Ogden City Council approves property transfer to Keystone Equity Group, waives final readings for five ordinances

The Ogden City Council on Oct. 14 approved the transfer of two city lots to Keystone Equity Group LLC after a short public hearing and completed a slate of routine business, including waiving final readings on five ordinances and accepting claims lists for regular city operations.

Mayor Mark Trueblood presided over the meeting. During the public hearing on the real estate transfer, resident Dave Huntley asked what the purchaser planned for the property; the hearing record notes the purchaser plans to build townhomes. No further public comment was made. The council then approved Resolution No. 202510-593, authorizing conveyance of the north half of Lot 17 and all of Lot 18 in Block 13, First Addition to Ogden, to Keystone Equity Group LLC. The motion was made by Councilman Brian Reimers, seconded by Councilwoman Lori Anderson, and carried on a unanimous vote.

Council also approved second readings and waived a third reading for five ordinances. The measures amend provisions related to cigarette and tobacco permits (Ordinance No. 282), add a new section prohibiting false representation of a service animal (Ordinance No. 283), amend liquor-license and wine-and-beer permit provisions (Ordinance No. 284), update conflict-of-interest provisions (Ordinance No. 285), and revise public-hearing requirements (Ordinance No. 286). Councilwoman Lori Anderson moved the package; Councilwoman Margaret Liston seconded. The motions carried with all members voting in favor.

A multi-item consent agenda passed earlier in the meeting. Items approved included minutes from the Sept. 19 meeting; claims lists and vendor payments; an alcohol license for Casey's; a 40-by-60-foot garage building permit at 413 SE 4th St.; fence permits at 520 W. 1st St. and 502 Jones SW 2nd St.; Resolution No. 202510-592 authorizing exercise of an option to purchase real estate; a $1,000 contribution to the Iowa Firefighters Memorial; acceptance of the Houston & Seeman audit report; appointment of Mike Anderson to the Library Board through Aug. 2029; and hiring Jaqueline Armstrong as a library substitute. The consent agenda vote was recorded as Ayes: Crane, Ohlson, Reimers, Liston; Abstain: Anderson.

On budget-related business, the council accepted a Rural Fire Board recommendation to remain at the current milage rate of 0.505. Councilman Dave Ohlson moved the measure, Councilwoman Liston seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Department and council updates included Recreation Director Tyler Brady reporting that registration issues with the city’s new website are being addressed, that flag football now follows NFL rules with two games running simultaneously, and that a flag football jamboree is scheduled in Panora the weekend of Oct. 17. Police Chief Ethan Bailey reported speaking to sixth- through eighth-graders about scooter safety. Mayor Trueblood thanked Ogden, Perry, Woodward and Boone fire departments for their response to a house fire on SE 4th Street on Oct. 10. Council members noted that a recent annexation was approved by the state and that Lincoln Prairie Park has a new sign; parks committee work with 10Fold on a project at the old Howe property will continue with a “page turn” meeting Oct. 30. City Administrator Emily Clausen is set to meet Oct. 30 with OHS Superintendent Joshua Heyer to discuss Bulldog Boulevard improvements.

During public comments, Jason Weber asked about a proposed road near a new home and urged the council not to install a four-way stop at 1st and Walnut, saying it would increase congestion with trains, buses and semis. The council adjourned at 6:42 p.m.