Ogden council adopts $20,000-a-year backstop for PATH to Citizenship program
July 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd.
The Ogden City Council unanimously approved changes to the PATH to Citizenship program guidelines that commit up to $20,000 a year in city money if grants and donations fall short. Earlier, in a work session, staff presented housing-market data and recommended an amendment letting a developer put 25 income-restricted apartments in the Thorstensen Building instead of 30 market-rate units. Council members also approved Planning Commission and Landmarks Commission appointments, and residents spoke on Pineview Reservoir, an ICE hold room and downtown housing.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Work session: Administrative update · Public safety
Fire Department summary of Fourth of July weekend and fireworks ban
Discussed
Fire Chief Mike Slater said a citywide fireworks ban during the holiday weekend sharply cut incidents. Only one firework-related fire was reported, a bottle-rocket ignition put out with a garden hose, with an estimated $5,000 loss, compared with a 2025 fire on 9th Street that caused more than $500,000 in damage. Police issued two citations at one address and made two arrests for discharging fireworks from a moving vehicle. Three off-duty firefighters were sent to help with the Babylon Fire near Monticello. No decision had been made on a ban for the July 24 Pioneer Day weekend; the POPS concert planned a drone show instead of fireworks.
Item Work session · Development
Thorstensen Building land transfer and development agreement amendment
Discussed
Economic Development Director Eric Gibson and Neighborhood Development Director Jeremy Smith presented Ogden housing-market data as context for amending the 2015 land transfer and development agreement. The amendment would let the developer, Lotus, build 25 income-targeted (low-income housing tax credit) units in the Thorstensen Building instead of the 30 market-rate units first contemplated. Gibson said the developer reports market-rate units are not financially feasible, and recommended approval, citing missed obligations by both parties, no other expressed interest in the property, demand for subsidized units, and an estimated $20,000 to $25,000 a year in property tax and about $500,000 a year in resident spending. Chair Richard Hyer raised concern that Ogden holds about 82 to 84 percent of Weber County's subsidized units while having about a third of its population. Vice Chair Dave Graf raised the lack of smaller homes for downsizing residents, Council Member Shaun Myers asked about effects on single-family home values and the tax base, and Council Member Ken Richey asked about a new state financing option for condominiums. No vote was recorded in the minutes of either session.
- Developer: Lotus
- Proposed: 25 income-targeted units in place of 30 market-rate units
- Staff recommendation: approve the amendment
Item Work session: Council business · Appointment
Council vacancy process
Discussed
Council Executive Director Glenn Symes outlined how the Council will fill the seat Council Member Shaun Myers is vacating on July 31. State code requires candidate interviews in an open meeting and bars closed-session discussion of candidates. Qualified applicants are posted online; interviews are set for July 21 in random order, with identical questions and four minutes per answer, followed by a roll-call vote without Council discussion. A tie-breaking resolution must be adopted first.
Appointment
Reappointments to the Ogden Planning Commission
Approved · 7-0
The Council approved Mayor Benjamin Nadolski's reappointment of Mandy Shale and Jeremy Shinoda to the Planning Commission.
Appointment
Appointments to the Landmarks Commission
Approved
The Council approved the mayor's reappointment of Mandy Shale and Sue Wilkerson and appointment of Celine Browning, Tracy Phillips and Daniel Murphy to the Landmarks Commission. The posted minutes are cut off after the seconder's name and do not show the vote.
Item Resolution 2026-8 · Other
Resolution 2026-8: PATH to Citizenship program guidelines
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted amendments to the guidelines for the PATH to Citizenship program, which helps Weber County residents toward naturalization through classes and civic education. Donations and grants remain the main funding source, but the city would now provide up to $20,000 a year if they fall short, with unused money carrying over and staff directed to explore added cohorts. The program runs about one cohort of roughly 20 people a year at about $1,000 per applicant, and had about $30,000 available. Council Member Flor Lopez, who proposed the expansion, withdrew the separate family-preparedness plan because other funding was found. Community Outreach Coordinator Diana Lopez said 44 people had applied as of May, 18 were naturalized in 2024-2025 and 16 were on track. Members voiced support and no residents spoke on the item.
- Budget$20,000
What residents said
Pineview Reservoir drawdownICE hold room permitManaged parking signageDowntown housing mixFireworksCouncil vacancy process
Joseph Bauman questioned water loss from the planned Pineview Reservoir drawdown for a waterline project. Nathan Sutherland praised WonderBlock and downtown progress. Daniel Abraham Bartson raised a stump-grinding backlog, sidewalks for mobility devices and a gondola idea. Sue Wilkerson thanked the Council and urged water-saving sprinkler management. Travis Pate argued the Landmarks Commission should sit under Neighborhood Development. Laura Lewis raised fireworks, managed-parking signage and public input on the WonderBlock deal. Kim Haslam and Kayla Henderson asked about the police role at the ICE hold room, its camera, the mayor's visit and the conditional use permit. Sean Southwick praised the PATH funding and said he prefers market-rate housing downtown over more low-income units. Teresa Bramwell asked how Zone Ogden might affect property near 25th Street and Monroe Boulevard. Thor Dorosh urged mixed housing types and an open process for filling vacancies. Diana Lopez read a program graduate's message, and James Joseph Dixon spoke on personal beliefs.