Omaha City Council

The Political decisions of Omaha.

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Omaha City Council

Post by Coyote »

Mulligan to lead City Council
Ellen Jean Hirst WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:Councilman Tom Mulligan — who was appointed to fill a council vacancy in 2010 — is the new president of the Omaha City Council. He replaces Council President Garry Gernandt, who chose not to seek the top post after two years in the position. Mulligan is a Republican. Gernandt is a Democrat.
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Post by HuskerDave »

... and the golf jokes begin in 3..... 2...... 1......
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Post by Coyote »

New Council President: Festersen
New Council Vice-President: Gray
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Post by Coyote »

The City Clerk must be on vacation or...
It took until Saturday to get the minutes up from last Tuesday...
There is no agenda posted for today's meeting - if there is one...
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Post by iamjacobm »

I think it is department budget review week.  Maybe no time for an agenda.
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Post by guitarguy »

It definitely seems like budget review week... had a whole bunch of angry people on the news haha
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Post by Coyote »

I guess it was...

Fire chief brings budget concerns to City Council
KETV wrote:City departments went before the Omaha City Council Tuesday to discuss Mayor Jean Stothert’s 2014 proposed budget, but it was the fire department that made political fireworks at City Hall.
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Public To Sound Off On 2014 Budget
WOWT wrote:Tuesday night is the next step in the budget battle for the City of Omaha. The City Council will hold a public hearing, where anyone can share their opinion on the proposed budget for 2014. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Omaha Civic Center, near 18th & Farnam.
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Omaha Council Approves Budget
WOWT wrote:Omaha's 2014 spending blueprint is on its way to Mayor Jean Stothert for her signature. After two hours of debate, the city council gave it the seal of approval Tuesday afternoon.

One item was a resolution to increase the ranks of the police force. The council was told that a city the size of Omaha needs at least 820 police officers. OPD currently has 780 on the street.
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Post by iamjacobm »

Festerson wants to introduce legislation that would make committing a crime with a fake gun carry the same punishment as committing one with a real gun. This has got to be in response to the Wendy's disaster.
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More 'big' government in Omaha?
Push to increase size of the Omaha City Council underway

Joe Jordan, News Channel, Nebraska wrote:It’s not what we usually think of when we hear the words “big government” but there is a push underway to make city government in Omaha a little larger. For decades the Omaha City Council has been made up of seven members but one state lawmaker wants to change that. Omaha State Sen. Justin Wayne, a Democrat, wants to increase the city council by two representatives. Wayne is proposing legislation to up the council from seven members to nine, beginning at the next city election in 2025, shortly after a new district map would be redrawn.

A public hearing on Wayne’s bill is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday).
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Omaha senator seeks to expand city council from 7 to 9 members
This is State Sen. Justin Wayne’s third time introducing the bill.

Bella Caracta, WOWT wrote:The state legislature is involving itself in Omaha’s governmental business.

A bill in the unicameral would require the city council to expand from seven council members to nine. Whether that’s necessary sparks some disagreement. State Sen. Justin Wayne is the one who introduced the bill. “I introduced LB21 not to change the makeup of the city council but to make sure there’s proportionate representation,” Wayne said to the Urban Affairs Committee in Lincoln Tuesday morning. Currently, each Omaha City Council member represents about 70,000 people. Sen. Wayne believes that’s too many. “The average city council size is nearly double many of our legislative districts,” he said. “The purpose of this is by adding two seats, would hopefully reduce this to 45 to 55,000 [people per district], making it more likely that they can know their city council person and have contact with their city councilperson,” he said.
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Post by Coyote »

Should the Omaha city council go from 7 to 9 new city council members?
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Post by buildomaha »

I have some thoughts on expanding the city council, but I’m curious about the context. If anyone knows the details please chime in!

Does state law give the city the power to make this type of change internally, or does state law dictate the structure of our city government?
Also, are there any other states that have dictated the structure of city government like this? Is Omaha a part of the norm for the amount of autonomy that it has?

