Omaha City Council Meeting Summary - December 10, 2025

The Omaha City Council convened on December 10, 2025, to consider a variety of liquor licenses, rezoning ordinances, tax increment financing (TIF) projects, and code amendments. The meeting featured routine approvals for business licenses and major rezoning requests, as well as extensive debate regarding the adoption of the 2023 National Electrical Code and the authorization for the Union Pacific soccer stadium district project. Councilmembers and public speakers addressed issues ranging from affordable housing costs and neighborhood concerns to public safety and urban development.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of items previously held public on November 25, 2025.
• Approval of non-action items 92 through 129 for future agenda consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Opposition to Liquor Licenses in Benson (Item 7): Residents living at 5243 and 5239 Northwest Radial Highway opposed the Class D liquor license for a new grocer. They argued the block already had too many alcohol and smoke product retailers, the area has sufficient existing liquor options, and the proximity to Benson High School and junior high creates unnecessary opportunities for minors to encounter trouble.
• Public Comments on Stadium and TIF Projects: Donnie R. Johnson represented the Johnson Equestion Foundation and North Omaha Concerned Citizen Foundation. He opposed the use of the stadium TIF project to pay for the streetcar, stating that the streetcar is not near the project address. He also questioned the necessity of new apartments given the number of companies leaving Nebraska. regarding the Union Pacific stadium site purchase, he expressed concern that the city lacked the capacity to assess fees for affordable housing in the commercial development and noted that local unions were sending young workers to developing countries.
• Support for Urban Agriculture Amendments: Councilmember Goodwin noted that outreach was conducted with the local food collaborative, which resulted in clarifications regarding community chickens and urban ag codes.
• Firefighter Safety Testimony: A letter from Trevor Towie, President of Local 385 Firefighters, was read, expressing that an exterior electrical disconnect is a "life safety" item critical for firefighter safety, while opposing the removal of the whole-house surge protector which was viewed by some as a safety and property protection measure.

Discussion Items

• Liquor Licenses (Items 6, 7, 8, 9, 10): The Council reviewed applications for Golden Turtle (Class I), Benson Grocery (Class D), Don and Millie's (location change), Little Polonia (outdoor area addition), and Flix Lounge (basement addition). For Benson Grocery, Councilmember Fesserson noted the applicant's commitment to managing litter and preventing issues with minors. For Flix Lounge, Councilmember Goodwin supported the addition in his district. All five licenses were approved unanimously.
• Rezoning and Development Applications (Items 11-17, 19-21, 23-26, 30-45): The Council considered multiple rezoning petitions including the Peace Ridge PUD amendment, and rezonings for Mariah Intergenerational Center (R5 to MBD), a property at 1947 S 13th St (G1 to NBD), and a conversion of a hotel to 80 multifamily apartments on Dodge St (GC to TOD2 MX). Councilmember Goodwin requested clarification on parking and traffic impacts for the Mariah Center, which plans to add 109 stalls for a $6.5 million project. Other discussions included the conversion of Union Pacific property for the soccer stadium district and the rezoning of a garden center to include a Major Commercial Corridor overlay.
• TIF Projects (Items 27, 28, 89, 90): The Council discussed the Elitoro Plaza TIF project ($867,358 support for industrial office space) and the Rose at Field Club TIF project ($1.66M support for 31 market-rate rental townhomes). Councilmember Goodwin expressed concern regarding affordability for the Rose project, while developer Charlie Sullivan noted the rents range from $1,500 to $2,800, targeting the UNMC community. For the stadium bond (Item 90), Councilmember Melton clarified that the $25 million is a non-recourse revenue bond to be repaid by sales tax turn-back revenues, not general funds or property taxes. Councilmember Fesserson questioned the certainty of the $25 million state approval, noting a 90-day due diligence period is in place.
• Amendment of the Whole A (Item 79 - 2023 Electrical Code): Councilmember Rowe proposed an amendment to align Omaha with the state code by excluding five specific requirements (GFCI in basement, dryer/range outlets, surge protection, emergency disconnect, carport outlet) to reduce construction costs for affordable housing. Councilmember Harding supported the amendment, citing that state data indicates these exclusions add 23-32% to costs. Councilmembers Goodwin and Rowe argued for alignment with state standards to preserve affordability. Councilmembers Fesserson and Melton opposed the full exclusion, advocating for safety provisions like the exterior disconnect, with Councilmember Fesserson expressing concerns about safety impacts.
• Amendment of the Whole C (Floor Amendment to Item 79): Councilmember Melton offered a floor amendment to remove only the whole-house surge protector requirement (Section 230.67A) while retaining other state-exempted items. Councilmember Goodwin supported this as a compromise to reduce costs by $110-$250. Councilmember Rowe questioned why only the surge protector was removed, arguing that none of the items are strictly life-saving and that the decision should be consistent with the state's five exemptions. The debate centered on whether the exterior disconnect was a life-safety necessity versus the surge protector being a property protection measure.

Key Outcomes

• Liquor Licenses: Passed 6-0 for Golden Turtle, Benson Grocery, Don and Millie's, Little Polonia, and Flix Lounge.
• Rezoning Approvals: Passed 6-0 for Peace Ridge PUD, Mariah Intergenerational Center, 1947 S 13th St, 2602 N 24th St, 3026 S 18th St, 6990 Dodge St, 8516 Blondo St, 120 Regency Parkway, 521 S 38th Ave, 10909 M St, 3701 Dalman Ave, 14500 Country Companies (Item 46), and various other rezonings.
• Electrical Code (Item 79):
  • Amendment of the Whole A (Rowe/Full Exclusion): Failed 3-4.
  • Floor Amendment of the Whole C (Melton/Surge Protection Only): Passed 4-3.
    • Result: The City will adopt the 2023 National Electrical Code with the state-exempted exclusions, except for the whole-house surge protector which will remain required. The vote was 70% for the final position of retaining the surge protector but removing it in the final vote.
• TIF Projects: Elitoro Plaza ($867,358) and Rose at Field Club ($1.66M) approved.
• Stadium District: The Council voted to approve the purchase of the Union Pacific property at 1101 Izzard St (Item 89) and authorized the issuance of $25M in stadium revenue bonds (Item 90), pending state approval and further due diligence. The vote was 7-0.
• Miscellaneous: Approved contract with Alexander Lawn and Landscape, sale of Union Pacific property at 1441 Capitol Ave for $7.31M (Item 88), and salary adjustments for administrative/executive employees (Item 91).
• Meeting Adjourned: 3:56 PM.