Ogden council appoints Audit Committee members, 7-0; no one speaks at hearing on Forest Service building bond pledge
March 18, 2025, 6:02 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden
The council voted 7-0 to appoint and reappoint members of the city Audit Committee and held a public hearing on the sales tax pledge behind bonds for the Forest Service building purchase, where no one spoke and no action was needed. It then voted 7-0 to go into closed session. In a work session members reviewed a resident wellbeing survey, the proposed naming of the new Marshall White Center fieldhouse for a fallen police officer, and a council initiative to allow shipping containers as residential accessory buildings.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item WS · Presentation
Ogden Wellbeing Project survey results (work session)
Discussed
Dr. Courtney Flint of Utah State University presented results of the October 2024 Utah Wellbeing Survey in Ogden: 780 valid responses, about 1.2 percent of the estimated 66,129 adults, with a margin of error of 3.49 percent. The presentation covered personal wellbeing, community connectedness, recreation, views on the pace of economic development and top resident concerns. Discussion centered on comparisons with other cities.
Item WS · Parks
Proposed name for the new Marshall White fieldhouse (work session)
Discussed
City Administration recommended naming the fieldhouse in the new Marshall N. White Community Center for Officer Nathan James Lyday, a suggestion from Ronald White, son of the late Marshall White, with the officer's family's approval. Ronald White spoke in support. Council Executive Director Janene Eller-Smith said action was scheduled for April 1.
Item WS · City code
Council initiative: shipping containers as residential accessory buildings (work session)
Discussed
Council Member Ken Richey submitted an initiative to explore allowing shipping containers as residential accessory buildings. Senior Policy Analyst Steve Burton presented research. Council Members Hyer, Blair and Choberka said they would consider an ordinance that allows and regulates them, and Burton said there was enough interest to begin drafting with planning experts. Discussion covered regulations and the difference between an accessory building and a storage shed.
Item WS · Other
Redevelopment Agency mission and values (work session)
Discussed
Council Executive Director Eller-Smith, as board administrator, noted the agency's mission and values statements used in plans have never been formally adopted. The board agreed to pursue formal adoption of guiding principles, and Council staff will work with agency staff.
Item 5 · Appointment
Audit Committee appointments (Resolution 2025-5)
Approved · 7-0
The council appointed Council Members Ken Richey and Shaun Myers as voting members through Feb. 28, 2027, Patrick J. Munson as the financial expert, Jared Stevens as the resident member with a business, finance and accounting background, and named Management Services Director Lisa Stout and Comptroller Justin Sorensen as ex officio members, replacing Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown in that role.
Item 6 · Public hearing
Public hearing: sales tax agreement for Forest Service building bonds
No action
The council held a required public hearing on the sales tax pledge that secures Redevelopment Agency bonds for buying the U.S. Forest Service building at 507 25th Street. Nate Robertson of Lewis Robertson Burningham outlined the remaining steps. No one spoke, and Council Executive Director Eller-Smith said no action was required because the bond parameters resolution was adopted Feb. 18.
- Land deal$3.60 million to U.S. Forest Service (seller)
Item CS · Other
Closed session
Approved · 7-0
The council voted 7-0 to adjourn into closed session under the Open and Public Meetings Act at 7:04 p.m. and reconvened at 8:07 p.m. The minutes do not record the topic.
What residents said
Loss of green space and building heights along the Ogden RiverUnion Station campus planningReliance on federal jobs
Steve Jones said the 'Save the Union Station' group meets weekly and asked the city to keep public involvement in planning for the Union Station campus. Laura Lewis thanked staff for fixing her water problem and raised concerns about loss of green space, building heights and apartment development along the Ogden River trail. Teresa Bramwell said Ogden relies heavily on federal jobs and urged more focus on small businesses. Council Member Myers disputed the view that Ogden lacks business growth, citing 50 to 70 new businesses a year.