[{"_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",6487019,"mediaKeyId","5448528-e80d3da0929df8e97a7d58665c15fc47","parentId",5448528,"title","Council approves commemorative street namings for Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. and Native Omaha Days founders","audioSeconds",1043,"startMs",3556000,"endMs",4599000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448528-e80d3da0929df8e97a7d58665c15fc47&start=3556&end=4599","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448528-e80d3da0929df8e97a7d58665c15fc47/thumbnail_3556000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6487019/Omaha/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Council-approves-commemorative-street-namings-for-Mayor-John-W-Ewing-Jr-and-Native-Omaha-Days-founders","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487019-708b663114d5438ae00ad09065023b4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151731&Signature=Pi4P5QaRPwv2nNcBoqLP0X0Pe0uyNZ9-MjBijLI0PHFUQ24NPecVUCCKdp~PAu90T2XSBsbFFYdrMewcsT2Csexe6N9IL1wzkUgbkjPfHmB-Prwh~dB9YvjCz6FL2k8nFA0IXERZoo5LcsdSZck7GbrkWv1s1ebn3hIm-OQsytZYPwoVLqR4FhbuYNdjiaT66hlcnsRHhjr~h5gvo3aeUoP3Lyrg~5L7TWixDE1g1tIksJwdGeC6lm3VDlmEgf0x5toNhvtMSNusudu7aBURF0NDJadOlAQ5Gc147euVFFSnzJy0xP3IrEYmWb~2LvEfgpO8v8AvoTjKFX~WVzNlgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Omaha, NE","date","2025-07-22T23:39:59.473Z","article","The City Council unanimously approved a resolution to name Lothope Street from 20th to 24th (Laird area) as John W. Ewing Jr. Street and approved commemorative street names honoring Vera Johnson and Betty McDonald, the co-founders of Native Omaha Days.

Speakers including longtime neighborhood advocates, commissioners and community leaders offered testimony in support and recounted Ewing’s decades of public service as a former deputy police chief, Douglas County treasurer and now mayor. Preston Love Jr., who testified, called Ewing a \"public servant for 44 years,\" and Douglas County officials submitted letters of support. The council president noted the timing was chosen to allow a ceremonial unveiling during the upcoming Native Omaha Days events.

For the Native Omaha Days honorees, dozens of supporters — including members of the Native Omahans Club and descendants of the founders — spoke about the event’s cultural significance and its economic impact on North Omaha. Witnesses said Native Omaha Days draws thousands of visitors, with proponents describing it as an economic driver for the area and a long-running community tradition beginning in 1977.

Councilmember Goodwin clarified that the actions were commemorative and would not change existing street names; city staff confirmed the signs will be adjunct commemorative signage. Each resolution passed on a roll call vote of 7 to 0.

Ending: Council members and community speakers said the commemorations recognize long-term civic service and preserve local cultural history; the council approved the resolutions unanimously.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Omaha Nebraska City Council meeting July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Omaha City Council unanimously approved commemorative street designations honoring Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. and Vera Johnson and Betty McDonald, two founders of Native Omaha Days; public testimony stressed community legacy and the event's economic impact.","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},6487023,"Council approves rezoning and sale of Manderson Marketplace to local cooperative; sale price set at $1 under community development law",359,2191000,2550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448528-e80d3da0929df8e97a7d58665c15fc47&start=2191&end=2550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448528-e80d3da0929df8e97a7d58665c15fc47/thumbnail_2191000.jpg","/articles/6487023/Omaha/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Council-approves-rezoning-and-sale-of-Manderson-Marketplace-to-local-cooperative-sale-price-set-at-1-under-community-development-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487023-dc64e72f9276e1b448463f2cec57f2ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151731&Signature=FeCqUsJFrtM3hUWvvgpXqmRDMyF0HCWbatpqlqwfO5tehyrInQ~ehXts8735nG2ghF1aig~VAECMHtYF7ux3Pjq8ivQTiH4bpXhmypV1Zc5L~Rp6bypqGMXWHVF52XR1-28tSYNTgeezfUfSqWHmXc3-SagY91rF8YVWb1kjXRiom2wknNGq-QYMNPiWtmrPF7cNYrPwdA-ZDzno~FYmbWZDPkBGEAljHxNAdNhBNv8vMAlA8nM~MIz-ghwRjVwS6ZHtqcmIPOvhz74uv1kJ2ZFNQZtF-hyob9gz-Sd1VGx9DrB4jOEP67kor6sbwr4ds0APjFkQDygiYo6QZc7o6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved rezoning and overlay amendments for the Manderson Marketplace property at North 20th and 4th Street (items 21 and 22) to facilitate the sale and reuse of the Manderson Market Building. The rezoning passed on a roll call vote of 7 to 0.

