Ogden council sends $5 million in ARPA money to buy and demolish the county jail building and adds five unfunded firefighter positions
July 8, 2025, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden
At a special meeting on July 8, the Ogden City Council adopted the second of two budget options for Ordinance 2025-21, moving $5 million in restricted capital funds toward acquiring and demolishing the county jail building at the municipal block. It also adopted Ordinance 2025-22, adding five unfunded firefighter positions to the staffing document. Both votes were 6-0 with Council Member Angela Choberka excused. In a joint work session earlier, the council heard updates on the Zone Ogden code rewrite, Lester Park designs and the dissolution of five expired redevelopment areas.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
City code
Zone Ogden development code update
Discussed
Senior Planner Brandon Rypien said the Zone Ogden rewrite of the city's development codes began in summer 2023 with consultant Logan Simpson and is in the drafting stage. The Planning Commission last reviewed draft chapters June 18, 2025. A final public open house and a Planning Commission public hearing will follow once the code is fully drafted. Rypien gave an overview of the major changes and reorganization, and the council discussed public involvement and development standards in different zones. Chair Marcia White said the council will have more chances to question planners.
Parks
Lester Park improvements
Discussed
Public Services Executive Director Justin Anderson and Shalae Larsen of Landarch presented updated concept designs for the Lester Park redesign, which has been under way for several years. Administration is seeking council input before moving forward with design. Discussion covered changes since the last review, new amenities and the cost and staff time to maintain the new facility.
Other
Dissolving five expired redevelopment areas
Discussed
Economic Development Director Sara Meess said state law requires formal termination of expired project areas, which no longer collect tax increment. The areas are: 12th Street (1987-2022), South CBD (1987-2022), South Wall Economic Development Area (2013-2022), Lincoln (1987-2024) and Fairmount (1992-2024). The board discussed improvements completed in some areas.
City code
Council rules and norms amendments
Discussed
Senior Policy Analyst Steve Burton described proposed changes to the council's Rules and Norms: giving the Chair discretion to adjust public input time limits, language on use of employee images on social media, and a ban on media recordings during public comment. After brief discussion the council decided to bring the proposal to a future business meeting.
Item 4.a · Budget
Ordinance 2025-21: FY 2025-26 budget amendment for $5 million in ARPA-funded capital money for county jail acquisition and demolition
Approved · 6-0
The council had two versions before it. Option one would have spent $8 million of restricted Capital Improvement Plan money: $5 million to acquire and demolish the county jail building at the municipal block, $2.5 million for the Union Station museum and campus and $500,000 toward an all-abilities park. Option two spent $5 million on the jail building only. The $8 million came from federal and state ARPA funds the city had to commit by Dec. 31, 2024, and had been set aside in a restricted account on Dec. 17, 2024; the council pulled the allocation back out of the FY 2026 budget on June 17 so it could be discussed separately. Mayor Benjamin Nadolski said the purchase price is not set but an appraisal has been secured, the total will likely be under $5 million, and leftover money is proposed for a shared jail facility with work release and mental health space. He said the building is in significant disrepair and removing it would help expand the downtown plaza. Four residents spoke in the public hearing: Travis Pate supported relocating the jail to reclaim park space; Laura Lewis asked why the building could not be repurposed; Heath Satow asked about costs and whether Union Station or the park would be delayed; Linda Sanchez supported the relocation. The council adopted option two on a 6-0 roll call; Choberka was not present for the vote.
- Budget$5.00 million
- Overall fiscal impact of the ordinance: $70,755
- Option one (not adopted): $8 million split among jail building ($5 million), Union Station museum and campus ($2.5 million) and an all-abilities park ($500,000)
Budget
Ordinance 2025-22: add five unfunded firefighter positions to the FY 2025-26 staffing document
Approved · 6-0
The amendment adds five unfunded firefighter positions with no effect on the FY 2026 budget. Fire Chief Mike Mathieu said it lets the department begin hiring ahead of known or expected vacancies and spreads positions across its three shifts. He said he would typically propose three and would not recommend more than five so as not to overextend the department. Council members supported the conservative approach. Linda Sanchez spoke in favor at the public hearing. The ordinance passed 6-0; Choberka was not present.
What residents said
Fireworks and wildfire riskImmigration enforcementLandmarks Commission processPublic comment time limitsPolice presence near 25th Street and Monroe Boulevard
Laura Lewis asked about the Rocky Mountain Power renewable energy program, supported free public amenities such as Lester Park, asked whether the pickleball courts would be lit, and raised concerns about limiting speaking time and housing costs. Linda Sanchez raised bench-area fire risk and fireworks restrictions. Malik Dayo asked the city to adopt a 'know your rights' campaign and publicly oppose federal immigration enforcement actions. Heath Satow asked about the police role in immigration enforcement, opposed limiting speaking time and suggested a less bright color scheme for Lester Park. Debra Darrington described difficulty navigating the Landmarks Commission process and asked for a liaison. Travis Pate also asked for a more flexible, less conflicted historic review process. Teresa Bramwell asked for a restored police presence near 25th Street and Monroe Boulevard. Mayor Nadolski said the police department is not participating in immigration enforcement and that he would advertise for new Landmarks Commission members; Chair White said the renewable energy program had stalled.