The North Ogden Police Department would like to welcome the newest member, Tyler Jackson. Beginning March 1st, a $15 late fee will be added to all dog license renewals.
A short message from Mayor Chugg:
Spring=Change
During the month of March we usher in the season of spring. It is a time when the earth begins a renewal process. It is a time when the earth awakens to a newness of life after the winter season. The flower buds, the leaf buds, and all vegetative growth begin to emerge as the earth takes on its fresh image.
It is a time when each of us should reflect on goals, opportunities, and a new direction that will bring about a brightness of hope and peace in our own lives and our families. It is a time to reflect on the wonderful opportunity we have to live in North Ogden City. We have a great staff of employees who work hard to keep us comfortable and protected. Their skills and dedication are appreciated as we enjoy their service to our community.
We are also working on plans for the future of your City. We are seeking input from City government, staff, and citizens regarding the direction our City needs to be moving. It includes recreation, infrastructure, development, and business opportunities.
Spring is a metaphor for change. Some changes we eagerly await, and some we are not comfortable with. Some changes we plan and others arrive uninvited. To all these changes, we seek the gift of your perspective, beckoning us to an expectation of hope and rebirth. May the sunlight and rain be reminders that we as citizens of this City need to unite and work together for the common good of everyone. Open your eyes to the changes that need to take place in your lives and awaken to a new life with perspectives that will benefit our friends and neighbors.
-Brent Chugg, Mayor
Many things are happening in the busy City meetings here are a few things that are being worked on to improve the City.
One of the top priorities for the council is planning to build a new Public Safety Building for the police department. The current building is far too small and they recently moved evidence offsite to make room. The council wants to plan for police force growth in line with the projected growth of the city.
Providing new police radios are also one of the highest priorities for the city.
Preparing for the Gondola project. The council discussed the potential courses of action they could take if the gondola up Coldwater Canyon is approved by the county and forest service. The forest service is still reviewing the plan, but it is unclear how far along they are and how likely they are to approve the project.
Barker Park- The council discussed bonding for the Barker Park amphitheater and the possibility of letting the residents in North Ogden vote on it in November. Road improvements
The residential roads are next up for road improvements over the next four to five years. The city finished improving the main roads with the ceramic chip overlay which was possible with the $3 monthly fee to the residents.
Future improvements - Mayor Chugg presented the results for an unscientific survey to help the council understand the vision and strategies residents are hoping to see in the future.
Parks and Recreation Director Tiffany Staheli said they are looking at doing a farmers market potentially at Barker Park in August.
The Police Chief Dirk Quinney presented the plan to move north and southbound stop signs at 3200 North and 3400 North along 800 East. Currently the stop signs are placed so north and southbound traffic must stop.
Detention Basin Park - The council is leaning towards having a fenced off irrigation pond beside the detention basin park that would include a playground and a field.
Young Hero - The fire department awarded Hayden Eldridge with the Chief’s Commendation Award for his heroic actions. Smoke detectors beeping, and seeing black and grey smoke billowing out of his neighbor’s house, Eldridge rushed into the home’s backyard, slid open the back door, and to his surprise he saw a young man, grabbed his arm, and pulled him to safety. Eldridge was on his way home from school on Dec. 21, 2108 when the incident occurred and he arrived on the scene before the North View Fire Department. North View Fire Marshal Jeremiah Jones said, “We don’t encourage people to rush into burning buildings, but Hayden did so in a safe manner. He was at the right place at the right time.”
Mayor Michelle Tate from Harrisville City presented to the council the flag that flew over the state capitol in honor of Mayor Brent Taylor.
The council approved Scott Barker to be a member of the planning commission.
The council accepted the amendment to the agreement to the village at prominence point.
The council accepted the agreement with BHI for the White Rock debris basin
North Ogden Employee of the month is Bruce Higley, Congratulations!
Students of the month are Ashlyn Crowell from Weber High. Kyler Murdock from the North Ogden Jr. High. Jack Wolifinger from Maria Montessori and Millie Hansen from Orian Jr. High. Great job!
$6.2 million project to fix I-15/2700 North bottleneck near Farr West
By MITCH SHAW, Standard-Examiner Staff
FARR WEST — The Utah Department of Transportation has a $6.2 million plan to fix a notorious bottleneck in northern Weber County.
UDOT is completing an environmental analysis, design work and right-of-way acquisition for a project officials say will improve safety and reduce delay on 2700 North near Interstate 15 in Farr West.
As it’s planned now, the project has several components.
The state will add a new westbound lane on 2700 North between I-15 and Farr West Elementary, a new eastbound lane on 2700 North between the freeway and Rulon White Boulevard, a raised median from I-15 to 1775 West, and dual left-turn lanes on 2000 West for commuters headed to eastbound 2700 North.
The project will also feature improved signal timing, new asphalt on 2700 North, updated signage and dual left-turn lanes to 2700 North on both sides of U.S. 89.
UDOT Region One spokesman Vic Saunders said the project will reduce delay in the area, improve access to I-15 and improve flow and safety at 2700 North intersections at 2000 West, I-15 and U.S. 89.
“Over the years, traffic has increased and there’s been a lot of development, a lot of businesses come in to take advantage of that,” Saunders said. “(2700 North) has become a very busy road in that area.”
More than a decade ago, UDOT extended 2700 North from Washington Boulevard in North Ogden to U.S. 89 in Pleasant View. Since the extension, the road has become a major I-15 feeder.
The number of motorists driving daily on 2700 North near I-15 averaged about 25,000 in 2015, according to traffic statistics from UDOT. Saunders said during peak travel times, especially in the evening, vehicles have been known to back up on the I-15 interchange while trying to access 2700 North.
According to a project summary on UDOT’s website, environmental and design work continue through this summer, with the project expected to be advertised to contractors in the fall. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring of 2018.
The project will dovetail with a project in North Ogden, farther east on 2700 North.
In tandem with UDOT, North Ogden is planning a three-phase, $10.5 million project that will reconstruct the intersection of Washington Boulevard and 2700 North, widen Washington north of the intersection and then widen 2700 North as it runs east of Washington.
The intersections there will include new dual left-hand turn lanes, and 2700 North will be widened with new east and westbound travel lanes, a center turn lane and bike lanes from Washington Boulevard to the city hall building at 475 East.
Washington, or 400 East as the road is also known, will get new lanes in each direction, a center turn lane and bike lanes between 2700 North and 2850 North.
That project is set to begin in 2019.
You can reach reporter Mitch Shaw at mishaw@standard.net. Follow him on Twitter at @mitchshaw23 or like him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mitchshaw.standardexaminer/.
