Omaha City Council Meeting - October 28, 2026

The Omaha City Council held its regular meeting on October 28, 2026, starting at 2:01 PM. President Bagley presided with six members present (Councilmember Professorson absent). The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, remarks from Councilmember Don Rowe encouraging voter turnout for the November 3 election, and a proclamation declaring November 2026 as Ramiah Worthington Child Vehicle Safety and Protection Month. The council then proceeded through a consent calendar, public hearings, and debated a major proposed overhaul of the Omaha Plumbing Code, ultimately delaying a final vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Items 12–23 (Consent Agenda): Donnie R. Johnson (Johnson Question Foundation) opposed items 12–15, expressing concern about liquor licenses and wanting more city oversight. Larry Store (5015 Lafayette Ave) opposed item 20, asking whether traffic signal infrastructure included flock cameras or automated enforcement; the Law Department clarified such cameras are not permitted in Nebraska and OPD does not use flock cameras. Soleil Rodriguez (1005 N 49th St) opposed items 13 and 15, noting the high density of liquor stores in North Omaha near churches and schools; Councilmember Goodwin acknowledged the concern and noted the Law Committee is reviewing liquor license density in District 2.
• Item 24 (TIF for affordable senior housing): Donnie R. Johnson opposed, requesting more funding for plumbing education in high schools.
• Item 30 (Point-of-sale system for golf): Donnie R. Johnson raised a humorous concern about golf balls clogging sewers.
• Item 35 (SAFER grant for firefighters): Donnie R. Johnson urged firefighters to be willing to enter creeks for water samples, referencing Navy training.
• Item 38 (Plumbing code revision): Extensive testimony from both proponents and opponents.

Discussion Items

• Items 6–9 (Liquor license and rezoning): All passed 6–0.
  • Item 6: Class D liquor license for Snake Bite Liquor & Smoke (3706 N 90th St).
  • Item 7: Rezone from R4/DR to R4 at 804 N 143rd Ct and 805 N 143rd Plaza.
  • Item 8: Rezone from LO to CC at 6402 N 71st St.
  • Item 9: Puritan Manufacturing TIF redevelopment plan for 1302 Grace St, up to $423,477, for demolition and new facility to address flooding. Project owner Dave Waters noted the company will celebrate 100 years in 2027.
• Items 10–23 (Consent agenda): Passed 6–0 after public hearing.
• Items 24–37 (Various ordinances): All passed 6–0, including:
  • Item 24: TIF for 1053 Park Ave – 50 units of affordable senior housing (55+) at Park Ave and Pacific St, represented by Rob Woodling.
  • Item 25: Lab testing contract with Midwest Laboratories Inc.
  • Item 26: Interlocal agreement for hazardous waste collection.
  • Item 27: Streetscape maintenance agreement for Kiwitz subdivision.
  • Item 28: Property acquisition for George Miller Parkway.
  • Item 29: Amendment to South Streams Mixed Use District development agreement.
  • Item 30: Point-of-sale system for golf division ($123,840).
  • Item 31: Special tax revenue bonds for mutual tower garages ($115 million).
  • Item 32: Various purpose bonds for public facilities ($110 million).
  • Item 33: Highway safety grant for nightlife expansion ($122,378).
  • Item 34: Purchase of 100 sets of PPE bunker gear from Hyman Fire Equipment.
  • Item 35: SAFER grant for 18 new firefighters – Fire Chief Kathy Bossman and union president Trevor Towey expressed support, noting the grant will help staff future Fire Station 70.
  • Item 36: Omaha Public Library Foundation grant ($1,325,160) for four new positions for due space integration.
  • Item 37: Interlocal agreement for Brady/Giglio officer disclosure process (explained by Law Department).
• Item 38 (Omaha Plumbing Code Revision – Major Discussion):
  • Planning Director Dave Fanslow and Permits & Inspections Superintendent Lei Wen presented the proposal, which revises the 2015 code to expand allowable materials (PVC, PEX-A) in commercial and multifamily buildings, change apprentice ratio from 1:1 to 2:1, allow licensed sewer contractors for demolition permits, and reduce continuing education requirements. They argued it would lower construction costs for affordable housing and align Omaha with national model codes.
  • Proponents included developers (DR Horton, Foundations Development), the Metro Omaha Builders Association, Front Porch Investments, and plumbing contractors. They claimed PVC can save 60–80% in material costs (e.g., $5,600 more per house in Omaha vs. Des Moines) and cited national and regional acceptance.
  • Opponents included Plumbers Local 16, the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, and several master plumbers and engineers. They raised concerns about fire safety (PVC melting/combusting, toxic smoke), long-term durability, water quality, and insufficient training under the 2:1 ratio. They argued cost savings may not reach renters and that the process was rushed without adequate transparency.
  • Councilmember Hug asked about fire suppression systems; it was clarified PVC is already allowed for fire sprinklers. Councilmember Goodwin questioned committee composition; the committee had 9 members (7 plumbers, 3 union, 4 non-union, plus an engineer and developer) and no formal vote. The Plumbing Board voted 5–3 and later 4–2; the Building Board Review voted 6–1 to recommend.
  • Councilmember Melton noted only Chicago, New York, and Omaha (plus limited Boston) restrict PVC for high-rise, and that the entire nation uses model codes. She moved to lay over the final vote to November 10, 2026, to allow further study. Motion passed 6–0.
• Item 39 (Playground Boss bid appeal): The company failed to provide an electronic copy of the bid bond. The Law Department recommended denial. Motion to deny passed 6–0.
• Items 40–56 (Non-action items): Placed on future agendas.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar and routine items (Items 6–37) passed 6–0.
• Item 38 (Plumbing code revision) was laid over for third reading and final vote on November 10, 2026, by a 6–0 vote.
• Item 39 (Playground Boss appeal) was denied 6–0.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:54 PM.