Omaha City Council Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Omaha City Council met on July 21, 2026, at 1:45 PM in legislative chambers. The meeting began with a remembrance of city council staff member Liz Burkle Letty, followed by a proclamation honoring Sharon K. Olsen. Mayor Jean Stothert presented the proposed 2027 city budget, highlighting a flat property tax levy, historic parks investments, and public safety staffing. The council then conducted public hearings and voted on liquor licenses, subdivisions, zoning changes, and tax increment financing (TIF) projects. The meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM.

Remembrance of Liz Burkle Letty

• Councilmember Amy Melton eulogized Liz Burkle Letty, a city council staff assistant who died suddenly the previous week. Melton noted Letty’s service since 2013 in planning and 2014 on council, her pride in her sons, and her organ donor legacy. Other council members (Goodwin, Festerson) also expressed condolences, praising her dedication, volunteer work (Sunday school), and professional achievements (urban studies master’s from UNO).

Proclamation: Sharon K. Olsen Day

• Councilmembers Festerson and Goodwin read a proclamation declaring July 21, 2026, as Sharon K. Olsen Day. Olsen, a longtime Minneloosa neighborhood advocate, was honored for co-founding the Minneloosa House, saving Florence Library, establishing a pollinator garden, and decades of community service. Her cousin, Dick Flynn, accepted on behalf of the family.

Mayor’s 2027 Budget Presentation

• Mayor Jean Stothert presented the proposed $1.7 billion budget (including capital) for fiscal year 2027, called “The Story of Us, One Omaha.” Key points:
  • Parks: $5 million new general fund (20% increase) plus $5 million from philanthropy = $10 million total; 14 new full-time positions; focus on 144 of 250 parks in poor/fair condition.
  • Police: Holding at 835 sworn staff (authorized 906); plan to reach full staffing via lateral class (Sept. 2026) and academy classes (Jan./July 2027); $10 million for IT infrastructure; 5% salary increase for sworn officers.
  • Fire: Adding 9 new firefighters (first increase in over a decade) to reduce callback/stress; continued health screenings.
  • Libraries: More staff and books to shrink hold wait times from 35 to 20 days.
  • Planning: $1.3 billion in building permit valuation (second highest since 2006); comprehensive plan “We Make Omaha” due early 2027.
  • Public Works: $3.5 million to bring four parking garages online (at Dual, Beacon, Millwork, Builders District) adding 3,836 spaces.
  • Capital Improvement Program (2027-2032):
    • Public Safety Headquarters at Crossroads ($181 million) – proposed bond authority Nov. 2026, spring 2030 opening.
    • Fire Station 70 in Northwest Omaha.
    • Tranquility Park soccer magnet (16 turf fields, trails).
    • Omaha Streetcar: underground utility/bridge work complete 2027, maintenance facility done, mainline rail work for fall 2028 goal.
    • CHI Health Center expansion ($200 million): 25 new breakout rooms with riverfront views.
  • Revenue: Property tax levy flat; sales/use tax tracking higher; cash reserves at $77.6 million.
  • Next steps: Public hearing Aug. 11, 2026; vote Aug. 26, 2026; effective Jan. 1, 2027.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donnie Johnson (Johnson Equation Foundation, North Omaha Concerned Citizen Foundation): Spoke on multiple items, often advocating for community representation on the Liquor Commission and opposing certain developments. He expressed frustration with past council decisions (e.g., Albertson’s deal) and urged focus on jobs over housing.
• Items 15-20 (Lake Street Grocery Store): Multiple proponents (Eric Westman, Zeke Rouse, Ethel Mitchell Rock via Zoom) supported the project to address the North Omaha food desert, provide jobs, and be a community anchor. Ethel Mitchell Rock (property owner, Broomfield Row House) expressed concerns about traffic, noise, parking, and potential crime increase. Councilmember Goodwin addressed these, noting ongoing coordination with OPD and community groups.
• Item 29 (7630 Pacific Apartments TIF): Opponents Leslie Myers (637 Beverly Dr.) and Larry Storer (5015 Lafayette Ave.) objected to the building’s size, height, traffic impact, and lack of neighborhood notification. The applicant (Will Spelman) stated outreach included a virtual town hall with three attendees, all supportive.
• Items 34-42 (Consent agenda items): Kyle Keith (NLC Redevelopment Group) thanked the city for CDBG and TIF financing for the Navy Omaha Club project, encouraging community engagement. Donnie Johnson again spoke, advocating for jobs.
• Item 44 (Criminal Justice Internship Program): Donnie Johnson opposed, calling for more transparency on police vs. sheriff jurisdiction; another speaker echoed skepticism.

