Council and RDA Notes: 11.14.06 Part 4
By Dian Woodhouse
Don Wilson began the public comments. "How many answers to the 184 questions have you had?" he asked the Council. There was no response. "I didn't think so," Mr. Wilson said. "The City Council and the citizens of Ogden have borne the full burden of the Peterson Project...I don't like to see my representatives---the City Council and the Planning Commission--put in the position you're in." Referring to Councilman Stephenson's comment about being fair to Chris Peterson, Mr. Wilson said, "I believe he's being discourteous to us."
Rulon Yorgason spoke on an unrelated but important topic about the proposed garden median strip in the middle of Washington Boulevard. Stating two concerns---heavy traffic as it is and more money spent on this, he advocated spending no more money on projects of this nature.
Caril Jennings thanked the Council for tabling the proposed resolution, stating that she appreciated a chance to look at it. She impressed upon the Council that while time and energy is being taken up with the Peterson matter, "We are losing our opportunity for a streetcar."
Justina Parsons Bernstein stated: "There are many ways to make money, but there are no ways to make more land." She praised Ogden for its uniqueness and its beauty and diversity, stating that we must do better for such a community. "We must come up with plans that are inclusive, not exclusive."
Robert Belka very briefly reminded the Council of the Native American decision making process--that decisions made by a ruling body should be good "down to the eighth generation." He urged development of a streetcar.
Bob Geiger began by saying, "Time, I believe, is on the side of this project." He went on to say, however, that it can't be that every time action is taken it can be to delay or stop. He mentioned the group of Lift Ogden supporters that had spoken in favor of the project at previous meetings. "I am wondering if that is necessary again," Mr. Geiger said, asking the Council if it wanted "a whole bunch of community and business leaders to come in here again? It's not going to go off the table--there's too much support for it." He went on to castigate the Council for not getting more information and said that Lift Ogden had given the Council time--"At this time, we'll back off," he said, but implied that efforts of Lift Ogden might be renewed in the future.
Curt Geiger then spoke, stating that he spent as much time on Ogden City development as he did at his job. In speaking with companies considering coming to Ogden, he needs to be able to tell them what is happening here. "While we put this off, we lose the potential of businesses coming to Ogden, Utah." "We need to make up our minds," Mr. Geiger said. "We need to start the process."
Matthew Mossbarger said that he thought the Council was being very deliberate and that he appreciated being given more time for public input. But that the fact remained that there is no proposal. Mr. Mossbarger stated that when he, in the course of his own business, met with clients to give them proposals, they were not expected to come up with a process for him. "There's nothing real right now," he said. "We need to have a firm footing. You can't take a proactive step when there's nothing to step on."
Sharon Beech stated that in view of the upcoming holliday season, the Council could have tabled this until the end of February or March, one reason being that the Planning Commission's timeline went into February. "Mr. Geiger would like to get it on the table, but there's nothing to put on the table," she said. "Why are you making these concessions?" she asked, reminding the Council that Peterson had made many requests for things, but so far had given us nothing.
Basil Beech began by clarifying that many had thought him opposed to the rec center, but he had not been. He had been opposed to the way in which it was funded, and this continual bonding the city is engaged in is not good. Moving on to the Peterson project, he said that "Mr. Geiger has put out numbers over the years. I've known him for years...he's a good kid...but he has an imagination that just won't quit." Mr. Beech ended by reminding the Council that previous members who had supported a previous gondola plan had been voted out.
"I only echo other statements," Jason Wood said. "Why is Ogden City going to great lengths to get a process for this unproposed proposal? ...We are spending our money...on this proposal that does not exist. He spoke of a childhood project and compared the Peterson plan to it, "That's all they have. They're excited and they have a lot of neat drawings."
Gary Neilson stated that the public is confused, and that approval of the proposed resolution "would tell the public what way you want to go...The longer you delay, the more it will cost...This is simply setting up a process."
Rob Garner stated that he has participated in the portion of the Mount Ogden Community plan dealing with Public works. "The infrastructure is stretched to the max," he said, The sewers at present are working at capacity and sometimes back up further west in the city because of overload. The cost of water would be great. "I wish you had voted this process down," he said. "This is not the normal process you follow with business development."
William Critchlow asked the Council to remember that back in 1941, Councilman Sanders secured the land for the Mount Ogden Complex, meaning the park, golf course, and foothills. In 2003, with the completion of the Ogden City General Plan, citizens were assured that the will of the people regarding preservation of open space and parks would be honored. A mere two years later, Mr. Critchlow said, "The will of the people has not changed." He had also heard that the life of a gondola was approximately 20 years and asked, "We're going to sacrifice something for generations on a 20 year urban gondola?"
Mayor Godfrey then commented briefly that he liked the resolution. "The process will probably evolve," he said. "It's just a framework, just a concept." The unfolding of the project would be the reality, it seemed.
Doug Stephens spoke forcefully to the public. Emphasizing the need of the Council to protect the rights of the citizens of Ogden and the need to protect our natural environment, he challenged the public. "You all have a stake in this process," he said. "It's our job to find answers to those questions."
Councilwoman Wicks then said that the Council had submitted the list of 184 questions to Mr. Peterson through his attorney. No answers to these had been forthcoming, not one.
Councilwoman Jeske agreed. "That's what we're waiting for," she said. "We're waiting same as you are!"
Chairman Garcia said that members of the public who were commenting that certain communities were not being reached with information would have to inform him as to where those communities were in order that he be able to reach them. "Motion to adjourn," the Chair said, and it was done.
As always, comments and/or corrections will be more than appreciated.
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