Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at July 13'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.
Four Charter Questions Are Set for November's Ballot
The Charter Review Commission's chairperson walked council through the four charter questions headed to the November 3 ballot: a batch of cleanup amendments that includes merging three development boards into one, a standalone question shortening the referendum signature window from 60 days to 30, the commission's proposal to return the signature threshold to 10 percent of the last gubernatorial election for ordinances only, and a competing citizen-led petition that has already been certified. Two residents spoke against the referendum changes; council members said the decisions belong with voters. Council also passed the resolution formally calling the special election.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Rules Are Coming in September
Council debated whether to break its traditional August recess to fast-track new rules for e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar devices, with one member calling the safety situation a public health emergency. The compromise: staff will release the draft ordinance, including a helmet requirement for all minors, in the July 20 agenda packet; the community weighs in through August; and adoption is targeted for September. In the meantime the city is expanding safety education; its two recent social media safety posts reached more than 19,000 people.
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Aggressive Deer Prompt Warnings and a Larger Winter Removal
City staff have verified six aggressive-deer incidents this season, including a doe attack that killed a dog and sent a resident to the hospital with arm injuries. Staff pointed residents to the Ohio Division of Wildlife for repeat-aggression cases and to the city's no-feeding ordinance, since fed deer are often the ones whose behavior changes. The city's second winter removal season with USDA Wildlife Services is also taking shape: a likely December start, a longer operating window, and a higher removal target than the first year.
In Other News
Around the City
- Council approved a right-of-way permit for Zayo Group to install a short fiber-optic spur near Schrock and Proprietors roads, connecting a data center to the Columbus fiber network. The item sparked a broader conversation about spotty cellular service in Old Worthington restaurants. Staff noted the city is working on enhanced Wi-Fi around the Village Green, and that cell carriers can pursue small-cell installations through an existing permitting process.
- The outdoor pool project remains on schedule: buildings are going up, excavation for the pool itself is underway, and the city says it is still on track to open next summer.
- COTA will not discontinue bus line 102, citing public and stakeholder feedback, and the line is recommended for the agency's 24-hour network as part of its short-range transit plan. A possible extension of line 35 West through Worthington toward Sawmill Road is still being studied.
- A council member reported on Crawford Hoying's first presentation to the Municipal Planning Commission for its 400, 450, and 500 West Wilson Bridge Road redevelopment. Feedback was mostly positive, traffic was the leading concern, and nothing has been approved yet. The city posts project materials on its W. Wilson Bridge Rd. Mixed Use Development page.
Notable
- Council opened the meeting by honoring G. Courtney Chapman, who died over the weekend. Chapman served on City Council across five decades, first elected in the late 1960s, along with the Community Relations Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Municipal Development Commission. He was a founding member of the Worthington International Friendship Association and spent more than 30 years as a Walnut Grove and Flint Cemetery trustee, including nearly two decades as board chair.
- The Worthington Resource Pantry and Worthington Libraries have partnered on free summer snack bags for kids at the library, no questions asked. And the school district's Style Drop, a free back-to-school clothing store stocked by community donations, needs volunteers to sort and tag items before school starts.
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, July 23, 7 p.m. — Special ARB/MPC session on the draft comprehensive plan at the Worthington Municipal Building. This is the first formal public-comment session on the plan that will guide Worthington's growth for the next decade. View the draft
- Monday, July 27, 6 p.m. — Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Planning and Building Training Room, 374 Highland Ave.
- Monday, July 27, 6:30 p.m. — Worthington Board of Education regular meeting at the Worthington Education Center. The board votes on rehiring two retired teachers following July's public hearing.
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Thanks for reading this summary of the City Council meeting, you can watch the original full video here