Council adopts city flagpole ordinance 5-2 and delays vote on Jared Johnson as development director
April 2, 2024, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Ogden Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd.
The Ogden City Council adopted a flagpole ordinance 5-2, limiting city-owned flagpoles to the U.S. flag, the Utah flag and police and fire honor flags, with Council Member Choberka and Vice Chair White voting no. It also continued to April 9 its vote on Mayor Nadolski's pick of Jared Johnson as Community and Economic Development Director after 11 speakers backed the appointment. A work session covered water conservation, a sustainability committee change and home-exterior loan program changes.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Appointment
Appointment of Jared M. Johnson as Community and Economic Development Director
Continued · 7-0
Mayor Nadolski asked the council to confirm Mr. Johnson, praising his integrity and collaboration. At the public hearing, speakers including a private developer, a Weber County economic development official and several city employees supported him; one resident asked at what point in a project collaboration with property owners begins. Chair Richey continued consideration to April 9.
City code
Ordinance 2024-7: flags permitted on city-owned flagpoles
Approved · 5-2
The ordinance, from a council member initiative, adds to the city flag code a rule that only the U.S. flag, the Utah flag and Ogden Police or Fire Department honor flags be flown on city-owned flagpoles, matching a draft administrative policy. Policy Analyst Steve Burton said other Utah communities have similar rules. Vice Chair White said it addresses a problem that does not exist; Council Member Choberka agreed and called it a political issue the council should not take up now. Public commenters opposed the ordinance.
Other
Motion to adjourn into closed session
Approved · 7-0
The council voted to go into a closed session under the Open and Public Meetings Act; the minutes record no action afterward.
Presentation
Water conservation program update (work session)
Discussed
Program Coordinator Matt Haack reviewed city efforts toward the state goal of 175 gallons per person per day by 2065. Members discussed incentives, a possible turf conversion program with Weber Basin Water Conservancy District and continued outreach.
City code
Amendments to Natural Resources and Sustainability Stewardship Committee ordinance (work session)
Discussed
Sustainability Coordinator Lorenzo Long proposed allowing non-resident experts while keeping a majority of members Ogden residents, and renaming it the Sustainability Committee. The council supported both changes.
Budget
FY2024-25 Annual Action Plan and HELP program guideline changes (work session)
Discussed
Staff proposed changes to the Home Exterior Loan Program: raising rates from 3 to 4 percent on 10-year loans and from 4 to 5 percent on 15-year loans, adding an income limit at or below area median income, and covering homes with HUD-identified housing hazards. Members raised concerns about higher rates for lower-income applicants. The fiscal 2025 plan is the last year of the five-year Consolidated Plan.
Roads and utilities
Marshall N. White Center bond interest (mayor comments)
No action
Public Services Director Justin Anderson said interest on the Marshall White Center bond is about $1 million, and Administration proposed using it for added fencing, lighting and unsuitable soils found on the site, to come to the council as a budget opening. Council Member Graf suggested it could cover other unforeseen costs.
- Bond$1.00 million
Development
Administrative update on 144 25th Street project (work session)
No action
Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown said the city is removing razor wire from fencing along 25th Street at the site and the developer is adjusting the project scope. Later, City Attorney Williams said a new building permit will be needed because scope is changing, and will address design and exterior elements.
What residents said
Flagpole ordinancePublishing council votes144 25th Street building massingMarshall N. White Center bond interest
Speakers opposed the flagpole ordinance; one said it was meant to bar a pride flag. One asked the city to publish each member's votes on its action summary; the recorder said official minutes include votes but the results document does not. One resident described a zoning obstacle to placing a storage shed on her property and another raised building massing at 144 25th Street and asked for an AI policy.