Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at the January 12 City Council meeting. The evening featured significant action on a resolution affirming Worthington as a welcoming community, an extensive presentation on upcoming bicycle and pedestrian improvements funded by LinkUS, and continued discussion about the city's deer management program.
Council Passes Welcoming Environment Resolution
City Council unanimously passed Resolution 06-2026, formally affirming Worthington's commitment to being a welcoming environment for all people. The resolution, developed by Council Members Glenn Pratt, Maria Ramirez, and Joy Dong alongside city staff, makes existing city policies more widely known.
Police Chief Stephen Mylett clarified that the city's Flock license plate cameras are not accessible to federal immigration agencies. He emphasized that the Worthington Police Department does not enforce immigration law.
Major Bike and Pedestrian Upgrades Coming with LinkUS Funding
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board presented plans for nearly $4.5 million in infrastructure improvements funded through COTA's LinkUS program. Three major projects are planned: safety improvements at the SR-315/SR-161 interchange including a new crosswalk and road diet (narrowing vehicle lanes to slow traffic and create pedestrian buffers ), a comprehensive sidewalk gap fill program across the city, and a new 10-foot shared-use path along East Wilson Bridge Road connecting McCord Park to High Street.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
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Deer Management Program Moves Forward
Council discussed the safety protocols, history and motivations for, and next stages of the deer management program. Two residents spoke during public comment expressing opposition to the city's deer management program, citing safety and ethical concerns. City Manager Robyn Stewart confirmed that signage is being installed in parks marking them as deer management areas.
In Other News
- Cemetery Board Appointment: Council Member Glenn Pratt was unanimously appointed to the Walnut Grove and Flint Union Cemetery Board during a joint meeting with Sharon Township Trustees. The Ozem Gardner property renovation is expected to be complete by late February or early March.
- Outdoor Pool Groundbreaking: City leaders officially broke ground on the new $15.4 million outdoor pool complex on January 14th. Demolition of the existing facility is currently underway, with the new complex featuring central, adult, and children's activity pools scheduled to open for the 2027 summer season.
Coming Up
- January 22: Registration deadline for WIFA International Dinner
- January 30: WIFA International Dinner featuring Brazilian culture (6-8 p.m.)
- February 28: City Council Retreat (open to the public)
Thanks for reading this summary of the City Council meeting, you can watch the original full video here