Hug.

Melton.

Roe.

Festerson.

Good one.

Harding.

Mr.

President.

Here.

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

I just wanted to observe maybe three short things before we get started here today.

The first is I believe this is day 28 of the federal government shutdown.

Very concerning to all of us and to local governments.

We're starting to see some real impacts here.

And one impact I'm very concerned about is the potential shutdown of SNAP and food benefits that could happen on November 1st.

The city's looking at expediting some contributions we made through the city budget process to assist with that.

I know the county is doing the same thing, but I encourage anyone who's concerned about that issue to also monitor that and be philanthropic in nature should that come to pass for those that are in need.

And then lastly, I just want to say uh our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Jamaica right now.

As Hurricane Melissa, a category five is um hitting landfall as we speak.

Thank you.

An affidavit that 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.

As a courtesy to those in attendance and to facilitate the conduct of our business, we ask you to silence and turn off all electronic devices.

I better do that myself.

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 Cityclerk at City of Omaha.org.

The council members receive these and we read them.

Finally, council members may ask members of the public back up to clarify questions, but not for extra time to speak.

Thank you.

Item six to consider class C liquor license for Blahas located at 721 at North 14th Street.

Public hearing is open on item number six.

I believe we have the applicant.

Well, not by Zoom.

Mr.

Houghton, good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Mr.

President, members of the Council.

David Howden, 2804 South 87th Avenue.

Here on behalf of the applicant, Bar Blaha Inc.

doing business as Blaha's, which is located at 721 North 14th Street for their class C liquor license.

If any of the council members have any questions, I'd be happy to address them.

Thank you.

Is there any proponents here today on item number six?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Got a motion and a second roll call.

Hug.

Melton.

Row.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Harding.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Item seven to consider a class CK liquor license for Lula B's breakfast, brunch, and bar located at 902 Dodge Street Suite 101.

The public hearing at item number seven is now open.

Applicant here today.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Looking forward to the class CK liquor license for Sunshine Enterprises.

We've purchased Lula V.

Can we get your sorry, get your name and address?

That's okay.

So looking for the transfer of the liquor license to Sunshine Enterprises for Lula B's breakfast brunch and bar.

We intend no changes to the business plan.

Our hours of operation are 7 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

Uh seven days a week.

We're closed in the evenings.

We're looking for a uh a catering license so that we can take things to the nearby hotels and uh perhaps something off site, but that is that would be down the roadways.

Um we won't be open ever past 10 p.m.

We don't we won't have any live music.

So okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any proponents here on item number seven?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Got a motion and a second roll call.

Hug.

Melton, row, festerson.

Goodwin.

Harding.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion pass seven to zero.

Item eight, a resolution to approve the preliminary plant for McGill Industrial Park, replant two, located north of 111th Street and Rainwood Road.

Planning Board and Planning Department recommend approval.

The public hearing is now open on item number eight.

The applicant here.

Good afternoon.

I'm Kyle Hazi with ENA Consulting Group 10909 Millville Road representing the applicant.

Uh make myself available for any questions.

Uh, counselor or the audience may have.

Thank you.

Is there any proponents here?

Item number eight.

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Motion and second roll call.

Hug.

Melton.

Rowe.

Festerson.

Yes.

Goodwin.

Harding.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Item nine, a resolution to approve the preliminary plant for Ida Grove, located southwest of 186 in Ida Streets.

Planning Board and Planning Department recommend approval.

The public hearing is now open on item number nine.

Is the applicant here today?

Good afternoon.

Martin Pelstrom, Crocker Huck Law Firm 2120 South 72nd Street, suite number 1200.

On behalf of the applicant, I'm here to answer any questions you might have regarding the application.

Kyle Housey with ENA Consulting Groups and the Engineers and Projects also here if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Is there any proponents here today on item number nine?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

And a motion and a second roll call.

Hug.

Melton.

Row.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Yes.

Harding.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

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 10 through 16 were held on October 21st, 2025.

Any council discussion?

Got a motion and a second roll call.

Hug.

Melton.

Rowe.

Festerson.

Yes.

Goodwin.

Harding.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

The public hearings for agenda items 17 through 27 are today.

If you wish to address the city council regarding these items, please come to the microphone.

Indicate the agenda number you wish to address.

Identify yourself by your name, address, who you represent, and if you're a proponent or opponent.

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Councilmember Melton, you're recognized.

Thank you.

And we're talking about in um a lot of snow removal in these ordinances that are being passed, and uh both 17 and then 20 through.

