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WORTHINGTON — The Worthington City Council moved two street reconstruction projects and the development of a stormwater management plan forward Tuesday by approving agreements for professional services for each of them.
MPCA grant
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency awarded the city of Worthington a $60,000 grant to study stormwater management system resilience and vulnerability, and develop a management plan. The city will provide another $5,000 for the project, as well as an in-kind match of staff time and resources of $10,230.
The study will identify areas that need improvement and potential solutions for flooding issues in those areas.
“We were planning on doing this work anyway,” said City Engineer Steve Schnieder. “... this study should be the first step in us being ready to apply for grant monies.”
The study will also help the city prioritize its list of potential stormwater projects.
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The council unanimously voted to sign an agreement for professional services with Short Elliott Hendrickson to do the work.
According to the project work plan, the city’s stormwater management plan was developed in the 1960s. One of the goals of the project is to identify the impacts of climate change on existing infrastructure and another is to identify projects that could reduce the impacts of climate change-associated flooding in the future.
Second Avenue reconstruction
The council approved an agreement with Bolton and Menk Incorporated to provide preliminary design services for the reconstruction of Second Avenue from 10th Street to 12th Street at a cost not to exceed $88,500.
The project will involve replacing the sidewalk, curb and gutter, as well as the pavement and storm sewer.
“This would be a project we would intend to get ready for next year,” Schnieder said.
Councilman Chad Cummings asked about the difficulties businesses in the area might face given the construction, and Schnieder said the city would need to make arrangements to keep the corridor open for people to get in and out of the area.
Third and Fourth Avenue reconstruction
The council approved an agreement with Bolton and Menk Incorporated to provide preliminary design services for the reconstruction of Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue from Ninth Street to 11th Street for a cost not to exceed $250,000.
The four-block project, planned for 2024, will involve replacing the sidewalk, curb and gutter, pavement, water main, sanitary sewer and storm sewer.
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“You’re going to have a lot more challenge with businesses on these two sections here,” said Mayor Mike Kuhle. “... this whole project is going to be a challenge.”
Cummings also noted the city would need to coordinate with the International Festival organizers.
Schnieder said it may be possible to do one block or section of the project at a time, and likened the project to the city’s prior reconstruction of 10th Street.
In other news Tuesday, the city council:
- Officially welcomed Officer Ryan Golombiecki of the Worthington Police Department and observed him taking his officer oath.
- Authorized Director of Public Safety Troy Appel to implement the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Toward Zero Deaths grant, which includes reimbursement for police overtime during certain periods, with a focus on traffic safety and impaired driving enforcement.
- Approved a slate of election judges for the Nov. 8, 2022, general election.
- Approved a temporary on-sale liquor license for Forward Worthington for the 2022 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener Event at 10th Street Plaza, set for Oct. 14.
- Approved a gambling premise permit for the Worthington Hockey Association to allow them to sell pull tabs or host raffles at The Mav Grill.
- Approved the second reading of the proposed ordinance to amend the city code requiring floor-to-area ratio requirements determining the maximum floor area allowable for a building in direct ratio to the gross area of the lot.
- Accepted a proposal from Midwest Alarms for security cameras on the exterior of the Event Center, which along with the interior cameras approved at an earlier meeting, will cost a total of $21,654.45.
- Listened to an update about the Worthington Aquatic Center from Councilman Chad Cummings, who reminded the council it would be open next summer. He also noted that it will require a large number of lifeguards, and encouraged the rest of the council to keep recruitment in mind.
