City tables decision on safety agreement

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WORTHINGTON — The Worthington City Council tabled discussion during its Monday meeting on whether to renew a safety agreement with the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA).

The contract provides safety training of city staff and other specialized training, assistance in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and assistance with writing safety grants.

The city’s cost to enter into the contract, however, has increased by $1,726 since last year, while the cost to public utilities has increased about $800. The cost of services is shared between involved cities, and when Marshall decided not to renew its contract, it was replaced by the less-populated Jackson, causing Worthington’s total cost to rise to about $19,600.

The city already provides some of the services offered by MMUA in house, but that doesn’t provide any cost relief.

“Other entities that could provide that service seem to be in short supply. ... Otherwise it’s done in house,” said City Administrator Craig Clark.

It was a point of concern for council members, who wondered why cities remaining in the contract had to pick up the tab for cities that left MMUA, and why MMUA didn’t do more to find a replacement city with a comparable population.

“It’s like we’re being held hostage because they lost somebody,” commented Mayor Alan Oberloh.

“What other options do we have?” questioned Alderman Mike Kuhle.

Though the contract would start Thursday, the council is waiting to make a decision until more information is known.

The council also tabled discussion on plans to install a sign at the entrance of Worthington’s Bioscience Park.

In other business, the council:

l Authorized the renewal of a contract with the Worthington Police Department to conduct welfare fraud investigations for Nobles County Family Services on a contractual basis for 2009-2010.

l Authorized a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for funding of the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task for 2010-2012.

The city of Worthington will continue in its role as the financial agent for the BRDTF, reimbursing each agency in accordance with the grant agreement.

l Set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at City Hall for consideration of an amendment to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District #11, Okabena Estates. The amendment would allow Minneapolis-based One Companies, Inc. to receive TIF assistance with the site preparation costs for a new 24-unit multi-family housing complex at 2257 Nobles St.

l Heard a presentation from Boy Scout Matt Sorensen, who completed a landscaping project for the city as part of his work toward an Eagle Scout Award. Sorensen worked with the city parks and recreation department and the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce to place a landscaped rock by the train depot, engraved with the words Worthington INC. 1873.

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