I think 24, 25.

25.

And we're talking about uh inspectors for snow removal, but I thought in regards to stow removal, it would be a perfect time since we're starting it's starting to feel cold and feels like it could snow right now, actually, inside this room.

Um please keep in mind that when it snows, you have to plow your residential sidewalks, which includes the spot across your driveway within 24 hours of the snowfall ending.

And I'm saying this because this board also sits as the board of equalization.

And I have to tell you one of the things, at least I know I hate doing, and I believe I speak for my peers, is it's part of our job, but we have to do assessments for anyone when the city has to come out and plow your sidewalks for you.

We have to assess that cost to the property owner.

We don't like doing it, but it's our job because we can't force the taxpayers to pay for it.

It's something that you're required to do by ordinance.

So this is my reminder.

I think there's at least somebody in the media here right now.

If uh the media could remind everyone of that ordinance, because I would love it if one year we didn't assess anyone for snow removal for sidewalks, regardless of the reason.

And so this is also a reminder.

If you see a neighbor that doesn't have their sidewalks plowed, perhaps go and find out if they have an illness, if maybe they're in the hospital, maybe they're out of town.

If you go out of town, maybe tell your neighbor, ask your neighbor if they'll plow for you, or pay the 14-year-old kid that lives across the street that may need some extra money because it's a lot cheaper to pay that 14-15 year old than to pay um the city contractors that have to come out.

But before you call and report your neighbor to the city, I think it would be great to be neighborly and see if maybe one of your neighbors needs some help so that that doesn't have to occur.

So that's this is kind of my annual reminder of our our snow plow ordinances um in our city.

And then I wanted to address uh second, I know I had at least one email in regards to the inspectors and the cost of inspectors, and why don't we just have um our city employees inspect um the roads?

And so I addressed that with actually public works just this morning.

And we're what these inspectors are doing is they are hired to inspect the residential contracts.

So we have private contractors that are gonna plow all of our residential streets.

We actually already passed those contractors last week.

These are for the inspectors.

What the inspectors do is they only go out right after the the storm, right after the residential contractors plow all the residential streets.

They look at the quality of the contractor's job, the timeliness of their job, and in my opinion, even more importantly, the invoices that then come back to the city for the job that they do.

They review those to make sure that we're not getting overcharged, and that the contractors actually did the job that they said that they did.

It costs us approximately $300,000.

That's an average per snowstorm to um pay the private contractors to plow all of our residential neighborhoods.

All the city employees are out on the snow plows doing all of the main arterials, all the main roads, and our city employees are then we they inspect what the our our city other city employees are doing.

That cost what we pay for the inspectors is approximately 10 to 20,000 per snowstorm.

I think that at least what public works has said to me, the amount we're paying to make sure that our tax dollars are getting uh utilized properly.

Um it's a small amount, and I I think that they're actually probably saving us the money that we're paying them.

And we don't have city resources to be able to send city employees out because they're already kind of tapped when we have a snowstorm doing other things.

And this is a job that really we only need them during a snowstorm, so it's not something we want to hire permanent full-time employees to do.

So this is really a savings to the taxpayer, and that's why I'm I'm supporting the inspectors uh as well as the residential contractors that we hire.

And I know Austin's sitting over there, and I'm just gonna look for a nod up or down.

Is all that correct, Austin?

All right.

I got a thumbs up from Austin.

So thanks.

That's all I have.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Was there a motion on this?

I'll move the approval.

Okay, got a motion and a second.

No further lights, roll call.

Hug.

Melton, yeah, row, festerson, good one.

Pardon?

Yes, Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item 28, an ordinance to vacate a portion of Manderson Street, abutting 735 Manderson Street, planning board and planning department.

Recommend approval.

The public hearing is now open on item number 28.

Are there any proponents here today?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 29, an ordinance to vacate a portion of Arbor Street west of 9th Street to the North South Alley, Planning Board and Planning Department.

Recommend approval.

Public hearing is now open on item 29.

Are there any proponents here?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 30, an ordinance to approve an agreement with Keelan Building Group Inc.

for the construction of the Tranquility Park Sports Complex and Interceptor Sanitary Sewer Improvements.

The public hearing is now open on item number 30.

Are there any proponents?

Good afternoon, Mr.

Linder.

Good afternoon, Jake Linder with Parks 1819 Farnum.

And I'm just here in favor of the project.

Any questions?

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Eric Casper with JEO Consulting Group, 112213 Davenport Street.

