Roe.

Festerson.

Good one.

Harding.

Hug.

Mr.

President.

Here.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for opening remarks by Councilmember Brinker Harding.

Please be seated.

Since we ran a little long on Board of Eek, I won't take too much time, I'll just say, and this is not self-serving, but I will say, please remember that next Tuesday, if uh you haven't had an opportunity or haven't done so yet, vote.

Um, but please make sure you do exercise your right to vote by next Tuesday.

Thank you.

Thank you.

An affidavit of publication is on file, and a current copy of the Open Meeting Act is posted in a white binder as well of legislative chambers.

Good afternoon.

Welcome to this meeting of the Omo City Council.

As 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.

For those not providing in-person testimony and would like your comments entered into the public record, you can email the City Clerk's office at Cityclerk at City of Omaha.org.

Council members receive these emails and read them.

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

Okay.

Lady second.

Okay.

Um, thank you.

Whereas Amyothropic lateral sclerosis, also commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease, in which a person's brain loses connection with their muscles, slowly reducing a person's ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe.

And whereas clinical trials play a pivotal role in evaluating new treatments, and has enhancing quality of life, and fostering assistive technologies for those living with ALS.

And whereas the ALS Association is the largest philanthropic funder of AL research globally and has committed more than 154 million to support more than 550 projects across the United States and 18 other countries.

And whereas the ALS Association is committed to make ALS livable and cure it for everyone and everywhere.

And whereas Amyothropic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the dire circumstances of people living with ALS, acknowledge the terrible impact this disease has on those individuals and their families and support research to eradicate this disease.

Now, therefore, we, the City Council, the City of Omaha, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month, and call upon all individuals to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease and witness whereof, we have set our hands and caused the official seal of the City of Omaha to be affixed on this fifth day of May 2026.

I don't believe that the gentleman was able to make it this afternoon, so we'll make sure that they get a copy of that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Goodwin, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

And if we can have the members of the Economic Development Council come down to the podium, and I will read this proclamation, and we will then have a few words from our economic developers.

And I know we have others in the audience, so if you can please all come down and just stand up together.

So May 4th marked the 100th year for the International Economic Development Council, and so this week is Economic Development Week.

So our proclamation reads, whereas more than 100,000 economic development and related professionals worldwide are committed to creating, retaining, and expanding top-tier opportunities that foster long-term equitable community growth, and whereas for generations, the economic development profession has cultivated thriving neighborhoods, championed sustainability and resiliency, strengthened economic prosperity, enhance quality of life, and built robust tax basis, and whereas economic development professionals operate across diverse environments, including rural, suburban and urban communities, local, state, and national governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, institutions of higher education, and other similar organizations and associations, and whereas economic development professionals serve as stewards of progress, connecting residents, business leaders, elected officials, industry executives, and educational institutions to advance job creation, community investment, infrastructure improvements, and long-term opportunity, and whereas economic developers contribute to the continued strength and vitality of Omaha and the State of Nebraska, building on past achievements while shaping a resilient and prosperous future, and whereas since 1926, the International Economic Development Council and its preceding organizations have advanced the profession globally, marking 100 years of leadership dedicated to fostering growth, innovation, sustainability, and resilience in communities of all sizes.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, the Omaha City Council hereby recognizes May 4th through the 8th, 2026 as economic development week and celebrates 100 years of impact by reflecting on the progress achieved and celebrates 100 years of impact, excuse me, honoring the professionals who strengthened our communities today and inspiring the next century of economic opportunity and growth in witness whereof we have set our hands and caused the official seal of the City of Omaha to be a fixed this day of May 2026 and 5th, 2026.

And before we have some of our speakers today, I just wanted to say I am a member of the International Economic Development Council, and we are part of a national cohort cohort called the Economic Recovery Corps, the North 24th Street Business Improvement District sets as a host site.

And our fellow who is actually on a remote fellowship tour in Hawaii, Che Barnett has been with us for two and a half years, where she has held with technical assistance for economic development.

And so if we could have our speakers first, and then if we could just have each person here simply say their name in the organization that they represent today, Mr.

Gines.

Definitely.

Well, it's good to see everybody.

You know, exciting time to talk about economic development because I know you all like taxes and the ability to spend them.

And so I'm Dr.

Dell Gines, Chief Innovation Officer of the International Economic Development Council, but I am Omaha born and raised and still live.

Spent 50 years of my life off 43rd in Decatur, now live off 113th in State Street.

Um I wrote work remote in that role.

For those that are not familiar with the International Economic Development Council, we are the largest professional association of economic developers in the world.

Um we exist to celebrate and champion economic development.

Two of our primary strategies through our vision and mission is share prosperity across the globe and equitable development.

And we exist to empower economic developers to make places better for people to live, work, and play by leveraging the economy.

And so in economic development week, I think it's important to celebrate what we have in Omaha.

Omaha has been a historically very strong economy.