Kelly Johnson Dorsey of the Omaha Planning Department described the rezoning as a step to facilitate sale and reuse of the Manderson Market Building. Clarice Dombek, representing Omaha Sunflower Cooperative, Black Chick Farm and Healing Roots African Diaspora Garden, said the collective plans to use the space for plant sales, farmers markets, light food processing, workshops, community activities and as an organizational headquarters.

Councilmember Goodwin asked about the transaction amount; planning staff said the purchase agreement appears as agenda item 46 and that under community development law the sale price is $1. Clarice Dombek and representatives pledged neighborhood engagement and said Neighborhood Action in Fact would be welcome to hold meetings at the site. Several neighborhood advocates including Ella Willis and Preston Love Jr. spoke in favor, and the council approved the rezoning and the related consent items approving the sale as part of a larger consent motion later in the meeting.

Actions recorded in the meeting show the rezoning (items 21 and 22) passed 7 to 0, and the purchase agreement (item 46) was included in a consent package of items 27–52 approved by council 7 to 0. The city clerk’s agenda language identified the sale price in the purchase agreement as $1 under community development law.

Ending: Proponents said the sale would give local, Black-led organizations a permanent site to expand farmer-market, gardening and community programming. The council approved the rezoning and consent actions; the purchase agreement will be executed per the city’s community-development process.","The council approved two ordinances to rezone and add Manderson Marketplace property to an overlay district and approved related consent items that formalize a $1 purchase agreement under community development law for the site; local farming, food and cultural organizations plan to occupy the space.",{"_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},6487028,"Council hears public testimony on proposed food-safety code update, certification requirement draws questions over fees and scope",600,6272000,6872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448528-e80d3da0929df8e97a7d58665c15fc47&start=6272&end=6872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448528-e80d3da0929df8e97a7d58665c15fc47/thumbnail_6272000.jpg","/articles/6487028/Omaha/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Council-hears-public-testimony-on-proposed-food-safety-code-update-certification-requirement-draws-questions-over-fees-and-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487028-f279b3f6dd9a3266f310251711a5b79c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151731&Signature=eaNOJGgZFaIY6xp0jMnvIVYaYnO9KgeW4xUx6hMNGT2bpqyRhB~Qzk9onbvilWtWteDLXXpiRhVzm0CNkz03vG~dtR0f~TnqMgFQu-YeEr2lsfVaWvazuV6gRKE-0UbPKzGhy7CJIUY6D9b58yDRy95-rI9GOw3FQD~nki4Z4wjby~ZEibOu~n7c0dwEocgsRs0OQD8JlHPc1dMttEaV-nHFz0zZLyI6UuN150W4afdIaeIKy0CJ40U9ZP5lfkCZwIdf3v4GJLOgWdZ-eF8bvYtQGAe7KpOg5L1eXHAPpokJvqC-cOGAEOkAS8C2ojstlohuguNWNN2qX1VNgMTrwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City health officials and industry stakeholders presented a proposed rewrite of Chapter 11 (Food Inspection and Protection) during a public hearing that would adopt the Nebraska food code and the Nebraska Pure Food Act by reference and add a countywide food-handler certification requirement.

