City Council

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION OGDEN CITY CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AREA NO. 3 MAY 31, 2016 – 4:01 P.M. Present: Chair Bart Blair Board member Doug Stephens Board member Ben Nadolski Council Deputy Director Janene Eller-Smith Also present: Community and Economic Development Deputy Manager Brandon Cooper Community and Economic Development Project Coordinator Jonnalyn Walker Assistant City Attorney Mel Smith Chief Deputy City Recorder Lee Ann Peterson Others: Kim Bowsher, Downtown Alliance Bret Turner, Downtown Alliance Chair Blair read the following statement: “The minutes should show that this is the time, date and place set for the first Board of Equalization hearing regarding the proposed Ogden City Central Business District Special Assessment Area No. 3 (the “Assessment Area”) conducted by the Ogden City Board of Equalization on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. on the 3rd Floor of the Ogden City Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden, Utah. The Ogden City Board of Equalization was duly appointed by the Ogden City Council on April 26, 2016 pursuant to Resolution 2016-12. The purposes of this and the two other public hearings scheduled for June 1, 2016 and June 2, 2016, at 4:00 p.m., which purposes are set forth in Section 11-42-403 of the Assessment Area Act, are to: Hear arguments from any person who claims to be aggrieved, including arguments relating to: a. the amount of benefits accruing to a tract, block, lot, or parcel of property in the assessment area; or b. the amount of the proposed assessment against the tract, block, lot, or parcel. The related Certificates of Mailing and Proof of Publication, etc., will be made part of the public hearing record.” Council Deputy Director Eller-Smith reported that three written responses to the Assessment Area from Kamie Geiger, Jon Gunther, Brian Bartholomew, and Darren Boyer were received. She stated that Ms. Geiger would like to have her response read into the record and Ms. Eller-Smith read the following: “I am a business property owner in the area that will be impacted by the proposed special assessment fee. I want to voice my disappointment over the special assessment. Neither my business, nor my property is a comme4rcial store front and neither will reap benefits from the programs, services and facilities that the special assessment fee will support. I am disappointment that Ogden City imposes such fees on businesses that do not benefit directly or indirectly from the economic promotion activities they support. I am also extremely uncomfortable with the notion that businesses are being asked to pay for the City’s inability to conduct self-supporting activities, which consistently operate at a deficit (this year to the tune of $161,000.00). What this communicates to business and property owners is that the City does not care about business and how the assessments affect our ability to grow and sustain our operations. While the City spends general fund allocations on things like a new $130,000 branding campaign, existing programs run at a long term deficit and local business owners are asked to foot the bill. I support economic development, but not at the cost of local business. When my budget at home does not pencil, things have to change. I have to give up something. My opinion is that the same logic should apply to publicly funded programs, services and facilities. When thousands and thousands of dollars are spent on trying to make venues, like golf courses, profitable, and the efforts fail, make a change. Do not penalize business owners, who pay substantial taxes already, by asking them to pay for the City’s inability to establish self-supporting programs and services.”  Chair Blair then stated those who wish to address the Board regarding the Special Assessment Area may do so at this time. Peter Corroon 298 24th Street Mr. Coroon informed the Board that he and his brother own the Old Post Office building. They have spent over $1 million in renovations to the building and brought in 16 tenants. Although they support economic development, this is another tax on property owners that makes it harder to make ends mean. The events/activities funding should be taken out of the general fund because they are for the benefit of all the citizens of the building. The assessment for his property is not a huge amount of money, but it does make an impact. Board member Stephens asked what types of businesses are in the Old Post Office building. Mr. Corroon responded there are small businesses of a general office nature and a wedding business. He thanked the Board for the opportunity to be heard. Kim Bowsher, Downtown Alliance, stated she runs some of the downtown events and asked if everyone can attend these meetings or is it only certain citizens on certain nights. Assistant City Attorney Smith responded anyone can come to any of the meetings. No further persons came forward to be heard, Board member Nadolski moved the public hearing be closed. Board member Stephens seconded the motion. Chair Blair pointed out this meeting ran the full hour and ended at 5:01 p.m. BOARD MEMBER NADOLSKI MOVED THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT 5:01 P.M. MOTION SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER STEPHENS, ALL VOTING AYE. ____________________________________ LEE ANN PETERSON, MMC CHIEF DEPUTY CITY RECORDER _____________________________________ BART E. BLAIR, CHAIR BOARD OF EQUALIZATION Approved: September 30, 2016