Omaha City Council Meeting: May 19, 2026 – Liquor Licenses, Fundraising, and Proclamations
Omaha City Council Meeting: May 19, 2026 – Liquor Licenses, Fundraising, and Proclamations
The Omaha City Council met on May 19, 2026, to consider a range of items including liquor licenses, zoning approvals, and a major ordinance to permit city employees to fundraise for nonprofits during working hours. The meeting opened with a proclamation honoring retiring Law Department attorney Bernard Indenbosch and closed with the renewal of interlocal agreements for the Keynote program.
Proclamation – Bernard Indenbosch Day
- The council unanimously approved a proclamation designating Friday, June 5, 2026, as “Bernard Indenbosch Day” in Omaha, recognizing his 30 years of service in the Law Department. Councilmembers Festerson, Goodwin, and others praised his guidance, humility, and impact on the community.
Liquor Licenses (Items 6–9)
- Item 6 – Corner Kick (2295 South 67th Street): Approved 6–0 for a Class C liquor license. Applicant Paul McCray noted the location was the former Voodoo Taco spot, with a soft opening planned for June 8, 2026, in time for the World Cup.
- Item 7 – Rhino Supermarket and Liquor (6501 Ames Avenue): Approved 6–0 for a Class D liquor license. Applicant Peter Cool stated he had contacted neighbors (daycare, auto repair, a large building) with no objections. Councilmember Goodwin asked about over-concentration of liquor licenses in North Omaha; Cool noted he would offer African foods and other items.
- Item 8 – Good Life Sports Bar and Grill (1501 Mike Fahey Street, Suite 150): Approved 6–0 for an outdoor area addition. The outdoor area is 95 by 15 feet; capacity numbers were not specified.
- Item 9 – Grover Inn (3505 South 42nd Street): Approved 6–0 for a special designated liquor license for an outdoor concert on June 5, 2026, from noon to 2 a.m. with music until midnight.
Subdivision and Zoning Approvals (Items 10–15)
- Items 10–12 – Elkorn Hills (203rd Street & Veterans Drive): Approved 6–0 for a preliminary plat, final plat, and subdivision agreement, carving three residential lots from a church lot.
- Items 13–15 – The Preserved Second Edition (22nd & I Streets): Approved 6–0 for a rezoning from AG to DR, final plat, and subdivision agreement.
Consent Agenda (Items 16–20)
- The public hearing for items 16–20 was held on May 12, 2026. The council approved the consent agenda 6–0.
Public Comments & Testimony (Items 21–36)
- Items 21–31: Approved 6–0. Proponents included Carol Blood (City Sprouts) supporting Item 29 for building improvements; Denise Parker (Family Housing Advisory Services) supporting Item 29 for homeownership education—noting that last year’s investment resulted in 61 individuals interested in down payment loans, over 50 homebuyers, and 938 individuals supported through tenant services; Cheryl Gards (Common Housing Development Corporation) supporting Item 29 to launch Omaha’s first community land trust program (helping about 40 families over 100 years); and Lacia Goodwin (Holy Name Housing) supporting Item 29 for affordable housing infrastructure.
- Item 35 – Aviation Fuel Payment: No public testimony; approved 6–0.
- Item 36 – Fundraising Ordinance: A major public hearing with extensive testimony.
- Proponents: Trevor Towy (President, Omaha Professional Firefighters Local 385) urged reinstatement of on-duty “Fill the Boot” fundraising for MDA, emphasizing a 72-year tradition and that 700 fire departments across the country still do it. Derek Castor, a 31-year-old with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and his father Darren Castor spoke about MDA’s impact on research, camp, and equipment. Other proponents included Sandra Day (mother of a son lost to Duchenne MD), Christy Starmer, and Heather Miller (MDA) who noted that 77% of Fill the Boot campaigns in 2025 were at intersections, raising 2.5 times more than off-duty events.
- Council Discussion: Councilmember Melton raised concerns about transparency, potential costs (up to 5,600 hours of city time per year if all 14 departments did five events), and lack of council oversight. She proposed an amendment requiring council approval via resolution. Councilmember Goodwin and Nick Kohler (Nonprofit Association of the Midlands) suggested creating a public-private advisory committee and using NAM’s Best Practice Partnership program to select nonprofits fairly. Councilmember Hugg argued that firefighters are unique (can work while fundraising) and urged a simpler approach. Councilmember Roe questioned whether fundraising aligns with the city’s core mission and noted that most department mission statements do not include fundraising.
