OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — On Wednesday afternoon, the Office of Mayor Jean Stothert took time to address two matters: one of which has been a hot topic of the week, the other on a future policy-based matter.
Stothert first distributed a statement in regards to the ordinance approved Tuesday by the Omaha City Council to limit the powers of the health director.
"I have signed the ordinance that creates new checks and balances on the Douglas County Health Director’s authority to issue public health orders during an epidemic," said Stothert through her Deputy Chief of Staff/Communications Carrie Murphy in an email. "I proposed these changes so the city’s elected officials are ultimately accountable for decisions that impact every citizen, not because of pending legal action by the State of Nebraska."
After the council's ordinance passed Tuesday night, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson announced his decision to drop the ongoing lawsuit against Douglas County Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse, which was originally leveled in response to a mask mandate that Huse issued for the City of Omaha during an omicron surge of COVID-19 that overwhelmed area healthcare resources.
"I spoke to Attorney General Doug Peterson and I am pleased the State will dismiss the lawsuit against the City. Our revised ordinance creates a better process to address public health emergencies," said Stothert in the same email.
Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse also responded to the ordinance in a statement emailed to 3 News Now.
"I’m grateful for the City Council’s time and openness to discussing how best to balance our collective needs going forward. I would have liked to see more of public health’s suggestions for the ordinance incorporated, but no matter what, we are here to protect the public’s health and we remain steadfast to that commitment. I look forward to working with the Mayor and City Council in the future," said Huse.
Charter Study Convention
The second announcement from the Omaha mayor was in regards to the selection of members for an upcoming Charter Study Convention. Stothert nominated eight members which must first be approved by the Omaha City Council, while the council nominated seven members. Next Tuesday the city council will vote on the ordinance to create the Convention.
The Charter Study Convention is held in order to include amendments for this year's November election and is held once per decade to consider amendments to the City Charter.
Amendments are created by Stothert and the city council, then approved or rejected by the selected citizens of the Charter Study Convention, before approved amendments appear on ballots for the general public to vote on during the election.
The charter convention is considered a public meeting and average citizens can propose amendments to the members of the convention.
This year's charter convention will begin May 16 and has a maximum of 10 weeks to finalize the amendment-making process.
The following members have been nominated to be members of the 2022 Charter Study Convention:
Stothert's nominations (must be approved by City Council):
- Negil McPherson, Jr. Human Resources Manager, Green Plains
- DeJaun Reddick, Executive Director, Hope Center for Kids
- John Fox, Business Owner, John Fox Design
- Armando Salgado, Business Owner, LingoDocs Marketing
- Paul Kratz, Retired City Attorney
- Julia Plucker, Attorney, lobbyist
- Jorge Sotolongo, Vice-President, NAI NP Dodge
- Andrew Prystai, Business Owner, Event Vesta
City Council's nominations:
- Rev. J. Scott Barker – nominated by Council President Pete Festersen
- Maxwell Morgan – Business Owner, Kush Konsolidated, nominated by Councilmember Juanita Johnson
- Tim Pendrell – Nebraska Legislative Aide, nominated by Councilmember Danny Begley
- Janet Bonet – Court Interpreter and neighborhood leader, nominated by Council Vice-President Vinny Palermo
- Kathleen Kauth – K.T Beck Enterprises nominated by Councilman Don Rowe
- Mike Kennedy – Attorney, nominated by Councilman Brinker Harding
- Angie Quinn – Baxter Auto Group, nominated by Councilmember Aimee Melton
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