James Michael Bowers

The meeting involved several key actions. The board approved claims, including a specific claim to El Centro de los Americas and claims for goods/services beyond the 90-day period related to the Global Interpreting Network. Routine consent items were approved, authorizing amendments to several county contracts with entities like Southeast Nebraska Development District and Eurekusa Incorporated, and approving various Rightway contracts. A significant discussion centered on approving a public hearing action item petitioning the Southeast Rural Fire District to annex a portion of the Bennett Rural Fire District, with the commissioners voting in favor, citing geographical advantages and petitioner input. New business included adopting corporate banking authorizations for 2026 depositories and approving a special designated license application for Sios Shrine Holding Corporation for an outside event. Furthermore, the board approved agreements for professional appraisal review services and an agreement with Benish for a transportation strategy study, which includes an analysis of the 148th Street corridor traffic usage.

The City Council meeting included several public hearings and readings of ordinances. Key actions included the reappointment of two individuals to the Citizen Police Advisory Board and the adoption of a resolution levying assessments for several Downtown Business Improvement Districts and Maintenance Districts. The council addressed assessments for weed cutting, approved a five-year consultant agreement for an employee assistance program, and accepted reports on new and pending claims. Furthermore, several administrative amendments related to development permits were placed on file. Second readings covered text amendments to municipal code sections regarding nonconforming use and flexibility for structural alterations, as well as multiple amendments to various city codes (Electrical, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, Building, Existing Building, Residential Building, and Fire Code) to adopt recent national editions. Third readings resulted in the passage of an annexation and a change of zone related to property near W Old Cheney Road and SW 12th Street, and an amendment to the Lincoln Food Code. First readings included numerous resolutions for appointments to various boards (Lincoln Electric System Administrative Board, District Energy Corporation, Charter Revision Commission, Keno/Human Services Board) and several professional services agreements for infrastructure projects like the 84th St. & US-6 Intersection Safety Project and the 27th Street Bridge engineering services. First readings also covered ordinances proposing comprehensive amendments to personnel code sections concerning layoffs/reductions in force, pay schedules, and bond authorizations for the Lincoln-Lancaster County Public Building Commission. Several land use items remained on the pending list.

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.