North Ogden - A committee has been appointed to do some research and make recommendations regarding how to move forward with the project of rebuilding or adding to the Public Works Complex. Once recommendations are made to the City Council, the City Council will vote on how to proceed. The committee members are as follows: Brent Chugg- Chairman, Kent Bailey- Councilman/member, Wade Bigler-Councilman/member, Justin Fawson- Councilman/member, Cheryl Stoker- Councilman/member, Brent Taylor- Councilman/member, Aaron Farr, Lisa Christensen, Gyle Hollingsworth, Lynn Millard, Dan Nixon, Lynn Satterthwaite, Phil Swanson, and Eileen Truscott.
The committee has met together several times, with the last meeting taking place on December 18th, to embark on discussing different options concerning what to do about the outdated and unsafe Public Works Complex located on Pleasant View Drive. Mel Blanchard, public works director, was asked by City Manager Ron Chandler to present information to the committee summarizing the needs without referencing the Blalock Study. The committee is just in the beginning stages of discussing the possibilities and is proceeding from general items to more specific details later on. The goal is to prepare a facility that will serve the City well for the next 30 years or more.
According to Councilman/Committee Member Kent Bailey, “There seems to be a sense of wanting to meet North Ogden’s Public Works needs in a common-sense, small-community way... The committee is working well. Brent Chugg is an excellent chairman with significant experience in chairing committees and in overseeing building projects. Committee members bring a wide array of capabilities to the table and they have shown willingness to volunteer their personal expertise in helping the City achieve the greatest value.”
During the meeting held November 20th, a large part of the discussion was in regards to the possibility of purchasing land next to the current complex allowing for an expansion and remodeling of the current complex. North Ogden’s Public Works employees have spent time talking with Pleasant View and touring their new facility in an effort to learn from their project. They shared some of the things they would change in their design and construction.
Committee members are looking at many different options. The idea has been tossed around, of locating administrative offices on a different site though this idea was quickly dropped. Discussions took place about making land trades and retrofitting trucks with engine heaters. Committee members are throwing out numerous ideas and trying to think of many different options.
Check North Ogden’s website for meeting dates and times at northogdencity.com. Minutes from the meetings are also posted on the website under Councils/Commissions - Public Works. Interested Citizens are invited to attend and watch as the discussions evolve and decisions are made. Meetings are held at the existing public works complex upstairs in the yellow building at the back.