I’m not sure many are familiar with the wider context of municipal government, and the powers that states grant them, so it would be much appreciated information.
#gohawks
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Post by zippy »

I'm not familiar with the details of Omaha's "home rule charter", but this seems to fly in the face of "home rule".
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Post by Dundeemaha »

It is a bit strange that the NE Legislature controls this but absolutely the City Council should grow, is 9 enough? That's still over 54,000 residents per city councilor more people per councilor than state senator.

9 brings us roughly in to parity in terms of how representative the council is with Chicago where the 50 aldermen represent around 54,000 residents each.

When the current Omaha strong-mayor city council format was adopted in the late 50s the population was 40% less and each councilor represented around 43,000 residents vs the 70,000 they represent today.
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Re: Omaha City Council

Post by Garrett »

buildomaha wrote: Wed Feb 01, 2023 11:40 pm I have some thoughts on expanding the city council, but I’m curious about the context. If anyone knows the details please chime in!

Does state law give the city the power to make this type of change internally, or does state law dictate the structure of our city government?
Also, are there any other states that have dictated the structure of city government like this? Is Omaha a part of the norm for the amount of autonomy that it has?

I’m not sure many are familiar with the wider context of municipal government, and the powers that states grant them, so it would be much appreciated information.
Yeah it’s fairly common that states can control the number of seats in city councils. Tennessee may be passing a bill to take Memphis’s city council down to 20 from 40
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
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Omaha city council to consider hiring consultant to develop a city climate action plan


The Omaha city council will consider a recommendation to hire a consultant to help develop a city of Omaha Climate Action and Resilience Plan, according to a statement from mayor Jean Stothert's office on Friday. A review committee, consisting of city staff, representatives from OPPD, MUD, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, UNMC, and Omaha by Design, is recommending that the city hire paleBLUEdot and its partner HDR to develop the plan. paleBLUEdot specializes in community climate planning, including more than 50 Community Sustainability and and Climate Planning projects. The company's current clients include cities like Dallas, TX, Ames, IA, Chattanooga, TN, Bloomington, IN, and several others.

”We have completed a thorough process and selected an experience consultant to help develop a consequential long-term strategy, specifically for the City of Omaha," said mayor Stothert. "This contract supports our commitment to plan for the future, and identify action and funding sources.”

paleBLUEdot will develop a Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Climate Hazard report and study and analyze climate impacts and risks in the following areas:
- a community-wide rooftop solar potential study
- residential, commercial and industrial energy use profiles
- infrastructure analysis
- city-wide ground cover and tree canopies
- assessment of heat island characteristics and conditions
- greenhouse gas inventory
- neighborhood walkability
- transit performance and gaps
- housing and transit affordability
The cost of the contract is $376,357. The city has confirmed eligibility for the Department of Energy's Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program and is in the process of completing the application to accept the funding.

The Climate Action and Resilience Plan is due by June 2024.
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Omaha City Council and nonprofit plan to add more e-bikes




People in the Midwest have a hard time giving up their cars, but here in Omaha there are some trading four wheels for two. Electric bikes are starting to gain popularity and a local nonprofit now wants to expand this method of transportation. “Just like you and I will drive our cars to get somewhere people are now driving an e-bike to get to where they’re going,” said Benny Foltz, the executive director of Heartland Bike Share. Since 2011, Heartland Bike Share has been setting up bike stations all across Omaha.

“Back then, the only thing that was available was your classic bikes, just your normal peddle bike, but in 2019 we deployed 20 E-bikes.” That’s when the number of rider trips exploded and jumped roughly from 15,000 to more than 60,000 in just four years. Foltz says they’ve been expanding ever since. The group now has 500 bikes and hopes the city, which they partner with, will help them get more. “The most recent purchase we’re getting 100 E-bikes, as well.”

