

Correct.

And again, that uh there's a formula that's used that gives a direct allocation to the Omaha metro area, and so you have multiple jurisdictions that are uh competing for those funds.

And so again, it's it's city of Omaha having projects that are identified as very important in order to be able to uh keep the transportation uh network functioning properly and allow for us to be able to maintain um uh a city that provides for not only commuters but also the commerce that exists.

Thank you.

And so I that's the reason I don't want to see Omaha lose the the funds that we are receiving um from the federal government.

I think it would be devastating for our infrastructure, it would be devastating for affordable housing.

It would be devastating for low-income people that are counting on it, and it would be devastating for every taxpayer because those are our those federal funds are it's our money too.

We're the ones funding the federal government.

So then our money that we're sending to DC is gonna go to other cities and not to us.

Um and I don't want to see that happen either.

So that's the reason we're doing this.

Removing were those words on two pages in our budget in order to save us hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding doesn't mean that we're changing our policies.

No one's we're not asking to eliminate any positions.

We're not asking our HR department to do anything differently.

In fact, I think our hiring processes are fabulous.

I think um the diversity and especially going after diversity and our police and our fire and our recruitment, none of that's gonna change.

We're simply removing these words from the budget.

So that's that's why I I co-sponsored this with Mr.

Harding.

It's to save us, save us those from losing those federal dollars.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Harding, you recognize.

Yeah, I I think um one other point and then one other comment, I guess.

Um I guess the point I was gonna make was um actually earlier on our on our agenda, item number 12.

Uh that was to help fund some of the uh shortfalls that the some of the um nonprofits um related to food have seen happen.

So the the I I wouldn't even call it a threat, but the reality that federal funds are being cut or withheld in certain cases, and that's one of the reasons why I think we heard the the food related uh 501c3s here talking about those cuts is exactly what we're talking about, hoping that we don't see happen at the the city level from those federal funds.

Then the the one point other point I was gonna bring up, at least at this point, is that and council member Melton kind of hit on that.

Um I originally uh approached the mayor's office uh about this, I was very specific to say this is not targeted at any one person or any individual.

Um it was exactly what it was.

It was the elimination for that reference.

And um I must say uh and I actually even said it to to the person who had that in his title.

Um what I find kind of a little upsetting, at least to me, is that today the the mayor's office put out uh a statement um that really made it about that one individual?

And I think that's unfair to me because I was very specific in my comments and reason to bring this forward again was not targeted to any one individual because I know that individual who had that in his title also had a myriad of other responsibilities that he did and provided for the citizens of Omaha.

So I I did take offense to that um attack to say that uh or to at least give the implication that I was doing that or targeting someone for that so um I will publicly say that again to all of you since I did to the mayor earlier and to that individual that that was never the intention of this that person does his job for the city of Oma and does a hell of a job doing it thank you are there any other proponents on item number 15 here today do you want to be proponent right okay council member goodwin you're recognized I'm sorry.

No that's no problem.

I I only wanted to reemphasize a few things one that I absolutely care about federal funding coming to the city.

However I would be remiss if I did not express my concern and the concern of many of the constituents in my district that this appears to be an attack on diversity not necessarily from this council but at a higher level and that we're at a critical moment that it isn't just words and it will start being policy and so I I cannot simply not say that because my origins tell me differently so just to be clear I understand what's at stake but I also understand the dog whistle from a higher level thank you.

Thank you got a motion and a second are there any any other proponents proponents Donnie are you a proponent?

Yes sir you've been going with the council first and the citizens like later but okay anyway Donnie R.

Johnson and Johnson question foundation North Omaha Conservative Citizen Foundation 4928 North 52nd Street.

You know I read these books and uh Thomas Edison and that other fellow Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bill refused to accept any money from the federal government.

And I'm trying to figure out why because Senator Chambers didn't want any gold coming from South Africa but if we bring this money to the 2000 200 million to purchase Much of Omaha outside money are we going to get in trouble with like Mr.

Frontenberg because if it first now turned down 122 million.

So in the meantime Mr.

Fredson you must be doing a wonderful job because your name is coming up quite a bit today.

Thank you are there any other proponents on item number 15 myself hi name is uh Alexander Liu I'm just speaking for me.

Uh I'm not gonna tell you guys can you can you give us your address too please oh sorry uh that's okay yeah and push those microphones a little closer thanks so people that's great thank you please uh yeah so I actually um so uh I'm 9505 South 27th Street actually live in Bellevue so like technically I'm just here observing um but as uh somebody who obviously as far as diversity goes this effects I will say that I'm not gonna tell you guys what you should do or not do as far as taking these things out of the budget but I will say that you guys should be a bit play a bit smarter.

I mean come on you can just change the wording you can do things to get around this I mean EOs are also not there at law that's not how they work this is obviously an attack on people like me people like you City Council Goodwin like this is very clearly what they're trying to do.

This is also McCarthyism right out of the book this is not the first time this has happened in our the history of our country and this is probably not going to be the last time it's gonna happen either unfortunately but I mean you guys can quite literally just change the terms you use and still actively include minority populations within the wording of you know your budgets and everything else like it's quite easy to still include us and not violate whatever nonsense they're doing up on you know in DC like it's not difficult to do that but you guys say does it it's not like oh we're not attacking anybody or not trying to exclude anybody but there's already reports that you know women are being very clearly cut out of jobs and excluded from things like it's there's already ripple effects to different marginalized minority groups like as a trans person very clearly is affecting you know my community so just saying it's like you guys don't think it's affecting people but it it obviously already is and it's gonna get worse from here.

So just saying it's like you guys don't think it's affecting people, but it it obviously already is, and it's gonna get worse from here.

So thank you.

