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Community Budget Forum Wrap-Up

August 5, 2010
Announcements, Featured, Misc News

Beginning on July 22, 2010, Mayor Suttle hosted a series of four Community Budget Forums around the City for interested individuals to learn more about the proposed 2011 budget.   Each meeting began with a welcome from Mayor Suttle and a presentation of the City’s proposed 2011 bduget by Finance Director Pam Spaccarotella.  Then, department directors from Police, Fire, Library, Parks & Recreation and Public Works gave short overviews of their budget and services they provide.

After the presentation concluded, attendees were able to attend breakout sessions with the City department directors and Mayor Suttle.  The attendees had the opportunity to ask questions about the budget and other City services.  Over 600 interested citizens attended one of the forums. 

“I’d like to thank everyone who came out to the Community Budget Forums for taking an interest in our City and its future,” Mayor Suttle said.  “Public input is very important in the budgeting process which is why this budgeting cycle alone we have hosted eleven public meetings across the community.”  In April, the Mayor’s Office hosted a series of seven Community Budget Forums to gather input about citizens’ priorities.   

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Mayor Suttle answers questions at South High School on August 2, 2010. 

For those who were unable to attend one of the budget forums, all the information presented is available below.

Full presentation (PDF version)

Handouts:

Public Works Department

Omaha Police Department

Omaha Fire and Rescue Department

Omaha Public Library

Parks, Recreation & Public Property

Human Resources

Human Rights & Relations

Proposed Police Contract Summary

This information is also posted on the City of Omaha’s main website.

Mayor Suttle Honors Omaha’s Lifeguards

July 23, 2010
Featured, In The Community, Misc News

Today, Mayor Suttle recognized Omaha’s professional aquatic staff at a ceremony in the Legislative Chambers at City Hall, proclaiming July 23, 2010 “Lifeguard Day” in Omaha.  Collectively, the City’s lifeguards have made 215 saves this summer.  Along with Parks & Recreation staff, the Mayor recognized outstanding lifeguards along with each lifeguard who has made a save. 

  lifeguard-day-2010-032

Mayor Suttle and a group of Omaha’s lifeguards.

“While I hope all of you have enjoyed your summer working at Omaha’s pools, I know that you also take your jobs very seriously,” Mayor Suttle said.   ”The safety of our swimmers is very important, and our professional aquatic staff does an outstanding job to ensure that our pools are safe. You deserve to be acknowledged and honored.”  

Omaha’s pools serve around 200,000 swimmers each summer. 

More pictures from the Lifeguard Day ceremony are available on Facebook.

Mayor Suttle to Present Budget, Host Community Budget Forums

July 19, 2010
Announcements, Featured, In The Community

On Tuesday, July 20th, Mayor Jim Suttle will present his proposed 2011 budget to the Omaha City Council and the citizens of Omaha.  In the days and weeks that follow, citizens will have the opportunity to learn more about the proposed budget and how it impacts their quality of life by attending a Community Budget Forum hosted by the Mayor’s Office.

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The following is the schedule of Community Budget Forums hosted across the City: 

Date Location Time
Thursday, July 22, 2010 Millard South High School14905 Q Street 6:30-8 p.m.
Monday, July 26, 2010 Central High School124 N. 20th Street 6:30-8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Westside High School8701 Pacific Street 6:30-8 p.m.
Monday, August 2, 2010 South High School4519 S. 24th Street 6:30-8 p.m.

Download and share this flyer about the Community Budget Forums.

Interested individuals are encouraged to attend one or more of these forums.  Also, check back on Tuesday, July 20th for more information about Mayor Suttle’s proposed 2011 budget. 

 

Omaha Breaks Ground on New Elkhorn Fire Station

June 23, 2010
Announcements, Featured, Misc News, Public Safety

Mayor Jim Suttle, Omaha Fire Chief Mike McDonnell and members of the Elkhorn Suburban Fire District (ESFD) broke ground today on a new fire station serving western Omaha and the surrounding area in the ESFD.

The proposed Fire Station for the ESFD and the City of Omaha will be a three bay 9,000 square foot facility located on a 3.2 acre site located at 202nd and Atlas Street. The facility is intended to house an Engine Company, one Water Tanker, and one Rescue Squad. The facility will have ten bedrooms to house on duty captains and firefighters. Firefighters will respond to 911 calls that are transferred to this station.

“The new Elkhorn fire station is a fulfillment of the commitment to residents of Elkhorn to provide the same level of services that existed prior to annexation,” Mayor Suttle said.  “The need for emergency services is greater than ever as the population on the western edge of our City continues to grow. This fire station is key to providing those services in the years to come.”

The project uses the Design-Build project delivery method lead by Ayars & Ayars, Inc. with Architecture Etcetera.

Elkhorn Fire Station Rendering

The building incorporates high quality, low maintenance materials of industrial service length. Brick and stucco with a hip-sloped shingled roof system enhance the beauty of the exterior façade. The interior is designed for a 24 hour 7 days a week use and provides a fire sprinkler system for protection. The building systems are state of the art technology with the ability to adapt for future needs.

