The amphitheater

No AMPH supporters gave the council an offer on Friday Feb. 9 which the council rejected. The council sent the offer back with modifications. Council Member Phillip Swanson said, “We are moving forward by trying to resolve those terms.”

The amphitheater project will likely receive a $367,351 R.A.M.P grant said Tiffany Staheli, the Parks and Recreation Director when the council was discussing the budget. The city received $321,000 for their first R.A.M.P grant and they will apply for a third. Staheli said these grants fund different phases of construction. City Attorney Jon Call said, “If this R.A.M.P grant wasn’t coming to North Ogden, it would be spent somewhere else. Nelson said, “Because the city has shown progress, they are willing to support the project.”

Public comments

Randal Winn said he checks on construction every day and he said he thinks the amphitheater will be a wonderful asset. He said the park was “stipulated to be a regular park the people could use.” He said it is important to for the city to keep deed covenants and keep the amphitheater a reasonable size. “We must keep it accessible to the community.”

Susana Burt said the community needs to have events that help community members bond to the community. She said she sees the potential with the amphitheater to accomplish this goal. “Build skills, share them, and be recognized.” She said she sees the Youth City Council as a good example of this social development strategy and social growth resulting from the amphitheater follows the same strategy.

Many Weber High students told how theater and the arts affected their lives in a positive way. Riley Cruise said higher academic outcomes are correlated with theater participation. Anna Burt said it teaches teamwork, planning, organizing, and performance skills. Olivia Burt said she participated in a musical in South Ogden and it took a lot to convince her parents to make the long drive to and from practice. She is hoping for a program closer to home.

Cody Murray also participated in the arts when he was in Junior High and Highschool. He said he is not against the arts but he is against the size and location of it. Todd Abbot said he is not supportive of a fence enclosing the park.

The Pleasant View Frontrunner station closing in August

The UTA representative Toby Moleski and the regional general manager of Ogden Business Unit Eddy Cummins said frontrunner service to the Pleasant View station will stop on Aug. 12, 2018.  Cummins said between six to eight people board at the Pleasant View station per trip. He said they will provide alternative transport options until the Pleasant View station is operating once again. Swanson indignantly spoke of the poor train schedule and how UTA’s statistics did not accurately portray ridership, or potential ridership from North Ogden. Swanson said he wanted UTA to account for those people who would use the Pleasant View station if it had a better schedule. Some people, including councilwoman Sara Fawson, drive to the Ogden station and take the frontrunner from there.

The frontrunner currently operates on Union Pacific Rail lines to get to and from the pleasant view station. Cummins said they have to coordinate times with Union Pacific which affects the Pleasant View train schedule. Union Pacific’s trains use a different safety operating equipment than what UTA will be implementing in their trains. The UTA plans to purchase the  right of way and build necessary track to Pleasant View and Brigham City.  Swanson said UTA made promises when they were trying to gain support for prop 1 and so far, they have not provided North Ogden with what they had been hoping for.

The council reviewed changes to the budget

Evan Nelson, the finance director, proposed several amendments to the budget. After some discussion and changes, the council approved the adjustments.  Nelson reviewed that the council approved to hire a new part time administrative assistant for the city, police equipment grant, and an increase in wages at the aquatic center. The council adjusted the wages for their seasonal employees. The aquatic center currently pays the cashier 7.50 per hour which they adjusted to 8.00 per hour. They currently pay the lifeguards 8.00 per hour which they adjusted to 10.00 per hour. They currently pay the water safety instructors 8.50 per hour which they adjusted to 10.75 per hour. They currently pay the grounds crew 7.25 per hour which they adjusted to 8.00 per hour. They hope this will encourage trained and certified employees to come back each season.

Nelson said the city is bonded for the Aquatic Center. “The revenue that comes from the Aquatic Center don’t go to paying for the facility.” He said the revenue covers its operating costs. “When we increase the operational costs, the burden will land on the general fund.” He said the other option would be to generate more revenue. He said this past year incurred the most revenue but unfortunately the weather has large effect on it.

Property fence

Mark Oaks put up a fence in his front yard on Fruitland drive. He built the fence in line with his neighbors. He later received a notice from the city he had built the fence on city property. This property will eventually be used to expand the road. Oaks requested to keep the fence where it is and maintain the lawn until the city expands the road. The council agreed to grant the request until the city needs it. They also decided to make a note on Oaks’ property deed if the property owner were to change between now and then.

Honoring Brent Taylor

The American Legion Auxiliary presented a blue star banner to Brent Taylor’s Family and the city and recognized all those who have served in the military.

Other

The council held a public hearing amending subdivision regulations which will establish regulations for battery line adjustments.