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Council clears consent agenda: Board of Health appointment, trail design soils, software contract, stadium concessions and health grants approved
Summary
The Lincoln City Council on Monday approved a broad set of consent and public‑hearing items, including an appointment to the local Board of Health, a soils testing supplement for the Beale Slough Trail, a contract update for the city law department, multiple liquor licenses including Aramark’s stadium concessions, and two public‑health grants.
The Lincoln City Council on Monday approved a broad consent and public‑hearing package including appointments, professional services agreements, liquor licenses for stadium and convenience‑store operators, and two health‑department grant agreements. All items were approved by unanimous vote.
Key actions included appointing Tamara Sloan to the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Board of Health for a partial term through April 15, 2027; a supplemental professional services agreement with JEO Consulting Group for soils testing on the long‑planned Beale Slough Trail (80% federal funding, 20% local impact fees); a task order with Alfred Benish and Company for preliminary engineering on an Adams Street rehabilitation project; and a four‑year contract with Thomson Reuters to replace the law department’s current Westlaw service.
"It's going to be exciting...to interact with all of the health...and learn a lot more," Tamara Sloan, identified as CEO of Mill Coffee and Tea Company, said after being introduced by Carrie Kernan, the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Health Department director.
Parks and Recreation Director Suki Ross described the JEO supplement as necessary to obtain additional soil borings required by the railroad to satisfy permitting conditions for the Beale Slough Trail connection from 50th and Yankee Hill to 70th and Yankee Hill. Ross said the soils work was not part of the original plan and that "our hope is in the next 2 years we're gonna have major progress but this is a big step forward in that plan." She said the soils testing will inform the trail design.
Chris Connolly, chief assistant city attorney, explained the Thomson Reuters contract updates the law department’s legal‑research platform after the current Westlaw service was being phased out.
Council also approved numerous liquor license applications and manager registrations, including approvals for Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services to operate concessions and liquor sales at Memorial Stadium, the Bob Devaney Sports Center and Hibner Stadium. Tim Monellum, representing Aramark, described the company’s national venue experience and introduced Darren Carter as the concession manager.
The council approved two public‑health grants for the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Health Department: a NEHA/FDA retail standards award of $51,500 for the period April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2028, and a State of Nebraska pass‑through modernization grant of $132,175.52 covering Dec. 1, 2024, through Nov. 30, 2027. Health Director Carrie Kernan said the funds will support staff training, database enhancements and work to align the department to voluntary FDA retail program standards.
Separately, the Board of Equalization portion of the meeting elected Councilmember Sandra Washington as chair and approved the equalization of special assessments for six Maintenance Business Improvement Districts: College View, Havelock Street, North 20th Street, South Street, University Place, and West O Street. Ron Cain of Urban Development said the assessments cover calendar year 2024 expenses and are calculated on a per‑frontage‑foot basis.
Most items required little or no debate and passed by voice vote or roll call, typically 7‑0. Where applicants or staff presented, councilors asked clarifying questions about timelines, funding splits, and permitting requirements.
Public comment after the consent items drew multiple speakers on a range of issues. Several speakers urged action and expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Others, including several young speakers, urged the council to address homelessness and high rents in Lincoln; one speaker requested transportation staff consider traffic controls at 201st and D (speaker asked city staff to review sightlines and safety). A representative asked staff to consider additional services for rural Nebraskans and how city funds are used.
The council completed its business for the evening and adjourned after a unanimous vote.