Are there any other proponents here today?

Hello, my name is Lynn Mills.

I live at 3509 California Street.

Uh Councilman Bagley, I live in District 3.

I wasn't gonna speak today, but um Councilman Goodwin, uh you spoke eloquently, and I agree a hundred percent.

This is just the beginning of chipping away at rights on little things that you think are not important right now, are becoming important, sir.

Councilman Harding.

This is the worst step that we could take for this city right now.

We are yes, we are facing a country that is facing diversity um in ways that we haven't experienced in a long time.

We do not need to be a city that follows suit what the president of the United States that says that we should not have DEI.

Why is he saying this?

We could go on and on about why.

It's simple, it's straightforward, it's not right, it causes diversity, it causes causes diversity, it causes people to lose jobs, to lose positions that they are actually qualified for, sir.

This is about keeping Omaha Omaha friendly, Omaha inclusion.

We need DEI in the budget for 2026.

It's simple, it's just words, and I don't care how many times we have to hear about roads, roads, roads.

I'd rather have DEI in the 2026 budget than talking about the importance of fixing roads.

Omaha is known for its problems with the roads.

DEI is not roads, are not enough to say that DEI should be taken out simply because it's just words.

It is the beginning of something worse.

And I want to thank you for your time.

I really want you to consider this.

This is not right, it's not right for our city.

It's not right for our people, sir.

And I appreciate your time listening to me.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents on item number 15?

Yeah, I know.

Any proponents seeing none.

Are there any opponents to item number 15?

Larry Store, 5015 Lafayette Avenue.

Omaha 68132.

This is not the first time I've talked on this topic.

I'm against it.

Number one, it's against the Constitution.

We have an equality clause.

Anything other than that is not equality.

Okay.

Constitutional.

DEI is illegal.

There's an executive order that declares it illegal.

Also, I'm tired of hearing you guys cry, baby, about the state does this or does that, and you want all the money from the state, and you want all the money from the federal government.

How many times have you heard the term clawback from people like me?

Not just me, but four or five other people that no longer want to come down here because you don't listen.

Federal government never gave you the constitutional right to overspend.

They said, yeah, the federal has certain powers and the states have certain powers.

The state maybe dictates to you and tells you you gotta use ARPA money.

You don't have to take it.

It started with ARPA, but it's now you're crybabying about the federal grants and the federal money that came out of my pocket.

Because you guys don't want to stop spending on spatial programs.

A lot of them aren't working.

Don't come to me and say I'm racist.

That is DEI.

DEI should be wiped out of all your documents and all your proclamations because it's not equality.

It is inequality pro bono.

And we're tired of it.

The citizens are tired of it.

We're also tired of you declaring us a democracy when you swore to a re defend a republic.

We are a republic, not a democracy.

That's part of DEI, that's part of Marxism.

So stop crying, stop spending, and stop giving it out to people who wants anything for everything.

And stop kicking me out.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents here today to item number 15?

Louis C minus 2709 Dewey Avenue.

To be clear by opposing the resolution, we want to keep DEI in the budget, right?

That that's okay.

So yeah, um.

I'm here to oppose uh to strike the words diversity, equity, and inclusion for from the city of Omaha's 26 uh yearly budget.

Um I would give this to the clerk, this book, diversity, equity and inclusion for dummies, puts my only copy.

Uh the uh Mr.

Harding and uh um councilwoman Melton.

I think this is a good book to uh look at.

Um I do have prepared comments, but let me read from this.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion have taken a front seat for organizations seeking to capitalize on new talent, more women, greater ethnicity, five generations, and different abilities, backgrounds, experiences, thinking styles, beliefs, and ways of working, and build world class cultures.

They recognize that in order to attract, engage, and remain top talent, uh retain top talent and new customers, clients, and members, they must have strong leaders who can work effectively across differences, and they must foster a work environment where all talent enjoys a sense of belonging and inclusion and has an equal opportunity for succeeding for success.

Um I remember when uh the Douglas County passed their DEI program, which the county employees uh could opt into, and leaders in uh in the county participated, like County Treasure John Ewing, who's now our mayor, and Kent Holmes, and they expressed their approval and the youthful usefulness when the county board of commercials received their annual report on the DEI program.

Uh, this resolution implies that our city must erase these words in order to protect federal funding, but there's no evidence that Omaha's grants are in danger simply because our budget acknowledges diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In fact, by actually having this resolution, you might have drawn attention uh to this, and this lacks of Trumpism.

Uh, we have a black democratic mayor, and so President Trump is gonna find whatever reason he can if he really wants to go after Omaha.

So I uh encourage you to uh not strike these words because it's uh it's nonsensical.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents to item number 15?

Hello, I'm Melissa Polendo, 4016 Walnut Street, and this is Autumn.

If you hear her snoring, I'm sorry.

Okay, so I think a little people were confused in regards to opposing or proposing.

So I am in opposition that the words um DEI diverse diversity equity and inclusion be removed from the budget.

Um Harding has proposed a few resolutions that align with the federal, um, the federal governments.

I don't believe that you are voted in the federal, you know, I mean you're not the president, so like your constituents are the people of Omaha.

Um, diversity, equity, inclusion.

I personally received a diversity scholarship from the Board of Realtors.

These types of initiatives um do a lot of good for people.

If it wasn't for that scholarship, I would not be an agent, would not be able to provide for my children, would not be feeling empowered to come up here and speak.

So, with that being said, I don't believe that we should align ourselves with the federal government because your constituents um are not asking for that.

I don't believe anyone proposed this to you.

I do think you brought this upon yourself because you do have your own personal political beliefs.

Um I do not think that removing DI DEI is gonna protect us in any other way.