The Elkhorn Fire Station is being built as a result of an inter-local agreement between the City of Omaha and the ESFD to provide fire protection and emergency medical services to residents of western Omaha and the ESFD. The ESFD will pay the costs of building and operating the fire station, which will be staffed with members of the Omaha Fire Department.

Firefighters will operate on three 24-hour shifts with changeover in the morning. While on duty, they will maintain and clean the equipment and facility, train on protocol, procedures and the use of equipment, work out to maintain fitness, respond to all emergency and non-emergency calls for service to both the Elkhorn Suburban Fire District and City of Omaha.

The opening of this station will provide for enhanced fire protection and emergency medical services to the residents of the Elkhorn Suburban Fire District and the City of Omaha.

Breaking ground

Firefighters may provide tours of the new station when requested by small groups. It may be used as a polling place if needed. Public restrooms are provided for these activities.

The project team has been working with the Fire Department and the City of Omaha facility management team. Documents will be completed and Construction will start this summer. with a project completion in the spring of 2011.

Mayor Suttle to Expand Hilton, Add Jobs

June 15, 2010
Announcements, Economic Development, Featured

Today Mayor Jim Suttle, along with Timothy Benolken, Senior Vice President of Western North America for Hilton Worldwide and Robert Watson,  Hilton Omaha General Manager, announced that Omaha will expand the City-owned Hilton Omaha by 150 rooms.  

hilton-omaha-rendering

The mayor called the expansion a “major benefit to our community” for the following reasons:

  • It will create 200-250 new construction jobs and 75 permanent jobs at the Hotel.
  • It will enable the Hilton to add an additional 150 rooms, bringing the total room number to 600.
  • It will bring one million dollars in revenue to the City through the hotel/motel tax and property tax revenues.
  • It will bring increased sales tax revenue from the new meetings, conventions and sporting events that will now be able to book events into a larger hotel.

hilton-expansion

Robert Watson, Hilton Omaha General Manager, Mayor Jim Suttle, and Timothy Benolken, Senior Vice President of Western North America next to a rendering of the expanded Hilton Omaha hotel.

A key aspect of successful booking of large events is in being able to keep all of those attending the event at the same hotel.   The Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau has identified over 2600 group meetings that require a room block commitment of 350 to 500 rooms.

This expansion is part of the original design of the Hilton hotel.  Support beams are already in place for additional rooms to be built on top of the existing parking structure.  Five additional levels will be added over the parking garage and parking will also be expanded.  The project will include a refurbishing of the Liberty Tavern, the hotel lobby, guest rooms, meeting rooms and the addition of a 7,000 square foot ballroom.

Construction is scheduled to begin in November of this year with completion in early 2012.  The project will be financed through $35 million in revenue bonds, meaning that revenue from the hotel will be used to repay the bonds.

Moving forward with expansion now has major advantages:

  • The Hilton will be ready for major events in Omaha in 2012, including:  the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the 2012 College World Series and the US Olympic Team Trials for Swimming.
  • The City can take advantage of cost savings from a competitive construction environment and low interest rates.

“The Hilton is the front door to our City on a drive downtown from Eppley Airfield,” Mayor Suttle said.   ”This expansion is an investment in the City’s future as Omaha takes another step forward in becoming a destination city.”

The plan will go before the City Council for approval in the coming weeks.

OPL: Traveling Exhibition Tells the Story of African Americans in Baseball

June 15, 2010
Announcements, Featured, In The Community, Misc News

From Omaha Public Library:

“Pride and Passion: the African American Baseball Experience” is now on display at the W. Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th St.  The exhibit examines the challenges faced by African American baseball players as they sought equal opportunities in their sport beginning in the post-Civil War era.

Baseball exhibit photo

Pictured: Exhibit Program Director Dr. Angelo Louisa, Urban League President & CEO Thomas Warren, Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle, OPL Executive Director Gary Wasdin, and OPL Project Manager Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh.

Mayor Jim Suttle, OPL Executive Director Gary Wasdin, and Urban League of Nebraska President & CEO Thomas Warren hosted a press conference and brief reception on Monday, June 14 to inform the public about the traveling exhibition.  Mayor Suttle officially proclaimed the month of June 2010 as “Pride and Passion: The African American Baseball Experience” Month in Omaha. 

“I encourage all Omahans and visitors to check out this new exhibit and to take the time to learn more about the history of baseball, and the contributions that African Americans have made to the game we all love,” Mayor Suttle said.  “As host of the NCAA Men’s College World Series, our City embraces baseball and I am confident that our residents and all CWS visitors will greatly enjoy this outstanding baseball exhibit.”

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the American Library Association Public Programs Office organized the traveling exhibition, which was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: great ideas brought to life.  

Click here to view more pictures from the reception and press conference.

Omaha Public Library is hosting a series of events in conjunction with the exhibition.  Dowload a full list of programs.