Used to work right up the street at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City for 12 years.

So I got to hear a lot of the economic reports.

Um and we have the opportunity now to move forward, even despite some of the headwinds that we've been talking about.

Currently serve on the mayor's task force with Bridget Hadley as he stands up the department in the in that particular committee, a lot of the conversations.

But in terms of celebrating the field, I think there's a lot of ways that we can approach it as we address the new challenges of artificial intelligence, the shifts in the labor market and all the other things that go on with it.

Of those, 500 host sites applied to get to that 65 and 1,500 fellows applied.

And so uh North uh 24th Business Improvement District was one of them that we were high on.

I did not manipulate any of the process.

I guarantee that, didn't even know, but was excited to find out.

And then, of course, Shay Barnett, who is the fellow that uh has been serving, is one of 65 out of 1,500 individuals.

And to to date, in total, they've unlocked 260 million dollars of new funding across all the communities in which they served.

Um, and that's just an example of the power of economic development, especially as our mayor likes to call it intentional economic development.

Um, and I think that's important as we go forward because economic development is not what it used to be.

We have to be more dynamic, we have to be more numble.

We have to be able to be prepared for the the coming uh AI storm, which is actually already here, but it's only going to increase.

Think about data center development upskilling, and also how do we bring in good companies and build good companies in the city.

So, with that, I would just say it's exciting to celebrate our hundred-year anniversary at IEDC and Economic Development Week because economic development is the lifeblood of our economies of our community, and therefore it's what makes our places great places to live, work, and play.

Thank you, Council.

Thank you, Mr.

Clark.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you for having me and the rest of us here.

I'm Gary Clark.

I'm the executive director of the Omaha Inland Port Authority, and really excited, Councilwoman and the rest of you to really highlight the immense importance of this day uh economic development for us as the Port Authority shines a light on the innovative and creative pathway to connect the dots between housing, innovation, job creation, and opportunity for people.

So we call this uh the liberation space for economic development.

And so, with your support and others, councilwoman, and including the connection between the overall city impact, we look at this as an opportunity to shine a light not only on the traditional economic development space, but what port authorities can do to collaborate and support in this space.

So I'll be very brief here just to say that we really appreciate the opportunity here to proclaim this economic development week with you, Councilwoman, and the rest of the council, but also to shine a light on the fact that our North Omaha community is one that has an immense opportunity to show some excitement and energy and impact for the rest of the city through the innovative uh district that we are creating, also through the $30 million fund from the state, and also the $90 million fund that is tied to the Airport Business Park project.

So, with that being said, we're excited to show and prove that this connection is for the people of Omaha and specifically economic development.

We'll continue to move forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And if you don't mind each of you just letting us know your name and your organization, we'll follow up with a quick picture of the proclamation, and I'll turn it back over to our president.

Awesome.

Good afternoon.

My name is James Careway.

I'm senior director of real estate and industry for the Omaha Inland Port Authority.

Hello, everyone.

My name is Jennifer McEwen, and I'm Deputy Director of Economic Development for the Omaha Inland Port Authority.

Good afternoon.

Aaron Evans, Senior Director of Economic Development with the Union Pacific Railroad.

Hello, everyone.

I'm Patrick Boyle.

I'm uh director of community engagement at Metropolitan Community College.

Thank you.

Are we standing or okay?

I think we're right.

Okay, see you.

Yeah.

Item six to consider a class C liquor license for La Vita, Nueva, and Alta 1897, located at 2620 North Main Street.

Public hearing is now open on item six.

I believe the applicant is on Zoom, Mr.

Olson.

Yes, I am.

Get your name and address for the record, please.

Sure.

It's Charles Olson.

Address 4910 North 192nd Avenue in Elkhorn, Nebraska.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents here on item six?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Councilmember Harding, you're recognized.

Chuck Hyde's uh Brinker.

Uh I don't normally do this, but I'm gonna give you the opportunity just to say a little bit about what you're doing with the um with the restaurant because it was such a landmark in Old Town Elkhorn and what you're doing with it.

I think's very exciting.

So if you could just give us a quick update as to what you're doing and and what the timeline is for opening.

Thank you, Councilman.

I uh yeah, my wife and I um are proponents of downtown Elkhorn.

You know, that we are the main street of Omaha since there is no other main street, and we are Omaha now.

Uh there was a building that was from 1897, it's a landmark, it's on the Lincoln Highway, and it was sitting empty.

We decided um probably foolishly to take the the adventure of starting a couple of restaurants, and um it has been quite challenging.

Um I would really appreciate the uh assistance of uh the city a little more than we've had, but we're gonna make it work, it's gonna be a lot of fun, and I would encourage you all to come out and support the uh old town elk horn as it continues to to grow.

Thank you, Councilman.

Thanks.

Move for approval.

Got a motion and a second roll call.

Melton row, Festerson.

Yes, good one.

Yes, Hardy, yes, hug, Mr.