I think the city can do a lot more for their um constituents and in certain cities, I mean certain areas of town, but not even that.

There's Hispanic and black people all over Omaha, not just in North Omaha and South Omaha.

They're um they're not represented as much as they should be.

You know, our school districts are very um segregated, things of that nature.

But what I want to acknowledge is that removing DEI, what it does, it panders to classism because there's a lot of poor white people.

And there's a lot of poor white people, they feel like their entry-level opportunities are taken away from them because of DEI.

And that needs to be addressed.

Like the classism issues need to be addressed in Omaha because when you start to pit people of color against uh poor people, like people of color aren't poor, right?

They have lack of access.

So we want more access.

We want our children to have more access to opportunities, and we don't want to fight for access along with peers that are not necessarily at our same level.

If you get what I'm saying, like I'm I'm person of color, but that doesn't mean I I'm in poverty based on like circumstances, not because of like choices, but people, white people who are in poverty, they have more access to opportunities.

So I want my children to have the same access, if not more access based on their character, not their economic situation.

So removing DEI, it starts to snowball.

If you do it, your three minutes is up.

Thank you for coming today.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents here today on item number 15?

Hello, my name is Glenn Easter.

I'm with Safe Haven Community Center.

Um I'm also a resident at 2895 Benny Street in North Omaha.

And um, I wasn't coming to speak on this uh particular matter and just got my time crossed.

But um I was sitting back there and I was thinking about uh I believe it was last year when they uh university and um had students come up for DEI and they were removing um that from the university.

It was about 150 people there, diverse and you know, young, older, you know, and they were talking about how um DEI um helped them.

You know, all nationalities.

Um, you know, for me, I've I I think this is not about you know, people's homosexuality or or any of those things.

It's just about fairness, you know, and like the young ladies said, there are um families and or low-income families that are not just black, you know, across Nebraska that are struggling.

And to me, you know, being the fact that I have seen a lot of racism, um, I have seen on the side of Republicans and Democrats that are that some are not so good uh with supporting um families um or pretending to want to help um, you know, families, but they they have their own agendas.

Um I don't want to see um this removed because I think it'll help all people, and that's what it needs to be the focus really needs to be on is about people, period.

No matter what it is, uh if if they're struggling to get jobs, housing, what whatever it is, you know, we need to be looking at uh at that.

I also want to say lastly, that I would like to have um because of the um the um commission on African American Affairs, who I'm no longer a commissioner due to some issues that um have gone on, discrimination, um, people working against myself, Terry Crawford, and others.

This is a board uh commission that could do the work to help families in all areas of education, housing, economic development.

And I have seen um certain powers work against this commission.

I want uh LB 69 um to be overturned, and I'm asking the entire community, um, especially black people to stand and have that um commission overturned because these are areas and and things that we can work on.

Um education, the judicial system, all things that affect us.

And even in this matter, you know, this just happened to be a part, but you know, it's not all black people that's three minutes is up.

Thank you for coming down today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents on item number 15 here today?

Uh I'm Carter Akenberg.

Uh I'm from 1347 South 52nd Avenue.

Um, and I didn't know that this is being brought up today.

This is my first uh time being here.

Um, and I frankly, I guess I'm disappointed that this extends to the people that represent me at my own level.

That to me, just looking at history that I've learned through my high school classes, um, through college, political classes that have taken my own research, etc.

This is how things like this start is that it's always words and then it's actions, and then these actions become law.

It's not just references or things we should do that we should bend the knee and do things like this, because this ultimately will result in us regressing all of these years of all of this change that has been made that I wasn't around to see the blood and the sweat and the tears that were put into that to make that happen, but I'm gonna be around to see it regress and go backwards, and I would be remiss if I was just gonna let that happen and not have my voice be heard at a place where I feel like I could make some change, and I think that this should not go through and that either way, they're gonna take away our funding when we make a misstep somewhere later along the line, anyway, in my personal opinion, because this in and of itself is ridiculous, so he's just gonna make up other ridiculous things to get rid of all of the blue cities and all of the blue states' ability to receive funding until they change their laws and they change all of their ideologies completely to fit Donald Trump's view, who does not represent this city, you guys represent this city, and I think that this is not okay, I guess.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents on item 15?

Michael Duffy, 1011 South 35th Street.

Um I'm strongly opposed to this resolution.

Uh I really enjoyed listening to Councilwoman Goodwin, and I thought you made some very important points.

What are we communicating to members of marginalized communities in this city when we say things like our road funding is more important than acknowledging your humanity in our city documents?

It's shameful.

And you can say we're not changing our policies, it's just words, but language constructs reality.

And it's just toadying for a fascist, and it's shameful.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents here on item 15?

Hello.

Uh, my name is Katie Wingate, 338 North 35th Avenue.

I'm uh in uh President Begley's district.

Um I'm here in opposition of the revision of this budget.

Um I believe that the policing of language, specifically these three words in this specific order, uh, is absolutely nefarious.

Um, I think that this revision would be a symbolic alignment with an oppressive state.

Um our city will still be at risk of losing its federal funding regardless of this revision.

Um I think anyone with uh an ear to the ground uh is aware of that.

Um I'd also like to speak to the moral injury of having to make these sorts of decisions.

Um I urge you to represent your constituents uh and what we've heard today that this is a slippery slope and a very scary um loss, I will say.

Um additionally, I do have a question for um Councilmember Harding.

Um I'm wondering how much time was spent uh writing this particular resolution, and um if any of that time could perhaps have been spent reviewing the parks in your district to determine which ones needed the funds.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any uh other opponents on item number 15 here today?

Opponents Hello, um, my name is Jonathan Rentaria, 4334 South 26th Street.