They were initially intended for recreational use, but more riders are using bike sharing as public transportation. “But, only 5% of those trips were on those classic bikes.” Now, the goal of the nonprofit is to have as many e-bikes available to the public as possible. Tuesday, the city will decide whether to approve more e-bikes. If approved, it will add more bikes to e-bike stations all around Omaha. And the nonprofit plans to make a new announcement on its expansion in April.
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Omaha City Council moves forward on development of climate plan
In a 4-3 vote, Omaha City Council approved an agreement with PaleBLUEdot for the creation of a Climate Action and Resilience Plan


Omaha City Council voted to move forward on the creation of a Climate Action and Resilience Plan Tuesday by approving a consultant to help develop it. Despite a motion to postpone the vote until April, made by Councilmember Brinker Harding, an agreement with the consultant was approved 4-3. The Minnesota company, PaleBLUEdot, and its local partner, HDR were chosen by a review committee earlier this year. PaleBLUEdot was one of eight companies that submitted plans to the city.

During the meeting, Harding shared concerns about the voting timeline. He said more time is needed to study the company. "Someone said we've waited long enough for this, and I said, well I would agree with that, but I also want to make sure I have the time to probably go through the information," Harding said. He also brought up concerns about surpassing the city's budget laid out for consultants last year. The budget ranged between $250,000 to $350,000. Councilmember Danny Begley agreed with Harding, saying the vote should be postponed until the other bids could be understood.
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Post by PWL73316 »

Did they approve the e-bike increase? E-bikes exploding in popularity, combined with transit, has me really optimistic about more people being able to forego cars in the future.
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Post by ita »

PWL73316 wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 9:09 am Did they approve the e-bike increase? E-bikes exploding in popularity, combined with transit, has me really optimistic about more people being able to forego cars in the future.
It was an item on consent agenda. It, and other items on the consent agenda, was passed. There was one public comment for it and one against. If you are interested, you can hear the public comments on the video, starting at 30:16.

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Post by PWL73316 »

Priors extremely confirmed on both sides, I'll leave it at that.
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City council approves agreement for climate action plan




The Omaha City Council voted 4-3 to approve an agreement between the city and the consulting agency paleBLUEdot to create the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. paleBLUEdot is based in Minnesota. On its website, it says it has completed more than 42 climate action plans and more than 50 energy action plans. The organization will analyze climate impacts and risks in areas like a community-wide rooftop solar potential study, housing and transit affordability, greenhouse gas inventory, and industrial energy use profiles for homes and businesses. The cost of the contract will be more than $376,357. The majority of testimony at Tuesday’s hearing was in favor of the agreement.

"It will enhance our city's economic strength through innovation and entrepreneurship, better prepare us to be resilient in the face of future challenges and further opportunities for the equitable quality of life that both attracts and retains," Omaha By Design executive director Scott Dobbe said. Councilman Brinker Harding asked the council to delay its vote for one month. "This is someone we're going to engage with for $376,000 of our taxpayers' money, and I want to make sure that we're getting the attention of whoever we're going to doing business with," Harding said. "When we get briefed 30 minutes this morning—a half a day before the vote—that doesn't really give us enough time to speak intelligently to our constituents," Councilman Don Rowe said.

They were in the minority though.
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Omaha City Councilmembers trying to remove Palermo as Vice President of the council


OMAHA, Neb. (KPTM) — Omaha City Councilmembers Brinker Harding (Dis. 6), Aimee Melton (Dis. 7), and Don Rowe (Dis. 5) are trying to pass a resolution to remove Councilmember Vinny Palermo (Dis. 4) from his position of Vice President of the council in light of recent federal indictment, according to a press release from Omaha City Council.
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Post by Louie »

Yeah he’s gotta be removed for this.
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Fox 42 Poll - Vinny Palermo


In light of the federal indictments of Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo, we want to know if you think he should resign.
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Post by Cermak »

Omaha should expand its city council from 7 to 9 or even 11. These folks have to much Power and it goes to their heads.
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Post by JDJase »

