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.