[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6344944,"mediaKeyId","2250021-105d72121cecfaad55992dcd4017f284","parentId",2250021,"title","Council approves retirement option for police and fire chiefs; debate over extending option to rank-and-file continues","audioSeconds",226,"startMs",3094000,"endMs",3320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250021-105d72121cecfaad55992dcd4017f284&start=3094&end=3320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250021-105d72121cecfaad55992dcd4017f284/thumbnail_3094000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6344944/Omaha/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Council-approves-retirement-option-for-police-and-fire-chiefs-debate-over-extending-option-to-rank-and-file-continues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344944-8547c3e2240a2500ae04d3dcf0559fa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776183681&Signature=jvLJAfSPk-Fv56gEiQ4O6ZLcbvNojc2oi~cOlkta9wn0t3XjNutDCb9PKGzQKo9vCDABbsi8-th9fFKESlqtyYBmPLg4ytTytTB-~jxwaxt20CjpUey81enfIsKURYfP0P5M9Sly96CZXk7hCexNCHifE4ddSGAjUc0VpIlDfyPlnNFsbUPzsBv0yabS3lAt2~UhD0NuiPkPBCCIiDUT3x8j5mzI-1zeF~578f8zYaV7~yCAGFtDmpkM9rqvyF0YEo9M8DFrScPkV0n2Un1~pU0yZGYcTB6MEU7SKN20P95R9hKhMabdIFk-BxxEiUXclWcjrELbz8HB0P6cGrRZSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Omaha, NE","date","2025-02-04T23:27:44Z","article","The Omaha City Council approved an amendment to the municipal code to authorize a deferred retirement option program (DROP) for the police and fire chiefs in a 4–3 vote, following a lengthy public discussion about whether the benefit should be extended to rank-and-file members of the police and fire bargaining units.

Deputy City Attorney Bernard Inabusch confirmed the city obtained an actuarial analysis for the chiefs’ proposal that showed a nonnegative impact on the pension system for the limited management group. Councilmembers and union leaders urged caution about equity for other sworn personnel. Trevor Talley, president of the Omaha Professional Firefighters, said the issue raised fairness questions for roughly 700 firefighters he represents: “If this benefit was offered to the members of local 385, it would be an all or none, which means we can all take advantage of it or none of us can take advantage of it.” Talley emphasized such a change would have to be negotiated and put to his membership.

Councilmember Danny Begley moved and council members discussed a motion to lay the item over to April 8 to allow time for actuarial work and bargaining-unit discussion; the layover motion failed 3–4. During the debate, Bernard Inabusch and administration representatives said if the council approved the chiefs’ option on the ordinance before them, the administration would fund and request an actuarial study for the larger bargaining groups (OPOA and Local 385) and share results with union leadership; the city estimated such studies would take about three to four months.

Council discussion repeatedly referenced process and fairness. Councilmember Amy Melton said she supported the chiefs receiving the benefit now and proposed that rank-and-file unions could later choose whether to adopt the same option: “If they want it, they should get it…they should get to vote.” Other members emphasized the need to avoid unintended pension-system impacts; Deputy City Attorney Inabusch warned that extending the benefit in different forms would likely require collective-bargaining conversations and ordinance changes.

After the failed layover, a motion to approve the ordinance passed on roll call 4–3. The council directed the administration to proceed with the actuarial work for the larger bargaining units and to share findings with union leadership.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Omaha Nebraska City Council meeting February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council approved an ordinance to permit a DROP-style retirement option for the police and fire chiefs on a 4–3 vote after extended debate about fairness to rank-and-file members and a commitment by the administration to fund actuarial studies for broader employee groups if the measure moves forward.","taxTitle","Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska","taxId",2556,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344949,"Council approves two additional TIF projects: Rose at Barkalos (14 for‑sale units) and 3552 Leavenworth (85 apartments)",671,2264000,2935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250021-105d72121cecfaad55992dcd4017f284&start=2264&end=2935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250021-105d72121cecfaad55992dcd4017f284/thumbnail_2264000.jpg","/articles/6344949/Omaha/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Council-approves-two-additional-TIF-projects-Rose-at-Barkalos-14-forsale-units-and-3552-Leavenworth-85-apartments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344949-4638315412ce27dbb6d687ce2414b763/orig.mp4?Expires=1776183681&Signature=TbU3LECpzPKiZC6HQQrcqTsGQNvVUT-NBF7kg2CnC0PG0w-mnIVROrbePAADOUYu01Mkzf9xsOWX0kYnOsZZc8yIATZGQpzAEPYSNh1CJgcjtCwrYSrY831IL7Y9DBxISeT330fa4MDdq6GBQT~ajBm761A3kMtrE5iXKsKJpep~JpBvYttQQ0AWFwH0LZSyIfE6v8ltzONQaeau99p1jKUbOVAufq3wwwoULKN0ssVGmngmE~0PUQlAWlkLrFRq~KINuZD7r0UHsmuIZXMViyCUNxht2EINwlqwBNCynCBK90Sc7l6BKCkBi-o0E1hfV6m6rE-mNir3XA9KD4gv-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Omaha City Council approved two separate tax-increment financing redevelopment plans at the January meeting.