Tour Omaha and Get Exercise at the Same Time: 2010 Mayor’s Walks

June 5, 2010
Announcements, Featured, In The Community, Misc News

mayors-walk-image

This year, Mayor Jim Suttle in partnership with Live Well Omaha, Omaha By Design, and the Omaha Marathon, will host a series of guided neighborhood walks across the City.  The walks are an opportunity for Omahans to become active, learn more about Omaha neighborhoods and walk with Mayor Suttle. 

In total, the Mayor will host seven walks, with the first walk on Saturday, May 15th at 1:30 p.m. at South 24th and N streets.  The other walks will be located at: Prospect Hill Cemetary, Florence Mill, Standing Bear Lake, the Old Market, Zorinsky Lake, and in Elkhorn.  Each walk will include a guide with knowledge of the neighorhood to point out interesting features and characteristics.

Find a Mayor’s Walk near you.

 

‘Take A Seat’ Project Dedicated at Gene Leahy Mall

May 28, 2010
Featured, In The Community

On Thursday, May 27, Mayor Suttle joined the Downtown Improvement District for the the ‘Take a Seat’ project dedication at the Gene Leahy Mall.  ‘Take a Seat’ involves the installation of thirteen new benches throughout the mall that are uniquely designed, artistically created and generously donated seating units.   They replace the mall’s original wooden benches.

The City of Omaha, the Omaha Downtown Improvement District (DID), Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and the Omaha Public Art saw a need to replace the original benches.  This was the origin of the “Take A Seat” project.

'Take a Seat' Dedication

A variety of Omaha architects and engineers committed to generously created and donated 13 unique seating structures for the mall. Teams include: The Architectural Offices; Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects; Brian and Andrea Kelly; Bruce Frasier Architects; DLR Group; HDR Landscape Architects; HDR/DeMarco; Holland Basham Architects; Prochaska & Associates; Randy Brown Architects; RDG Planning & Design; Studio 360 Architecture; and Think Tank Design Studio.

“One of our community’s greatest strengths is our diverse cultural offerings and commitment to the arts,” said Mayor Suttle.  “Citywide master plans, community visioning, renovations and restoration are rejuvenating every corner of our city.  In the heart of the excitement is downtown’s preeminent public space, the Gene Leahy Mall.”

For pictures of the new benches, visit Mayor Suttle’s Facebook page. 

Mayor Suttle Announces 2010 Sundawgs Schedule

May 21, 2010
Announcements, Featured, Misc News

Mayor Suttle announces 2010 Sundawgs schedule

Mayor Suttle was joined by students from Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School at Morton Park today to announce the schedule for Omaha’s 2010 Sundawgs Program.

This year, Sundawgs begins on June 14th and runs eight weeks through August 6th.  Sundawgs is designed to provide Omaha youth, ages 6 to 15, with a fun summer of activities.  Youngsters will be able to participate in various arts and crafts, sports, swimming, the climbing wall, music and drama.  Special event field trips are planned for kids to roller skate, ice skate, bowl, watch an Omaha Royals’ baseball game at Rosenblatt Stadium, and visit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. 

Last year, just under 3,500 youngsters registered for the program.

Registration for this year’s program kicks off Saturday, May 22nd at Zorinsky Lake.  Parents or guardians can also register their children at any of the Community Centers that are a Sundawgs site.

Visit the Parks & Recreation website for more information and a complete list of this year’s Sundawgs sites.

Mayor Suttle & Mayor Hanafan Launch Bike to Work Week

May 14, 2010
Announcements, Featured, Green Initiatives, In The Community

Mayor Jim Suttle and Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan today lead Omaha area cyclists in the 2010 Mayors’  Bicycle Ride to kick off Bike to Work Week, which is May 17-21.

“Biking and other balanced forms of transportation, such as city buses and ridesharing programs, improve our local economies by lowering transportation costs,” Mayor Suttle said in a proclamation. 

Beginning in the Omaha Plaza, west of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, the mayors lead cyclists as they biked to work toward their respective city halls.  The cyclists then returned to the Bridge.

Download the Mayor’s Bicycle Ride Flyer!

The event kicked-off the 5th Annual Bike Omaha Commuter Challenge, a friendly competition among local businesses and organizations to see who can pedal the most miles to and from work, sponsored by TREK Bicycle Stores of Omaha. Last year, nearly 700 riders logged 130,000 miles over the 14-week period.

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View all the photos from today’s event, including Mayor Suttle riding a bike, here.

“This is an exciting way to kick off the Challenge as well as National Bike-to-Work Week, which runs May 17-21,” said Tammie Dodge, project manager for Activate Omaha which is helping promote the event. “With the collaboration of all of our partners, we expect this year’s challenge to bring even more teams to the table.”

One of the Challenge’s new features, said Dodge, is that it will be multi-modal, allowing participants to log bus and car pool miles in addition to bike-to-work miles. The partnership with MAPA’s Metro Rideshare Program and MAT has allowed this new opportunity to take shape.

Those interested in the Challenge may register online.

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