Omaha City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025
Omaha City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025
The Omaha City Council convened on October 7, 2025, with remarks on the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, the anniversary of the Hamas attack, and recognition of Officer Steve Merseck and Officer Crystal Bartlett following a shooting incident. The council also welcomed the UCLE group from nine Southeast Asian countries and recognized National Physician Assistant Week. The council approved several liquor license applications, development plans, and financial agreements, all by 7-0 votes.
Consent Calendar
- Items 15-16 (public hearing held September 30, 2025) were approved 7-0.
- Items 17-30 (various ordinances including liquor licenses, agreements, and contracts) were approved 7-0 after a public hearing where Donnie Johnson expressed support.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Donnie R. Johnson (4928 North 52nd Street, John Cristian Foundation and North Omaha Concerned Citizen Foundation) spoke multiple times: on item 7, he expressed no opposition to the Holland Center liquor license but urged consideration for a liquor commission vacancy; on items 17-30, he stated support; on item 33 (Grover ALMC TIF agreement), he expressed support.
- Magdalena Garcia (2615 Calvin Street, Bellevue, director of El Museo Latino) spoke as proponent for item 24.
Discussion Items
- Item 6 – Class C liquor license for BBQ chicken at 1028 South 74th Plaza: Laid over on a 7-0 vote.
- Item 7 – Addition to Class I liquor license for Holland Performing Arts Center (Tenasca Center): Approved 7-0. Attorney Colin Kozal (8216 City Center Drive, La Vista) explained the license extension to a new building and outdoor green space.
- Item 8 – Preliminary plat for Walnut Hill (1116 and 1120 North 40th Street): Approved 7-0. Applicant Scott Lois (TD2 Engineering) described five affordable housing units as an infill project, with construction expected to start in spring 2026.
- Items 9-11 – Military 180 Crossing (northeast of 180th and Military): Approved 7-0. Lana Bayless (DLR Group) represented Bennington Public Schools. Plans include paving 180th Street with three lanes along the high school frontage, two lanes northward, and two roundabouts (at Military/177th and at the high school drive). Councilmember Melton noted emails regarding traffic safety concerns.
- Items 12-13 – Rezone at 2205 North 88th Street (from R2/GI to GI): Approved 7-0. Ben Drews (Thompson Dreeson & Dorner) stated the plan consolidates existing industrial zoning with no new development; only pavement removal and tree planting for a buffer yard.
- Item 14 – Grover ALMC TIF redevelopment plan (3425 South 70th Street, $3,300,113 TIF): Approved 7-0. Don Seaton (City Planning) described a three-story assisted living memory care facility. Developer Brett West (5505 North 290th Circle, Valley) said dirt moving should begin next month, with full construction in spring.
- Items 31-41 – The council held public hearings on items 31 (vacating Harney Street), 32 (OPPD easement), 33 (Grover ALMC TIF agreement), 34 (Creighton University paramedic contract), 35 (HSA Bank agreement), 36 (Emeritus Life Insurance dental plan), 37 (Minnesota Life insurance), 38 (Karasoft LinkedIn recruitment), 39 (Flammable liquids storage district A-171), 40 (Flammable liquids storage district B-229), and 41 (MECA amendment for up to $7.9 million for additional park costs, including pickleball courts). No explicit roll call votes were recorded in the transcript for these items; however, the meeting later adjourned with a 7-0 vote.
- Item 41 – Katie Bassett (MECA) explained the $7.9 million reimbursement covers additional costs for engineering, permit closeout, pickleball courts, and surface parking re-surfacing in the riverfront park area, which involved $330 million in capital construction plus $60 million for maintenance activation. Councilmember Fesserson noted this concludes the city's capital commitment.
Key Outcomes
- All items with recorded votes passed 7-0.
- Item 6 was laid over.
- Items 31-41 were discussed with public hearings closed; no separate vote was recorded in the transcript.
- The meeting adjourned at 2:31 PM (local time) following a 7-0 vote.
Meeting Transcript
Harding. Hug, Melton. Roe. Festerson. Mr. President. Here. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for opening remarks by Councilmember Brinker Harding. Please take a seat. Doing a lot of moaning today, Ron. Last night at sundown, the Jewish holiday of Sukkot began. Sukkot commemorates the 40 years Israelites wandered in the desert. And it also celebrates the autumn harvest. It's considered a joyful and festive holiday. Today, however, marks a dark date in history for our Israeli friends and families. Two years ago on this date, Hamas brutally attacked innocent Israelis, killing, wounding, and kidnapping thousands, including Americans. Today we remember the victims, stand with the families still waiting for their loved ones, and demand that every hostage is brought home. Early Monday morning, Officer Steve Mirseck and Officer Crystal Bartlett responded to a disturbance call at 120th and Dodge Street. What started out as an encounter to de-escalate rapidly changed when the individual quickly pulled a gun, shot and struck Officer Mersack in the head. Thankfully, Officer Bartlett was uninjured. And thank God Officer Mercick is alive, and from all indications appeared that his injuries are not life-threatening. But this situation is a sobering reminder of the dangers the men and women of our police department face on every shift. Whether it's a late-night traffic stop or encountering a person in distress, we see how quickly things can change. And for his officer partner Bartlett and all of our police and first responders who keep us safe and respond regardless of the dangers that they may encounter. Thank you. Thank you. We have our UCLE group here. They are from nine Southeast Asian cup countries, and there are 23 here total that became honorary citizens today. And I know Councilmember Rowe had a nice chat with all of you, and we welcome you here and thank you for being here today. And it's it's also National Physician Assistance Week. My daughter Megan's a PA, so thank you for the PAs out there. Thank you, everyone. 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. Good afternoon. Welcome to this meeting of the Omaha City Council. Is 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. If you would like your comments entered into the public record, you can email the city clerk's office at City Clerk at City of Omaha.org. Council members receive these emails and we read them. Finally, council members may ask members of the audience back up for clarifying questions, but not for extra time to speak. So audience members in attendance and at home can hear. And also people, when you come up to the microphone in front here as well, please make sure the microphones are in front of you so people can hear. Thank you. Item six to consider a class C liquor license for BBQ chicken located at 1028 South 74th Plaza. The public hearing is now open on item number six. Is that one on Zoom? It looks like we okay. Is anybody in the audience to speak is a proponent or the applicant for item number six?
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