Goodwin.

Mr.

President.

By Councilmember Goodwin.

Individual justice.

Well, good afternoon, everyone.

You may be seated.

I wanted to talk a little bit about public safety as it pertains to traffic safety as we go back to school.

Many of us will have kiddos and grandkids going back to school in the next couple weeks.

And I had the opportunity to partner with Public Works last week for a pop-up event at the Metro Area Transit Center on 30th Street.

And the message really was to all drivers just to please slow down.

With specifics to Ames Avenue, unfortunately, 102 people were killed or seriously injured on Ames over the past 10 years.

So we're advocating for safer streets, safer speeds, and safer choices.

What we see today on Ames Avenue is a resurfacing project that's happening that will actually narrow the what will actually create what was once four lanes into three, and also include a bike lane.

And those changes are really to ensure that there's the opportunity for all users of the road for all types of transportation to effectively navigate such a busy corridor.

And so again, as we're going back to school, um as we're driving in our sea uh our streets, um, we we're advocating that safety is a shared responsibility and that we all play a part to obey speed limits, avoid being distracted, buckle in, share the road, and drive sober.

Uh again, this is in partnership with public works and their vision zero Omaha initiative, and there's still time through Keep It Moving Omaha to share your thoughts about not just the Ames Avenue uh resurfacing project, but the Ames Avenue Mobility Project and learn more about the various um traffic initiatives, and we have many uh that are happening across our city.

Uh, we will also have these palm cards and posters for businesses if they want to amplify that messaging.

So, again, let's be safe, not just when our kids are going back to school, but um when we're driving and sharing the road.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And 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 the meeting of the Omaha City Council.

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We now have a proclamation by Councilmember Melton for the tenant assistance project proclamation.

Councilmember Melton.

Thank you.

If I could invite everybody from the tenant assistance program who's shown up today to come on down to the podium.

Whereas since its launch in Omaha in 2021, the tenant assistance project, otherwise known as TAP, has helped more than 12,000 residents navigate housing instability and eviction-related legal issues, dramatically transforming access to justice and reducing same-day evictions from the overwhelming norm to fewer than one percent of cases for tenants who actually appear in court.

And whereas the positive impact on youth has been profound, with TAP indirectly supporting at least 6,299 children since 2022 by providing vital legal defense and stabilization to families facing the immediate threat of displacement.

Whereas national housing research and Omaha's TAPS, Omaha TAPS own demographic data demonstrate that eviction disproportionately impacts racial minorities and low-income households, with 42% to 48% of tenants served identifying as black or African American, 57% to 60% identifying as women, and a majority reporting incomes at or below the federal threshold for extremely low-income households.

And whereas the extraordinary success of Omaha TAP is driven by the legal community's commitment to public service, including well over 100 volunteer attorneys and dozens of law student volunteers who have donated their time and expertise to provide critical courtroom representation, intake, and outreach.

Whereas TAP serves as a powerful economic investment in Omaha by helping families secure rental assistance, maintain employment, keep children enrolled in school, and avoid downstream costs to local emergency emergency shelters, health care, child welfare, and public safety systems.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, the City Council of the City of Omaha do hereby proclaim August 2026 as tenant assistance project month in Omaha, and urge all residents to recognize and celebrate the dedication of the volunteer attorneys, law students, courts, community organizations, and local leaders who work together to protect housing stability and justice for Omaha families.

In witness whereof we have set our hands and caused the seal of the City of Omaha to be affixed on this fourth day of August 2026.

Thank you, Councilwoman Melton, for the uh introducing this proclamation today.

I'm Josh Henningson.

I'm the current managing attorney of the tenant assistance project.

We have some of our uh past managing attorneys here with us today.

But more importantly, we want to thank you for being one of our longtime volunteers for the project.

The project's been built by dozens of members of the Omaha legal community that have been willing to donate their time and talents to represent people facing eviction in Douglas County.

Uh some of them, like Dave Pantos, are here today.

Uh as you mentioned, our biggest success story is that we now prevent same-day eviction in more than 99% of the cases that we handle.

Uh and over the past five years, we work closely with other organizations like Legal Aid of Nebraska, the Creighton Legal Clinic, Together Omaha, and the City of Omaha.

Uh the City Council, the mayor's office, and staff all across multiple departments that help us to assist the people that we serve.

Uh, we've also developed productive relationships with the attorneys who represent property owners and work together every day to negotiate mutually beneficial settlements.

Umfortunately, the need persists, and we look, but we look forward to uh continuing to work together to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability across Omaha and Douglas County.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And you know, it's it's I want to note something.

I called you down here because I can't believe, first of all, that it's been five years since we started the tenant assistance program.

Time has kind of flown.