City council takes action on East Okabena Lake Trail Project

The Worthington City Council on Monday approved plans for the East Okabena Lake Trail Project and authorized the advertisement for bids.

The project is funded by three separate grants from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Department of Natural Resources and the Federal Highway Administration, as well as with local match funds. The city is receiving nearly $1.9 million in grants for construction; the city’s share is $239,500.

The project's total cost is estimated at approximately $2.7 million. The city is also funding the entire design and construction administration at $530,000. That makes an overall total of $770,000.

The East Lake Okabena Trail Project is from Second Avenue to Nobles Street. It was scheduled to be reconstructed in 2025, but approval requirements from multiple entities delayed the schedule.

The bid opening is scheduled for 2 p.m. June 3. If the state provides the required approvals and documentation in time to meet the minimum three-week advertisement period, the bid opening may be advanced to 2 p.m. May 20.

In additional business Monday, council members approved the low bid of $118,774 from MJ Dalsin Roofing and Sheet Metal of Sioux Falls for reroofing services on the City Hall building. The work includes removal and disposal of all existing membrane roofing, insulation, counter flashing, metal coping and roof deck adhesive; and installation of mechanically attached and adhered insulation, 60-mil fully adhered EPDM membrane and 24-gauge pre-finished metal counter flashings, metal coping and overflow scuppers.

The bid awarded is more than $35,000 below the engineer’s estimate of $154,300.

Also Monday, the city council adopted a resolution accepting a grant from Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation that will go toward needed repairs at the city's pickleball courts.

Worthington Public Works Director Todd Wietzema explained that the city had been notified last summer by the Outdoor Pickleball Club that the windscreens at the pickleball courts were in need of replacement. City staff contacted Boltjes Fencing Inc. and requesting a quote for new slated windscreens in all the court fences.

The club, at that time, also requested donations from First State Bank Southwest, which donated the original windscreens, and from the Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation. Both the bank and the health care foundation approved this request and awarded a $5,000 grant in support of the new windscreens. donating $2,500 each toward the project.

Additionally on Monday, council members — following a public hearing — approved a tax abatement request submitted by Marco Ramos of Ramos Construction for the building of a duplex on a vacant lot along the south side of Cecilee Street.

In another matter, the council approved the third and final required reading of a proposed ordinance that vacates part of a platted public utility easement on Lots 1-2, Block 1 of the 6 Fairway View Addition.