Rose at Barkalos (item 17): Don Seaton of the City Planning Department described the proposal as a North Omaha residential infill project that would create 14 for-sale row‑home units targeted to income-qualified households earning between 60% and 120% of area median income. Seaton said the project will use SPARK funds along with TIF and estimated overall investment at about $5,100,000 with TIF support of $859,437. Bob Griffith and developer Philip McLean (Mench/McClain) were present to answer questions. Cheryl Weston testified in support, saying the project “is a true low income affordable housing project” and called it a way to “build wealth legacy.” The council approved the resolution 7–0.

3552 Leavenworth (item 18): City planner Don Seaton described the site as two vacant buildings and presented the proposal for a five‑story apartment building with 85 market‑rate units and a total investment of about $25,000,000, with TIF support of $2,900,541. The project is in the urban core mobility and housing plan area; Seaton said it meets TIF criteria and will contribute TIF revenue toward streetcar construction. Developer Ryan Spellman was available to answer questions; he said the site is a vacant lot that needed redevelopment and emphasized expected high occupancy and positive neighborhood connectivity. Opponents raised concerns about loss of local businesses, neighborhood impacts, and whether the area was truly blighted before demolition. Cheryl Weston and Larry Storer spoke against the project for similar reasons cited at earlier TIF hearings. Council debate included assurances from members that the parkland and city parks would remain protected and that the city is not transferring park land for private development. The council approved 3552 Leavenworth 6–1.

Both votes were final in council record: item 17 approved 7–0; item 18 approved 6–1. Staff and developers noted follow-up steps include permitting, demolition and construction timelines and continued neighborhood outreach.","The City Council approved two tax‑increment financing redevelopment plans in separate votes: Rose at Barkalos (14 for‑sale units in North Omaha, TIF up to $859,437) passed 7–0; 3552 Leavenworth (85 market‑rate apartments, TIF up to $2,900,541) passed 6–1 after public debate about neighborhood impacts and housing affordability.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344953,"Council approves $6.34 million TIF for 176-unit 70 Second Farnham apartment project after heated public comment",2448,737000,3185000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250021-105d72121cecfaad55992dcd4017f284&start=737&end=3185","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250021-105d72121cecfaad55992dcd4017f284/thumbnail_737000.jpg","/articles/6344953/Omaha/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Council-approves-634-million-TIF-for-176-unit-70-Second-Farnham-apartment-project-after-heated-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344953-e29422bb3cb04fee476723a97d827e91/orig.mp4?Expires=1776183681&Signature=O69iW2y1jGjo~BNaoSXjTuxd-kU9Wime0THPEytLmyiwm9ZbcNWdAsGLAKCLoLKBWLgUaCwSgczgcxArlOvnXee7qEOuGb8VT9SoAo-bIyg5coObPhONJlpAW0rOY7fJ52oEx-NYZA8RUUgCZqgQ6tPZYglbB1CcEsX-K9RhqcBwa3dQ7l14ynpSs-baaGD8sxtNhNUPg6kboLi4BbB5TP5TvR9NAddgNKqJrSXWDM5yBvLFY~KLxXcyg4vPh6NwZSI9JWQR-n9Zj9vuJnWBoeiGh9pWLcrYs2tlsRbTOcn2N72l2GhCrg8fJzgrDMLcPv50HAF4lpZvFmLf23s4BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Omaha City Council approved a tax-increment financing commitment of up to $6,336,412 for the proposed 70 Second Farnham Apartments, a five-story project that the developer estimates will cost about $43,500,000 and include 176 market-rate apartments and one retail bay.

Don Seaton of the City Planning Department described the site as vacant and said the project “complies with our master plan, densifies the city core” and “asks for your approval.” Donors and developers supplied project figures at the hearing: a $43.5 million development and a TIF request of $6,336,412.

