Omaha City Council Meeting – May 12, 2026

The Omaha City Council meeting on May 12, 2026, began with opening remarks by Councilmember Amy Melton recognizing National Police Week and encouraging voting. The council then proceeded through a series of public hearings and votes on liquor licenses, zoning changes, property acquisitions, budgets, and special tax assessments. All votes were unanimous (7-0) except where noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donnie R. Johnson (Johnson Question Foundation, Omaha Concerned Citizen Foundation, 4928 North 52nd Street) spoke during item 29 (trees special tax assessment) questioning whether the ordinance could affect medical marijuana cultivation, and linking it to gas tax promises by President Trump. The council ruled his comments off-topic.
• Johnson also spoke during item 31 (sound amplification) asking Councilmember Harding to vote for a stimulus check promised by President Trump. The council again ruled the comment off-topic. No other public testimony was offered.

Discussion Items

• Item 6: Class D liquor license for Cedar Creek Coffee and Art (20603 Elkhorn Drive) – Applicant Joseph Kaplan presented the license application. No proponents or opponents appeared. Public hearing closed; motion passed 7-0.
• Item 7: Class D liquor license for NP Mart 37 (4122 Ames Avenue) – Applicant David Houghton described the new license for a former location (Gym and Sam's), with interior improvements and a new Crispy Crunch Chicken amenity. No public testimony; motion passed 7-0.
• Items 8 & 9: Rezoning 3757 North 37th Street from R4 to R5 district and approval of a PUR overlay district – Applicant Joe Zedina represented the owner. Planning Board and Department recommended approval. No testimony; motion passed 7-0.
• Items 10 & 11: Rezoning property southeast of 66th Street and Grand Avenue – Applicant Juan Batista (Ferri Apartments, 4731 North 66th Street) proposed unifying multiple existing zonings into a single R8 district and a major amendment to a PUD overlay to add nine new residential units. Councilmember Goodwin asked about the project; Batista explained the need for uniformity and increased density near the Benson golf course. No opponents; motion passed 7-0.
• Consent Agenda (Items 13–16) – Approved en bloc 7-0 after item 12 was removed.
• Item 12: Ordinance to acquire private property for North 24th Street Streetscape (Ohio to Sailor Street) – Councilmember Goodwin requested removal from consent agenda for separate discussion. Motion to approve passed 6-0 (Goodwin abstained).
• Items 17–22: Public hearings – No testimony; motion to approve passed 7-0.
• Item 23: Ordinance to approve Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association 2026–2027 budget and work plan – Amendment of the whole requested by the law department; motion passed 7-0.
• Items 24 & 25: Property acquisitions for CSO projects (61st Street & Radial Storm Sewer; CC 204 Phase 4A Sewer Separation) – Public hearings closed without testimony; motions passed 7-0 (votes taken later via roll call on combined items).
• Item 26: Ordinance to accept bid of First Student Inc. ($513,004) for summer recreation and senior field trip bus service – Public hearing closed without testimony; motion passed 7-0.
• Item 27: Special tax assessment for litter removal group 2026-04 – Public hearing closed without testimony; motion passed 7-0.
• Item 28: Special tax assessment for weeds group 2026-05 – Public hearing closed; motion passed 7-0.
• Item 29: Special tax assessment for trees group 2026-06 – Public hearing included public comment (Donnie Johnson); motion passed 7-0.
• Item 30: Ordinance to amend section 20-162 (unauthorized ticket reselling) – Amendment of the whole requested; public hearing closed without testimony; motion passed 7-0.
• Item 31: Ordinance to amend section 17-3 (sound amplification limitations) – Public hearing included public comment (Donnie Johnson); motion passed 7-0.
• Non-action items (32–46) – Noted for future agenda; motion to accept passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• All items passed unanimously (7-0) except item 12, which passed 6-0 with Councilmember Goodwin abstaining.
• Liquor licenses approved for Cedar Creek Coffee and Art and NP Mart 37.
• Rezonings approved for 3757 North 37th Street (R4 to R5) and southeast of 66th & Grand Avenue (R6/R8 to R8) with major PUD amendment.
• Property acquisitions authorized for North 24th Street streetscape and two CSO projects.
• Bus service contract awarded to First Student Inc. for $513,004.
• Special tax assessments levied for litter, weeds, and trees removal programs (Groups 2026-04, 2026-05, 2026-06).
• Omaha Downtown Improvement District 2026–2027 budget and work plan approved after amendment.
• Code amendments advanced for ticket reselling and sound amplification.
• Meeting adjourned at 2:16 PM.