Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at March 16's City Council meeting. Below are brief summaries of the most significant discussions. For those interested in the full details, we've included links to longer articles where appropriate.
Construction Season 2026: Four Infrastructure Projects Move Forward
Council committed roughly $1.9 million in new appropriations across three construction contracts and authorized bidding on a fourth, queueing up the year's street paving program ($1.28M to Strawser Paving), the Caren Avenue waterline replacement ($615K to Ruhlin Company), the Linworth/Snouffer arterial-paving project (out for bid, returning for award April 20), and the long-delayed Griswold Center elevator modernization (Oracle picks up after the original vendor failed). Concrete and curb work begins in late April, with neighborhood notifications going out in the next several weeks.
In Other News
Stay connected to what's happening in Worthington, Ohio.
Around the City
Yard-waste pickup after the windstorm. The city reminded residents that curbside yard-waste pickup has specific rules: limbs must be tightly bundled with string or twine, no longer than four feet, bundles no wider than two feet in diameter, logs no larger than 10 inches in diameter and cut to fireplace length, and no bag, bundle, or container over 50 pounds. Loose branches dragged to the curb generally will not be picked up. Residents can also drop yard waste at the Service and Engineering complex during working hours. Smaller sticks that fit inside a yard-waste bin do not need to be bundled.
Wilson Hill Park playground open house — Tuesday, March 17. Parks and Recreation Director Darren Hurley announced a drop-in open house at the Community Center from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to show draft playground designs and collect feedback. Designs will also be posted on the city's website for a week for residents who cannot attend, and Wilson Hill Elementary third-graders will review the designs at school on Friday.
Worthington Together comprehensive plan update. Council reported that the community committee has begun reviewing a draft land-use and character section, and has heard a transportation presentation from the project consultants. Residents can review agendas and slides from the March 11 community committee meeting at worthingtontogether.org.
Boards & Commissions
Charter Review Commission appointed. Council appointed members to the Charter Review Commission, which meets every 10 years to consider amendments to the city's charter. The commission is expected to make recommendations to council by July 1, 2026; any proposed changes ultimately go to the voters. City Manager Robyn Stewart said residents will receive mailed notice of any proposed changes, along with information on the city's website and in the Village Talks newsletter.
Community Relations Commission appointments. Council appointed three new members to fill vacant seats on the Community Relations Commission.
Community arts programming grants — $5,150 awarded. Council approved the annual community arts programming grants recommended by the McConnell Arts Center, distributed among High Road Gallery, Worthington Area Art League, Worthington Chamber Orchestra, Worthington Chorus, and Worthington Community Theater. Council President Rachael Dorothy recused from the vote because she serves on the High Road Gallery board.
Money & Spending
February 2026 financial report accepted. Finance Director Scott Bartter noted two large February transactions: an approximately $1.7 million transfer from the general fund to the capital improvements fund, and a $1 million payment to the City of Dublin and NRECC for 911 call-answering services. The payments account for the month's decline in general-fund cash balance.
Recycling processing services to be bid independently. Council granted permission to bid the city's 2027–2031 recycling processing contract on its own rather than through SWACO's consortium, following a problem with last year's consortium bid that was ultimately rejected.
Notable
A farewell to Communications Director Ann Brown. Council recognized Communications Director Ann Brown for 25 years of service. Mayor Scott D. Holmes presented a proclamation and called her a "grand slam home run hire". Council members credited her with stewarding the city's sister-city relationship with Sayama, Japan through the Worthington International Friendship Association, and with guiding city communications from print to digital over the last two and a half decades. A Worthington Historical Society luncheon that week also honored several women who have shaped the city; Council Member Amy Lloyd noted that those honored included the members of Worthington's first majority-female council.
MORPC federal rail-safety grant letter of support. Council agreed by consensus that the city manager may submit a letter supporting a Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission federal grant application focused on rail safety, tied to studies of passenger rail along the Cleveland–Columbus–Cincinnati corridor and the Pittsburgh–Columbus–Fort Wayne–Chicago "Midwest Connect" route.
Gardener House renovation on track. A council member reported that renovation at the Flint Union Cemetery's Gardener House is expected to wrap up by the end of March, aside from punch-list items.
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, March 17, 4:30–6:30 p.m. — Wilson Hill Park playground open house at the Worthington Community Center. Drop in any time.
- Monday, April 20 — Next City Council meeting, including public hearing and expected contract award for the Linworth/Snouffer arterial paving project.
- By July 1, 2026 — Charter Review Commission expected to return recommendations to council ahead of council's August recess.
Thanks for reading this summary of the City Council meeting, you can watch the original full video here