President.

I motion passed seven to zero.

Item seven to consider a class C liquor license for a Zasca beer company.

Look, he's 3548 Center Street.

Public hearing is now open on item seven.

Applicants here.

Good afternoon.

Uh members of the council.

I'm Bill Shellpepper, 1541 South 108th Street.

Uh Jason Siebert, 9788 Frederick Circle.

Jason and I are based in Omaha.

We've lived here for quite some time.

I've spent most of my career leading food and consumer businesses, including serving as president of Smart Chicken under Tyson Foods.

We spent a lot of time operating in regulated, highly regulated environments for safety compliance and discipline execution matter, not just every day, but every minute.

We want to be clear about this.

This is a small, well-managed uh tap room.

It's not a late-night bar.

Um, it's focused on craft beer community and a controlled customer experience.

Um this use is consistent with the zoning and aligned with the surrounding area.

Uh we've been intentional about creating something that fits the neighborhood rather than disrupts it.

Uh we understand the responsibility that comes with the liquor license.

We will run a disciplined operation.

Uh that means strict ID verification, no over service, active experience management.

We're not going to be absentee.

Owners, security cameras, defined closing procedures, controlled hours.

It's not a late-night concept, uh, noise managed, uh, not an event-driven uh concept either.

Uh parking will be evaluated.

We do not expect disruption.

That's a long-term investment for us.

Um any issues arise, we will address it immediately, and we'll be held uh personally accountable and accessible.

Uh we believe this is a low-risk, well-managed addition that reflects well on Omaha, and we respectfully ask for your support.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents here on item seven?

Seeing none are there any opponents.

Public hearing is closed.

This is in my district, and I appreciate you coming down today.

And I read your business plan, so it's gonna be a little different than the bull moose, it seems craft beer, maybe a husker game on the outside on the patio.

Um, and your hours are kind of defined that maybe some shorter hours, but maybe going to as late as midnight is maybe not a common thing, but it is an ongoing thing if you need to amend it, not amend it, but you can stay open till midnight if it's there's a late football game or whatever.

Yeah, I think so.

I mean, we we'd want the flexibility to be I mean, I don't want to give you shoes that don't fit, but we want to be iterative, right?

Um, I think the concept really is kind of three to nine in the middle of the week.

Um, and then we'd be closed no later than 10 o'clock most days.

I mean midnight, if it's a late night game or something along those lines, but we want to be cognizant and fair with the community.

It's right next to the golf course.

You've got some houses that are pretty close.

We don't want it to be disruptive, right?

Um just look at the opportunity cost, and we we we would value uh being good stewards and neighbors than we would over a few extra dollars, if you will, right?

So we'd be very careful about that.

We both have young children, so earlier bedtime is important.

Right.

Too old to stay up that late in here.

No, I I appreciate you guys sharing that.

And I know the bull moose had outdoor music from time to time.

Is that some you guys would do at all?

We've talked about it.

Uh we did not submit a uh music venue permit, but we might amend that later on.

We we want to we want to be good stewards of the neighborhood.

Yeah, I can I can see in the neighborhood.

There's the there's a very strong neighborhood association and newsletter.

We really want to get involved with the neighborhood and kind of get feedback from them before we kind of define exactly you know those sort of details.

No, yet that's you guys are way ahead of the game, and I you have the field club neighborhood association and Hanscom Park reformed again.

Yeah, so they're active on the south side of center.

I I know they're gonna be excited with the new venue going in tonight.

Can't make a motion to support this, but I'll absolutely be supportive and looking forward to coming down and checking you guys out and wish you the best of luck.

Thank you.

Thank you.

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

Melton, yeah, row, festerson, yes, good one, yes, hardy, yes, hug, Mr.

President.

Yes, motion passed, seven to zero.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Item eight to consider a special designated liquor license application for the broke down palace located at 8805 Maple Street for an outdoor concert on May 15th through 16th from 6 a.m.

to 2 a.m.

with music until 1 a.m.

Public hearings now open on item number eight.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Uh Ross Coley, 2438 South 48th Avenue.

Um, Omaha, Nebraska, 68106, right down the street from Bullness.

So I look forward to a new tenant there.

Thank you.

Are there any proponents here today?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Council member Fesser, Senator Fester Tones is recognized.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

And we had a good show in Mom.

We absolutely did.

We're looking forward to the next one.

Hopefully, we can get something on the books.

Yeah, yeah.

Uh, but I'm not involved in this event, but I just want to say it is well run.

Obviously, uh Ross knows what he's doing.

The only reason why it's on our agenda is because it is happy music until one o'clock 1 a.m.

Uh, but it's been a perennial event that's gone well.

I've never had any complaints, so happy to support it here today.

Now in motion to approve.

Thank you.

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

Melton, yeah, roe.

Faster sentence.

Yes.

Good one.

Yes.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Mr.

President.

I motion passed seven to zero.

Thank you.

