Omaha City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026
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Omaha City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026
The Omaha City Council met on May 12, 2026, at 2:16 PM adjournment, presided over by the Council President. Councilmember Amy Melton opened with remarks recognizing National Police Week and encouraging voter turnout. The council considered a variety of routine liquor licenses, zoning changes, property acquisitions, special tax assessments, and ordinance amendments. All votes were unanimous (7-0) except for Item 12 (6-0 with one abstention).
Consent Calendar
- Items 13 through 16 were approved unanimously (7-0) without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Donnie R. Johnson (4928 North 52nd Street, representing the Johnson Question Foundation and Omaha Concerned Citizen Foundation) addressed the council twice:
- On Item 29 (special tax assessment for trees/weeds), he questioned whether the tax could be used to prevent medical marijuana growth and conflated it with a national gas tax discussion. The presiding officer clarified the item was unrelated.
- On Item 31 (prohibition against amplification of sound exceptions), he said “No, thank you” and offered no further substantive comment.
Discussion Items
- Items 6–11: Liquor licenses and zoning changes processed with public hearings and unanimous approval:
- Item 6: Class CK liquor license for Cedar Creek Coffee and Art (2060 Elkhorn Drive). Applicant Joseph Kaplan answered questions. Passed 7-0.
- Item 7: Class D liquor license for NP Mart 37 (4122 Ames Avenue). Applicant David Outon explained the convenience store and planned improvements. Passed 7-0.
- Items 8–9: Rezoning and PUR overlay at 3757 North 37th Street. Applicant Josadina presented; passed 7-0.
- Items 10–11: Rezoning and major PUD amendment for property southeast of 66th Street and Grand Avenue. Applicant Juan Batista described unifying multiple zonings and adding nine units near Benson Golf Course. Passed 7-0.
- Item 12: Ordinance to acquire private property for the North 24th Street Streetscape project (Ohio Street to Sailor Street). Removed from consent agenda; passed 6-0 with Councilmember Goodwin abstaining.
- Item 23: Ordinance approving the Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association 2026–2027 budget and work plan. Law department requested an amendment of the whole. Passed 7-0.
- Items 24–29: Series of property acquisitions and special tax assessments:
- Item 24: 61st Street and Radial Storm Sewer CSO project property acquisition.
- Item 25: CC 204 phase 4A sewer separation CSO project property acquisition.
- Item 26: Bid acceptance for First Student Inc., $513,040, for summer recreation and senior program bus service.
- Item 27: Special tax assessment for litter removal group 2026-04.
- Item 28: Special tax assessment for weeds group 2026-05.
- Item 29: Special tax assessment for trees group 2026-06 (received public comment). All items passed 7-0 after public hearings.
- Items 30–31: Ordinance amendments:
- Item 30: Amending Section 20-162 (offenses against property) regarding unauthorized ticket reselling. Law department requested amendment of the whole. Passed 7-0.
- Item 31: Amending Section 17-3 (general) to include a prohibition against amplification of sound with exceptions. Passed 7-0 after public hearing with one comment.
- Items 32–46: Non-action items placed on future agendas; approved 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- All motions carried with the following vote tallies:
- Items 6–11, 13–16, 17–22, 23, 24–31 (except Item 12): 7-0.
- Item 12: 6-0 (Councilmember Goodwin abstained).
- No item was defeated or tabled. All ordinances and resolutions were adopted as presented or as amended.
Meeting Transcript
Good one. Harding. Hug. Melton. Here. Mr. President. Here. Please stand for the Pledge Allegiance and remain standing for opening remarks by Councilmember Amy Melton. Underground. Oh, everyone, please have a seat. Um, I just wanted to recognize National Police Week is this week. It was actually established in 1962 by a joint resolution between President Kennedy and Congress. And it was to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting our communities and safeguarding our democracy. I would also like to extend that recognition to include those who are injured in the line of duty. We're fortunate enough that at least we've had a sheriff and an Omaha police officer who are both shot at. Um, but fortunately we're able to live through it. But we honor their sacrifice and what they do. And I know we have two in the room. We could please just give them a round of applause and thank them. Thank you for what you do. Um, and if you would like to join in May 13th at 8 p.m., there's a candlelight at 8 p.m. a candlelight vigil at the Omaha Police Department headquarters downtown. And then on May 15th at 11 a.m., there is a service at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 156th in Maple. So if you can attend one of those, I think that would be great just to show how much we care for our law enforcement. And um, second, and go vote if you haven't voted. Make sure you go vote. Polls are open until 8 p.m. 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 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 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. Also, would like to remind my fine colleagues up here to speak into the microphone. We do a great job of that. And also the folks that come up to the podium to speak directly into that microphone so people at home and in attendance can hear you today. Thank you. Item six to consider a class CK liquor license for Cedar Creek Coffee and Art, located at 2060 Elkhorn Drive, lower level. Public hearing is now open on item number six. Is the applicant here today? Come on down, please. Joseph Kaplan, uh 2060, Elkhorn Drive with Cedar Creek Coffee and Art. Uh happy to answer any questions anybody has. Thank you. Good job.
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