OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Omaha City Council Meeting - September 9, 2025: Liquor Licenses, Development, Bonds Approved

City Council — Tuesday, September 9, 2025
BodyOmaha, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 9, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 47:35

Transcript — Verbatim
0:53

Melton.

0:56

It's here.

0:56

Roe.

0:57

Festerson.

0:58

Good one.

0:59

Harding.

1:00

Mr.

1:00

President.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:21

Well, good afternoon, everyone.

1:23

On Thursday, September 11th.

1:26

We'll observe 21 years since the attacks on our nation, which left nearly 3,000 people dead in New York, DC, and Pennsylvania.

1:37

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.

1:50

Not just for a day, but how it changed us as a nation.

1:58

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.

2:15

And the fact that we were all Americans.

2:18

Today, as we face different challenges to our civil rights, care for the poor, homelessness and the immigrant.

2:37

And how it didn't divide us.

2:41

But for that space and time, we were all Americans.

3:34

Forgive me if I pronounce that wrong, but we welcome you today, and thank you for participating today with us.

3:59

A reminder that you will have three minutes to speak on an agenda item.

4:03

Please stay on topic.

4:14

Council members receive these emails and read them.

4:27

At this time, Councilmember Amy Melton will read a proclamation for National Service Dog Day.

4:35

Thank you.

4:35

And before I read the proclamation, I want to thank the silly group.

4:39

Um, I spent uh almost an hour with with them this morning, and I want to welcome you to to Omaha.

4:45

Glad you're here, and I hope you're enjoying our our wonderful city.

4:48

So thanks for coming to our council meeting and caring about government and getting engaged uh in the discussion.

4:55

So I really enjoyed the discussions I had with you all.

5:00

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.

5:04

So that sounds great.

5:09

At this time, I would like to welcome our canine companions uh down to the podium.

5:16

And I think we have two of the canine service dogs, one's in training.

5:22

And one's fully trained.

5:24

So we welcome you to the to the Omaha City Council.

5:29

So this is the proclamation.

5:31

Whereas we believe in the joyful transformative power of the human canine bond and inclusivity of all citizens.

5:40

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.

5:53

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.

6:04

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.

6:19

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.

6:34

And whereas National Service Dog Month aims to educate our community about the benefits of service dogs and the laws protecting their handlers.

6:44

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.

6:54

We therefore, the City Council of the City of Omaha, do hereby proclaim September 2025 as National Service Dog Month.

7:04

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.

7:13

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.

7:28

Um, because I think dogs love to be loved.

7:31

They do.

7:31

And they they love it when they're providing a service.

7:34

It makes them the happiest.

7:35

I I have a giant bernadoodle myself, and although um only trained by myself, um, we have dogs in my law office that provide support to our clients and oftentimes to opposing parties.

7:48

Um and and I think it makes a big difference um in what I do having the dogs and having what you do is just making a world difference.

7:57

If I'm not mistaken, uh Douglas County Court and Sarpee County Court both have dogs trained by canine companions that are a part of the part of the staff.

8:06

Yeah.

8:07

Yes, it's great.

8:08

I think there's one over in Sarpee County as well, um, and very loved and and does a lot of good work.

8:13

But tell us just a little bit about what you do and how you got involved and and who and introduce uh your two companions here.

8:20

Go ahead, and you want to introduce I'm Susan Marlat, and this is Teak, who is in training.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████████████21%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████18%
Disability Rights██████████████14%
Affordable Housing██████████████14%
Public Works████████8%
Liquor Licensing███████7%
Summary of Proceedings