I just on a personal note.

I want to say I am excited to support the other um item number nine in downtown Main Street Elkhorn, where my brother and my dad run a business there called Coley Financial.

I know our family will support them and just the transformation of all the small business down there and what it's done in our community.

I think has been a positive thing, and something that should be shared.

And also I just wanted to wish Mr.

Harding good luck next week on his election.

And I urge people to get out and vote as well.

And I just want to thank all the city council members for your civic service.

It's greatly appreciated.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Have a great day.

Two.

Items nine through eleven can be considered together for Town Center West, located northeast of 210th Street and West Center Road.

County Board and Planning Department recommend approval.

Item nine, an ordinance to rezone this property from EG district to MU district.

Item 10, a resolution to approve the final plant.

Item 11, a resolution to approve the subdivision agreement.

Public hearing is now open for items 9 through 11.

Or is the applicant here today?

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Uh I'm Joe Foley, 3930 South 147th Street.

We're the engineers on the project.

Pretty straightforward project, phase two of the development.

A little bit of commercial.

And I think we've met all the requirements of the city.

So I'd just leave it for any questions you might have.

Thank you.

Are there any proponents here today on items nine through 11?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Second.

Motion is second.

Roll call.

Melton.

Row.

Festerson.

Good one.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed, seven to zero.

Item 12, a resolution to approve the Douglas Street Office Project Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Project Plan.

Located at 2311 Douglas Street in an amount up to 95,270 dollars.

Public hearing is now open on item 12.

Mr.

Seaton, good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Let me uh zoom out a little.

Okay.

So a bit smaller project is TIFF Projects Go.

It's on a single lot at 2311 Douglas Street.

There's a vacant building on the lot currently.

A little larger than 3,000 square feet.

It'll be uh comprehensively rehabbed.

It'll serve as a new home for an expanding law office.

The developers are APR building, LLC, uh managed by Adam Astley.

Investments a little over 1.35 million dollars.

They're asking for 95,000 200 270 in TIFF support.

And it complies with our master plan.

We ask for your approval.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents here on item 12?

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Council members Bob Griffith, 11440, West Center Road here on behalf of the applicant here today as well is Adam Astley and Courtney Ruey with uh the applicant.

We're here to answer your questions.

Um appreciate Don laying out the project and his help as always.

Um this is the former Cockle Legal Briefs building, so um as a law for moving in to kind of a fun fact.

The um formally printed some um U.S.

Supreme Court briefs.

Um I think the building has been vacant since 2023.

My client purchased around 2024 with the intent to redevelop, stay downtown, um, hopefully increase some employment with uh a couple new hires um and just kind of bring the building back to what uh we think it could be.

So with that, happy answering any questions.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents here?

Item 12 uh good afternoon, members of the council.

Adam Astley, 1412 Howard Street.

I just wanted to step up and introduce myself.

I've uh been an attorney practicing in downtown Omaha since 2004.

Councilwoman Melton and I were classmates at Creighton Law, graduated together, as was our former one of our former applicants, Mr.

Shell Pepper, he was in our class as well.

Um my partner and I, Catherine Putnam started Astley Putnam PC in 2017.

There were two of us, one assistant and a very small office suite uh in the old market.

Since then, we've added a partner, Miss Ruey.

We have just hired our first prospective graduate from Nebraska law, who's gonna start with us in the fall when he passes the bar exam on his first try, which I have every expectation that he will do.

And um, we're looking to add staff.

This is an exciting opportunity for us to expand into an office that is designed uh to our specifications to have facilities that are comfortable for our clients, secure for ourselves and our clients' information, uh the privacy of which we take very seriously, and to have room to grow and uh cultivate new talent in uh our area of expertise, which is domestic relations.

So happy to answer any questions the council has.

Thank you.

Any other proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Council wait a minute.

You gotta look up to see people here.

You're out of order, Larry.

Thank you.

Uh good afternoon.

Uh uh Imaha City Council, uh Donnie R.

Johnson, the Johnson Equestion Foundation, North Omaha Concerned Citizen Foundation, uh 4928 and North 52nd Street.

You know, I I know attorneys have a lot of money, and I'm wondering if we should use tax money to help them because my job with Congress right now is to put a lot of lawyers in jail, starting from John Dean Beck.

We're gonna put j judges and lawyers in jail.

So we spend tax money to help them.

No, I don't know.

But that's just a navy joke.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents here today?

Larry Storr, 5015 at Lawfield Avenue, Omaha 68132.

I'm ever against TIFF financing.

Maybe because of the lack of transparency and discussion that we get from our representatives.

To me, it seems like gee, if somebody says, but without it, it won't get done.

Uh it's apparent that you people know that this is this is a lawyer that's asking for this.

Lawyers make more money than I do.

I can't pay my taxes but for a break from you, but I'm not getting that break.

Why should a law firm get it?

You obviously building it, remodeling it for a law firm, but restaurants also make a lot of money.