Um, I think it is inappropriate uh for Councilmember Harding to engage in what is basically campaigning for a federal campaign.

I know he can shake his head.

Um John Ewing, unless he's already stated that he's going to support this amendment, um, would theoretically not sign it.

Um, so I don't understand why he would engage in this kind of what you're saying is a version of a smear and saying that you did things to negatively impact a person or their reputation, whatever it was that you said at the beginning.

So I think Brett Lindstrom right now would be kicking himself.

Um I think he wishes that he could be the person to introduce this resolution, this amendment, um, because it is silly.

They're just words.

Um uh council member Melton said, if you're going to be in effect doing the same thing moving forward, why do you need to change the words now?

Like, why can't it be where if there is a fight, go to court?

Like you don't need to lay down your arms or your power as a body right now.

Like take it to court and fight it out.

That's what everyone else is doing.

So unless you're already agreeing with what's gonna be coming down the line, why are you laying down your like your tools already?

Like if there are funds that are promised, like go to the district court, whatever the circuit court, whatever it takes to get that money and keep it coming to the city or to the whatever the projects are, and if we need to subsidize it or take out bonds to like finish it out, we can figure that out because we have rich people here.

There's philanthropic dollars that are gonna be matched for all these projects that are over the five, ten, however many years.

So all I'm saying is I I think it's an appropriate.

I know where your intent is, and I know you're gonna have the perspective you have to make things better in your mind, but listen to the people here.

Like they have been impacted by DEI already, and they want to be positively impacted moving forward.

So just take that into consideration, and maybe you won't change your strategy, but at least change your your mindset with other people's uh perspectives coming to you.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents on item number 15?

Hello, Dana Murray, again.

Um 2510 North 24th Street.

Um it's a hard one.

I should have probably left 20 minutes ago.

Um I couldn't say that any better than Councilmember Goodwin.

Um that sums it up, so I don't have anything else to say on that.

I would offer a suggestion.

This was never council member uh Harding ever gonna hit coming from you, and uh, you've supported me and Noma, so I I like you.

I don't feel there's any nefariousness, but now that we have some um diversity amongst the council, we have some unity.

Uh I feel much better spirit coming here now today.

Um it provides us an opportunity.

I mean, if had you felt that way, and this was was presented by council member uh goodwin, I think it would have hit way different.

Like it's never gonna hit coming from you, right?

And I'm proud to be from Omaha.

I've lived in New York City a lot of my adult life.

I've lived overseas.

I'm proud to come back to Omaha and call this place home because it is special, right?

It is unique.

Um I think people call it the good life for a reason.

People are good here.

Uh they're good people here, and everybody's conservative here.

I don't mean politically.

Everybody's used to doing what they do and they don't want a lot of hiccups in whatever they do.

But um we don't get punked out by politics either, right?

That's we don't do that because we could take out, and I I could care less about you know any words and something because whether the words are there or they aren't, it doesn't um subtract the the pain anybody is going through, or those that are marginalized or those that are leveraged against.

So they're just words.

But what I will say is we could take that out and the funding could still be taken away, just like in the nonprofit world, right?

So I wouldn't trust that, right?

But it makes sense why you would want to.

But if you were gonna present that, that was never gonna was never gonna hit comer from you, right?

And I think we have opportunities with a mayor of color, with a council member that is uh extremely intelligent, smart and capable, that those sort of things can be levied and brought to the table, and it may be more collectively um digest it.

I don't know if any of that makes sense, but uh thanks.

Thank you.

Is there any other opponents here on item number 15?

Good afternoon, but I'm sorry.

You already spoke on this item, so you can't speak again on this item in particular.

On did you speak on 15 already?

No, I spoke on 12.

Okay, I'm sorry, but no problem.

It's okay.

Floor is yours.

Lot of your understanding.

Go ahead.

No, I appreciate it.

Uh my name is Nick Coller, 48 to 6 Dodge Street.

I want to be clear that I'm speaking on behalf of myself for this item.

Um I wasn't gonna speak um in all honesty out of fear, fear for um retaliation from the federal government, fear from individuals in the community, fear from individuals just around, because this is the rhetoric that is now the unfortunate norm that goes on.

People are scared to be themselves.

People are scared to speak out and to speak on what they believe in, simply be out of fear of the federal government and of Trump.

And in all honesty, like I said, I wasn't gonna speak, but move me to speak was the justification from Councilmember Harding and Councilmember Melton for why they brought this forward.

These are the individuals that supported Trump in 20 2016 and 2024, and they are saying this is the directive from him, and they are worried about his reciprocation for what's going on.

But these are the individuals, like I said, that supported him, as a lot of us did, knew full and fair well what he was about and what he was going to implement.

So it frustrates me to no end that this is the justification for it.

Councilmember Goodwin, I want to thank you again for your story.

I really appreciate it.

As I said, working in social services, understanding this first hand.

I know just how hard it is, and I judge just how hard.

You know, individuals won't understand what you what you go through.

I'll never understand what you've gone through, but I appreciate you speaking up on behalf of it, and it just frustrates me incredibly that we're having this conversation that this is the norm in 2025.

Thank you.

Thank you, and thanks for your understanding.

I appreciate it.

Any other opponents here on item number 15?

Uh hello, my name is Dylan Drew.

I live at 1347 South 52nd Avenue.

And uh I just want to say that uh I'm disappointed more than anything.

Obviously, I wasn't alive to see how things used to be, but I don't want to see things regress back to how it is.

Uh I don't think it's gonna stop with the words diversity equity and inclusion, and I think that it is important that we as a city stand together and we take a stand against the federal government rather than just roll over and then see where things lead from here.

We can take our future into our own hands rather than letting the federal government do that for us.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents?