Omaha City Council Meeting - September 9, 2025

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.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 13 through 25 (public hearings held August 26, 2025) were approved without discussion.
  • Items 26 through 42 (public hearings held September 9, 2025) were approved following a brief comment from a public speaker.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Donnie Johnson (Johnson Equation Foundation, North Omaha Concerned Citizen Foundation) spoke on multiple items: opposed items 10-12, expressing concern about Benson Park golf course closure and historical context (1964 caddying, studying HENA in Egypt in 1978); supported item 44 (Brando Town Homes TIF) citing personal history; raised questions about fingerprinting funding regarding item 47 (State Patrol interlocal).
  • Susan Marlat (Canine Companions advocate) spoke during the proclamation, describing her experience with service dog Calika, who alerts her to sounds due to her complete hearing loss.
  • Larry Storr (5015 Lafayette Avenue, Omaha 68132) opposed item 44 (Brando Town Homes TIF), citing lack of transparency and that construction was already underway. He questioned a potential conflict of interest with "Lund Ross" and real estate connections.
  • Jim Lang (attorney for REI Funding Group LLC) presented items 10-12 (Hanson's Country Club Hills replat), describing it as an "outstanding fill-in project" creating 13 single-family lots.
  • Martin Trainer (7009 Glendale Avenue, representing Country Club Hills Neighborhood Association) supported items 10-12, noting satisfactory discussions about construction impacts.
  • Jennifer Taylor (City Law Department) clarified that the public hearing for item 43 (CHI Center bonds) was properly noticed under IRS Section 147(f) and that the bonds were already approved by voters in November 2024.
  • Don Seaton (City Planning) answered questions on items 44-46 (TIF agreements).
  • Captain Jennifer Russell (Omaha Police Department) answered questions on item 47 (State Patrol interlocal).
  • Ephraim Patino (applicant for item 8, La Plaza Fiesta) and Derek Wallin (applicant for item 9, Dr. Jack's drinkery) appeared for their respective liquor license applications.

Discussion Items

  • Items 6-9: Liquor Licenses — All four liquor license applications (The Cove Lounge & Grill at 3525 N 147th St Suite 201; Lit Cigars & Spirits at 910 N 16th St; La Plaza Fiesta Mexican Restaurant at 12405 W Center Rd; Dr. Jack's Drinkery addition at 3012 N 102nd St) received unanimous approval without opposition.
  • Items 10-12: Hanson's Country Club Hills Replat — The council approved an ordinance creating a multiple improvement district (MID 2025-01) for public improvements (storm/sanitary sewers, sidewalks, paving) at 72nd and Silver Valley Road. The development creates 13 single-family lots on 0.25-0.5 acre parcels, consistent with the neighborhood. The developer will pay the full cost of repaving portions of Glendale Avenue and Starlight Drive, with the city matching 50% in a future contract. Construction is expected in 2026, after design over winter. Councilmember Festerson noted this was a 15-year effort, with earlier proposals (27-30 lots) rejected.
  • Item 43: CHI Center Bonds — The council held a public hearing for the issuance of general obligation bonds (up to $100 million) for CHI Center expansion, as approved by Omaha voters in November 2024 ($141 million total). Councilmember Melton clarified the bonds were voter-approved.
  • Item 44: Brando Town Homes TIF — The council approved the TIF redevelopment agreement for seven town homes along Park Avenue. Cheryl Garst (In Common Housing Development Corporation) clarified it is workforce housing, not affordable housing, and part of a larger three-phase project (51 affordable units under construction, 63 units pending state funding). The project plan was approved by the council on July 29, 2025.
  • Item 45: Ames Industrial Park 3 TIF — Approved unanimously. Councilmember Goodwin noted it as an example of a minority developer utilizing TIF and revitalization along a major corridor.
  • Item 46: Central at Columbus Park TIF — Approved without opposition.
  • Item 47: Interlocal Agreement with Nebraska State Patrol — Approved for use of the Omaha vehicle impound lot for three years. Councilmember Hug questioned tow list management; Captain Russell confirmed each agency has separate contracts but the same companies must abide by OPD rules for lot access.
  • Item 48: Courier Services for Omaha Public Libraries — Bid awarded to Priority One Courier and Delivery LLC.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were unanimous (7-0).
  • Items 6-9 (liquor licenses) approved.
  • Items 10-12 (Hanson's Country Club Hills replat, MID, subdivision agreement) approved; construction scheduled for 2026.
  • Items 26-42 (consent agenda) approved.
  • Item 43 (CHI Center bonds) public hearing held; council noted voter approval.
  • Items 44-46 (TIF agreements) approved.
  • Item 47 (Nebraska State Patrol interlocal) approved for three years.
  • Item 48 (courier service contract) accepted.
  • Non-action items 49-60 were noted for future agenda.
  • Meeting adjourned at 2:46 PM (14:46 local time).

Meeting Transcript

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.

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