Logan council ratifies Russ Holley as community development director and adopts bookshop and fairgrounds rezones
January 20, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
The council voted 5-0 to ratify Russ Holley as Community Development Director, replacing Mike DeSimone, and to adopt the 404 Park Avenue bookshop rezone, the 900 North right-of-way vacation, the Cache Valley Marketplace easement vacation and a $230,000 budget adjustment. It adopted the Fairgrounds North rezone 4-1 by roll call, with Council Member Jeannie Simmonds opposed. A library fee proposal was previewed for February 3.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Appointment
Community Development Director ratification
Approved · 5-0
Mayor Mark Anderson recommended planner Russ Holley to replace Mike DeSimone, who retires after 15 years effective January 22, 2026, and said there were two strong internal candidates.
Item 3 · Appointment
Planning Commission appointments
Approved · 5-0
The council ratified the reappointment of Sara Doutre and the new appointment of Craig Maughan.
Item 4 · Appointment
Mayor to the wastewater rate-setting committee
Approved · 5-0
Environmental Director Tyler Richards said a 2017 interlocal agreement with six other served cities gives each city a board and committee seat, previously held by the former mayor. The council ratified Mayor Anderson to the committee.
Item 5 · Appointment
RESAB appointment
Approved · 5-0
The council ratified Amber Spackman Jones to the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Advisory Board.
Item 6 · Zoning
Future Bookshop rezone, Park Avenue at 400 South, Ordinance 26-01 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
The council rezoned 0.52 acres in the Woodruff Neighborhood from NR-6 to Neighborhood Center to allow a bookshop and coffee shop in a former schoolhouse and church later used as a house. Neighborhood Center limits space to 3,000 square feet by right, 5,000 with a conditional use permit, with no drive-throughs and a 35-foot height limit. The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval. Council Member Dahle supported a bookshop but raised concerns about a blind corner, the 30 mph speed limit, fairground event parking and later conversion to other uses; planner Aimee Egbert suggested red curbs. No one spoke.
- Acres: 0.52
- Current zone → proposed: NR-6 → NC
- Planning Commission: recommended approval 5-0, December 11, 2025
Item 7 · Zoning
Fairgrounds North rezone, South 400 West, Ordinance 26-02 (public hearing)
Approved · 4-1
The council rezoned 0.26 acres from MR-12 to Neighborhood Center for a 1920s brick bungalow expected to become a food business, near a bagel and donut shop the applicant is finishing across the street. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Council Member Simmonds questioned how many parcels should count as one center, whether they must be contiguous, and when a cluster should become Community Commercial. Council Member Lee-Koven said each center is unique and merits case-by-case review; Council Member López said it did not look out of place near the fairgrounds. The minutes state the motion carried 5-0, but the roll call lists four ayes and one no.
- Applicant: Alliance Acquisition LLC
- Acres: 0.26
- Current zone → proposed: MR-12 → NC
- Planning Commission: recommended approval 5-0, December 11, 2025
Item 8 · Roads and utilities
900 North right-of-way vacation, Ordinance 26-03 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
The council vacated the entire 900 North right-of-way near 1000 West in the Cache Valley Electric subdivision, replacing it with a private cross-access easement. Only part of the right-of-way is improved and one building encroaches; the original plat required that building's removal if the road were extended, a condition that no longer applies. Public Works Director Paul Lindhardt consulted the fire marshal and city engineer. Three petition signers and the northern owner supported it, and no one opposed.
Item 9 · Roads and utilities
Electrical and public utility easement vacation, Cache Valley Marketplace, Ordinance 26-04 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
The council vacated easements between 1400 North and 1250 North and between Main Street and 200 East that conflict with new building footprints and boundary adjustments; Light & Power has relocated its infrastructure. The ordinance will not be recorded until replacement easements are recorded. City Attorney Craig Carlston said denying it could create theoretical liability under development agreements and permits.
Item 10 · Budget
Budget adjustments, Resolution 26-01 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
The council appropriated $2,500 in donated funds for police rescue vehicle glass, $2,500 in donated funds for a fire training facility storage container and $225,000 in UDOT grant funds for railroad crossing safety at 200 North, a state road, for $230,000 in all. Mayor Anderson asked how donations are made; Finance Director Richard Anderson said by check and designated for specific uses.
- Grant$2,500
- Grant$2,500
- Grant$225,000 to UDOT
Item 11 · Budget
Workshop: police overtime budget adjustment, Resolution 26-03
Discussed
Previewed $7,142 for police overtime shifts. Action was set for February 3.
- Payment$7,142
Item 12 · Taxes and fees
Workshop: library fees, Resolution 26-02
Discussed
Library Director Michael Sauers said the $163 non-resident annual household fee is based on an outdated formula, and the Library Board unanimously recommended cutting it to $125 with prorated purchases, alignment to the fiscal year and a $10 service fee per purchase or renewal, effective July 1, 2026. Inflation-adjusting the 2000 formula gives about $278, Finance suggested $250, and staff estimated a per-user cost of about $280. Non-residents make up about 10 percent of circulation, with 160 to 200 active cards. A $40 change shifts revenue about $10,000 a year against a library operating budget of about $2.9 million. Finance Director Richard Anderson opposed lowering the fee below full cost. Council Member Simmonds raised digital service limits, Council Member Dahle asked why non-residents would pay for a Logan card, and Council Member López asked how a cut would be explained to taxpayers. Action was set for February 3.
- Fee$163
- Fee$125
What residents said
Homelessness countEnergy planning
Joshua Molitor said taking part in the homeless count was eye-opening and thanked the facilitator of the council retreat. Patrick Belmont requested a moment of silence, praised the retreat's analysis and urged wider public input.