I don't.

Do they get breaks on taxes?

Yes, do I?

No.

It's time to stop some of this spending and let the people that have the money spend the money instead of asking me for more tax dollars.

I cannot stay in Omaha, but for a tax break.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents here today?

Seeing none, public hearing is closed.

Councilmember Melton, you're recognized.

Thank you.

And Mr.

Astley, or Ms.

Putnam, I think I saw you down there.

I just can't see you on the other side.

If you want to come up, I I just want to congratulate.

I just want to congratulate you on on doing this.

And this is a building that would be very difficult to rehab, and I believe has been sitting vacant for quite a while.

Isn't that true?

It has.

And there's additional challenges with converting it from a light industrial facility to an office with the roof and everything else.

Well, and I also note, although your practice will be there.

You also have additional bays, flex space that could be leased other businesses, also creating maybe additional jobs in addition to just your law firm.

You have the the space there, at least I see, um, to be able to rent to to other businesses as well or develop that space out.

That's right.

And we we don't know who that tenant is gonna be yet.

Uh we have yet to meet them.

And I also note you're not one of the big corporate attorneys, and so us little small sack people that with a couple attorneys in our office, we don't tend to make as much money as the big corporate ones, but um, we do a good service.

Your name was brought up during our board of equalization meeting.

So you may be dealing with a contempt action.

I just thought I'd give you a little for one in one of your cases.

Um but you've done a great job, and I really I really appreciate the fact that you're willing to put the investment into this to this spot.

Um and so, and it's actually in comparison, it's a very small amount, um, about 95,000 in in TIFF, and no tax dollars are are going to you.

You'll be paying the full taxes, as you know, on your property.

It's just gonna be able to go to pay off your TIFF loan.

So Mr.

Stor's taxes won't be paying for any of your law firm.

So with that, I'm I'm in support of this, and I'm glad you're able to get this worked out because it's you've also been working on it for a couple years now.

So glad to see it happen.

It has been a lot.

So we appreciate the support.

Yeah, I'll take it.

Thanks.

We got a motion and a second.

Councilmember Goodwin, you recognize.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

And I just wanted to say that I'm always glad to see reuse.

Um, I mean, it's a part of sustainability with climate change when we can reuse uh spaces and and develop in fill development, bringing jobs back to the center city is also very important.

So um I just wanted to speak to that as well.

And as because it's economic development week, I also think it's important to point out that TIFF is an economic development tool.

Uh it's one of the tools that the city has to um to catalyze development where it can be applied.

And so it it this fits within the the appropriate uh tracks, it's it's tracks where we can utilize TIFF, and so when we can and it meets the test, it makes sense to use those tools.

And so jobs, uh we always talking about sprawl.

This is bringing jobs back to the center city, and it's important.

So just wanted to thank you for being mindful of that.

I appreciate that.

I was just looking up this morning.

We are in your district by about 350 feet.

Yes, you are in my district by about 350 feet.

No, that's okay.

Right.

We have to look up the addresses a lot.

You're fine.

But no, just wanted to thank you for again that reinvestment back into the downtown, and it it's important that we look at how we can rehab and reuse uh our sites like this.

So thank you.

All right, thank you.

Thank you.

We have no further lights.

We had a motion and a second roll call.

Melton, yeah, row.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Yes.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

I'm motion passed, seven to zero.

All right.

Thank you all very much.

Item 13, a resolution to approve the 2211 Douglas Street Senior Housing Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Project Plan located at 221 Douglas Street, and amount up to 1,133,705 dollars.

Public hearing is now open on item 13, Mr.

Seaton.

Oh, yeah.

This is a uh mixed income senior housing TIFF project.

If you like the last project, I think you like this one even more because it has affordable housing and it's right next door to the project that he just reviewed.

Uh this project's located at 2211 Douglas Street.

There had been a vacant hotel building on the site.

It's been demolished, a new five-story senior apartment complex will be constructed.

There'll be 70 units, 45 of those will be LITEC units, affordable housing units, low-income housing tax credits.

Um there'll be 25 market rate units.

The developer of Douglas Senior Housing LP, managed by Jake Hoppe.

This project uh is a little bit more than 17.5 million dollars in terms of its investment in the central business district.

They're asking for 1, 133, 705 dollars in TIFF support.

Product's been approved by the TIFF committee and the planning board.

It complies with our master plan.

It's a good infill project for downtown.

We like the affordable housing.

We ask for your approval.

Thank you.

Other proponents.

Thank you again, Mr.

President.

Bob Griffith, 11440 West Center Road here on behalf of the applicant Hoppy Development.

Um here today as well is Mr.

Donnell Brown.

He is an emerging developer with Spark.

He's partnering uh with uh Jake Hoppy to do uh this this development uh and get involved, and I'm sure he's happy to speak as well if you'd like uh very exciting development, um a lot of different interesting parts that go into this one, as Don mentioned.

