Deadline set for public to suggest changes to Omaha's 'constitution'

Want to change the City of Omaha’s “constitution”?

Well, you have less than four weeks to get your suggestions to the Charter Study Convention. The deadline is June 10.

The once-every-ten-years group—this time around it has 15 members—was sworn in and held its first meeting Monday as it prepares to delve into changes to Omaha’s rules and regulations.

Mayor Jean Stothert telling the committee a lot has changed since the last convention in 2013. “Our city has grown; our population has become more diverse and engaged in local government. We know that,” said Stothert.

Northwest Omaha legislative candidate Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek—she finished second in Tuesday’s primary some 400 votes behind R. Brad von Gillen as both advance to the general election in November—came out of the audience to urge the 15 to reach out for answers: “Black, brown, indigenous and other people of color, new citizens, people from all income and wealth status, especially low-income neighbors.”

According to the mayor’s office, the group must complete its work and forward recommendations to the Mayor and City Council within 10 weeks.

Some or all of the recommendations could be on the November ballot for voters to approve.

Stothert tells News Channel Nebraska she expects to suggest “multiple” changes, likely including language in the Charter that rubs her the wrong way.

Earlier this year she said, “I’ve got to get the City Charter changed. Whenever they address the mayor, they address him as he (emphasis added). That’s still in there.”

And then there’s what to do when the mayor is out of town because when the mayor leaves the city the City Council President becomes acting mayor. Stothert says, “Well, that could mean if I go to Bellevue I’m out of town. When the Charter was written we didn’t have cell phones, laptops, and computers.”

The mayor has also talked about moving the city’s off-year elections to coincide with the governor’s race.

But with City Attorney Matt Kuhse telling NCN the city elections are set in state statute and would require a change in state law and not the charter, it appears the committee will leave the elections alone.

As for any other charter-changing suggestions, proposed amendments can be submitted by email to  [email protected].  

Finally, the committee elected former City Attorney Paul Kratz (he held that job 23 years) to chair the group the rest of the way.