Hi Ted Potter, 296, 3.5 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68105.

Seriously, don't do it.

If they shut off the money and the roads go to hell, you get to blame him, and then you get to take a stand.

And if you do, then you're not standing alone.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other opponents?

Item number 15.

Good afternoon again, Clarice Steinbeck, 901 Farnham Street.

Again, I'm here speaking for myself, and I'm actually very tired, so I would just like to go on the record with saying that I'm an opponent and I agree with the majority of what the other folks said before me.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any opponents remaining on item number 15 public hearing is closed.

We had a motion and a second roll call, no further lights.

Harding.

Hug.

No.

Melton.

Rowe.

Fasterson.

No.

Goodwin.

No.

Mr.

President.

No.

Motion failed.

Three to four.

Item 16, a resolution to raise revenue estimates and revise the expenditures of the 2026 budget due to the areas annexed into the city on July 30th, 2025.

Council discussion on item number 16.

Is there a motion?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Had a motion and a second.

Roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug?

Melton.

Yes.

Rowe.

Festerson.

Good one.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

That was 15.

That was 16.

60.

Item 17.

A resolution to approve the 2026 budget as submitted by the mayor with revisions adopted by city council at this meeting.

Council discussion on item number 17.

Is there a motion?

Motion to prove.

Got a motion and a second.

No lights.

Roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Melton.

Row.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed.

Seven to zero.

Item 18, a resolution to approve the 2026-2031 capital improvement program, planning board and planning department recommend approval.

Council discussion on item number 18.

Is there a motion?

Second.

No lights.

Roll call.

Would be approved as amended with item 18, which is resolution 2025-0811.

That was approved at this meeting.

Okay.

Okay.

Motion and second roll call, sorry.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Melton.

Roe.

Festerson.

Good one.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed.

Seven to zero.

Number 40 now eight.

Item 40.

Can we do a motion?

We're we're moving item 40 up to this part of the agenda right now.

So item 40.

With no objections from my colleagues.

Thank you.

Item 40, an ordinance to amend Chapter 11, Article 2 of the Omaha Municipal Code entitled Food Inspection and Protection.

C is an amendment of the whole requested by Councilmember Melton.

D is an amendment of the whole requested by Councilmembers Bagley and Festerson.

Council discussion, Councilmember Fesser Fester, you are recognized.

Thanks, Mr.

President.

And I want to start by thanking my colleagues for laying this item over a few times since our last public hearing.

Whenever we have some discussions on different items, I think we've had a good tradition of making sure there's a full council to consider these changes and some of the amendments of the whole that are up uh proposed today.

Um so I also want to thank the Douglas County uh Board of Health Department folks are here today and have been working on this issue and trying to address some of the things that came up in that original public hearing, I think, in good faith to address some of those issues to see if we can't get everyone supportive of them.

Um I think that is the nature of the amendment of the whole number 40 D that has been proposed by myself and by Councilman Bakley.

So I want to address that briefly.

Um what amendment of the whole 40 D will do is it does update the code for the first time in I think 20 years.

Uh it's a lengthy document, but that's mostly because it's striking out language that is obsolete and no no longer even effective or uh relevant uh anymore.

Secondly, it does adopt the no bare hands um touching of food, uh, but that is per state law anyway, so it's something we we must do.

And so that is included in this amendment of the whole.

And then it does offer a tweak to a new section uh regarding the handle the food handler section uh and food handler permits that have been proposed.

Um it does still propose them and requires food handlers to take this basic training every two years, but it would exempt anyone under 18 from having to pay it pay a fee, realizing that issue came up in our public hearing and was a point of sensitivity, and particularly one that I agree with with young people trying to say get a summer job or um participate in a first job potentially uh when they're when they're young people, they would still have to have the training and just not pay the fee.

Um I think that's reasonable and addresses some of the concerns we've heard.

So I do want to recognize Eric and Adam and other used have been working on this on this for a long period of time.

I do think and still think they had an effective advisory board from folks from the industry and from the public when they crafted this uh before bringing it to us.

And they still do have the endorsements, strong endorsements, it appears to me, of the Omaha Restaurant Association and the Hospitality Association and numerous other letters of support that we received.

The last thing I'll I'll mention about it for now is that I did take them up on shadowing a food inspector who is here, Sarah.

Um attended a session with her where she visited a restaurant with a typical annual inspection.

Uh I was impressed by that interaction.

Uh it was very very professional in nature on both sides.

This was without identifying who the restaurant was.

It was a mainstream restaurant, um, a corporate restaurant, I would say, uh, that is very well organized.

Um but even so, we observed a lot of issues there that would be better handled by having a food handler permit, as this suggests.

Uh they ended up getting a pretty good rating, I will say, but um definitely some situations that would just benefit from uh some basic training and basic reminders, which is what this section would do.

Um so uh I think that's why also the food industry has been supportive and uh we all be supportive today.

So having said that, I'm sure there'll be some additional conversation about these, but I wanted to move um item 40 D second.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Councilmember Melton, you're recognized.

Uh thank you.

So go go ahead and do the roll call.

I just clicked my button off.

I still support C I still support not having greater regulation for small business in our community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Harding, your recognized.

I too was uh supportive of C.

Um I don't disagree with uh some of what is in D, but I think C was the correct answer.

So in that regard, I will be um not vote for D, but we'll vote for C if D fails.

Thank you.

And I Sarah, I also wanted to say thanks and to your team.

I also did a shadow with you at a restaurant in my district, and the perspective and the professionalism and your expertise and your patience when I observed you observing others.

It it really is I I know people in the community that like to frequent our wonderful restaurants.

Um it's it's reassuring that you're not there with a a little ruler like the nuns used to whack me in the head in grade school if I got out of line or my friends, not me.

