NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS LOOK FORWARD

By Cathy McKitrick and Deann Armes

OGDEN – In January, three newly elected members will take their oath of office and their seats on the seven-member Ogden City Council. 

Four seats appeared on the ballot, and the three who emerged victorious live in East Central Ogden, an older neighborhood stretching from 20th to 30th Streets and Adams Avenue east to Harrison Boulevard. 

The winners included at-large council members Kevin Lundell and Alicia Washington, along with Flor Lopez, representing District 1. 

Lundell eliminated four-term incumbent Bart Blair in a 60-40 percent landslide. Washington beat out three-term incumbent Marcia White 57-43 percent, and Lopez handily sent Jase Reyneveld packing, also in a 60-40 vote. Angela Choberka chose not to seek a third term in District 1.

Swept in on a wave

Emotion-packed issues related to affordability and homelessness – coupled with anti-incumbent sentiment – helped fuel the rise of these candidates. Lundell and Lopez recently responded to questions posed by The Ogdenite about what they anticipate and hope to accomplish in their new roles. Washington did not respond to the questions by press time.

Accommodating Everyone

When asked about the most urgent issues currently facing Ogden City, Lopez listed housing affordability, rising costs of living, and public safety, noting that these three are intertwined.

“Addressing these issues requires thoughtful planning, collaboration, and a focus on long-term solutions that serve the entire community,” Lopez said.

Lundell pointed to affordability and accessibility as Ogden’s biggest challenges.

“Ogden City has really lived through this time of large economic growth for itself,” Lundell said, noting that the city’s budget grew by over $100 million in the past decade. But household incomes in Ogden have not expanded in similar fashion.

“So I think we have to be laser-focused on how we’re going to make life more affordable,” Lundell said.

The City Council makes decisions about how people move about the city, Lundell noted, and that affects how they’re able to enjoy the community. And that’s where accessibility comes in.

“Those decisions should be top of mind in everything that we do,” he said.

When asked about their primary post-election message to the community before being sworn in, Lundell acknowledged that the election was a “hard-fought battle.”

“Post-election is a time to ask how we come together … and how we build community after what was a bit of a contentious election cycle,” Lundell said, acknowledging that even in a landslide victory, 2,338 residents voted against him. 

“I look forward to getting to work for those people as well,” he said.

Lopez, responding to the same question, said, “My message is simple: I work for you. This election wasn’t the finish line, it was the beginning of listening, collaborating, and taking action together.” 

She also anticipates and expects disagreements to arise during that process. 

“Even when we don’t agree on everything, I am committed to transparency, respect, and showing up consistently for our community,” Lopez said.

Continued from the January print edition of the Ogdenite Paper:

3rd Question: How will your leadership impact me personally, and what can the community expect to see from you?

In his mind, Lundell fast-forwarded to the end of his term four years from now and said, “I hope my leadership was felt.”

More specifically, Lundell aims to make city government  more accessible, meaning that “there are ways in which you feel you can connect with me as your representative and I can then connect with you.” 

For Lundell, that human connection will involve multiple platforms, including social media and town halls. And he said he plans to bring his trademark energy to those interactions.

“One of the things we always talked about on our campaign was trying to make it so politics looks like we’re having fun doing it – because we do,” Lundell said. “I look forward to engaging with the people, and I think you’ll feel that from my leadership.”

Lopez emphasized human connection and commitment to service in her leadership style, which she said will be characterized by “problem-solving, collaboration, and accountability.”

“I want residents to feel comfortable reaching out, knowing their concerns will be taken seriously and followed up on,” Lopez said. “You can expect a leader who is accessible, responsive, and grounded in real-life experience. I believe in being present – not just during campaigns, but year-round.” 

4th Question: How do you hope to balance growth interests with the need for truly affordable housing?

Lopez aims to strike that balance with policies that “strengthen neighborhoods and expand housing options.”

“This includes working collaboratively with partners, and planning in a way that supports affordability, economic opportunity, and long-term community stability,” Lopez said.

Lundell views this challenge as a nationwide problem without a quick fix.

“Ogden is a city that is fairly built out,” Lundell said, “but what we can do is have good policies that allow our neighborhoods to thicken up.”

That process would include allowing accessory dwelling units, duplexes and triplexes in neighborhoods, and also relaxing on-street parking restrictions. 

Referencing the city’s parking ordinance that prohibits on-street parking during snowstorms, Lundell said that it effectively requires every car in the city to have an off-street parking space available at some point. 

“I don’t think we’re capable of that with the density of our city – we need to rethink ordinances like that,” Lundell said. “We need good policies that allow us to march toward more affordable housing – because we’re not going to solve it overnight.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Ogden City Council meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. New council members are expected to be sworn in during the first meeting in early January 2026. 

The Council meets in City Council chambers on the third floor of the Ogden Municipal Building at 2549 Washington Blvd. People can also participate in meetings virtually. Learn more here: https://www.ogdencity.gov/736/Ways-to-Comment