The council did not approve the recreational portion of the Double Ott Ranch retention pond. The city is building a new retention and irrigation pond to replace the old one which was in a commercial zone. The city is selling that land for $1.6 million and will receive an annual sales tax of $200,000 a year for the property. City Attorney John Call said the $1.6 million will help pay for the new pond. Also, the city is a partner with Pineview on a federal grant that will help pay for it. $245,000 of the grant has already been awarded for an environmental impact study.

Resident’s issues with the projects revolves around the recreational portion of the pond. Call said the owner of the property will not likely sell the land unless there is a park or a pond incorporated which will add value to the development that will be built next to the pond. Residents voiced their concerns about safety, parking, competing with the North Shore Aquatic Center for visitors, and drawing in non North Ogden residents to take advantage of the free facility.

SAFTEY

Julie Anderson, said safety at the potential recreational pond is her main concern. On a Facebook post, the former mayor Brent Taylor mentioned successful community ponds including a pond in Farmington. She said there was one adult death last year at that pond. Todd Mangle said not to long ago a neighbor passed away and “it was a sad thing for our neighborhood to witness.” He said he would hate to see something like that to happen at the pond. Emmet Sexton said he does not support a pond next to a huge multifamily complex with lots of kids around.

COMPETING WITH THE AQUATIC CENTER

Mangle suggested to consider the potential loss to North Shore Aquatic Center. He said it would be a difference between “free versus paid.” Richard Cotter said, “It looks to me if you go forward with this you would be opening a second public pool.” He said the city would need custodians and life guards. “I would rather you take the money you would put into this pond and put it into a splash pad.”

THE DECISION

Councilman Carl Turner said he is in favor of the recreational aspect of the pond. Councilwoman Cheryl Stoker said they need to find ways to mitigate risk but she is still in favor of the facility. Councilman Ryan Barker said he is still concerned about other surrounding cities getting more use of it than residents in North Ogden and blocking the streets with roadside parking. Councilman Blake Cevering mentioned the risks and said he is in opposition to the recreational pond.

Turner asked if there is any way they can prolong the development of the wading portion of the pond. Call said the council needed a decision immediately because the state has awarded them $100,000 grant specifically tied with the pond.

Councilman Phillip Swanson moved to approve the concept of the wading pool and detention basin but it did not pass. They passed a motion to have an irrigation pond without the recreational wading portion of the pond.

 

Nordic Valley Expansion Project

Dale Anderson said Mountain Capital Partners are doing a presentation on the Nordic valley expansion next week and he encouraged council members to attend and hear what the residents say and how the developers respond. He said they will present Monday Aug. 13 at 6 pm at the Eccles Center, and Tuesday  Aug. 14 at 6 pm in the North Ogden City Library.

Barker Park Committee

Councilman Blake Cevering said he is putting together a committee to finish Barker park that will assist in fundraising. He said he would like to see Barker Park completed so as to remove the temptation from any future council from developing it how they want. He invited residents to reach out to him if they are interested in being a part of his committee.

City Humanitarian fund for water breaks

The council approved a humanitarian fund to assist residents who suffer damage from water mains breaking. This fund is meant to help people financially if someone’s sewer backs up. Call said the city isn’t liable for property damage unless there is negligence shown according to state law. Turner said this would be a situation where it’s not necessarily the home owners fault or the city’s fault, but a fund would be in place to help citizens clean up. Call said if their homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover the repairs, residents can come to the city to request humanitarian assistance up to $4,000.

In home daycare

Gaylene Jepson said she wants to open an in home daycare. “Zoning says I can have up to 12 children” but she said  “state law says she can have up to 16 with a helper.” She said she wants to know the reasoning behind it.  Call said he will investigate why the city is more stringent than the state for daycare codes.