Responses from Amy L. Wicks, candidate for City Council At Large Seat C
I would support a mixed use ordinance that would promote re-use of buildings and opportunities for small business owners to participate in this type of project. Only areas identified in the General Plan or individual Neighborhood Plans would be considered.
2. The UTA and the Wasatch Front Regional Council have proposed a streetcar or bus rapid transit system for Ogden, which would connect downtown with WSU and McKay-Dee Hospital via Harrison Blvd. The present administration favors instead a gondola line over a similar route. The administration has also proposed streetcar routes in other parts of Ogden and neighboring cities. What are your views on these competing proposals?
With limited transportation dollars available, it is important to focus on reasonable goals. I would like to see a streetcar or other fixed mode of transportation that is part of the streetscape from downtown to WSU/McKay Dee as a priority- and addressed before other projects are considered. Central Ogden would certainly benefit from a functional transit corridor that could accomplish several things at once- increase investment in the area, move people from point A to point B (and everywhere in between), decrease traffic and pollution, as well as create a sustainable walkable community.
3. If elected, would you favor or oppose the sale of any city-owned open space along the benches for private development? Please explain.
Communities all along the Wasatch front are bonding for millions of dollars to protect foothill access and open space. One of Ogden's crown jewels is our trail system and surrounding open space. I support protecting this for future generations. As our metropolitan area grows more populated and open space becomes scarce; areas like our foothills, river parkway, Ogden Nature Center, trails and parks provide essential recreational opportunities, habitat and links to nature.
4. Should you be elected, do you plan to recommend changes in the way Ogden deals with waste, recyclables, water conservation, and/or protecting our aquifers and watershed areas? If so, what changes will you recommend, and why?
Our recycling program can be improved and I have suggested a public education program/sticker on receptacle program to help improve compliance and eliminate contaminants in our recyclables. I have supported extending hours at our green waste site to improve access for residents.
I have directed consultants retained by the City Council to take a hard look at conservation in the study currently underway to address our water rate structure. With a cutoff point of 10,000 gallons per month to the next higher rate tier, it's hard to get people to conserve water and see a change in their bill. Somewhere between 3,000 and 6,000 gallons seems more reasonable.
I have personally xeriscaped part of my yard and have encouraged others to do so. I have worked with the Utah Rivers Council to promote their "Rip Your Strip" program in Ogden.
5. The current administration supports rewriting Ogden's Sensitive Area Overlay Zone ordinance in such a way as to eliminate the current ban on construction on land sloped at 30 percent or more, and to increase the density of development that is permitted on other steeply sloped lands. What are your views on these proposed changes?
I think it's premature to even look at this issue. Governor Huntsman has pulled together a group of geologists to look at the issue state wide and provide some recommendations. I support waiting to see what the state decides on this issue and I do not currently support changing Ogden's Sensitive Area Overlay Zone ordinance. If changes were to be made, I would prefer to see more restrictions on foothill development.
6. Ogden's urban and foothill trails are a valuable recreational asset for residents and an important factor in drawing visitors and businesses to Ogden. If elected, what changes (if any) would you propose to the city's trail system?
Devote resources to maintenance. I don't see paving trails as an improvement for the most part, so I would keep things as they are and provide more support to Weber Pathways, Ogden Trails Network and other volunteer groups.
7. Do you favor designating a portion of the National Forest lands above Ogden as federally protected wilderness? Why or why not?
I would certainly support designating a portion of the National Forest lands above Ogden as federally protected wilderness. We are one of the few areas on the Wasatch Front without this- and with continued development in the metropolitan area this is a good short and long term goal. Before being elected to serve on the City Council, I served on the Board of Trustees for Save Our Canyons and this was a goal of this organization. I supported it then and I still support it.
8. The current administration has recently reduced the city's energy and carbon footprint by buying renewable energy credits and hybrid vehicles and by initiating the Fresh Air Fridays program. Do you support these programs? Would you favor expanding them? Why or why not?
I support these programs and have been personally buying renewable energy credits and carbon offsets long before this program was in place. I have suggested doing a citywide energy audit to determine additional areas to improve and this has fallen upon deaf ears with current administration. I would be in favor of expanding programs to promote sustainability in our community as long as they are effective- both in outcome and cost.
9. What other environmental issues would you address if elected?
Sustainability, air quality walkability in our community.