Adam Carlson, supervisor of food safety and compliance at the Douglas County Health Department, said the municipal code needs updating because the current chapter dates from the 1970s. Carlson said the proposed changes would bring Omaha into compliance with state statute, strike redundant or conflicting language, and add a requirement that all food handlers in Douglas County obtain a food-handler certification. \"A trained and knowledgeable food handling staff is the primary intervention to prevent foodborne illness,\" Carlson said, noting national Centers for Disease Control figures about foodborne illness and a study on training and compliance.

The proposed rule would create three tiers of training delivered online by the county (basic, prep-cook and shift-manager), with the shift-manager module estimated at up to six hours and certificates valid for two years; the certified food protection manager required by state statute would generally follow existing third-party ANSI-accredited programs and typically be renewed every five years. Carlson said the county plans to work with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to develop and host the local training and noted the proposal had review-board input from the Omaha Restaurant Association, Nebraska Hospitality Association and the Douglas County Board of Health.

Council members and public commenters raised concerns about cost and logistics. Council members asked whether the $20 per-person fee and two-year renewal schedule would create a barrier for 15- to 17-year-old entry-level workers and small businesses; Carlson confirmed the county had not proposed waivers and said the fee covered hosting and translation work to expand training beyond English and Spanish. The draft ordinance, as presented, would allow employees up to 30 days after hire to complete the training; volunteers and some school food employees were described as exempt or addressed separately under state statute.

Several council members urged further outreach to restaurant owners and expressed interest in alternative fee structures, including folding costs into existing permit fees rather than charging employees directly. Carlson said Lincoln, Neb., had recertified about 15,000 food handlers a year and that Omaha could expect a larger number proportionally; he said county staffing needs could increase to support verification and enforcement and that revenue could be used to expand language access and develop additional modules (farmers markets, temporary events).

No final vote was taken. The public hearing was held; council members asked staff to provide follow-up information on outreach to industry groups, the potential scale of training demand, waiver or subsidy options for youth or low-income workers, and clarifications on permit-exempt events such as church or volunteer-run fundraisers.

Ending: The council will consider the ordinance at a future meeting after staff provides the requested follow-up on outreach, costs, exemptions and enforcement implications.","The Omaha City Council opened a public hearing on an ordinance to update municipal food-safety code and require food-handler certification. Public health staff said updates align city code with state law; restaurant and council members questioned costs, frequency and exemptions for volunteers and young workers.",{"_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},6487030,"Mayor Ewing presents recommended 2026 budget calling for flat tax levy and $561.5 million general fund",854,186000,1040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448528-e80d3da0929df8e97a7d58665c15fc47&start=186&end=1040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448528-e80d3da0929df8e97a7d58665c15fc47/thumbnail_186000.jpg","/articles/6487030/Omaha/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Mayor-Ewing-presents-recommended-2026-budget-calling-for-flat-tax-levy-and-5615-million-general-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487030-363a55928d16fca1b41663ac6b5c2273/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151731&Signature=DfB~nB1B9qAO5aknnbKUVJb~zCLCrg-uM4lDbJr1t03HECIZQWRsiKai0FI9YnfR817aqSxgxFkrP0kaZ6RDGNKodckZUtyCbG1src51WYCTq4WzzQ3ZSbFNerOv4VA6JxijMpOEd2bmfeoYbPjX5Zt5j~TvPDZ9pYheYVzBW7nblCEIL2Um9xw9BU2e8FLrwiWvFSESPFfA7WcT6co8Tp3A0s4VtetH29rxTq6XLTNTsR5e-IAwMtdZKjVa4ER2ztpfZ3kZX4lcWYBSmioWsiX~31ww7kfwFxX7rutzsBYiYbU9mw-6TeUHJ5ff~efxa52rRmNcGyot-QNyaR6-LA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. presented the City of Omaha’s recommended 2026 budget and six-year capital improvement program, proposing a flat tax levy while increasing the general fund 5.6% to a proposed $561,500,000. \"We propose to keep the tax levy flat as the general fund increases 5.6% to a proposed $561,500,000,\" Ewing said as he outlined personnel and equipment costs driving the increase.

