City Council

Minutes of Joint Session of Council of Ogden City, Utah, November 24, 2015 Page Minutes of the Joint Study Session of the Ogden City Council, also acting as the Redevelopment Agency, held on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Work Room on the third floor of the Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden City, Weber County, Utah. Present: Acting Chair Marcia L. White Council members Bart E. Blair Neil K. Garner Caitlin K. Gochnour Amy L. Wicks Council Executive Director Bill Cook Council Deputy Director Janene Eller-Smith Council Policy Analyst Glenn Symes Communications Manager Amy Sue Mabey Excused: Chair Richard A. Hyer Council member Doug Stephens Also present: Chief Administrative Officer Mark Johnson Chief Deputy Attorney Mara Brown Assistant City Attorney Mark Stratford Community and Economic Development Director Tom Christopulos Management Services Director David G. Buxton Public Services Director Jay Lowder Community and Economic Development Deputy Manager Brandon Cooper Planning Manager Greg Montgomery Community Development Manager Ward Ogden Comptroller Lisa Stout Assistant Finance Manager Camille Cook Chief Deputy Recorder Lee Ann Peterson The purpose of the Joint Study Session was to discuss the agenda items for the City Council and Special Redevelopment Agency meetings, which begin at 6:00 p.m., and to discuss Council and Board business. City Council Agenda Review Council Executive Director Cook and other members of Council staff briefly reviewed the items listed on the agenda for the City Council meeting scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Council member Gochnour referenced the item on the agenda dealing with the East Central Community Plan. She noted she is trying to figure out some way to honor the neighborhood and she asked if the restroom facility that is already under construction must be completed by the end of the year due to funding constrictions. Public Services Director Lowder explained that the restroom project is nearing substantial completion and was part of a City-wide restroom replacement project; five restrooms were included under one project scope in order for the City to get the best construction prices as a result of economy of scale. Council member Gochnour stated she was simply hopeful that it may have been possible to honor the neighborhood by using a design for the restroom that may come from the planning charrette process for Lester Park. She then asked if the County’s library improvement project plan must receive final approval from the City. Planning Manager Montgomery noted that any work done on public property must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and the Mayor to ensure consistency with the City’s General Plan. He noted the County has submitted construction drawings for the library renovation, without expansion of the parking lot, and that plan will be considered by the Planning Commission next week. It may be up to a year or 18 months before the County is ready to proceed with the next phase of the project. Council Member Gochnour asked why it is necessary for the Council to approve the parking component of the project at this time if there are no plans to proceed with it until a future date. Mr. Montgomery responded the City Council is only being asked to amend the language of the Community Plan; they are not being asked to approve the design of the parking expansion project. The Council will be asked to consider the lease agreement between the City and the County at a future date, but they will not consider the site plan for the parking expansion as that component of the development approval process is handled by the Planning Commission. The amendment to the language of the Community Plan will open the door for the County to plan for the proposed future parking expansion. He added the residents living in the community will have the opportunity to participate in that planning process for the parking space and Lester Park. Council discussion briefly centered on the role the City will play in that planning process, after which Mr. Cook noted it is his understanding that members of the community will be present this evening to address the Council regarding the fact that they feel the planning charrette for the entire area should take place before the Community Plan language is amended. He asked if the Council needs additional information from staff in order to respond to those concerns. Council member Wicks reiterated that the change to the Community Plan language will not automatically approve the changes to the parking area, but she feels that additional parking is needed at the site especially if there are plans to pattern the library improvement project after the Pleasant Valley Library, which is more of a community center and is a great draw. Discussion then centered on other parking opportunities in the vicinity of the library building, with Mr. Montgomery noting that other parking options have been investigated and it was determined that while additional on-street parking can be utilized, it will still be necessary to increase the off-street parking available. Council staff then concluded their review of the agenda. Redevelopment Agency Special Meeting Agenda Review Board staff briefly reviewed the items listed on the agenda for the special meeting scheduled to immediately follow the Council meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m. ________________________________________ LEE ANN PETERSON, MMC CHIEF DEPUTY CITY RECORDER ________________________________________ MARCIA L. WHITE, ACTING CHAIR APPROVED: January 19, 2016