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Ben Nadolski signs paperwork before being administered the oath of office for his new position as mayor of Ogden on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

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From left, Richard Hyer, Shaun Myers and Dave Graf stand to take the oath of office for the Ogden City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

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From left, Ogden City Council members Richard Hyer, Dave Graf, Shaun Myers and Mayor Ben Nadolski pose before being administered the oath of office on inauguration day, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

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Mayor Ben Nadolski addresses the crowd at his inauguration Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

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Ogden City Council member Luis Lopez, center, speaks about his time on the council Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Lopez did not seek reelection last year.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

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OGDEN — The work has officially begun for Ogden’s newly minted mayor and two City Council newcomers.

During a special meeting of the Ogden City Council on Tuesday, Ben Nadolski was sworn in as mayor while incoming council members Dave Graf and Shaun Myers, along with returning incumbent Richard Hyer, were sworn in during a heavily attended inauguration ceremony.

Mayor

Tuesday marked the day that Nadolski officially ascended from District 4 councilperson to mayor.

Addressing the large crowd about his 100-day vision, he noted that it was the city’s youth who ultimately got him to run for the position in the first place.

“I want to draw your attention, especially, to the young faces in the crowd,” he said. “To the energy in their faces, to the youthful smiles and to the potential that they bring to our future. Those children are my ‘Why’ — they are why I ran for City Council eight years ago, they are why I ran for mayor. They’re why I stand before you today. And I invite you to do the same and to remember these young faces as we deliberate in these chambers, as we serve and decide on behalf of the people who placed us here. Remember these young faces and know that their parents and their families and their futures are in our hands as well as their own.”

Nadolski said he doesn’t want those working for the city to be afraid of a change in administration, but rather to embrace it.

“As we embark on a new future together, change can sometimes be uncomfortable,” he said. “To our staff that are in the crowd, to our staff that are in this building — 650 dedicated, committed, talented employees who serve this city every single day — I know that you feel uncertainty. I know that it can be scary to see change happen. But I invite you to embrace change with me. Embrace this opportunity to grow together and be better together in all that we do.”

Nadolski also outlined his 100-day blueprint, focusing on his policy priorities and the values he said he shares with the community.

City Council

Graf, who was elected to represent District 4, said he sees the city at the beginning of a new era.

“I believe that Ogden is standing in the doorway of the next great phase or next great time in its storied history,” he said.

He added that he wants to hear from the citizens.

“I want to reach out to District 4 and all members of the community to be in touch — this is your community and I’m a representative for you,” he said. “Please reach out to me. I’ll be available to you. I want to invite and welcome you to attend the public hearings that are going to take place around rezoning Ogden, around our general plan, and come to our City Council meetings.”

Myers, who was elected to the at-large seat C chair, said he’s looking forward to having the chance to work with the talent that already makes up city government.

“This seat feels a little uncomfortable to me right now, but I look forward to it being a little more comfortable,” he said. “With the amazing people I have the privilege of serving with, I look forward to being even better.”

He added that he’d like to be a part of positive change and growth in the city.

“I don’t come in with any knockout-punch hopes, but I do come in hoping to be a factor in making things happen a little bit better with a little more vision and a little more hope,” he said.

Hyer, who faced no opposition while running for his fourth term on the board, said it was somewhat unusual to see an overflow crowd in the council chambers.

“I don’t remember a time in my recollection that we’ve had this many people, unless we’re talking about chickens,” he said.

He added that he looks forward to the two new council members bringing new ideas to the table.

“We will look to you for fresh ideas and different perspectives,” he said. “Maybe we’ve gotten a little stale. Who knows?”

In addition to swearing in the board’s new and returning members, an outgoing member of the City Council also was recognized.

At-large seat C council member Luis Lopez, who had opted not to run for reelection, said it was a privilege to serve alongside the other council members and outgoing mayor, Mike Caldwell.

“It has genuinely been the greatest honor of my life serving with every single one of you,” he said. “Thank you for your service. Thank you so much for everything you do to keep the city growing strong.”

He added thanks for those who put him on the board in the first place — the citizens of Ogden.

“There’s so much I would like to say, but I will have to keep it short today,” he said. “Thank you for the trust you placed in me to represent and serve you in this seat. I never forgot that I work for you. Please know that during my tenure, all of my decisions were made with you in mind — particularly thinking how could I best serve the most vulnerable amongst us?”

Lopez was praised by his colleagues and took several photos with council members and staff to commemorate his departure.