Uh just here in support and here for answer any questions you might have.

Thank you.

Kyle Linden, uh 1550, Mike Fahhe, Keywood Building Group, proponent four.

Thank you.

Is there any other proponents here today?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Council member Melton, you're recognized.

Uh thank you.

I know a lot of times we wait and we ask our questions on the third reading before the vote.

Um, but since we have everyone here today, and I think everybody's been looking at this project for quite some time, and I want to thank you all for coming down and taking the time to be here to answer any questions anyone may have.

But Mr.

Curtis.

Okay, here um I I just want a lot a lot of times council members get they see a they see a price tag.

We're looking at at about a $50 million, $50 to $60 million project for tranquility.

And we'll get emails from people saying I would rather that $50 million be used for um affordable housing or to help the homeless or to fill potholes or to do something else that they think um the money could be better spent on.

Could you please explain that this money wouldn't exist but for the project and the project itself is actually paying for itself?

And could you explain where the revenues are coming from?

Uh sure.

Steve Curtis City Finance.

So the project itself for the next 20 years is going to produce, and again, this is related to just to the project itself, four types of revenue.

Uh the first is the sports complex itself will produce revenue in that there will be a number of events that will occur there.

There will be the expenses of running those and maintaining the park, but at the end of the day, about 50 million or so is anticipated over the next 20 years of excess revenue, which can go towards paying off any bonds.

Uh the other three types of revenue are a turn back that's been uh currently passed by the uh state legislature, and I think our application will go in here in the next month or so.

Uh there is an EEA anticipated that we will share with the developer who is going to develop around that area.

And then we're looking at doing some sort of hotel tax turn back to ourselves to also support this.

When you add those three together, again, these are all specifically because of the park and the surrounding development.

Uh it's about 103 million.

It would that would support about 45 million or so, maybe 47 million of actual bonding.

So there is a gap that I think they're still discussing with uh various philanthropic uh groups who may close that gap.

That 52 million or so, my understanding is that would get you the new 12 fields.

It would also get you the grading for a four additional fields, and then we would either look for uh philanthropy or another opportunity to put it in the CIP sometime in the not too distant future to finish up the other four fields.

That then gives you a development that is uh my understanding is much more regional and potentially national by the time you finish that.

So it it brings in some pretty good size events.

I know there's a detailed briefing, which doesn't help for the public discussion, a detailed briefing with some of the council people next week to go over that.

But we have a model.

Um I know we've worked with the developer, we've worked with the parks folks to get a pretty good understanding of what those revenue sources might look like, what the percentages would be, how the splits would be to the extent we are splitting anything like the EEA with a developer.

Uh the developer uh has at least one hotel prepared to go, but they're waiting to make sure this is a go because there's no point in having a hotel out there in an area where this improvement doesn't occur.

This is all will be owned by the city, it will be a city park and available to kids across the city as well as uh the whole region to the extent we do larger uh events.

Thank you.

And and so this money wouldn't be available because it's all user fees and basically sales taxes that are going to be turned back to to pay for it, and the sales tax would come from the development um and of the surrounding Tranquility Park.

Is that correct?

Uh yes.

And I I think that that's really important because we're looking at and we'll be using revenue bonds.

Is that the bond?

Are those the bonds we'll be using for this?

Uh these will be least purchase bonds, which is the way that we do most parks and improvements and parking garages for that matter.

Lease purchase bonds?

Yes.

And so then they'll be paid back with these revenues that you just discussed.

That's correct.

Thank you very much.

And if I could have, well, either one of you, who could give us the time frame?

Uh Kyle Lennon with Building Group Keywitt.

Um the project will roughly start earth work this this fall is the hope.

Um, and then summer of 2027 completion.

And when you say this fall, you mean like in the next 30 days.

We can start doing the grading in some of those things.

Yes, ma'am, in the next 30 days.

Okay.

And I I think that's what this has already been delayed quite a bit, about 18 months.

Yes.

Now I do know that there we heard chicken and pickle is no longer coming.

However, it's my understanding that chicken and pickle is no longer exists anywhere.

I think they went under pickle completely.

Yeah.

Um I I see someone in the backback there that that knows that answer who's not saying no.

Um, but I'm I'm hoping that once we actually start this project, it shows that we're we're serious, we're now moving forward.

So it's gonna give anybody that has development that's already invested quite a bit um into this area, that it's gonna give them the assurance that their investment's gonna pay off because they've already put money up front.

And so I'm very anxious to actually see it get started and that we follow the timeline that we're giving that we're giving at this point.

