The Stockholm Syndrome? Council Notes 7.26.06

By Dian Woodhouse

A definite feeling of camaraderie among Council members this evening. Perhaps this was because they had all ridden in the 24th of July Parade, which unfortunately I did not attend. Neither, it turns out, did Councilman Safsten, who apologized for this omission at the end of the meeting, whereupon Councilman Glasmann mentioned that they had kept announcing him in spite of his absence. One had visions of an empty convertible being driven down Washington Boulevard as an announcer fruitlessly called out Councilman Safsten's name. Could this be?

Mikel Vause for the Ogden Trails Network was the first speaker. The Trails Network's sunset date was up for extension, and Mr. Vause reported upon the accomplishments and goals of the organization, first thanking the Ogden City Council for allocating $10,000 for trail building and maintenance.

Accomplishments were:

Most of the trails are completed and only require maintenance, with the exception of the Centennial Trail, which still needs to be completed.

A tool shed has been constructed at the top of the 22nd Street trailhead. This is a great help, since people no longer need keep the maintenance equipment in their private garages.

There has been the planning and installation of three new bridges.

Work is ongoing on the 23rd Street pond connection.

The "Birdsong Trail" has been completed, and has proven to be very popular.

In partnership with the Forest Service, and Ogden Trails Network has purchased a trail building machine.

Goals are:

Concentrate on trail maintenance.

Work with diverse groups of trail users

Continue to support and encourage removal of noxious weeds along the trails, especially Dyer's Woad. This should be uprooted whenever seen.

Continue to improve signage.

In response to Councilman Stephens, Mr. Vause stated that the organization had a printed trails map, and has probably printed about 10,000 copies of it, all told. Unfortunately, these are not continuously stocked in the local hotels and motels--the problem being money to produce them and people to do the stocking. Jan Meikle has recently been appointed to be the volunteer coordinator for the group, and there are always many willing to volunteer.

Councilman Stephens then raised a question of communication problems, and was told that the city staff was so busy that this had in the past been a problem. However, during the past year, things had been a bit smoother.

Councilwoman Jeske asked about the Shoreline Trail, and was told that it was almost done. There had been a landslide, which they had been able to clear, and also a fire above the Nature Center that had done some damage. The Trails Network is working with the Forest Service and Utah Power and Light on this, as well as some reclamation issues.

Councilman Glasmann commented favorably on the lack of scat along the trails, and Mr. Vause stated that this was due in large part to the contribution of of Dr. Johnson of Johnson's animal clinic, who is responsible for providing the plastic bags at the trailheads for hikers to use to clean up after their animals.

Unhappily, there has been some vandalism at the top of one of the trailheads. Signs have been destroyed, and the signposts painted blue. There has been a problem with bikers building ramps in the area also, and the Forest Service has become involved in this problem.

Mr. Vause ended by stating that the community is now seeing how important the trails are to Ogden, and that they are now heavily used, perhaps moreso than the streets.

The extension of the sunset date passed unanimously.

Next was a report from the Public Safety Commission, also up for having its date extended. Public Safety's accomplishments include:

Recommending the first draft ordinance for carbon monoxide protectors. This actually happened some time ago, but the draft ordinance languished until our recent accident involving public safety personnel, whereupon the process sped up considerably.

A suggestion was made to the local newspaper that a public safety column be instituted, since the commission felt that it had subjects for at least two years of material. Editor Ron Thornberg declined, however, and ultimately a seminar was held for the media.

Addressed natural hazards, most specifically, obstacles to semaphores and stop signs. There was a very quick response to this, and the problems were corrected.

The commission attempted to achieve better synchronization of Ogden's traffic lights, and went to UDOT, who informed them that the traffic lights were already synchronized, "and that was all they could do." ("Glad that was resolved," Councilman Safsten quipped.)

The commission has also strongly advocated community activities such as triathalons, block parties, community gardens, and similar activities which they recommend the mayor and council attend in order to foster more involvement in the community.

Finally, the commission is recommending that a standard be instituted for response time for emergency medical services. It was made clear that our EMS personnel have an excellent response record--however, there is no standard. As the emergency calls are priority based, meaning, for instance, that someone in a life threatening situation gets priority over someone in need of help but not near death, the commission thinks there should be a time standard for these things. It views this as a first step toward providing better service.

