Omaha City Council postpones hearing on Crush Ultra Lounge liquor license to February 11

The Omaha City Council held a special meeting on January 21, 2025, primarily focused on a resolution to cancel the Class C liquor license held by Crush Ultra Lounge. The meeting was attended by all council members, who acknowledged the cold weather and the importance of the issue at hand.

During the meeting, Bill Bianco, representing Crush Ultra Lounge, requested a continuance for the hearing due to the substantial amount of evidence that had been provided to them shortly before the meeting. Bianco indicated that they needed additional time to review the evidence, which included a box of documents and a CD containing 20 hours of recordings. He proposed rescheduling the hearing for February 11, 2025, which was deemed acceptable by both the council and the city law department.

David Grauman, representing the City of Omaha Law Department, expressed no objections to the continuance, supporting the request based on the need for fairness in reviewing the evidence. The council confirmed that the proposed date fell within the required 30-day timeframe for the hearing, eliminating the need for any amendments to the previously passed resolution.

The council members discussed the procedural aspects of the upcoming evidentiary hearing, clarifying that it would differ from a public hearing. The process would involve presenting evidence, calling witnesses, and allowing for cross-examinations. The council emphasized the importance of a fair and thorough review of the case.

The motion to lay over the hearing to February 11 was passed unanimously, with all members voting in favor. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which also passed without opposition. The next steps will involve the evidentiary hearing, where both sides will present their cases and evidence.