Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at September 8'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.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Rules Head Toward a Fall Vote
Council worked through the open questions in its draft e-bike and e-scooter ordinance and settled on the shape of the rules: allow the devices on sidewalks at 8 mph, keep the 15 mph limit on shared-use paths like the Olentangy Trail, require helmets for riders under 18, and set a minimum age of 14 for e-scooters and Class 2 e-bikes. Council plans to formally introduce the ordinance this month and hold a public hearing and vote in early October, followed by an education period before enforcement begins.
City Funds LinkUS Trail and Sidewalk Projects, Seeks Two More Grants
Council appropriated funds to launch a bundle of bike and pedestrian projects paid for through the region's LinkUS program, including a safer Olentangy Trail crossing at SR-315 and SR-161, a new shared-use path along East Wilson Bridge Road, and a citywide sidewalk-gap program, and hired an EMH&T-led team to design them. Council also authorized two federal grant applications: roughly $1.5 million to repave North High Street south of Worthington-Galena Road, and about $2 million to replace two aging Olentangy Trail bridges with steel spans strong enough to carry emergency vehicles.
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Deer Program Returns for a Second Winter
Council approved the contracts for a second season of targeted deer removal, which will run from December through February on a mix of volunteer private properties and public sites, pausing during Worthington Schools' winter break. Residents used public comment to press for more notification of nearby operations and to question the use of Ohio Penal Industries for processing; staff defended the processing contract and said the notification concerns would be taken under consideration.
In Other News
Ordinances coming up for council vote (Sept 21)
Council introduced three ordinances and set them for a public hearing on September 21:
- Contracts for residential solid-waste, recycling, and yard-waste collection
- A contract for residential food-waste collection;
- The purchase of property at 5995 Linworth Road (paired with a budget amendment). The property backs up to Linworth Road Community Park, with parkland on two sides.
A fourth item, a proposed easement to the City of Columbus through Wilson Hill Park, was withdrawn after staff determined an existing agreement already covers it.
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Public safety and surveillance
- Council may revisit the Flock license-plate cameras. The city's automated license-plate reader program came up as a regional topic among Central Ohio mayors and managers, and the city has added a transparency FAQ to its police web page. Council Member Maria Ramirez asked that a full-council conversation revisiting the decision be scheduled. Separately, interim Police Chief Jeff Kubasek said one camera has been repeatedly moved and even struck with a hammer, and noted the cameras capture vehicles, not people.
Around the city
- A city representative on the Chamber board. Council authorized Assistant City Manager David McCorkle to serve as a non-voting ex officio member of the Worthington Chamber of Commerce board.
- CVS liquor permit. Council chose not to request a hearing on a carryout beer, wine, and mixed-cocktails permit for a local CVS store. City staff found no reason to object, so the state's routine issuance moves ahead.
- Boundless FAQs praised. Council thanked city staff for publishing fact sheets on the Boundless and Elford project, which several members said helped residents cut through misinformation.
- A call for civility. A council member reported that a resident circulating a citizen petition felt physically intimidated, and council stated that no one should be intimidated for their views, whatever their position on an issue.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. — City Council meeting. Council expects to introduce the e-bike and e-scooter ordinance. The Board of Education also meets that evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Worthington Education Center.
- Monday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. — City Council public hearings on the residential solid-waste, food-waste, and Linworth Road purchase ordinances.
- Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. — Municipal Planning Commission takes up the Worthington Together comprehensive plan.
- Wednesday, Sept. 30 — deadline to volunteer private property for this winter's deer removal operations; contact USDA Wildlife Services.
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Thanks for reading this summary of the City Council meeting, you can watch the original full video here