The resonance of the first North Ogden City Council (NOCC) meeting of the new-year, with 3 new Council Members (CM) was noticeably cohesive. In closing comments, the most senior CM, Wade Bigler, stated the “incoming Council Members are friends of mine with integrity, sharp intellects, and I am thrilled to be working with them.” Wade continued “We’re united in moving forward in a positive manner!” It was evident all night long.
At the end of this very long meeting, Ed Dickie, City Administrator, made the Council aware that there were “many times” individual staff members stepped in and paid outstanding city invoices, on behalf of citizens in need who were unable to make their payments due to extenuating circumstances. The entire room was stunned with the generosity of these “anonymous staff members” who unselfishly assisted fellow citizens.
Earlier, the Council examined details of the proposed wording on the utility increase, passed in October, 2011. They found some errors that Annette Spendlove, City Recorder, promptly acknowledged. This was the $2.80 increase set to go into effect next month, of which $1.67 was a pass-through from the Weber Sewer District. The actual direct increase for North Ogden City residents is $1.13.
Debbie Cardenas, Finance Director, reported to the Council on the expenditures for the Public Works Facility (PWF.) Debbie explained that for the past 6 years, per direction from previous councils, “100K has been set aside each year out of the utility revenues, to fund improvements for the existing facility.” Of the 600 thousand set aside through the 2011 fiscal year, the City had spent about half, or $301,000 exploring options for the PWF, now in suspended mode, pending the mid-2012 referendum election results.
These PWF expenditures included $20,000 for the Ballard Spahr bond legal consult (that was suspended by the recent citizen petition,) $69,000 for the Blaylock Study (that recommended the 10 million dollar PWF) , $4,000 for a Geo Technical Study (on a proposed site that was rejected), $40,000 to the City Engineer’s contracted company - Jones & Associates, $5,000 to Hanson & Associates (for engineering work,) $53,000 to Lewis & Young on the rate analysis study (for numerous bond rating scenarios ), $19,000 to Utah Executive Realty (for consulting on multiple possible sites), $83,000 to VCBO Architects (for preliminary PWF design work on 2550N) and approximately $8,000 on misc. printing and mailing costs. This leaves a net of $299,000, as of this date, with another $100,000 that may be set aside in the current 2012 fiscal year, if the Council so votes to do so at a later date.
Councilman Justin Fawson led the charge to rescind the ordinance recently passed that “gives the city teeth to collect fines”. He stated: “there are other ways to collect.” CM Dave Hulme, who voted for the “heavy-handed” ordinance with the 3 outgoing council members, defended the City’s effort. He was concerned “we give staff the ability to collect debts.” CM Kent Bailey responded that there was an “onerous, punitive sense to this ordinance.” Dave Carlson, city attorney confirmed existing remedies are to “sue and get a judgment and take a lien on the property” or simply “send them to collections.” CM Bigler reiterated his position from the Oct 2011 meeting, where he was the lone dissenting voice. He said “if a resident pays their utility bill, they get their utility service. Fines are totally unrelated.” Since the proposed language change to the ordinance was muddled, the Council voted to “suspend enforcement for the next 2 weeks” of the existing ordinance. The suspension was agreed to by Mayor Richard Harris while staff reworded the proposed revision, which will be voted on at the next meeting.
Dave Carlson clarified the pending North Ogden Parks, Trails, & Open Lands 501-3C non-profit organization. He said this “only includes Barker Park” and “they will be able to apply for RAMP grants separately and can receive donated land” where the donors will receive a charitable deduction from the IRS. He indicated the “City is still in charge”, and intent of the non-profit is advisory only, for “the future protection of Barker Park for citizens.”
Editor’s note: The Sentinel expresses its apologies to former CM Ron Flamm for reporting erroneously that CM Wade Bigler was the lone dissenting vote on the utility increase passed in late 2011. It was CM Flamm, who was the lone dissenting vote. Three were in favor (Harris, Turner & Hulme,). CM Bigler was absent.
