Ogden council rezones Grant Avenue and 4th Street properties for ballpark expansion on 5-2 vote; residents press for written police-ICE policy
September 1, 2026, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd.
The Ogden City Council voted 5-2 to rezone about seven acres of city-owned property near Grant Avenue and 4th Street from single-family residential to open space for the 4th Street ballpark expansion, after rejecting a 5-2 motion to remove one house from the rezone. More than 30 residents then spoke, most asking for a clear written policy on Ogden police assistance to federal immigration agents after a recent incident, with others defending the officers. The earlier work session covered employee turnover, a rezone at 410 North Lockwood Drive and a bank line of credit renewal.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Council comments · Public safety
Council discussion of the police and ICE incident
Discussed
After public comment, Council Member Lundell said City resources should not be used to provide safety for ICE and hoped for better policy; Council Member Flor Lopez said she distrusts ICE but not local police and has met with Chief Sube. Washington proposed a full review and a Council initiative on codified ICE policies. Richey said he reviewed body-camera footage, found the officer de-escalated and did not directly assist enforcement, and said state law bars local limits on assisting federal immigration enforcement. Vice Chair Graf said the officer handled a difficult situation appropriately and defended the civility rules. Council Member Peterson described the administration's policy of not enforcing immigration status and urged caution about provoking state or federal action. Hyer said the Council cannot override state or federal law. Mayor Nadolski said policy development was already under way and the meeting ran to 9:05 p.m. after a recess.
Item Work session · Other
City workforce turnover evaluation
Discussed
Human Resources Director Alison Workman reported citywide full-time turnover of 12.92 percent in FY24, 11.59 percent in FY25 and 15.86 percent in FY26, against a 10 percent national median; separations rose from 81 to 111 in the latest year, mostly voluntary resignations and retirements. Management Services turnover jumped to 26.2 percent (Justice Court, IT, Fleet and Facilities, Treasury) and Public Services stayed high at 19.1 percent, tied in part to commercial driver's license requirements. Police and Fire were stable. Administration plans to address pay and training in the next budget discussion; exit interviews were recently automated.
Item Work session · Zoning
Rezone of 410 North Lockwood Drive from R-1-6 to R-2S with conditional overlay
Discussed
Assistant Planning Director Joe Simpson presented a petition to rezone a half-acre on Washington Boulevard, between a manufactured home park, commercial properties and a care facility, to allow two twin homes beside the existing single-family house. The Planning Commission recommended a conditional overlay with a development agreement and a 10-year owner-occupancy deed restriction on the new units. Chair Richard Hyer asked why the whole lot, not just the back portion, must be rezoned; Simpson said the corner is the appropriate zone boundary and the overlay stays with the land. The item was for discussion only.
- Current zone → proposed: R-1-6 → R-2S/CO (conditional overlay)
- Size: about half an acre
- Planning Commission: recommended with conditional overlay, development agreement and 10-year owner-occupancy deed restriction
Item Work session · Contract
Renewal of Synchrony Bank line of credit for housing construction
Discussed
Neighborhood Development Director Jeremy Smith proposed renewing for two years the $1.4 million revolving line of credit the city uses to build homes, in place since 2011 (126 homes, about $17 million cycled). The rate is the SOFR index (3.64 percent) plus 1.75 percent, about 5.39 percent, and the city must hold $350,000 in an interest-bearing deposit as security, so effective access is about $1 million. Smith said the city is doing less direct development and this may be the last renewal. Council Member Ken Richey asked about rate protection.
- Contract$1.40 million to Synchrony Bank
Appointment
Reappointments to the Arts Advisory Committee
Approved · 7-0
The Council approved Mayor Benjamin Nadolski's reappointment of Deann Armes and appointment of John Hampton, Elizabeth Suggs and R. Boyd Hunter to the Arts Advisory Committee.
Item Ordinance 2026-17 · Zoning
Ordinance 2026-17: rezone 497 and 605 Grant Ave. and 253 4th St. from R-1-6 to O-1 Open Space
Approved · 5-2
The ordinance reclassifies about seven acres of city-owned land, mostly the former Lynn Elementary site plus two adjacent houses, to the same open space zone as the existing 4th Street ballpark, for its expansion. Planning Director Barton Brierley said it fits the general plan and the Planning Commission recommended approval. Council Member Alicia Washington asked about the age of the Lynn community plan (minor amendments since 2007), the lack of a detailed housing study for the 5.87-acre school parcel, and the projected $33.5 million cost of the full expansion. Public Services staff said the east house is vacant and planned for demolition while the north house is rented and not in the next phase. Two residents spoke: Leslie Stock raised demolition of old buildings and trees, and Laura Lewis asked about notice and parking. Council Member Richey and Chair Hyer cited youth sports, tournaments, and public input at purchase favoring a park over housing. Council Member Kevin Lundell moved to remove 253 4th St. from the ordinance, seconded by Washington; it failed 2-5. The ordinance then passed 5-2. Washington cited limited constituent input favoring the expansion, future costs and no housing studies; Lundell said the occupied house could have been handled separately and urged more transparency.
- Applicant: City of Ogden
- Acres: about 7
- Current zone → proposed: R-1-6 → O-1 Open Space
- Planning Commission: recommended approval
- Amendment to remove 253 4th St.: failed 2-5 (yes: Lundell, Washington)
What residents said
Police and ICE policyFlock license plate readers4th Street ballpark expansion costHousing versus park spacePublic comment civility
About 30 speakers addressed an incident in which an Ogden police officer was seen assisting a federal immigration agent. Rui Arguello, Kayla Hendrickson, Emily Fox, Kim Haslam, Annie Dunaway, Heath Satow, Destina, Lucia Madrigal, Arlene Anderson and others asked for clear, written, public rules on police contact with ICE, training and reporting. Sandy Cochran, Parker Goss, Brexton Oleski Lee, Jan Christiansen Hiller and Jamie McKee criticized the city's response. Derek Fisher, president of the Weber Fraternal Order of Police, asked members to speak with police leadership before drawing public conclusions and renewed an invitation to the Citizens Police Academy. Teresa Bramwell and Laura Lewis defended the officer and urged restraint; Gerardo Sanun urged enforcement of the law with mercy. Dave Timmerman, a retired detective, raised probable cause concerns. Alexa and Emily Fox raised license plate reader cameras, and Taylor Knuth criticized oversight of Flock data. Dan Martinez addressed a council member directly and Vice Chair Graf asked him to change his tone; Taylor Knuth and Sean Bishop objected to tone policing. Matthew McFarland continued his savings-plan proposal, Robert Hunter spoke for Peterson, and Elena Montenegro Long wanted more detail on the park rezone.