Ogden mayor vetoes 3 contentious policies
OGDEN — Mayor Matthew Godfrey has issued a veto over three contentious policies established by the Ogden City Council in June.
The city still maintains its operating budget established by the council, including a year's worth of funding for the Marshall White Community Center.
Godfrey and the Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership have come to an agreement for the nonprofit organization to begin managing the center, which houses a swimming pool, boxing ring, gym and classrooms.
Residents cried foul because they feared the Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership would close the pool to make room for more classroom space. And the council, seeking to assuage those fears, approved a policy stating that the center and its pool shall be maintained.
The council also approved two similar statements regarding the Lorin Farr pool and the El Monte and Mt. Ogden golf courses.
In a memo to the council explaining his reasoning for vetoing the three policy statements, Godfrey reiterated his arguments from that June 16 council meeting.
"These sections violate the principles of separation of powers which control the council-mayor form of government," Godfrey said, adding that they "illegally infringe upon valid and enforceable contract rights."
Because Godfrey already had a contract with the partnership, the policy statements fly in the contract's face and could cause legal problems for the city, he said. The Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership is scheduled to take over the center's lease.
Council members said they felt the policy statements were their only recourse because the contract couldn't guarantee the Marshall White pool would remain open. The partnership has said it will strive to keep it open but can't promise.
Council members expressed disappointment that only Councilman Jesse Garcia was included in contract discussions, not the entire council.
Godfrey's memo maintains that the vetoed sections usurp his executive authority over property and program management in the city.
"I respectfully urge the council to abandon any attempts to renew the (vetoed) provisions or to adopt similar provisions in the future," the mayor wrote.
City Council executive director Bill Cook said the next opportunity for the council to discuss the vetoed provisions is during the Aug. 4 council meeting. If the council were to override the veto, it would take five of seven votes to do so.
e-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com
TWITTER: desnewsdavis
Comments
- Festival of Trees includes roadster 2:14 a.m.
- Getting serious about seat belts 1:15 a.m.
- Witness describes '99 killing 1:15 a.m.
- Police increase presence at Skyline 1:14 a.m.
- Cougars cruise past Southern 1:03 a.m.
- Utes fall to Seattle U. at home 1:01 a.m.
- Utah celebrates Real Salt Lake Day 12:59 a.m.
- Y. focused on 10-win season 12:54 a.m.
- Thunder rolls by Jazz 12:49 a.m.
- Sloan remembers Abe Pollin 12:47 a.m.
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Best prep football games of 2009
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- Witness describes '99 killing
- Boys basketball rankings
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
232 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
224 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
189 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
137 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
122 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
93 - Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
90
Maya was wronged. The trophy was stolen. The judges had to give him a 30 so...
Go Coug's I'll be there at LES and I expect a great finsh from Max Pitta and Co.
At least he won't be a stupid Junior. Has anyone played worse in the rivalry...
I was hoping they would win, but the were up against a lot of great talent....
I agree completely with your comments about Jay Leno. He goes way to far and...
I, too, think Mr. Gale does a great job with his articles. His...
We should drill more and lower the price globally for oil. Fine build nuclear...
No I don't own a poster of shirtless Jacob - but there is a huge difference...
Gary, What nonsense! Specify the emails that "prove" deception. You...
if you guys don't think soccer is a sport? then what do you consider a sport?...



You can be the first to comment on this story.