South Omaha BID Board Meeting Minutes - August 12, 2026
Location: | Pesek Law LLC 4826 South 24th St. |
Date: | August 12, 2026 |
Time: | 10:00 AM |
Present: Ross Pesek(Chairman), Marcos Mora (Board Member), Jeremy Holtberg (Board Member), Karen Pesek (volunteer, Pesek Law), Lucia Pedroza-Estrada (volunteer, Pesek Law).
Meeting Minutes
Welcome & Introductions
a. Ross welcomed board members and opened the meeting.
Approval of Minutes
a. Marcos Mora moved to approve the previous meeting minutes. Ross seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
3. Grant and Funding Updates
a. Ross provided an update on the OCF planting grant. The approximately $3,000 grant is currently with LEDC and needs to be transferred to the city for inclusion in the BID budget.
b. The board also discussed potential Omaha TIF funding available for BID projects. Members clarified that the funds are not a loan to the BID and discussed pursuing proposals for district needs.
c. The board discussed developing proposals for TIF funding and identified several possible priorities:
i. Upgraded and additional decorative trash cans, including consideration of locations on 23rd and 25th Streets.
ii. Street and infrastructure repairs, including broken planter tiles, damaged or missing light cylinders, sidewalks, ADA ramps, potholes, alley repairs, and possible historic cobblestone and sign improvements.
iii. Increased general BID funding to address ongoing maintenance and new expenses associated with the completion of Plaza de la Raza, including possible future private security needs.
iv. Members agreed that additional information and documentation should be collected before finalizing proposals. Board members will identify problem areas, take photographs, and document locations and needed repairs.
v. Ross recommended making final decisions after all relevant information is collected.
4. Adelante Project & Construction Impacts
a. The board discussed construction impacts associated with Plaza de la Raza and the Adelante Project. Concerns were raised about business access, customer loss, parking, and drop-off issues affecting nearby businesses, including Twins Daycare.
b. Marcos reported speaking with someone at Canopy South and asking for follow-up and support for affected businesses. Karen offered to help facilitate a meeting between the affected business owner and the appropriate City representative.
c. Action: Marcos Mora to help connect with the appropriate City Planning or parking contact, including Cody if appropriate, regarding construction-related concerns.
5. Community Recognition and Upcoming Events
a. The South Omaha BID is getting recognized at LEDC’s Adelante Soiree.
6. Homelessness and Public Safety
a. The board discussed ongoing homelessness concerns, including individuals sleeping on planters and near businesses. Specific locations and areas will continue to be identified.
b. Members discussed the ban-and-bar process for businesses and the possibility of learning how other BIDs work with this issue.
c. The board also discussed the need for additional resources, coordination, enforcement information, and possible private security funding in the future.
d. Action: Add homelessness and public safety resources, including relevant phone numbers, to the BID website and continue sharing information with businesses.
e. Action: Consider inviting the homelessness task force to a future BID meeting.
7. BID Website and Business Communications
a. The board discussed continuing updates to the BID website, including posting approved meeting minutes, maintaining the business directory, and adding useful community resources.
b. Action: Continue distributing informational flyers to BID businesses, including planter-care information.
8. Budget and Seasonal Activities
a. No major new budget changes were reported.
b. The board briefly discussed the possibility of organizing a fall planting day and/or fall cleanup.
9. Action Items
a. Lucia: Coordinate with Jennifer on TIF funding proposals for upgraded trash cans, street and infrastructure repairs, and increased BID maintenance funding.
b. Lucia: Follow up with LEDC regarding transfer of the OCF grant funds to the City for inclusion in the BID budget.
c. Board Members: Photograph and document damaged infrastructure and maintenance needs, including tiles, streetlights, ADA ramps, sidewalks, alleys, potholes, and historic cobblestone.
d. Marcos Mora: Assist with connecting affected businesses to the appropriate City Planning or parking contact regarding construction impacts.
e. Lucia: Update the BID website with approved meeting minutes and the business directory and continue adding relevant resources.
f. Board/Volunteer: Distribute planter-care and other informational flyers to BID businesses.
g. Board: Consider inviting the homelessness task force to a future meeting and continue identifying locations with recurring homelessness and public safety concerns.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:57 AM.
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