Ogden council adopts method for choosing new member; staff brief Union Station plans
July 14, 2026, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd.
At a special meeting the Ogden City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-9, setting the lottery method for narrowing applicants for the seat Council Member Shaun Myers is leaving; 12 qualified candidates had applied. In the earlier work session, staff presented the Union Station neighborhood plan, a $700,000 park-property reserve transfer and updates on the Exchange and Forest Service buildings. Residents spoke on the Union Station process, immigration detention and the Pineview drawdown.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Work session · Development
Union Station neighborhood plan and cost-sharing agreement
Discussed
Assistant Executive Director David Sawyer described a roughly 30-acre walkable, transit-oriented neighborhood around Union Station: building and Browning Theater restoration, a train display, return of FrontRunner service, structured parking, a hotel and convention space, housing, green space and a trail. The city is buying the Union Pacific parcel under the station for $4.2 million over five years; the fourth payment was made the prior week. Staff said the proposed cost-sharing agreement among the city, UTA and the development team memorializes existing arrangements and needs no Council or RDA vote, so it was removed from the action agenda. The current negotiating team is UTA, Design Workshop, Mortenson and J. Fisher Companies. The campus is zoned C-MU, and the chief administrative officer said staff prefers a custom overlay zone to extending the H25 historic zone. Master planning continues through 2026-2027 and an economic study is meant to support a housing and transit reinvestment zone application. Council Member Kevin Lundell asked for the original RFP; Council Member Alicia Washington asked about partner roles and zoning.
- Land deal$4.20 million to Union Pacific
Item Work session · Budget
Budget amendment: Future Park Property Reserve and Taylor Canyon parcel
Discussed
Accounting and Budget Director Justin Sorensen proposed moving $700,000 set aside in a Council-designated CIP account into the Future Park Property Reserve, a no-net-cost reallocation. The reserve, created in FY2023 with $3 million, has bought four properties (625 Grant Ave. for $955,000, 497 Grant Ave. for $300,000, 253 4th St. for $400,000 and 600 South Lincoln for $600,000) and has just under $700,000 left. Staff said the money would pay for the 1.19-acre Taylor Canyon park parcel at $8.42 per square foot, about $700,000, closing after subdivision recording. Council Member Lundell worried that moving the full amount would remove a Council checkpoint on later purchases; staff said a smaller transfer could miss time-sensitive buys. Council Member Myers and Chair Richard Hyer voiced support for the park-purchase approach. Parks Director Monte Stewart outlined maintenance costs and irrigation unknowns. Formal action was left to a later meeting.
- Land deal$700,000
Item Resolution 2026-9 · Appointment
Resolution 2026-9: method to narrow applicants for Council vacancy
Approved · 7-0
Resolution 2026-9 sets the lot method required by Utah Code 20A-1-510 for narrowing applicants. If no candidate wins a majority (four votes) and two clear leaders emerge, they advance to a runoff; ties for second place are settled by drawing names from a bowl, conducted by the City Recorder; a runoff finalist pair is re-interviewed with five minutes each and a final roll call, with a coin toss if still tied. The Chair draws the initial interview order. Council Executive Director Glenn Symes said Myers resigned effective July 31, the new member takes office August 1, and ranked-choice voting is not allowed under state code.
Item Work session: Council business · Development
Exchange Building rehabilitation update
Discussed
Community and Economic Development Executive Director Jared Johnson reported the developer has cleared the site, saved stone and brick for reinstallation and cleaned the interior. Architects are engaged and structural checks of the columns were encouraging, with one basement beam possibly problematic. Staff is updating the memorandum of agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office and preservation groups. A bat colony remains on site and would be excluded with one-way screens during repointing.
Item Work session: Council business · Development
Forest Service Building update
Discussed
Johnson said The Giv Group, chosen through an earlier RFP, is again planning and working on a draft lease with option to purchase that would shift carrying costs from the city to the developer before acquisition. The group is talking with Weber State University about the lower floors and has acquired nearby properties as part of a four-building concept. A formal agreement is expected before the Council soon.
Item Work session: Council business · Roads and utilities
Union Station building condition update
Discussed
Johnson described problems at the Union Station building itself: seismic connection deficiencies, recurring basement flooding, a near-failure main electrical panel and transformer being replaced, HVAC failures affecting about half the units, and a failed main boiler that leaves winter heating uncertain. Staff is working on design solutions.
What residents said
Union Station process and partnersICE hold room permitPineview Reservoir drawdownOwner-occupied housingHomelessness and trespassing
Joseph Bauman gave a positive update on Pineview Reservoir refill projections. Steve Jones urged a transparent Union Station process and a reconstituted advisory committee. Bill Dodge called Union Station redevelopment a major opportunity. Terry McCulloch asked how families locate detained relatives and read the League of Women Voters' position on immigration detention. James Humphreys and Sarah Fisher raised concerns about ICE; Fisher asked that the hold-room conditional use permit go to the Planning Commission. Heath Satow asked about the JF Capital partnership on Union Station. Linda Sanchez praised the Fire Department and asked about water limits. Teresa Bramwell raised trespassing and homelessness on her property and zoning changes. Thor Dorosh urged more housing and fairer service distribution. Annie Dunaway asked that Union Station housing include owner-occupied homes.