Opponents at the public hearing urged the council to deny TIF support or require affordable units. Cheryl Weston, who testified at length, said the project “does not fit the TIF funding as it was originally designed by the Nebraska Legislature,” and raised concern that the development would not add affordable units in a city that “has an affordable housing deficit of 30 to 40,000 houses.” Luis Jimenez and others cited rent levels included in the project materials: studio units at about $1,100, one-bedroom units at about $1,650 and two-bedroom units at about $2,425, which opponents said would be out of reach for households earning low incomes.

Developer representatives defended the project’s role in increasing housing supply and connecting to the city’s new library. Brett West, representing the developer, said the site had buildings “beyond their useful life,” described the development as adding housing and ground-floor commercial space and said the project would “link to the library” and enliven 70 Second Street. He also said his firms manage other neighborhood apartments and that those properties show sustained demand.

Council members discussed TIF mechanics and neighborhood impacts. Councilmember Amy Melton explained funding mechanics: the developer borrows privately and increased property taxes generated by the new development repay the developer’s loan; she said the city won’t be using general funds and that TIF loans often pay off faster when property values rise. Councilmember Danny Begley and Councilmember Rowe highlighted comparative tax revenue scenarios, contrasting current taxes collected from the vacant lots (about $26,000) with projected taxes on the completed development (estimated roughly $740,000 annually on assessed value estimates in the application).

A motion and second to approve the project carried on a roll call of 6–1. The official final tally recorded the resolution as approved 6 to 1. No additional conditions were attached in the council motion recorded in the public hearing.","After extended public comment focused on affordability and neighborhood impact, the City Council approved a tax-increment financing (TIF) package up to $6,336,412 for a proposed five-story, 176-unit market-rate apartment building at 70 Second and Farnham Streets by a 6–1 vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344959,"Council approves Class C liquor licenses for two Mama's Pizza locations",228,168000,396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250021-105d72121cecfaad55992dcd4017f284&start=168&end=396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250021-105d72121cecfaad55992dcd4017f284/thumbnail_168000.jpg","/articles/6344959/Omaha/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Council-approves-Class-C-liquor-licenses-for-two-Mamas-Pizza-locations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344959-2ac0baa839fe962a71f39ef60de94b5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776183681&Signature=beX0f7nSbsOOdZgeK9sLeXaXO0FN9Qv0wST29xa8c3Kr6ET3f0~IfuETwJdOKMk0hO~g045231PSTIKv2vL03xXOQr9X5MpJ8a2s3ARD7znR1-7nbG4-ATJ1MZeLxkU~Up8IZ-t5Fe-~5vZTu6afrDWALiTSSW6ktbQ19~JSzyy9W6lh3PcGlR~HVS-934Qbfam44Vxolb1soBv~yEbuICVCA-A4JoQUaAWU63LTAkGlSPGDmuhBUia1gaVzhuXcc53Nm1fOB2IQhz~13Flzj8iKNDHnTHHQxSfDVwDuZKbhu9Ibmldeq2CazUbwe83LZqBnBrUUmXqgcVkBL03zzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Omaha City Council voted unanimously to grant Class C liquor licenses to two Mama's Pizza locations: 715 North Saddle Creek Road and 15615 Pacific Street, Suite 1.

Kevin Ames, who identified himself as the new manager for the license applications, told the council the menu and operation will remain the same under new ownership and gave the business address as 715 North Saddle Creek. Councilmember Begley noted the purchase will convert the restaurant to employee ownership through Team Shares and asked whether customers should expect changes; Ames said the menu and operations would be “untouched.”

Council discussion was limited but favorable. Begley and other members highlighted the restaurant’s neighborhood ties — including regular customers from nearby parishes and schools — and indicated support for preserving the existing character. Both items drew a motion and a second; roll calls show each license passed 7–0.

The votes conclude the public hearings for both items. No opponents spoke at either hearing, and no conditions or follow-up directions were recorded.","The Omaha City Council approved Class C liquor licenses for Mama's Pizza at 715 North Saddle Creek Road and Mama's Pizza West at 15615 Pacific Street, voting 7–0 on each license after brief presentation by the applicant and limited discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves retirement option for police and fire chiefs; debate over extending option to rank-and-file continues

Council approves two additional TIF projects: Rose at Barkalos (14 for‑sale units) and 3552 Leavenworth (85 apartments)

Council approves $6.34 million TIF for 176-unit 70 Second Farnham apartment project after heated public comment

Council approves Class C liquor licenses for two Mama's Pizza locations