City Council

 FARR WEST -- The city council recently approved a new ordinance that will address residential facilities for the elderly and those who have a disability. The decision was made following a public hearing.

CENTERVILLE -- Remaining security funds are being released as a subdivision finishes its warranty period.

The city council recently authorized the termination of the warranty period for the Powers Subdivision and the release of its remaining security for the project. The subdivision, 170 N. 400 East, received final approval in July 2007 with the warranty period starting on March 1, 2011.

After inspection by the city engineer, officials opted to terminate the warranty period. The cash bond of $1,062 has been released.

OGDEN — Before Ogden can bring commercial jet service to Ogden-Hinckley Airport, it needs a little upgrade.

The city council voted to amend the 2012-2016 capital improvement plan to include a project that would expand the airport’s terminal by constructing a 4,000- to 5,000-square-foot building on the northwest corner of the existing terminal building.

Under the proposal, the city will transfer $60,000 from the CIP contingency account to the administrative planning account to fund the project.

Airport Manager Royal Eccles said to get the project under way, the city needs money to proceed with the project’s design.

BRIGHAM CITY -- Residents who request a visit by a city ambulance but don't end up being transported to the hospital soon will be required to pay a $100 fee.

The city council has approved the emergency management fee to cover the city's costs of dispatching the EMTs and their highly specialized vehicles.

"We have to ensure the taxpayers are given those services, and we've taken every opportunity to offset those expenses," said Jim Buchanan, the city's emergency management director. The fee takes effect July 1.

However, the new fee will not result in anyone being declined first aid if they can't pay.

BRIGHAM CITY — The yearlong restructuring of Brigham City’s fire and ambulance divisions is nearly complete.

The city council last month approved the hiring of six “engineers,” the firefighters tasked specifically with setting up and driving the big fire trucks and working the pumps. The engineers were chosen from the city’s 33 firefighters.

The council has also approved the job postings for three new captain positions and one training coordinator position from the 39 EMTs who run the ambulances.

SOUTH WEBER -- During the March 27 South Weber Council meeting, a resolution was passed to allow up to 25 hens to be penned on one-half acre of property in a moderate residential area. However, roosters would only be permitted in agricultural areas.

Resident Sam Stokes voiced his opinion and said owning chickens has many benefits such as being a good food source, a good pet, and a good fertilizer. He said chickens created fewer problems than many dogs. Also, he suggested that allowing chickens was a step in the right direction for self-reliance, especially in times of economic uncertainty.

Resident Lynn Thomas said her research of keeping hens indicates that chickens draw rodents, resulting in diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

OGDEN -- Terry Butler says fixing up his central Ogden home will take a lot of work, but with a little help and a step-by-step approach, it can be done.

Ogden officials seem to be considering a similar philosophy for the neighborhood as a whole, as they study whether to expand the Exterior Rehabilitation Loan Program.

The program is part of a larger initiative to spruce up east-central Ogden, specifically the area between 20th and 30th streets from Washington Boulevard to Harrison Boulevard.