Discussion Items

• Liquor Licenses (Items 7-8): Approved unanimously (7-0). Item 7: Forest Game Time Pub & Grill (15350 Witter St.). Item 8: Ipoca Cantina (1080 Capitol Ave., Suite 150) – an amendment to existing license.
• Subdivisions (Items 9-14, 15-20, 25-28): All approved 7-0.
  • Items 9-11: Walvoord subdivision (58-lot RV park, SE of 234th & West Center Rd.).
  • Items 12-14: State & Highway 133 Edition (rezoning AG/GI to GI, final plat, subdivision agreement).
  • Items 15-20: Lake Street Grocery Store Edition (rezoning, overlay, master plan amendment, preliminary/final plat, subdivision agreement). Project: new grocery store at 24th & Lake St., operated by Heart Ministry Center, no liquor license, to include parking and bike trail connection.
  • Items 25-28: Property at 2715 & 2723 Q St. – rezoning R7 to GI, ACI overlay, master plan amendment (high-density residential to industrial). Applicant was Stephen Center.
• Rezonings (Items 21-24): All approved 7-0.
  • Item 21: Correction of legal description for rezoning at 5073 Kansas Ave.
  • Item 22: Rezone 6024 Pine St. from DR to R4.
  • Item 23: Rezone 5228 Ames Ave. from R3 to R5.
  • Item 24: Amend MCC overlay to include 4801 Q St. for auto dealership compliance.
• TIF Projects (Items 29-30): Both approved 7-0.
  • Item 29: 7630 Pacific Apartments – 34 market-rate apartments, $1.51M TIF, total $14M investment. Parking garage with one-to-one ratio, concerns addressed by Public Works on traffic.
  • Item 30: 1053 Park Avenue Senior Apartments – 50 affordable one-bedroom units (targeted at ≤60% AMI), $661K TIF, total $10.5M investment. Rents: $768 (40% AMI) and $950 (50% AMI). Developer: Rob Woodling. Groundbreaking fall 2026, completion spring 2028.
• Consent Agenda (Items 31-33): Public hearings held July 14, 2026; approved 7-0.
• Items 34-42 (Public hearing held today): Approved as a block 7-0. Included various items: Item 39 (Navy Omaha Club TIF/CDBG) noted by Kyle Keith. Items 41-42 included property purchase at 1818 Leavenworth St. for a future downtown fire station (replacing Fire Station 1) – $2.3 million, 10-bay station with access to Leavenworth.
• Item 43: Purchase order with OPPD for 48 Acorn Street Light Pull installation (Park Ave. from Mason to Woolworth) – approved 6-0-1 (Council President Begley abstained).
• Item 44: Grant award agreement ($60,000) for criminal justice internship program – public hearing held; no council vote recorded in transcript (agenda item was for public hearing only; placed on future agenda?). Transcript shows motion and second to adjourn after non-action items 45-78. So likely no vote on Item 44 at this meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All votes on items before the council passed 7-0, except Item 43 (6-0-1 with Begley abstaining).
• Next Steps:
  • Budget: Public hearing Aug. 11, 2026; final vote Aug. 26, 2026.
  • Lake Street Grocery Store: Community vision meeting July 29, 2026; groundbreaking Oct./Nov. 2026.
  • 1053 Park Ave. Senior Apartments: Groundbreaking fall 2026.
  • 7630 Pacific Apartments: TIF approved; timeline not specified.
  • New downtown fire station: Site purchased; construction future.
  • Public Safety Headquarters: Bonding authority vote Nov. 2026.
• Directives: Councilmember Goodwin encouraged continued community engagement on North Omaha projects.