North Ogden - North Ogden City (NOC) citizens have a new Public Works Complex (PWC) that was finalized on May 8, 2014, after much controversy over numerous years. The former NOC elected officials wanted to build a PWC for approximately $10 million dollars (plus interest) that was soundly rejected by the voters in a special referendum and by electing new officials. The approved contract amount with Lundahl Building Systems, of Logan, Utah, was just under $3 million, to be completed by the end of this 2014 year. That’s a savings to NOC taxpayers of $7 million! Plus interest!
Mayor Brent Taylor summarized those difficulties on the distributed fact sheet: “This will be a fantastic facility at an incredible value for NOC taxpayers. It represents many months of hard work by the City council, Public Works Committee, and City staff. We recognize the work of past and present City leaders who have contributed to this project, even if on different sides of the debate. This project divided our city and generated significant disagreement, but now it is time for us to come back together and rally around a great project that will move our city forward and enable us to effectively serve our residents for years to come.” The fact sheet also itemized that “Many other great features and value-engineering will make the site effective…” and “No bonds or debt will be used to finance the facility.”
The PWC groundbreaking was held June 3, 2014, at the site located at 220 E. Pleasant View Drive, due west of the existing facility. The new PWC will provide for approximately 41,500 square feet that comprises 21,000 of shop area, plus 3,500 for storage; 4,500 of office space plus 4,000 in the basement; 4,500 for salt & sand storage and 4,000 for external storage. The shop will be a steel building, while the offices will be traditional masonry... to provide a pleasing fit in the residential neighborhood.”
The Miss North Ogden pageant continues, albeit “with no financial contributions from the City” according to a unanimous May motion by the City council. Hannah Goodrich, pageant director, reported that “those working to organize the pageant were able to secure a major sponsor… to cover the … pageant venue…” Mayor Taylor explained that NOC “accepts donations… passed through to the pageant organizers… to cover costs.”
Lastly, Mayor Taylor added one item to the budget discussions in May, wherein NOC was approached by Dave Wallace, principal of Majestic Elementary School, to participate in a “joint sidewalk project with Harrisville and Pleasant View” for an asphalt walkway to facilitate the daily school-year commute and “safety of at least 70 children” on 2550 North, at a cost of $20,000 dollars. Liz Putnam, PTA president, stated, “many of the affected students come from single parent families that do not have the ability to drop off or pick up their children due to their employment.” Council Member (CM) Jim Urry thinks “the project needs to be a collaborative effort” between the cities. CM Brent Bailey would like to see “a comprehensive plan for safety sidewalks for schools in the City so that not only the ‘squeaky wheel’ is given priority.” Mayor Taylor stated that “even if the other cities do not participate, he thinks the project is important especially since the school and PTA may be willing to participate in fundraising for the project. Principal Wallace retorted “it is not realistic to expect a group of 70 families to raise the amount of money needed for the project.” Discussion on this matter will continue over the summer months.
