Council approves two Early Risers Kiwanis donations for park

Two new amenities in Chautauqua Park are on the way thanks to Early Risers Kiwanis donations approved Monday night by the Worthington City Council.

The first is a life-sized checker board game that will be located on the west side of the park, near the bean bags and the basketball court. The board would made of concrete, be painted and have wooden checker pieces. City staff will provide and place the concrete pad; the Kiwanis group will donate the rest of the project.

City Public Works Director Todd Wietzema noted that that members of Early Risers Kiwanis had approached city staff last fall to gauge interest in the board. The idea was eventually presented to the city's Park and Recreation Advisory Committee last week and unanimously approved.

The second donation by the club for Chautauqua Park will be a book exchange box. The club would purchase the box and keep it filled with books for all ages. This donation was also unanimously approved last week by the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee.

In additional business Monday, council members approved a resolution to transfer funds from the general fund to the Improvement Construction fund.

During 2021 and 2022, the City of Worthington received $1,431,488.03 in American Rescue Plan Act money. On Dec. 23, 2024, it was decided to use $60,603.73 of this money to offset the costs of upgrading the municipal sanitary sewer and domestic water service to underserved neighborhoods. That money will be transferred as a result of Monday's resolution.

Also Monday, the city Council approved a change of zone request from ‘R-4’ Medium Density Residential to ‘R-2’ One Family, Low Density Residential District for property on the East end of Cecilee Street.

Sandy Escobar requested approval of a change of zone for the property, which currently contains a duplex. The applicant plans to pursue platting of the property into additional lots and hopes to build another two duplexes (four total units) and one single-family home.

The Worthington Planning Commission had previously recommended approval of the CUP to the city council.

Also Monday, council members passed a resolution declaring 90 E. 12^th St. a hazardous building and ordering abatement.

The city notified the building's owners in March 2025 that the structure had become deteriorated and needed to be demolished by the end of 2025 or the city would begin pursuing other legal avenues to clean up the property. The order to demolish came as a result of the collapse of the majority of the roof and open access into the structure.

The property owners ultimately determined they did not have the financial means to demolish the building at this time. They also sought a buyer, unable to sell the property.

In additional matters, the council approved the awarding of two bids. The lowest bid for the contract for the East Okabena Lake Trail project was came from Henning Excavating in the amount of $1,492,135.45 and was approved. The lowest bid for the South Taxilanes Pavement project at Worthington Municipal Airport -- $118,644.30 from Gee Asphalt Systems Inc. — was also awarded.