Councilmember objects as Omaha City Council approves three land‑bank appointees who did not appear

Three appointments to the Omaha Municipal Land Bank advanced at the Omaha City Council meeting despite vocal objections from Councilmember Johnson, who said she would not support nominees who did not appear before the council.

Why it matters: The Omaha Municipal Land Bank manages vacant property and redevelopment priorities; council appointments shape its oversight and priorities. Councilmember Johnson said absent nominees prevent council members and the public from conducting due diligence before confirmation.

What happened: The council voted to approve the appointments of Daniel Price (item 41), Nesbitt (item 42) and Chad Tettenborn (item 43) to the Omaha Municipal Land Bank. Each nomination passed on roll call by 6–1, with Councilmember Johnson casting the lone "no" votes and stating her reasons on the record.

Johnson’s objection: Councilmember Johnson said she would oppose appointments when nominees do not attend council for their confirmation. In the meeting she told colleagues: "I have a responsibility to the community to, ask and give the community an opportunity to know who's being added to the land bank board. Also, in order for me to do due diligence on the fact that this individual is not present, the community has not, does not have an opportunity to meet he or she, is is somewhat concerning to me... I will not be supporting this, and I have made a stance on this issue over and over again." (Transcript excerpt.)

Responses and procedural notes: Councilmember Harding, who moved for approval on at least one nomination, said council members could "do their due diligence by picking up the phone and making a call to ask those questions," and proceeded to move for approval. The roll calls for items 41, 42 and 43 each recorded six yes votes and one no vote.

Public comment: A public commenter, identified on the record as Donnie R. Johnson representing the Johnson Equestrian Foundation and the North Omaha Concerned Citizen Foundation, spoke during the public hearing on item 43 but did not tie remarks to the nominees specifically; his remarks were unrelated to the appointments themselves.

What it did not decide: Councilmembers noted that state statute requires at least five votes for these appointments; the motions met that threshold. The meeting record does not indicate additional vetting steps at the time of the vote.

Ending: The three appointees will be added to the Omaha Municipal Land Bank roster pending administrative processing; Councilmember Johnson said she will continue to press for nominees to appear in person before votes so she and constituents can apply due diligence.