Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at October 6th'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.
COTA Plus On-Demand Transit Service
City Council unanimously authorized staff to submit an expression of interest for COTA Plus, an app-based, on-demand transit service that could come to Worthington. The service works like ride-sharing apps but at lower costs (base fare $3), with COTA covering 90% of operating costs. It would operate Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., connecting residents to jobs, services, and COTA's fixed bus routes. Council members highlighted its value for economic development and helping older adults age in place, though several questions remain about zone boundaries, exact costs, and agreement terms.
Deer Management Program Launch
Council approved the final steps to begin targeted deer removal operations in early 2026, aiming to improve public safety and reduce property damage. The city will contract with USDA Wildlife Services for professional removal operations and Ohio Penal Industries for processing, with the venison donated to local food pantries including the Worthington Resource Pantry. Seven city parks were approved for operations, with extensive safety measures including operations after dark, police escorts, elevated shooting platforms, and advance notification to nearby residents. Operations will occur in January-February 2026.
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In Other News
Council approved several routine items:
- Sign Variance for 330 East Wilson Bridge Road, allowing additional logo, sizes, and colors after a redesign with the Municipal Planning Commission
- Right-of-Way Agreement Renewals for Columbia Gas lines and the City of Dublin's fiber optic lines, ensuring continuity of essential services within the city's right-of-way.
- Cybersecurity Governance Program to ensure full compliance with new state legislation, though the city has successfully run its own cybersecurity program for years. To maintain protection, the program's policies and reports are not public records, and the resolution requires an annual review by the City Manager and IT Director.
Key Upcoming Dates
Mark your calendars for these important community events and opportunities:
October:
- October 7 - Early voting begins for the November election. See more about the candidates at the Worthington Chamber website.
- October 27 - Worthington Together Speaker Series: Economic Development
- October 29 - Community Engagement Fair (volunteer recruitment)
November:
- November 12 - Public Input Workshop for Comprehensive Plan, Worthington Way Middle School, 6:30-8 PM
- November 20 - Comprehensive Plan Webinar, noon-1 PM
Thanks for reading this summary of the City Council Meeting. You can watch the original full video here