The commission will be addressing:

Emergency management. Ogden City does not have a full time emergency management person, and the commission believes it should. Witness what happened to New Orleans.

Consolidation of some public safety services, most specifically the county and city fire departments, resulting in a "Metro fire district."

Emergency access to Malan's Basin, should development occur there.

The presentation ended with the comment that the commission had very little guidance, and simply addressed what it felt needed to be addressed. The council was invited to its meetings and informed that anything the council felt needed to be looked at would be. The commission is also short of members, should anyone wish to apply.

The next order of business was the approval of a letter of engagement to retain a financial auditor for the Financial Audit of Fiscal Year 2006.

Following that, Janith C. Wright was appointed to the Ogden City Planning Commission.

Next, following a presentation by Greg Montgomery, Ordinance 2006-44 was amended to conform to new state law. This has mainly to do with subdivisions, and Mr. Montgomery stated, in an answer to Councilman Stephenson, that this would make it easier for citizens. One new change is that the Mayor, not the Council, will hold public hearings on these issues. Public comment is always to be allowed in Council meetings on land use issues, but there was none, and the motion to amend passed.

Next, there was a very detailed presentation on storm water management standards. This is proposed Ordinance 2006-45, and will affect primarily developers and development. It will institute a series of regulations, permit processes, and fees to insure that builders are not polluting the storm water drainage areas.

Areas of over one acre will require a permit and formal plan. The cost of this permit will be $100, with following monthly fees for monthly inspections of $50 each. Areas of less than one acre but over 5,000 square feet will also require a permit and formal plan, the cost of this permit being $50, and I assume, the same inspection fees.

One example that was given of builders polluting storm water drainage is dirt being brought onto or piled up in the streets. The streets are part of the storm water drainage system, and therefore must be kept clear.

In response to a question from Councilwoman Jeske, it was made clear that this ordinance did apply to private residential owners as well as professional developers, with special attention paid to the area of the Ogden River. The administration had recommended that the steepest fine, that of $1,000 for violations, be instituted here, although, it was said, warnings are always issued first.

Then, the 87th version of the arboricultural ordinance, 2006-46, was passed. This ordinance has to do with the regulation of trees. What species can be planted where and how to plant them. Councilman Glasmann asked if all our existing trees can be "grandfathered in," and was told that they would be, but that these regulations would apply to the planting of new trees.

Last, the Council approved the formation of a Youth Council. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible, and applications will be available on the Ogden City website and at the municipal offices. Councilman Stephenson spoke to this issue, being highly in favor of it, and stating that one of the benefits of it would be that the youth would be involved in government and then stay in Ogden and continue to be involved. This Youth Council is to be modeled on the Caldwell Idaho Mayor's Youth Advisory Council.

Only a few public comments---Gary Nielsen of Gold's Gym spoke, first to warn against the storm water drainage ordinance, as he had had experience with this, and with the "over 5,000 square feet" provision, it might hamper individual development. He then thanked the city for the exciting things that are happening at the Junction site.

Virginia Hernandez spoke and reiterated the public safety commission's recommendation that the Mayor and Council attend block parties. She also mentioned a graffiti problem around Lorin Farr Park.

Steve Larsen spoke, informing all that he was off to Nicaragua and would not be back for two years. He then stated the difference between statesmanship and politics; the former appeals to peoples' better natures, their hopes and aspirations. The latter appeals to their fear, greed, hatred, and lust, and he asked that the Council and Administration choose statesmanship.

The Administration had no comments--the Council had several. Councilman Stephens spoke of the parade and its success and was commended for his part in it. He informed the Council that $40,000 had been collected from the rodeo for Breast Cancer Awareness. Councilwoman Jeske stated that she had enjoyed the parade very much---however, she had received a call from a gentleman who criticized a group for "carrying the flag flat." This, the caller said, should never be done, and Councilwoman Jeske stated that she had promised him that she would pass this information along.

The Council then adjourned to closed executive session.

Protocol note: Chairman Garcia was absent, and therefore Vice Chair Wicks presided. It is my feeling that Councilwoman Wicks should have been addressed as the Chair, as well as have been sitting in it.

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