It's a mix between affordable senior housing and the market rate, um, something that Mr.

Hoppy is kind of kind of brought to the Omaha area with this uh concept of of mixing the two together, which um kind of you know provides a unique uh integration for both that market rate and the LITEC CHI Health is also a partner in this project as it is geared towards seniors.

There will be some directed fund um fundraiser um programs for 55 and odor, whether that be um hearing site impaired accessibility, those sort of things.

Um and then also um this was awarded um from the RFP from front porch, so the capital stack is made up of um along with TIFF.

There's there's Litech, there's a contribution from CHI, there's National Trust Fund Housing Funds.

So a lot of different players went into making this this project, what we hope to be a very successful one.

So with that here to have to answer any additional questions you may have.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents?

Seeing none.

No.

Sorry.

I've got a couple couple words here.

Uh Donnell Brown, 8827, Wyoming Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68122.

So glad to see you guys again, different faces.

Last time I've been here, uh, full circle of moment for me.

Umrigin, I did four new construction homes down in North Omaha, 24th and Lake.

Uh the city at that time uh sold me land for a dollar, three lots.

So I was able to convert those lots into single family homes and sell those to um low-income individuals that now have their own homes in the area.

So this is my next step in my evolution uh with this project working with Hoppy uh being supported by Spark uh development is for an opportunity here.

So thank you for the opportunity, and I think this project has a lot of potential.

We spend a lot of time with it with uh the programming, the design to help support uh the area, knowing we had City View and some other areas, uh the lack of affordable housing in downtown um is something I will really want to address, and this project helps get that done, especially in the urban core with the streetcar, uh, the position of this project I think fits well to uh serve the overall master plan for how we want to see the city uh be developed in the future.

So thanks.

Thank you.

Right.

Hello, Ryan Zimmermas uh here on behalf of Spark 1111 North 13th Street.

Um we really just wanted to voice our support for this uh TIFF allocation.

Um I think as we're thinking about uh what is uh appropriate use of TIFF.

You know, this is a conversation this council's had in recent uh weeks.

Uh this is really a project we want to hold up as an example of um just a really good project.

Um, of course, bringing more housing, including affordable housing and the mixed income approach which we support at Spark, uh housing in the urban core.

Um Donnell Brown is a Spark Developer Academy graduate and co-development program participants.

Um, so we really see this as a project that also builds up the uh ecosystem of developers.

We need more local housing developers that are mission-aligned that want to bring good projects to the market.

Um, also I was here just a couple weeks ago on behalf of age-friendly Omaha, and so just want to point out that this will add more uh units for our older adults in Omaha.

Um, and also not all of the units are uh require that you have to be um over 50.

And so there's an intergenerational component, which is a really um a strong component of this as well.

Um, and uh lastly, just wanted to note that uh Spark has been involved in helping to support some of the community engagement that's gone into this.

The development team has done a commendable job of really intentionally reaching out to older adults to see what design elements could be included to make this more livable, and so um for all those reasons uh we'd encourage full support of this.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other proponents here?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Uh good afternoon.

I'm on city council, Donny R.

Johnson at Johnson Equestron Foundation, North Hawkinson Citizen Foundation, 4928 North 52nd Street.

I like to see this young man do a wonderful job with his new project because I heard he's done some other things.

But my argument with these apartments downtown, all these apartments.

Back in the 60s, we had a lot of retail stores, and it's kind of went away from that.

And I would like to see the young man move over with my direction on 73rd and District 66 and bring those international communities here versus all these apartments downtown, and people don't have red uh jobs.

We're focusing on jobs, and at the same time, senior citizens say you can put 55 and older or not, but they're not gonna be living in any little dwellings anymore.

They wanted some freedom.

They try to not even go to old folks home in the first place.

So let's look at this young man who's doing a wonderful job, and let's start looking at some jobs for his um the international community and that district 66 and that building up there for eight minutes.

Donnie, we gotta stay on 2211 Douglas Street.

Yeah, but if you guys got this money, we'll take the 1211 million for 73 and Pacific.

Okay, we need this is item 13 is what we're talking about.

Ain't nobody gonna move in here.

Okay.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents?

Item 13 literary store 5015 Lafayette Avenue 68132.

Again, I'm generally opposed to most TIFF projects because we don't know enough about them.

I hope you smile at my remarks like you smile at Donnie and you don't interrupt me because you let him talk off topic.

But anyhow, I'd be curious to find out uh why uh we only get a debate if we challenge you.

Somebody has to challenge you to find out more about these things.

I would like to know who the real realtor developer and construction company is.

Whose name will we be seeing on that building after it's completed and uh starting to sell space?

Will it be the same people that we see in most cases around Omaha after it's built?

You see that little plaque that says who's selling the uh units now and et cetera.

I won't name them, but I think everybody knows who I'm talking about, the primary one, uh just all over town.