But you are so professional, and it's it's you reassure if there's errors being made.

You work with people to make the corrective measures on what they can do for food safety.

So I really enjoyed you affording me the opportunity to go along and see the work that's done and and how we try to keep our community and people frequent our restaurants safe from any food-borne illnesses.

So thank you for that.

With no further lights on, we had a motion and a second roll call.

Harding.

No hug.

Yes, Melton.

No.

Rowe.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Yes, Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, five to two item nineteen to consider a class D liquor license for Leo Ballroom located at 2027 Dodge Street, suites F1 to F2.

When number are we on now?

19.

Sorry.

No, you're good.

I will open the public hearing on item number 19.

Are there any proponents here today?

Good afternoon.

Hello.

Uh my name is Brooke Hudson, and I live at 302 Hackberry Road.

And I'm the owner of the Omaha Design Center LLC.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today in item number 19?

Seeing none, are there any opponents on item 19?

Public hearing is closed.

Got a motion and a second.

Roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Melton.

Rowe.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed.

Seven to zero.

Item 20 to consider a classic lurk license for Pheasant 2.0 Sports Sports Bar and Grill located at 3305 Old Maple Road.

I will open the public hearing on item number 20, proponent here today.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

I'm Kabul Lloyd Malango, the owner of uh 3305, O de Mapolon.

Slope Mountain.

Thank you.

Yes.

Is there any other proponents here today on item 20?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

We have a motion.

Second.

Motion and a second.

Roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Melton.

Yes.

Row.

Festerson.

Good one.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed.

Seven to zero.

Item 21 to consider a class I liquor license for North Atalia located at 17151 Davenport Street, suite 101.

The public hearing on item number 21 is open today.

Proponents, good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

My name is Till O'Neill.

I'm with Baylor Evan and that's a 1248 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.

It's sorry, it's the first time I've ever had to say that.

I just joined the firm.

So thank you for bearing with me.

Your Honor on behalf of the applicant.

It's uh uh a company with the cheese uh cake factory home uh companies, and it's gonna be very excited to have uh uh Italian made from scratch daily, and it's gonna be very exciting for the city of Alma to have this uh new restaurant here, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents?

I think Ms.

Hogan is on Zoom.

Can you hear us?

I can add she's yes, I'm so sorry.

Okay.

Thank you.

And I am I am a proponent as well.

Uh Stephanie Hogan 18884 Mason Plaza Oakhorn 68022.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today?

Seeing none, is there any opponents public hearing is closed?

Second.

Motion and a second, roll call.

Harding.

Yes, hug.

Melton.

Row.

Festerson.

Good one.

Oh, it looks like Goodwin stepped out.

Mr.

President.

I motion passed six to zero.

Item 22 to consider a class D lurker license for NP Mart 31.

Located at 6510 South 84th Street.

Public hearing is now open on item number 22.

David, good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Mr.

President.

Members of the council.

My name is Dave Houghton, uh, 2804 South 87th Avenue.

Uh, here on behalf of the applicant, uh 84th Street Petroleum LLC doing business is NP Mart 31, which is located at 6510 South 84th Street.

Um, this particular location, uh the acquisition was made three weeks ago, and they're operating under a temporary operating permit right now.

Um, and it's the old tobacco location.

Uh my client Ann Gordon is here.

If you folks have any questions, we'd be happy to answer any that you might have.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Item 22.

Public hearing is closed.

Motion.

And a motion and a second roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Melton.

Yes.

Row.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Mr.

President.

I motion passed seven to zero.

Item 23 to consider an addition application for Luke's corner, located at 6002 South 42nd Street to add an outdoor area.

Public hearing is now open on item number 23.

Is the applicant here today?

Proponent.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, everyone.

I'm Luke Samstead.

Uh the address is 6002 South 42nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68107 for Loose Corner.

I am trying to get a beer garden added to my bar.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Councilmember Hug, you're recognized.

Hi.

Hey.

How are you doing?

Good.

Um I just want to make sure I haven't gotten any communication from any neighbors around your bar.

And uh which doesn't surprise me because your bar has a pretty reputation for being a pretty quiet place.

But I do want to make sure you understand that you will be obligated to maintain your business with the city's noise ordinances.

Yes.

That this is one of the main reasons that I'm trying to buy to build the beer garden.

What I'm gonna do is we are going to level the ground with the build with the building, build a a retaining wall to mitigate water and then a privacy fence over it, and I eventually want to put an awning above it.

I am doing this mainly for my neighbors.

I keep in very good contact with my neighbors because I'm in a neighborhood and they're more important because it's their home, their kids, you know.

So I am doing this to try and mitigate the sound and mitigate any problems that might come about, especially as we get busier, because we keep getting busier and busier, and there have been nights where I have had lines outside the door.

So to try and take care of that to help with my neighbors, I'm trying to build a beer garden so there's an outside area so we can get rid of the noise, as well as anybody just wandering around with any of that nature from the parking lot.

Okay, you're not gonna have bands out there.

No, no, I am we are an old school South Omaha bar and we are just doing the same thing that we all grew up with.

Okay, so basically it's gonna be a gathering area, smoking area.

People hang out and drink.

Correct.

Well, like I said, your bar's got a great reputation.

Um I frequented it.

So uh I make a motion to approve.

Got a motion and a second.

I got a quick question for you.

Is this right near the middle schools at Blue STEM Middle School?

Right next to your brothers.

And I wasn't gonna garden on the back side of the building, and I have also built an area for the parents on the back side of my building facing the school and put cameras there and put tables out there for the students because I'm trying to work with him because we're all in this together, and they you know, we packed it into such a small area.

