Archive for June, 2012

Mayor appears set to announce re-election bid

UPDATE, 7:00 p.m.: It got pretty loud inside the Old Mattress Factory’s party room as Mayor Jim Suttle formally announced his re-election bid for 2013.

“Jim Suttle and my administration still have much to offer the City of Omaha,” Suttle said. “Our journey will continue.”

Several high profile political figures joined the party, including Douglas County Treasurer and congressional candidate John Ewing, restaurateur Willy Theisen, City Councilman Ben Gray and a contingent of Suttle’s cabinet members and staff.

Today’s bash wasn’t solely designed to be a celebration — it was also a chance for Suttle to fill his campaign coffers.

Some donors wrote checks of $2,500 or more at the event.

**

Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle is widely expected to announce a fresh mayoral campaign this evening.

We’ll be at the Old Mattress Factory grill and bar in a few minutes to observe what’s been publicly billed as a ‘campaign-related announcement’ during Suttle’s birthday bash/fundraiser.

Suttle, a Democrat, turns 68 on Wednesday.

The 2013 election might seem to be a ways off (and, really, it is) but other potential candidates are beginning to make their first moves.

State Sen. Brad Ashford is currently Suttle’s only official opponent, for now anyway.

Stay with Omaha.com and The Hall for updates.

Parking manager would streamline operations, consultants say.

June is shaping up to be a big month for the future of the city’s parking system.

Led by the recommendations of a nationwide parking consultant, city officials are considering an overhaul of the city’s garages and meters. There’s a lot of moving parts in that effort (including some recent changes to parking at Midtown Crossing), but some key ones are now coming up for approval.

The council will hold a public hearing Tuesday on whether it should approve creating a city ”parking manager” position (at a rough annual salary $70,200 to $85,900). A vote could come next week.

Those who support such an idea say it’s part of a necessary overhaul to clean up a fragmented parking system. Curbside meters (which generated $1.5 million of gross revenue in 2010, much of it downtown) are maintained and overseen by the city’s Public Works Department. Garages, on the other hand, technically fall under the Parks and Recreation Department’s golf division.

The study found that in 2010 city-owned garages lost $206,349 after $2.4 million was put toward debt service payments. Surplus parking meter revenues are forwarded to the city’s general fund to help offset garage losses. City parking revenues, the consultants said, need a “consistent and continual watchdog.”

Creating a better management structure, consultants said, would consolidate responsibilities for parking-related planning, finances and other policymaking needs. The council will also vote Tuesday on whether to transfer $2.2 million worth of garage funds from the Parks to Public Works as part of the overhaul.

Other consultant suggestions would have a more direct effect on Old Market revelers on a typical weekend.