So that's correct.

Right now I'm just looking forward instead of looking back, and I want to be positive about it.

Um I think it's been a little frustrating trying to deal with the delay, but I also understand it's the costs of maybe the project and the costs have actually even gone up in the last two years since we started this.

That's that right?

Yep, that's correct.

Okay.

Um and you are gonna grade for the four the additional four fields.

So if we have the money, we'll be able to then turf those.

So it's we're doing 12 for sure, and we're gonna have the other four already graded, so all we need to do is then put the turf in.

Is that right?

Uh there'll be some utilities and infrastructure that has to go in as well, and uh potential another restroom building, but the grading is part of the project since the earthwork contractor will be on site.

So you get the b biggest bang for your buck by doing that now.

So then if we're able to get maybe some additional philanthropic dollars that we're hoping for, we could add that on and we could complete 16 fields.

That's the that's correct.

We work with the parks department to talk through a timeline on when that would be most advantageous.

Uh obviously, the sooner it happens in the park, the more cost feasible it is.

Right.

And I understand you're with Kiwit and you're part of building it out, but you understand the entire process and where the funding is coming from.

Um we chose Kiwit through the CMAR process.

Uh, and so that it there were a lot of people involved in the selection of the contractors, and we did a design build.

Um, hopefully we'll see some cost savings for it.

We may have seen some delay because of it, but hopefully in the end we're gonna get uh a really good project uh and one that's gonna benefit the whole city.

So thank you very much for thank you for coming down today.

Thank you.

I have nothing further.

Thank you.

Councilmember Fessers and you're recognized.

Thanks, Mr.

President.

Uh I'm definitely supportive of this project too.

Um, as someone who used to compete there back in the day.

Um, this would be a major improvement from where we were uh at those times, and um has the potential to be a regional draw, I think, for soccer tournaments throughout throughout the region and um have a big economic impact.

I wanted to drill down just a little bit further on on what Councilmember Milton was talking about there.

And I do look forward to the briefings I think we're having next week on this as well that might get to my questions here.

But um Jake, this might be for you or if not for you, it might be for Mr.

Curtis.

Um I think there is a big difference between doing the 12 fields and the 16 fields when we talk about being a regional draw.

And so what's what we're being asked to approve next week would guarantee the 12 fields and prep the four fields.

Uh and Mr.

Curtis, is that the overall number you're talking about when you say the 45 to 47 million dollars is supported by the funding sources you described.

Well, I'll I'll take that and uh Mr.

Linder may have some comments to throw in on top of that.

The 52 million includes the uh completion of 12 fields plus the grading for the additional four.

Uh and the thought there was even though we didn't maybe have the full amount that we needed, we could uh make it pretty efficient by getting the uh groundwork and the the grading done now so it's prepared.

Uh my understanding is to do, and I don't know if this is more than you asked, but my understanding, I think our working estimate, and and I'm sure the engineers and others may have different numbers, but we we've kind of earmarked in our mind two million per field later, and that's the part that we could either work to put into the CIP and try to get done over the next few years, or work with philanthropy.

I think at 12, and this is where Mr.

Linder may have some additional comments, but I think at 12, you're at least a kind of a regional, certainly a regional place.

At 16, I think you can almost hold yourself out as almost more national at that point.

Uh and that's the so you can you can have some very substantial revenue at the regional level and then maybe even more substantial once you hit the national level.

Okay.

And so the delta between the lease purchase bonds you described and the 12 fields that we know are possible, it's about 10 million you think.

Uh I think I'm showing more like seven, but yeah, it's about I I think our bonds will support 4546 or our revenue source currently 4546 million.

Uh total price tag to get to the 12 plus the four additional graded fields is about 52.

Okay.

And by approving this item next week, we're still on track to potentially do that as long as we can find the sources of funding for that 10 million dollars, right?

Yes.

Okay.

I think that's what I wanted to know for today.

Um, but look forward to those briefings before next week, and I anticipate being supportive.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Harding, you're recognized.

Thank you.

Um, Mr.

Curtis, as long as you're here up, uh couple extra questions on that.

What has there been um any study then for the delta or the additional revenue that the additional four fields would produce?

Yeah, my understanding and and and Mr.

Linder may have additional information.

There was some study done, some information produced.

My memory was the 12 fields actually was pretty substantial.

16 was better, but the 12 was pretty substantial.

Uh I think there is a study out there that Mr.

Linder or others may have.

I may defer to him at this point.

