Lincoln city council members listened to people voice their support and concerns about the proposed Haymarket Arena for nearly three hours Monday.

City council members heard the public loud and clear. They unanimously decided to place the issue on the May 11th election ballot.

City Council Chair, Doug Emery said this could be the most important vote Lincoln takes in the next 30 years.

"I know there are a lot of people in Lincoln who are nervous about the potential risk, but I also know, and they need to know, that either we're going forward or we are going back," Emery said.

He and other council members are convinced the arena will move Lincoln into a sustainable future.

"We still have to be ambitious. It's that ambition that built Memorial Stadium, the State Capitol Building, and built this city." said council member, Adam Hornung.

Council members also voted to form a joint public agency with the University of Nebraska Lincoln and the city.

Council member Jon Camp did not vote on any of these issues. He cited a conflict of interest since he owns property in the Haymarket area.