City of Lincoln

The City Council meeting addressed several key items. Discussions included the presentation of the Mayor's Award of Excellence for September 2025 to a recipient from the Health Department in Sustainability and Resilience. Significant actions involved numerous adoptions related to keno satellite approvals (GolfXperiences LLC dba GolfX and 12th Street Pub Inc. dba The Tap Sports Bar) and approving a Professional Services Agreement Supplemental for environmental services on the Randolph St., Capitol Parkway to 40th Street Rehabilitation Project. The Council also adopted assessment resolutions for several Business Improvement Districts (Downtown Core Management, Downtown Management, Downtown Maintenance, and West Haymarket/Downtown Maintenance Districts) which require a Board of Equalization hearing. Liquor license applications for a Class C license (Sake & Sun, LLC dba Sakura Japanese Restaurant) and multiple special designated licenses for outdoor areas on December 7, 2025, were approved. Furthermore, resolutions were adopted to declare specific areas blighted and substandard, to authorize the City to permit the assignment of Tax Allocation Bonds, and to adopt the Lincoln Electric System Annual Budget and Rate Schedules for 2026. Third reading ordinances passed related to amending pay schedules, creating a new chapter for cryptocurrency guidelines, and numerous text amendments concerning wastewater lift stations. Resolutions for the first reading included reappointing members to the Commission on Women and Gender, accepting claims reports, approving Interlocal Agreements for Advanced Life Support Emergency Service with several surrounding cities and villages, and initiating first readings for amendments to the Lincoln Food Code and zoning changes for a development near W Old Cheney Road and SW 12th Street.

The meeting included the approval of minutes from the February 17, 2026 meeting and claims through February 20, 2026, including payroll, and one specific claim to the mediation center. A Commissioner's Award of Excellence for 2025 was presented to Sergeant Brett Wrinkle of the County Corrections Department for intervening during a medical emergency where a colleague was choking. New business involved approving program agreements with the Nebraska Department of Transportation for roundabout improvements at several intersections (5A and 5B), approving an engineering design contract with Felsburg Holton Ulvig for those improvements (5C), approving a special event application for a gravel bike race in April 2026 (5D), approving an agreement with ADP for county employee employment verification services (5E), and approving contracts for annual automotive paint and bodywork services (5F). The agenda also addressed action following a public hearing from February 10, 2026, regarding a county special permit request for a battery energy storage system.

The meeting included the approval of minutes from the February 3rd, 2026 meeting and claims processed through February 6th, 2026, including payroll, as well as approval for claims exceeding the 90-day period. Consent items involved amendments to numerous county contracts for various services, including work clothing supply, parking stall increase for the sheriff, annual ammunition supply, behavioral health services, and lab testing services. Amendments were also processed for contracts related to electrical services, roofing services, and demolition services. The board approved right-of-way contracts and a grant contract for the Street Outreach Emergency Assistance Program. January 2026 reports from several county offices were received and filed. A public hearing was set for February 24th, 2026, regarding the closeout of the countywide community development block grant housing rehabilitation program. New business included setting the salary for the deputy county attorney and approving resolutions concerning petition forms for road vacation/abandonment and the removal of school bus stop signs in areas where student populations have shifted. The board also authorized the removal of a load rating sign for a bridge, approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Lincoln for traffic detour usage during construction, and ratified an agreement with Gana Trucking LLC for road maintenance during soil excavation. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Brain Injury Association Nebraska for programming and training at the Youth Services Center was approved. Finally, the board approved contracts for the annual supply of snowplow and greater blades. The legislative update focused on bills LB84 and LB1075, with the board voting to adopt a neutral position on LB84 following successful negotiations that addressed previously hostile provisions.

The meeting covered several agenda items approved as consent items, including amendments to various county contracts such as those with True Green Lawn Care, Clyde Malone Community Center, and the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska for the Family Treatment Drug Court Program. Amendments were also approved for contracts related to excavating, grading, dozing, and unit price HVAC services with multiple contractors. Furthermore, several right-of-way contracts were approved. A significant portion of the meeting involved the proclamation of February 12th, 2026, as 4H Achievement Day, recognizing the organization's impact on local youth development. The Board also addressed salary settings for a district court bailiff and two assistant public defenders. Finally, the Board discussed resolutions authorizing the County Chair to sign agreements with the Nebraska Department of Transportation for bridge repair/replacement programs, specifically concerning county bridges X84 and C-262, which included plans to remove bridge C-262 from the system.

The meeting featured the presentation of the County Sheriff's 2025 Annual Service Awards. Awards included Certificates of Merit for citizens Michael Brown and Jennifer Miller for intervening in a serious rollover crash. Life-saving awards were presented to Sergeant Kobe Dulki for cutting zip ties off a man's neck, Deputy Dennis Goodhart for rescuing a man from a vehicle fire, Deputy Barry Barnett and Officer Brock Wagner for de-escalating a situation with a suicidal individual on a ledge, Deputy Jordan Funk and Sergeant Casey Daly for providing CPR to an unresponsive newborn, and Deputy Taylor Castanada for preventing a suicide attempt from a bridge. An exceptional duty award was given to retiring Sergeant Scott Gaston for his 29 years of service and numerous specialized roles. Investigator Brent Mashik received an exceptional duty award for his involvement in multi-state investigations leading to significant drug seizures. Deputy Daniel Sarn was named Deputy Sheriff of the Year for his versatility and initiatives. Bill Bivven was recognized as the Professional Employee of the Year for his immediate and significant impact in technology support.