- Legal Context: Matt Cuzi (Law Department) explained the ordinance was carefully drafted to comply with state law and NADC opinions, leaving discretion to department directors. He noted that participation is voluntary, cannot be forced, and can be terminated if operations are affected.
Key Outcomes
- Bernard Indenbosch Day: Proclaimed for June 5, 2026.
- Liquor License Approvals: Approved 6–0 for Corner Kick, Rhino Supermarket, Good Life Sports Bar, and Grover Inn.
- Subdivision and Zoning Approvals: Approved 6–0 for Elkorn Hills and The Preserved Second Edition.
- Consent Agenda: Approved 6–0.
- Items 21–31 (Funding and Zoning): Approved 6–0.
- Item 35 (Aviation Fuel): Approved 6–0.
- Item 36 (Fundraising Ordinance): Council took no final vote; the matter was laid over for further discussion and potential amendments to address transparency, oversight, and fairness. Councilmember Melton indicated she would offer an amendment requiring council approval. The ordinance will return on a future agenda.
- Items 37–40 (Keynote Interlocal Agreements): Approved 6–0 to renew agreements with Douglas County, Milford, Valley, and Bennington for five years. The city receives a 2% management fee.
- Non-Action Items (41–53): Placed on future agendas without action at this meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Festerson good one. Harding is absent. Hug. Melton. Here. Roe. Mr. President. Here. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for opening remarks by Councilmember Pete Fesserson. I just wanted to note this is our last council meeting before this Memorial Day holiday this year at the time when we think about, of course, all of our loved ones and all of those that have served our country. We will, of course, have a ceremony at Memorial Park for those that are interested on the Monday at 10 o'clock for skydiving and pancakes, and 11 o'clock for the actual ceremony. So all are invited, and I hope and wish all of you a health, healthy, happy, and safe weekend with your friends and family. 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. 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 we read them. Finally, council members may ask members of the audience back up for clarifying questions, but not for extra time to speak. Are you ready? Sure. Whereas Bernard J. Indonbosch began working for the City of Omaha's Law Department on March 23rd, 1996, after earning his bachelor's degree from Tufts University and his law degree from Washington University School of Law. And whereas Bernard Indenbosch has dedicated his professional career to the City of Omaha for over 30 years, where he has worked on legal issues, projects, negotiation, and litigation for every city department, especially the human resources department, the public works department, the Omaha Fire Department, and the Omaha Police Department. And where is Bernard Indenbosch's career with the law department has seen five mayors, multiple council members, and three city attorneys? Four. And whereas, following his well-deserved and well-earned retirement, Bernard and Bosch will be able to spend time with his family, including his wife Connie, his two sons, daughter-in-law, and his two granddaughters. And whereas Bernard and Bosch has been a source of knowledge, advice, guidance, and fun for all of his co-workers in the law departments and the other city departments who will never forget his direct yet gentle advice. So we're at now, therefore, let it be resolved that the city of Omaha officially designates Friday, June 5th, 2026 as Bernard Edenbosch Day in Omaha, Nebraska. And in witness whereof we have set our hands and caused the official seal of the city of Omaha to be affixed on this 19th day of May 2026. So I get to talk. And Bernard, if I may add to that proclamation, just a couple words. Because not only have you been a source of knowledge, advice and guidance for your co-workers in the law department and city departments. You've actually been a source of knowledge and advice for lawyers, private lawyers all over the city who call you, and lawyers who work for other cities who call you and look to advice. You've provided service to more people than just those of the citizens of Omaha, but to people all over. And I just want to thank you for always being there and always providing that to anyone that calls an ass. Thank you. It is an honor. I'm not one who knows how to accept things very well. A lot of times I tend to minimize, but I'll try not to do that. I have enjoyed serving the public for the 30 years. I first want to thank my family, my wife Johnny, my son Mitchell, my son Tanner, uh, my two granddaughters were able to make it, Ellie and Evie, and my daughter-in-law, Lauren, who's not able to make it. Uh, I also want to thank the mentors that I had with the city attorney's office. Uh, people that provided a lot of information to me on how to demonstrate the balance of representing the city legally, but also serving the public, because I think there is an obligation that we have that we don't see in other places for other attorneys. We have an opportunity, an obligation to ensure the attorneys are the public is aware of what's occurring. In particular, Joe Cavill, Bob Hamer, Tom Mumgard, Kent Winry, Wendy Hahn, and Alan Thielen. Um, and the city attorney who hired me, and the city attorneys that I've served for that.
openpublica.com