And they got TIFF to start with, and now they're selling you know units for uh row houses 400 and some million dollars.

I mean 400 some thousand dollars.

Affordable housing, excuse me.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents on item 13?

Seeing none, or let's see, public hearing is closed, and council member Goodwin, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um if Mr.

Brown could come back up, uh I love this project, and I love connecting the dots to economic development.

Also wanted to give uh a shout out to Spark, because I too am a graduate of the developer academy, and it this is really showing what it takes, a project like this shows what it takes to do several things.

Number one, um make good on a uh a vacant building and and turn it into 45 units of housing.

Uh it also talks about the programming, the intergenerational uh component of livability, um, but also then you start looking at the capital stack.

And I think that when oftentimes people throw around affordable housing or mixed income housing, and we really don't know the challenge of what it takes to get there.

And when you talk about TIFF, the National Trust Front Fund uh Fort Pro uh front porch investment, uh CHI has a programming investment, uh LITEC, all of that.

And then a willing developer to then partner with emerging developer uh to then help you upskill in in your project base.

Um this isn't just a standard run-of-the-mill development, and yet I'm I'm for traditional development as well.

Um so I just wanted to clarify that uh the names you'll see on this building.

Well, Hoppy, you know, Mr.

Brown, CHI, uh, front porch, National Trust Fund.

I mean, because it's going to take and then the realtor if Halby decides not to be the the primary realtor.

Um this is a collaboration for a project like this.

But I had a question about um the four uh the 45 affordable housing units.

Uh what will they do we know what they'll rent at right now?

Sure.

So currently we have estimates around I want to say below a thousand dollars a month.

Um so that's a preliminary estimate we have currently.

Um so how we arrived around that number and some of the targets we're looking at is we spoke and have focused groups, uh kind of like Ryan mentioned with uh Evans Tower, uh different individuals at Towers, uh different focus groups we've we've uh convened to see, hey, what's affordable, um, what can be done with the limited amount of funds we are working with uh because ultimately we want to make sure you know we don't overdesign or overburden someone to move into this facility uh with paying most of their income and rent.

So keep it affordable, but still making a safe uh community and a nice social community where they have access to transportation and to some of the activities and development that you know we see downtown.

Um so we think this will be really attractive to our 55 minute community and interest interdire interdire generational families that move into this area.

So and so thank you for that.

Uh what will the 25 market rate apartment units be?

And are these going to be studio to three bedrooms?

Are you gonna stay within one or two bedrooms?

Uh what is that combination look like?

So our initial design is uh studio and one bedrooms.

Um I believe uh the target right now we have about is about under $1,500 a month in those units or the market rate.

Um so and so uh CHI is a partner, and I assume it's because there will be some type of health public health benefit.

Uh what does that program look like?

Sure.

So how CHI is uh a part of this project is they will be supporting um how we assist the members of the community with uh getting to their regular appointments.

So uh their clinic is not too far from this this address, so you know we're looking at a transportation option of uh having individuals uh attend the regularly appointments at the clinic up the street.

Um also do we have a a nurse or some other medical profession come into the building and use space designated for checkups, um flu shots or wherever it may be, and then also we get more into the individual units with grab bars, um, hard of hearing, so you have the the lights, so if someone's ringing their door bell, other enhancements to help that individual uh live as comfortable as they can without um being independent.

So there's some specialized design based on the the senior population, that's correct, which is always good to hear.

Um no, I I think again this is innovative.

We again we throw that word away around a lot, but uh it's really this is a this is an example, and I'll probably be following up because I want to look at the back end of because everybody wants to know how to do this, and the fact that you're actually making it work is a testament to what we're seeing happen here in the Omaha market uh as we talk about the need for uh housing and that that area.

You I'm not gonna be a broken record, but that mixed income factor is a huge factor in how we make uh neighborhoods uh viable.

So thank you for your work and I will motion to approve.

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

Melton, row, yes, festerson.

Abstain, good one, yes, Harding, yes, hug, Mr.

President.

Aye motion passed, six to zero.

Festerson abstains 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, the order in which they were removed unless otherwise provided by the city council rules of order.

Public hearings on agenda items 14 through 16 were held on April 21st, 2026.

Any council discussion?

Motion approved.

Got a motion and a second roll call.

Melton, row, faster, good one.

Harding, yes, hug, Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

The public hearings and agenda items 17 through 38 are today.

If you wish to address the city council regarding these items, please come to the microphone, indicate the agenda item number you wish to address, identify yourself by your name, address, who you represent, and if you're a proponent or opponent, the public hearing is now open.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

I'm on City Council, Dani Diana Johnson, Johnson and Question Foundation, 4928 North 52nd Street.

You know, I I tried to share some data with you young folks.

Uh and time to time when like number 19.

So the best way to probably teach you young folks what me and Governor Tone and Senator Dave Carnes and Mayor Zarinski and all of us was working on, even your friend Al Vase.

We all worked on these programs.

