Public weighs benefits and concerns of Miller Park trust; debate centers on oversight, advisory board makeup and labor impacts
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Summary
A public hearing on an agreement with the Miller Park Trust drew praise for private investment in Miller Park and concern from residents and AFSCME Local 251 about advisory board independence, appointment processes and impacts on city employees; city staff said the council may terminate the five‑year agreement with 90 days' notice and that maintenance responsibilities for key infrastructure remain with the city.
A public hearing on an operation and maintenance agreement between the City of Omaha and the Miller Park Trust produced both praise for private investment and pointed questions about oversight, advisory board composition and city employee impacts.
Jacqueline Morrison of the mayor’s office described a multi‑year engagement with the Lozier Foundation and neighborhood stakeholders, and explained that the proposed trust arrangement would run five years with options for extension and a council reserve power to terminate the agreement with 90 days’ notice. Morrison said the trust would establish a community advisory council of at least three members — including an officer of the Miller Park Minnalusa Neighborhood Association and at least two residents within a half‑mile radius — and would report annually on contracting with small and emerging businesses.
Nancy Garter, president of the Miller Park Minnalusa Neighborhood Association, thanked the Lozier Foundation and praised a public‑input process that included multiple meetings and a community survey. She said the Lozier Foundation has invested nearly $7 million in the park and that formalizing the partnership was appropriate given the foundation’s work.
Opponents and union representatives raised concerns. Cheryl Weston questioned a half‑mile residency requirement for advisory members and argued the park is public and advisory membership should be more inclusive. Scott Dombek, vice president of AFSCME Local 251, and Tony Burkhalter, the local’s president, said the proposed advisory board would be appointed by the trust and lacked independent appointments; they urged a mechanism for independent representation and raised concerns about potential impacts on the bargaining unit and employees’ terms and conditions of employment.
City parks staff and mayoral aides responded that the trust is designed as a partnership to supplement city maintenance, not displace employees, and that some immediate deferred maintenance work had already been done. Staff said the trust would provide a community liaison and respond to complaints within 72 hours; they also described ongoing discussions about process improvements and legal review of terms. Council members generally supported continued deliberation and asked staff to clarify maintenance responsibilities, the advisory council makeup and pathways for constituent complaints prior to final action.
No final council vote was recorded on the agreement at this hearing. Councilmembers said further discussion and potential clarifications would occur as staff and legal counsel refine processes and responses to public input.
