Following the Pledge of Allegiance and opening prayer, Dave Norquist, Community Services Director, reported that there are 5 trails open and the sleigh riding hills have lights- all courtesy of a RAMP grant. He's submitting additional requests for future grants to avoid tapping into city funds. The swimming pool generated 308K in 2008 and in 322K in 2009, for a 4½ percent increase over the 2008 season, and with a total sell-out of nightly rentals. He is working on cutting overhead, and believes the pool is a very "important part of our city and an activity center for our youth." We contacted Dave to review how the reported income balanced against expenses, but he did not have the numbers available, and referred us to the City Finance Officer. Dave was merely reporting to the Council the current "season income" to determine trend, and compare to other City pools - that had apparently reported a current season decline.
North Ogden City Council (NOCC)approved the Deer Meadows Homeowners "Hold Harmless" Agreement to benefit the City. Annette Spendlove, City Recorder and HR Director, requested an increase in the Health Flex Care employee spending account from 3K to 5K. She explained there was no cost to the City; and that every employee had a "closeout" on departure of their last paycheck to balance these accounts. There were a couple other administrative policy items along with the updated Central Weber Sewer District Contract to "clean house". The Council approved them all.
Gary Kerr, Building Official, reported that the Legacy North II phase 6 improvements by developer John Hansen, have been completed. The NOCC then approved "Conditional Acceptance."
Rob Beishline, from the SLC Company of Blalock and Partners Architects, made a Power Point presentation on their proposal for the new 4.5 acre "Public Works Complex" or PWC, over the existing 2.7 acre facility. Security was mentioned as a major concern, although no detail of an existing problem was provided. Current staff share offices and work space; and so they are proposing new private offices, with large bays and covered roofs for vehicle parking to extend life, and reduce time and gas currently wasted to warm up the vehicles prior to staff use. This PWC would consolidate the multiple existing Public Works facilities into a very nice modern facility. It looked very expensive, although projected costs were not a part of the presentation. Subsequently, the Council proceeded with a "closed meeting" to ostensibly discuss this and land acquisition options.
Apparently the NOCC is planning to build a very expensive Public Works Complex to update existing multiple facilities. Have costs escalated to address non-existent security problems related to the current fear-based environment we live in today? Is that OK with you as a taxpayer, or do you favor a trimmed down version - as you have to pay for it for many years to come? Let your voice be heard, and stay tuned for more PWC developments.
