Mayor Stothert Vetoes Amendment In City Of Omaha

Omaha NE

21 August, 2021

10:48 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Omaha: August 19, 2021 Mayor Jean Stothert has vetoed one 2022 budget amendment and three amendments to the 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Two of the CIP amendments use transportation bond funds to pay for projects that do not meet the description of a capital investment. Interim City Attorney Matt Kuhse cited the City Charter which requires projects funded in the CIP meet the definition of capital improvement. The amendments fund implementation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and a permanent protected bike lane on Harney Street from Turner Boulevard to 10th Street. "The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan has not been developed yet," wrote Mayor Stothert. "Until this plan is completed, evaluated, and approved, we cannot know if the recommendations will include capital improvements, therefore it should not be added to the CIP. The master plan process will determine the necessary resources for implementation. Until that time, the amendment is premature." The Market to Midtown Bikeway pilot started in late July. Over the next 14 months, data collected on the route will determine best practices for the potential installation of permanent bicycle infrastructure. In the letter to City Council members, Mayor Stothert wrote, "Modifying the existing traffic lanes on Harney Street is not a capital improvement, it is an operating expense. I look forward to the results of the pilot and making future decisions based on the pilot." Mayor Stothert also vetoed the amendment to add funding for the North Saddle Creek Business District improvements. The amendment takes funding from other projects already in progress. The City Council passed five amendments to the General Fund budget. Mayor Stothert supports four of the amendments but vetoed an amendment to hire a website consultant to develop a web page for a single Council District. "Payment to an outside consultant is not appropriate or needed. As elected leaders, we all have existing webpages at cityofomaha.org, which should be used for communication with our constituents," said Mayor Stothert. The City Council will consider the vetoes at the August 24th meeting. This press release was produced by the City of Omaha. The views expressed here are the author's own.