The mayor told the City Council the spending rise is driven principally by personnel and equipment, citing staff for the new Central Library and additional police recruitment and equipment as primary items. He said the city is funding 27 new positions for the Central Library, which he said will employ 63 people at the new 96,000-square-foot building at 70 Second and Dodge. The mayor said the library project has roughly $158,000,000 in total cost and that the city contributed $20,000,000, with private philanthropy and other partners contributing the balance.

Ewing highlighted public safety investments that he said will account for nearly half of the general fund increase. The Omaha Police Department (OPD) general fund budget, he said, would rise 6.6% to support recruit classes, new vehicles and equipment, and a pay adjustment negotiated mid-contract that he called necessary to recruit and retain officers. \"That new contracted pay scale goes into effect in January, and it's the reason for 10,000,000 of the department's personnel cost increase,\" the mayor said. He said OPD plans three recruit classes in 2026 that together will bring 113 new officers and move the department closer to a target staffing level he said is 906 officers.

Ewing said the city plans to spend $22,900,000 in 2026 on body-worn cameras, cruiser cameras, tasers and virtual reality training as part of a longer-term contract that began in 2024. He also cited a $2,700,000 outlay for 30 new police cruisers. For the Fire Department, the mayor said the general fund budget will increase about 3.1% in 2026 to cover wage increases for 695 funded positions and expenses including paramedic training and new Stryker Power Cots. He said the city will spend about $687,000 on firefighter cancer screenings.

On capital projects, Ewing described a six-year CIP that totals roughly $3,100,000,000 and lists nearly $860,000,000 in projects in 2026 alone. He identified major items including $242,000,000 for parking structures tied to urban redevelopment, $5,000,000 for a new Northwest Omaha fire station, $20,000,000 for a downtown fire station integrated with a police precinct, and $2,300,000 for fire apparatus replacement. He also highlighted Levi Carter Park redevelopment, noting $45,000,000 in state funding and $13,000,000 in philanthropic support for park fields.

About revenues, the mayor said sales and use taxes remain the largest general-fund source, projected at about $265,000,000 in 2026, roughly 6% more than the 2025 budgeted figure. He said the city’s portion of property tax equals about $0.21 per dollar and that a projected 5.1% valuation increase would yield about $244,600,000 in property tax revenue across funds, with about $122,500,000 earmarked for the general fund.

Ewing said the budget aims to fund a new Central Library opening next spring and called for investments in planning, economic development and affordable housing. He said the city will rely on tax-increment financing (TIF) rather than general property tax to fund a proposed streetcar and that he will form implementation task forces on poverty elimination, economic development, climate action, homelessness, infrastructure, parks and affordable housing. \"I urge you to adopt this budget so that we can move forward as 1 United Omaha into our shared and promising future,\" he said.

No final appropriation vote on the 2026 budget was recorded at today’s meeting; the mayor announced a public hearing on the budget and CIP scheduled for Aug. 12.

Ending: The City Council did not take a final vote on the recommended budget at this session; the mayor asked members to adopt the proposal at a future meeting after public hearings and further review.","Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. on July 22 presented a recommended 2026 city budget that keeps the property tax levy flat while increasing the general fund 5.6% to about $561.5 million, emphasizing staffing for a new Central Library and police recruitment and equipment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves commemorative street namings for Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. and Native Omaha Days founders

Council approves rezoning and sale of Manderson Marketplace to local cooperative; sale price set at $1 under community development law

Council hears public testimony on proposed food-safety code update, certification requirement draws questions over fees and scope

Mayor Ewing presents recommended 2026 budget calling for flat tax levy and $561.5 million general fund