So as you buy this tractor, buy one more tractor and donate it to North Omaha.

We're gonna take it to West Africa and grow some crops and bring them back and sell them.

Generate some revenue.

Thank you.

Are there any other opponents here on items 17 through 38 hearing is closed?

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

Melton, row, faster son, good one.

Harding, yes, hug?

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion pass seven to zero.

Item 39, a resolution to approve the 2025 tax increment financing annual report.

A is the final 2025 tax increment financing annual report.

Any council discussion?

The final, just to is it that a motion to approve the final 2025 A?

Okay.

Yeah.

Motion.

Motion and a second.

Thank you.

Roll call.

Melton.

Row.

Fasterson?

Good one.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Item 40, an ordinance to acquire private property for the North 24th Street, streetscape from Ohio Street to Sailor Street.

Public hearing is now open on item 40.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 41, an ordinance to amend section 23-177 of the Omaha municipal code by adding the employment classification for custodian.

Personnel board recommends approval.

Public hearing is now open on item 41.

Ms.

Sanders.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Um I'm here to as a proponent for items number 41, 42, and 43.

They are all classifications or revision to a classification.

Here to answer any questions.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents on item 41?

You said 41, 42, and 43.

This is for 41, Donnie.

Oh, sorry.

Proponents right now.

She mentioned 43.

She's speaking on 41, 42, and 43, but this specific is on 41 that we're talking about right now.

Okay, well that just is proponents right now in 41.

Yeah, I'm supporting that because on that Martha exit on the interstate.

We had a greenhouse there, and folks forgot about that indoor brewing.

We it was always there for all the years teaching us how to grow things insight.

Right on the exit of Martha Street there used to be a greenhouse.

I don't know where they hit it at.

They're growing some new stuff.

Okay, is there any other proponents on item 41?

Are there any opponents on item 41?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 42, an ordinance to amend section 23 177 of the Omaha Municipal Code by adding the employment classification for budget manager personnel board recommends approval.

Public hearing is now open on item 42.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 43, an ordinance to amend section 23 17 of the Omaha Municipal Code by changing the salary for greenhouse foreman personnel board recommends approval.

The public hearing is now open on item 43.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none are proponents.

Yes, sir.

That's the one I was trying to tell them to green up.

Let me see if I can take this off.

We get confused.

That's why we're not moving to our apartments.

We'd like to be outside to get fresh air.

Number 43.

As I was saying, Mr.

Begley, you probably remember this because I think you grew up in that area.

Donnie, can we get your name and address?

Which one?

The one in Washington, DC with Mr.

Your name and address.

Name and address.

Me and Mr.

Hardy don't have a new address yet.

We're working on it.

Donnie, your address in Omaha.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Omaha, Nebraska.

4928 North 52nd Street.

Thank you.

That's the place where we've been working to put judges, not judges, lawyers in jail.

In the meantime, I don't want to, but they want to put some in jail.

Donnie stick to item 43, please.

Oh, yes, sir.

Uh as we was growing up exiting um the interstate Martha Street.

We had a wonderful greenhouse in the 60s and the 70s.

So I think they need more money because we're going to do a lot more indoor growing.

Thank you.

Yes, sir.

Are there any other proponents on item 43?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 44, an ordinance to approve the Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association 2026, 2027 budget and work plan and levying a special tax and assessment and all lots and pieces of real estate within business improvement district number 6874.

Public hearing is now open on item 44.

Proponents.

Miss Barrett, good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Holly Barrett, 1403 Farnham Street, number 802.

I'm the executive director of the Omaha Downtown Improvement District.

I'm just here to answer any questions.

Thank you.

I enjoyed your meeting last week.

Well attended, as always.

Thank you.

Are there any other proponents on item 44?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 45, an ordinance to establish a class B flammable liquid storage district number B-228, located at 2451 North 90th Street.

The public hearing is now open on item 45.

Are there any proponents?

Seeing none, are there any opponents?

Public hearing is closed.

Item 46.

Gretna sanitation appeals rejection of their bid from April first, 2026 for City of Omaha Trash Container Service for Parks.

Seeing none, do we need to have time to come up then?

Add a motion and a second, no further lights.

Thank you.

Roll call.

Melton.

Rowe.

Festerson.

Yes.

Good one.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Um, I believe there is a request or request for non-action items to postpone the second reading and public hearing for item 59 to the June 16th City Council meeting.

So move.

I had a motion and a second to move item 59 to June 16th.

No further lights.

Roll call.

Melton.

Rowe.

Festerson.

Goodwin.

Harding.

Yes.

Hug.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Items 47 through 65 do not require public hearing or city council consideration at this meeting, but will be placed on a future agenda for public hearing and or 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.

Motion and a second to adjourn roll call.

Melton, row, faster, good one.

Harding.

Hug.

Mr.

President.

Aye.

Motion passed seven to zero.

Meeting is adjourned at 331.