Ogden council amends 2021-2025 HUD plan to move $500,000 in COVID funds to public improvements

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 1 · Budget

   Amendment #2 to the 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan and 2020-21 Annual Action Plan (Resolution 2025-11)

   Approved · 7-0

   The council added language to the Target Areas Public Improvements project allowing HUD funds to create, expand or enhance infrastructure and public facilities to prepare for future coronavirus outbreaks, and reallocated $500,000 of CDBG-CV funding to it. Community Development Director Jeremy Smith said the money is intended for recreation and park improvements and the amendment is needed for the city to keep it. He told Council Member Choberka that exterior business improvements would be hard to justify because spending must relate to the pandemic; open-space improvements qualify. Theresa Bramwell, a commercial property owner, spoke at the hearing and asked about help with rehabilitating properties and park strips; Smith said the program was a business loan program for COVID-affected businesses.

   • Grant$500,000 Reallocated CDBG-CV funds for target-area public improvements, expected to go to recreation and park projects. Paid from Federal CDBG-CV

   Moved by Council Member Richey, seconded by Council Member Hyer. Vote: 7-0

2. Other

   Public comment: housing, landlords and the Lantern House shelter

   Discussed · 25th Street and Quincy Avenue; Lantern House

   Debra Darrington said out-of-state investors own poorly maintained rentals and asked whether the city could require background checks or a good landlord program; she and Theresa Bramwell described the city's permitting process as red tape. Bramwell said a 176-unit project at 25th Street and Quincy Avenue now advertises units at 60 percent of area median income after earlier meetings referenced 80 percent, and worried it could become subsidized housing; a resident who lives in subsidized housing objected to that view. Three speakers described poor treatment at the Lantern House shelter. Mayor Nadolski said the city has proposed a pilot program to the Legislature on out-of-state ownership and is seeking funding to keep Lantern House open. Council Member Choberka, a Lantern House board member, said she would relay the comments.

3. Budget

   Work session: Schedule A-1 changes, budget message and goals

   Discussed

   Council Assistant Executive Director Glenn Symes listed administration's proposed changes, including $37,000 to correct marketing funding, $75,200 and $104,475 of fund balance for the Marshall N. White Center tax-credit entity, $32,000 and $283,050 for airport grant match and a baggage carousel, $100,000 from the RDA housing fund for a HOME match and $71,750 for final HUD grant levels. The council proposed $219,325 from unused salary funds to raise the non-sworn merit increase to 2 percent and $30,000 from interest income for trails partnerships. Members discussed budget goals on community safety, a financial sustainability model and a project dashboard.

   • Budget$219,325 Raise non-sworn merit increase from 1.5% to 2%. Paid from Unused salary and benefits carryforward ($219,325) plus $4,425 of reduced expenses
   • Budget$30,000 Work on partnership with trails organizations. Paid from Interest income

   Follow Marshall N. White Community Center in the development tracker →

4. Budget

   Work session: fiscal 2024-25 year-end budget amendments and RDA bond

   Discussed · Forest Service Building, Adams CRA

   Finance Director Justin Sorensen said the year-end city amendment would add $4,689,300, mainly grants. The Redevelopment Agency amendment would recognize $3,358,000 in Adams area bond proceeds: $118,000 for issuance costs and $3,240,000 for the balance due on the Forest Service Building. The building's purchase price was $3,600,000, and an earlier action authorized $360,000 reimbursed to the city as the down payment.

   • Budget$4.69 million FY2024-25 year-end city budget amendment
   • Bond$3.36 million Adams CRA bond proceeds: $118,000 issuance costs and $3,240,000 for Forest Service Building balance. Paid from Redevelopment Agency bond proceeds

   Follow Adams Community Reinvestment Area tax-increment amendment in the development tracker →

5. Other

   Work session: small business licensing and loan concerns

   Discussed

   Council Member Choberka relayed concerns from small business owners about the number of steps and approvals needed to open, limited information on landscaping and infrastructure requirements, and a suggestion for a low-interest business infrastructure loan. Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown described efforts to streamline Business Information Center processes. Members said they would consider the ideas.

What residents said

Out-of-state landlordsApartment income limitsLantern House conditionsBusiness licensing process

Debra Darrington and Theresa Bramwell discussed rental housing, permitting and an apartment project's income limits; Holly (no last name given), Norene Jordan and another resident described problems at the Lantern House shelter.