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City of Lincoln Urban Development Department
Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable |
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To amend Title 27to allow outdoor dining in the front yard in the O-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, I-1, I-2, I-3, AND I-4 districts
Tom Cajka, Planning Dept.
Bruce3 Dart, Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department
Chief Tom Casady, Lincoln Police Department
Call in Agenda Items to Carol Brown at 435-8932,
Ann Harrell, Mayor's
Office, at 441-7511, or
Diana Cruz, Urban Development, at 441-7606.
| Barb Baier, LPS Board | Carol Brown, Landon's Neigh. Assoc. |
| Tom Cajka, Planning Dept. | Tom Casady , Lincoln Police Dept. |
| Diana Cruz, Urban Development Dept. | Bruce Dart, Lincoln-Lanc. Co. Health Dept. |
| Robin Eschliman, Pine Lake Heights/City Council | Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center/Mayor's Office |
| Harry Heafer, Lincoln-Lanc. Co. Health Dept. | Cherie Krueger, Olsson Associates |
| Lin Quenzer, Mayor's Office | Jeff Schwebke, Arnold Heights Neigh. Assoc. |
| Bill Vocasek, West A Neigh. Assoc. |
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Carol Brown, Chair, opened the meeting with introductions.
OPEN FORUM WITH MAYOR COLEEN J. SENG
Mayor Coleen J. Seng thanked everyone for attending. She announced the Lincoln Journal Star will reprint the Antelope Valley insert in the June 10th Neighborhood Extra. The first printing came out too dark to read. Mayor Seng also reminded everyone who would like to go on an Antelope Valley Tour to register with Joyce Ewing of Olsson Associations by calling her at 458-5901. The slide show that will be used as part of the tours is available on the Antelope Valley Web site.
The Mayor commented that the City is not in a financial crisis, although City Council and Department Directors are working on the City Budget, and they are very open about it. She invited everyone to attend the State of the City Message on Monday, June 26, 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 555 South 10th Street. Refreshments will be served immediately following the budget presentation outside the Mayor's Office.
The City's annual Fourth of July celebration will feature a 22-minute fireworks display choreographed to a free live concert by Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra. Mayor Seng was joined by representatives from the Symphony, the Lincoln Jaycees and B107.3/Broadcast House in announcing plans for the "Uncle Sam Jam" at Oak Lake Park on Tuesday, July 4. The Symphony also will present a free concert starting at 9:10 p.m. The concert and the fireworks music will be carried live exclusively on radio station B107.3.
Mayor Seng encouraged Lincoln residents to voluntarily conserve outdoor water use this summer by following the designated day schedule instituted two years ago. She encouraged good conservation practices as the unpredictable summer months approach and the state continues to experience dry conditions. Properties with street addresses ending in an even number, including zero, are asked to voluntarily limit outdoor water use (watering lawns and washing vehicles) to Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Properties with addresses ending in odd numbers are asked to voluntarily limit outdoor watering to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Mayor Coleen J. Seng today invited families to kick-off summer on Saturday, June 10, with a new fun and free event at Holmes Lake Park called Waterfest. From 5 to 8 p.m participants can fish, canoe and fly kites.
Mayor Coleen J. Seng also invited Lincoln area residents to observe the 17th anniversary of the Veterans Memorial Garden in Antelope Park at a ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10. The event will beheld at the Antelope Park Bandshell.
The Lincoln Area Agency on Aging is presenting the Lifelong Living Festival on June 10th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Abbott Sports Complex, 7600 N. 70th Street.
Also, June 9th to 11th, the Celebrate Lincoln Ethnic Festival will be held on 12th Street between O and N Streets. 12th Street is transformed into a colorful world market of live music, food, dancing, arts & crafts and activities for all ages. Please contact the Downtown Lincoln Association 434-6900 if you would like to volunteer to assist with this event.
PROPOSED CHANGE OF ZONE NO 06039
Tom Cajka, Planning Department, provided information on the proposed Change of Zone No. 06039 to amend Title 27 to allow outdoor dining in the front yard in the 0-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, I-1, I-3, and I-4 districts.
Tom explained this is similar to what is on the books for Sidewalk Cafés, the difference being that while Sidewalk Cafés can be in the public right of way, Outdoor Dining areas would have to be on the private property, but would allow use of the front yard setback. The Outdoor Dining area would be exempt from Off Street Parking requirements. Outdoor Dining areas would be required to meet all the State and local regulations for alcohol sales. Most of the Zoning Districts require a Special Permit approved by the Planning Commission. Noise restrictions enforced through the Health Department will remain the same.
Carol Brown asked if this would be a smoking area. Tom responded that, if it is not enclosed,. smoking can be allowed in Outdoor Dining.
Tom explained there were a few inquiries into this change, including a restaurant at 17th & Van Dorn Streets.
Bill Vocasek commented that in addition to being good advertising, it would slow traffic down.
COMMUNITY PANDEMIC FLU PREPAREDNESS
Bruce Dart, Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department, provided information regarding community preparedness in the event of pandemic flu.
Bruce explained there is an influenza virus that is coming from the avian population. It is in the process of mutating. There has been no human to human transmission yet, but there hasbeen some transmission from birds to humans. There have been 126 recorded cases, and over half of the cases have died. It is not a matter of if, but when, the pandemic will hit. For the first six months after the virus breaks out, there will be no vaccine, and no immunity. They expect about 20% to 30% of the population to be infected, and 40% to 50% of the population to be out of commission.
In the last century we have had three pandemics: the 1918 Spanish Flu killed between 20 and 40 million people world-wide, over 700,000 of whom were in the US; the 1957 Asian Flu killed about 70,000 people; the 1968 Hong Kong Flu killed over over 34,000. They expect the pandemic to hit in waves, it will run its course in about 6 weeks, then move out of the community, to return in a couple of months. At that point, there will be some immunity. The course of the virus is expected to run three or four times the first year.
The plan looks at how to keep the core services in the community up and running, how to deal with hospital overcrowding, and if there is disruption of services, how to make sure those services don't go away.
A checklist is available on the Health Department Web site to help people prepare for the worst case scenario. It is suggested that families stock up with six weeks supply of groceries, and two weeks supply of water.
The Health Department is working with the Universities and Colleges on a plan for the transient student population. International Airports will be quarantined.
The Health Department would be happy to provide a presentation to community groups or employers regarding preparedness -- call 441-8000 to schedule a presentation.
SEX OFFENDER RESIDENCY RESTRICTION ORDINANCE
Chief Tom Casady, Lincoln Police Department provided an overview of the Sex Offender Residency Restriction Ordinance.
Chief Casady explained that the City Council passed an ordinance that makes it illegal for a person who is a high-risk sex-offender, whose victim was a child, to live within 500 feet from a school. This law will go into effect July 1, 2006. The law is not ex-post-facto, the nine people who meet the definition, and presently live within 500 feet of a school, will not be forced to move. School is defined as an institution that provides educational services to grades K-12.
A question was raised about if someone is living within 500 feet of a school, and is convicted of a high-risk sex crime against a child, are they required to move outside of the 500 foot restriction?
Chief Casady responded he did not know how the law would be interpreted at this time. In response to a question about a juvenile offender, Chief Casady noted that in juvenile court, a minor is adjudicated, not convicted, therefore, a juvenile would not be subject to this law.
ADJOURN
There being no other announcements, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Submitted by:
Diana Cruz
Urban Development Department