The Omaha City Council convened on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at approximately 1:14 PM (20:13:14 UTC). The meeting opened with a moment of reflection on the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, followed by a proclamation for National Service Dog Month. The council unanimously approved several liquor licenses, three development items (Hanson's Country Club Hills replat, Brando Town Homes, Ames Industrial Park 3, and Central at Columbus Park TIF agreements), a resolution regarding CHI Center bonds, and an interlocal agreement with the Nebraska State Patrol. A total of 60 agenda items were considered, with all votes passing 7-0.
Melton. It's here. Roe. Festerson. Good one. Harding. Mr. President. Here. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Well, good afternoon, everyone. On Thursday, September 11th. We'll observe 21 years since the attacks on our nation, which left nearly 3,000 people dead in New York, DC, and Pennsylvania. Those of us who are old enough to remember that track tragic event know exactly where we were and how we heard about the attack and how the world stopped. Not just for a day, but how it changed us as a nation. While many of us might point to the fear that that dreadful day provoked, I remember the overwhelming sense of unity, compassion that our neighbors and even strangers bestowed upon one another. And the fact that we were all Americans. Today, as we face different challenges to our civil rights, care for the poor, homelessness and the immigrant. And how it didn't divide us. But for that space and time, we were all Americans. Forgive me if I pronounce that wrong, but we welcome you today, and thank you for participating today with us. A reminder that you will have three minutes to speak on an agenda item. Please stay on topic. Council members receive these emails and read them. At this time, Councilmember Amy Melton will read a proclamation for National Service Dog Day. Thank you. And before I read the proclamation, I want to thank the silly group. Um, I spent uh almost an hour with with them this morning, and I want to welcome you to to Omaha. Glad you're here, and I hope you're enjoying our our wonderful city. So thanks for coming to our council meeting and caring about government and getting engaged uh in the discussion. So I really enjoyed the discussions I had with you all. They gave me some tips on from their own cities on how we could maybe even make Omaha a little better, and I got some good ideas. So that sounds great. At this time, I would like to welcome our canine companions uh down to the podium. And I think we have two of the canine service dogs, one's in training. And one's fully trained. So we welcome you to the to the Omaha City Council. So this is the proclamation. Whereas we believe in the joyful transformative power of the human canine bond and inclusivity of all citizens. And whereas in the United States, 70 million adults have a disability, and only 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs exist nationwide, and the need is growing. And whereas Canine Companions created the service dog for people with physical disabilities 50 years ago in 1975, creating a new kind of support for disability. And whereas Canine Companions is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships free of charge. And whereas canine companions and their service dogs empower people with disabilities to lead life with greater independence by providing best in class training, ongoing follow-up services, and a deeply committed community of support. And whereas National Service Dog Month aims to educate our community about the benefits of service dogs and the laws protecting their handlers. And whereas the City of Omaha, Nebraska continues to work toward becoming an inclusive community in which all citizens and their trained service dogs are embraced. We therefore, the City Council of the City of Omaha, do hereby proclaim September 2025 as National Service Dog Month. And whereas we have set our hands and caused the official seal of the City of Omaha to be affixed on this ninth day of September 2025. So and Grant, if you want to say a few words, I want to thank you for for everything uh that you do and the difference that you're making in so many people's lives and and actually in the dogs' lives too. Um, because I think dogs love to be loved. They do.