So the school is my main priority, which is the reason why most days I don't open before three, because they're children, so we gotta look out for the kids.

So what I did was I put tables and I built parking area for all the parents and for the kids, put cameras on the tables so we have cameras on the kids as well, and then went and talked to all the people that work in the school, telling them here's how we're gonna do it, talking to the parents, and I've been out there actually uh, you know, trying to help them get around and help the buses get in and out as well.

Okay, we appreciate I know the council and myself appreciate partnerships and being a good business and a good community partner.

So appreciate that.

I'll be glad to support this today.

Uh councilmember goodwin, you're recognized.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

President, I just wanted to say uh you made a statement that I might just say I love the neighbors are more important.

If half of our venues just understood that and worked to ensure that when they're having events, when they're expanding uh outdoor space that they're considering and working with their neighbors, um it would make our jobs a lot easier.

So I just want to elevate that and and say I appreciate your understanding of that and your communicating that today.

Thank you.

Oh, yes.

The I mean, we're in this together, guys.

And if you live next door to a bar, you know, I've worked in them most most of my life, and we all know what happens.

So just like I'm building the beer garden so the kids don't see the alcoholic standing outside drinking their beer and smoking a cigarette, you know.

It's we gotta work.

And this isn't an I don't work in an easy industry, so it makes it I have to be more vigilant to make sure that this stuff doesn't happen.

Thank you.

We had a motion and a second, no further lights, roll call.

Harding, yes, hug, Melton, row, festerson, yes, good one, yes, Mr.

President.

Motion passed, seven to six.

I just want to take one second and say I am very proud of you guys, and I thank you guys for everything that you guys have done for all the words that you guys have spoken today on everything.

It's all hard topics.

I just want to say thank you, guys.

Thank you for all the work you put in.

Thanks.

Consent and consent agenda.

Any member of the city council may cause any item placed on the consent agenda to be removed.

Items removed from the consent agenda shall be taken up by the city council immediately following the consent agenda and the order in which they were removed unless otherwise provided by the city council rules of order.

The public hearing on agenda items 24 through 27 were held on August 19, 2025.

Any council discussion?

Got a motion and a second, no lights.

Harding, yes, hug, yes, Melton, yes, roe, festerson, yes, good one, good one.

Oh sorry, yes, I'm Mr.

President.

Yes, motion pass seven to zero.

The public hearings on agenda items 28 through 38 are today.

If you wish to address the city council regarding these items, please come to the microphone, indicate the agenda item you wish to address, identify yourself by your name, address, who you represent, and if you're a proponent or opponent, I will open the public hearing.

Are there any proponents here today on items 28 through 38?

Is there an are there any opponents?

Public hearing is I'm sorry, opponent.

Yes, please.

Ted Potter, 2963 and a half Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68105.

Um I wanted I am an opponent of 26.

Can I speak on that?

We're on 28 through 38 now.

Um great.

Okay.

Well, that was what I came here to talk to you guys about.

Anyway, thank you.

I just wanted to clarify it for you.

Yeah, that was um I didn't catch it.

I watch online, and I didn't catch that item number until I was watching it online at home.

Um that was a little bit what I wanted to talk about.

Uh I will do better.

Making sure to read the agenda ahead of the meetings in the future.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there where are we at?

Opponents.

Is there any opponents on items 28 through 38?

Yes.

Literary store 5015 Lafayette Avenue.

68132.

You almost closed the hearing again before you looked up.

Doing the best I can, Larry.

Anyway, I'm opposed to number 31.

I don't really appreciate spending money out of my tax dollars to uh send a representative of the city council around to National League of Cities or regional cities, or even the county League of Cities.

Uh should be discussing things with us and getting ideas from us the citizens, not these outsiders from particularly out of state.

So why don't you shave that out of the budget?

Spend that money doing some good to other people here that need it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there any other opponents here today?

Public hearing is closed.

Got a motion and a second, roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Melton.

Row.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Item 39.

An ordinance to amend various sections of chapter 55 of the Omaha Municipal Code regarding landscaping regulations and urban design code.

Planning board and planning department recommend approval.

B is an amendment of the whole requested by the planning department.

Council discussion on item 39.

Seeing none.

Is there a motion?

Move to approve the amendment.

Second.

Got a motion and a second.

Roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug?

Melton.

Yes.

Row.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Item 41, an ordinance to authorize the issuance of a purchase order to executive janitorial corporation and the estimated amount of 20,451 dollars for janitorial services to be utilized by the facilities management division.

Public hearing is now open on item number 41.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 42, an ordinance to approve an agreement with DRB Farms for Stabilized Sewage Sludge Services.

Public hearing is open on item number 42.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 43, an ordinance to acquire private property for the construction of the Oak Hills Lift Station Replacement Project.

Public hearing is open on item number 43.

Is there any proponents?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 44, in ordinance to approve a non-exclusive public road license agreement with Quick Current Nebraska LLC for a period of 10 years.

Public hearing on item number 44 is now open.

Is there any proponents?

On the Zoom.

Is Mr.

Zane Brandt on Zoom available?

Uh yes, I'm here.

Thank you.

You're recognized.

Yes, um.

Yeah, this should just be the license agreement uh for placing to new fiber optics within the city.

And uh hopefully opening up some availability to both Omaha and some surrounding cities via quick current.

So Zach, can you give us your address, please for the record?

Uh Zane, uh I'm actually a uh Sioux Falls native here, but uh we also have Ruben who is the general manager of Quick Current.

He might be uh better uh listed here.

You do okay.

Okay, sorry about that, Zane.

Thank you.

Is there any other let's see, is Miss Grace Anderson you're recognized?

Okay, oh, I mean she's not hearing any Zenday Ruben Zendehouse.