Cermak wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 8:31 pm Omaha should expand its city council from 7 to 9 or even 11. These folks have to much Power and it goes to their heads.
City council size is set by state law so the legislature has to do it. Justin Wayne introduces a bill pretty much every year to increase it from 7 to 9 but it never goes anywhere (this year it is LB21). We'll see if this scandal changes that but I doubt it, as I'm also highly skeptical it's a real solution to anything anyway (Chicago's city council has 50 members and, well, there's plenty to be said about Chicago aldermen lol).
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Omaha City Council considers whether to remove Vinny Palermo as council vice president




There were new developments on Tuesday in the case of Omaha Councilman Vinny Palermo. He is expected to be back in a federal courtroom in Lincoln on Wednesday morning, he's still in jail in Saunders County and so wasn’t at the first city council meeting since Friday's indictments. Only six members were present on Tuesday as Vinny Palermo's chair was left empty and his name plaque removed, but business went on as usual.
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Omaha City Council votes to temporarily remove Vinny Palermo as Vice President




The Omaha City Council on Tuesday voted to temporarily remove Vinny Palmero from his position as Vice President of the City Council. Palermo, two retired Omaha Police officers, and another man were all federally indicted last Friday for alleged wire fraud and various other financial schemes. The City Council voted to approved the resolution 5-0, with CM Juanita Johnson abstaining. City Council President Pete Festersen is currently Omaha's acting mayor because mayor Jean Stothert is out of town until the end of the week. Festersen said he plans on being out of town later this week and Tuesday's resolution was to prevent Palermo from taking over as acting mayor.
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Post by Cermak »

Image

Looks like all of them are still in jail, the lawyers unable to get them out.
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Omaha city councilmembers vote to permanently remove Vinny Palermo from leadership positions




The Omaha City Council voted Tuesday to permanently remove Vinny Palermo from his role as vice president. Palermo is one of four people charged in a fraud scheme. Prosecutors allege they spent money from the Latino Peace Officers Association and Omaha’s Police Athletics for Community Engagement, or PACE — on trips, gambling and alcohol.
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Post by nativeomahan »

The necessary 3 months with Palermo being a no-show at council meetings will run its course. Then he will be out. Unless he resigns earlier.
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Post by Coyote »


Names popping up to replace Palermo
Already being mentioned former City Councilman Garry Gernandt and Omaha School Board member Margo Juarez.


Accused of federal fraud and corruption charges and unable to get out of jail, Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo’s council-clock is ticking. If his chair stays empty, come July 25th he’ll lose his seat and the council will begin plans to replace him. Some expect the council's three Democrats and three Republicans to squabble. Ben Salazar, South Omaha Community Activist: “I think each party is already positioning themselves to find either a Democrat or a Republican.”
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Re: Omaha City Council

Post by Garrett »

Vote to remove Palermo is finally coming.
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
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Omaha City Council officially removes Vinny Palermo from office, what advocates hope to see



The Omaha City Council voted on Tuesday afternoon to officially remove Councilman Vinny Palermo from office.
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Re: Omaha City Council

Post by Renovator2559 »

Candidates for the District 4 seat.

So far Andrew Adams, is one of the first candidates that mentions on better rezoning and allow for the mixed used development, mass transit, pedestrinization, better law enforcement ratio of 1.75/1,000 officer to citizen ratio.. I don't know much about Andrew Adams, but this alone has me curious on his background and he seams to be the most knowledgeable on urban development.




https://www.wowt.com/2023/08/06/candida ... aha-forum/

Andrew Adams website:
https://adamsforomaha.com/
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Post by Coyote »

Search begins for Vinny Palermo's Omaha City Council replacement



A search has begun for the next representative for Omaha's District 4 City Council seat.
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Re: Omaha City Council

Post by nativeomahan »

I feel for the people of South Omaha. Palermo was just a total jerk not to resign months ago. His decision meant that his constituents had no effective representation in the council. Soon this will be fixed.
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