Okay, and if we don't have that information today, as I as I think Mr.

Fesserson said too, we'll be getting some briefings on that.

Um I'd be interested to know what uh what if any studies were done for that, because I think if certainly over a period of years that additional revenue might be able to pay for those additional fields up front rather than uh do those later on, because um I I would think to build it at 12 when ideally it should be 16.

We should do that from day one.

Um especially if we have the evidence or this uh the statistics or data to support those revenues coming in for those four if we were to add those four additional fields now is something that I would like to consider.

Thank you.

There are no further lights, item 31 in ordinance to approve a purchase agreement with Bell Textron Inc.

to purchase training services for the Omaha Police Department Air Support Unit staff.

The public hearing is now open on item number 31.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 32, an ordinance to transfer $4,000 in the 2026 budget from community service programs to parks community recreation.

Public hearing is now open on item number 32.

Do I go through proponents and opponents first?

Okay.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing, let's see, public hearing is closed.

Council member hugged, you're recognized.

Um we've got new information that the original applicant will be able to uh comply with the filing requirements.

So would it be appropriate now to make a motion to lay this over to December 9th?

Yes.

All right, I'll make a motion to lay this over to date specific.

Second.

Got a do we got to do it date specific?

Okay, we got a motion on layover till December 9th.

Is that correct?

Is that the correct date, madam clerk?

Second.

Got a motion and a second, no further lights, roll call.

Hug.

Yes.

Melton.

Yes.

Row.

Yes.

Festerson.

Goodwin.

Yes.

Harding.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion pass seven to zero.

Item 33, an ordinance to approve an agreement with the Nebraska Medical Center, and the amount of $609,651.

And authorized funding from the City of Omaha's fiscal year 2024.

I will open the public hearing on item number 33.

Are there any proponents here today?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Larry Store, 5015 Lafayette Avenue.

Omaha 68132.

I am opposed to this in its entirety because I don't believe there's any evidence that it will be enforced.

So let's not spend the money.

You won't even discuss it with me when I have tried to bring it up to you.

I have sent you emails you never replied to.

This is the area of the makers at Hamilton and Northwest Radio.

It is a dangerous to society there.

It's people from across the street that are immigrants.

Mostly from Africa.

Now last week you called me a homophobic for bringing this up.

Larry, you gotta stay on topic of my you need to stay on topic to item number three.

I do want my comments on the public record.

Okay, so it needs to be a comment.

And I want my comments that I sent in emails in regards to this and the fact that you can't.

You've already made that clear last week, Mr.

Storm.

Please stay speaking.

It is a public safety issue.

Please stay specific to doing nothing on the case.

Larry, please, Mr.

Storm.

I'm gonna ask you one more time very calmly.

Please be specific to item.

Please have Mr.

Store removed.

He is out of order.

Please, you're removed, Larry.

There's two districts there.

Cut the mic.

You are not protecting the city here.

Come on, let's do that.

You won't even talk about it.

Now what's up with that?

Come on.

Thank you.

You violated my rights again.

There we go.

We are all be recalled for too.

So public hearing.

We can move to 34 now.

Yeah.

Thank you very much.

They're intervening right now.

Is there any other opponents on item number 33?

I gave a little grease might be enough topic too.

Uh good afternoon, Omaha City Council, Donnie R.

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

I was only joking with Mrs.

Melton that um by what I was saying.

But I'd have to Donnie, can we get your address for the record?

Uh yes, sir.

Thank you.

492895 Street.

And I wanted to ask this question because I see Mr.

Harding and Mrs.

Melton campaign signed back in the city council race by my school uh the Concord.

And I asked myself, when those folks got up and said they're gonna walk to Utah, what happened?

Who what came to their mind to make them get up and take off walking?

Donnie, let's stay on topic for item number 33, okay?

I've got to give Mr.

Harding elected.

Is there any other opponents?

Okay.

Any other opponents on item number 33?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 34, an ordinance to establish a Class B flammable combustible liquids storage district number B-230, located at 5050 F Street.

Public hearing is now open on item number 34.

Are there any proponents here today?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Council member hug, you're recognized.

Okay.

Thank you.

Non-action items items 35 through 78.

Do not require public hearing or city council consideration at this meeting, but will be placed on a future agenda for public hearing and our 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 an agenda for consideration.

Got a motion to adjourn.

Second.

Roll call.

Hug.

Melton.

Row.

Festerson.

Goodwin.

Harding.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion pass seven to zero.

Meeting is adjourned at 234.