Can you hear us?

You're recognized if you can hear us.

Yes, I can hear you.

Can is the council able to hear me?

We hear you fine.

Perfect.

Yes, uh, my name is Ruben Zendejas.

I'm the general manager for Quick Current Nebraska.

We are telecommunications company that is majority owned by the Omaha tribe of Nebraska.

Um the company address is 106 South Tallman Street in Walt Hill, Nebraska.

Um I am a resident of uh 122 South 122 Street, Omaha, Nebraska.

Thank you.

Is Mr.

Kenny Robertson?

He unfortunately had to step away.

Okay, no problem.

I don't see anybody else on Zoom of unless I'm missing somebody.

Are we good in there any other proponents for item 44?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 45, an ordinance to approve a streetscape maintenance agreement with the Omaha Botanical Center Inc.

for the old market garden site at 727 South 13th Street.

Public hearing on item number 45 is now open.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 46, an ordinance to approve a major amendment to a MD overlay district located at 5805 at South 118th Circle.

Public hearing is now open on item number 46.

Are there any proponents?

My name is Eric Rockwitz, 10208, South 97th Street, 68046.

I'm the owner.

Proponent.

Thank you.

Can answer any questions.

Thanks.

Is there any other proponents here?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 47, in ordinance to approve the order form and master subscription agreement with Ready Rebound Inc.

to provide health care advisory services to assist injured firefighters to return to work quickly and safely.

Public hearing is now open on item number 47.

Chief, good afternoon.

Hi, good afternoon, Kathy Bossman, Fire Chief 1516 Jackson here as a proponent and can answer any questions that you might have.

Thank you.

Hi, Deb Sander with City Human Resources here to answer any questions.

I also have with me Becky Nunley, who's our workers' compensation manager, and Adam Baugh, who's our working compensation analyst that did some analysis on this if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hello, Matt Stall from Ready Rebound.

Uh we're based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a proponent for this item.

Thanks.

Mr.

Towie, welcome.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Trevor Towy, President of Omaha Professional Firefighters.

6005 Grover Street.

Real quick background on this.

January 2023.

I was identified a couple problems.

One, firefighters getting hurt.

They want to get back to work really fast.

Wasn't quite happening as fast as they'd like.

Two, because of that, we had to have overtime costs to have firefighters replace him.

What's the solution?

Did some work, found ready rebound.

They're the fix to this problem.

Uh brought in lots of people from the city to help, so I want to thank everybody that did the work on this.

Uh Deb Sander and her team, Stephen Curtis and his team.

I know the legal team, Bernard did a lot of work too, and Chief Bossman for uh accepting this proposal.

So ask for your support on it.

I think it's gonna be a good thing for the city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents here?

Are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

I'll just say I appreciate it.

Really was great collaboration between the leadership of Mr.

Towie and labor relations and city law to get firefighters that protect and serve around the clock for the citizen of Omaha.

And that's a tough job, and you get injured.

And this is a system.

I I was in the briefing.

I appreciate having it on getting our firefighters treated quickly so they can get rehabbed and get back to doing what they love is protecting and serving for lives and property, the citizens of Omaha.

So I appreciate the good analysis we had on this, so thank you.

Item 48, an ordinance to amend section 23-177 of the Omaha Municipal Code by adding the employment classification entitled Facility Manager Personnel Board Recommends Approval.

Public hearing is now open on item number 48.

Proponents.

Good afternoon, Deb.

Hi, Deb Sander from City Human Resources.

Here uh as a proponent for item number 48 and 49.

They're both classifications here to answer any questions.

Thank you.

Chelsea Ship Human Resources Department.

Also here for any questions.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 49, an ordinance to amend section 23-177 of the OMH municipal code by adding the employment classification entitled Trap and Skeet Coordinator Personnel Board recommends approval.

Public hearing is now open on item number 49.

Are there any proponents here?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 50, an ordinance to amend section 23-144 of the Omaha Municipal Code to permit a department head to request a hire above the minimum from the personnel board for any appointment to classification and to amend section 23-308 to raise the mandatory retirement age from 65 to 68 for uniform personnel to reach 20 years of service.

The public hearing is now open on item number 50.

Is there any proponents here?

Seeing none, is there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 51, an ordinance to approve an agreement with Axon Enterprises Inc.

for the police department to enhance the drone as first responder program.

Public hearing is now open on item number 51.

Proponents.

Good afternoon.

Frank Peck, Chief Pilot for the Oma Police Department, South 15th Street.

I'm here to answer any questions if needed.

Thanks, Mr.

Peck.

Thank you, sir.

Are there any other proponents here today?

Are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 52, an ordinance to accept the bid from RTG Building Services Inc.

to provide janitorial services for Omaha Public Libraries, AICE Communication and Opposition.

I'll open the public hearing on item number 52.

Are there any proponents here?

Are there any opponents?

Okay.

And Miss Marlane is online if there are any questions.

Good afternoon, Laura.

Are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 53, an ordinance to amend Section 10 204 of the Omaha Municipal Code entitled Claims to provide for authorization to the law department to resolve claims against the city that is not in excess of $50,000.

The public hearing is now open on item number 53.

Are there any proponents here today?

Are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Council Councilmember Harding, you recognize.

Yes.

Hug.

Yes.

Melton.

Yes.

Row.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Non-action items.

Items 54 through 66 do not require public hearing or city council consideration at this meeting, but will be placed on a future agenda for public hearing andor vote.

The reason for non-action is noted after the item on the agenda as well as the date the item is expected to appear on agenda for consideration.

Motion and a second.

Roll call.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Melton.

Rowe.

Fasterson.

Yes.

Good one.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed.

Seven to zero.

Meeting is adjourned at 421.