Council asks WPU for $3 million contribution to ice arena project

The Worthington City Council on Monday unanimously approved a motion that asks Worthington Public Utilities to contribute $3 million toward an ice arena facility.

The City of Worthington's charter and Worthington Public Utilities Water & Light Commission state: "Any amount in any such utility fund in excess of the amount required for its purpose may be transferred to the general fund of the City upon joint resolution of the Commission and the City Council." 

City councilman Mike Kuhle was the first to broach the subject of an ice arena, as he said he believes the project is at a point where "what we need to work with is a number" (or projected total cost) to move forward. He noted the city and school district's commitment of $5 million each for the project.

"I believe what we need is a minimum of $3 million from Public Utilities," Kuhle said. "Without this, I just don't see a path forward."

City councilman Dennis Weber moved that the city ask for $3 million from Public Utilities, and Kuhle seconded. 

The city recently received a bid from a Sioux Falls contractor for a new, two-sheet arena with a projected cost of about $16 million. That total cost is significantly lower than previous estimates. The District 518 Board of Education voted last week to support building a new two-sheet ice arena on district property.

The WPU's Water & Light Commission will likely consider the council's request during its meeting next Monday.

In additional business Monday night, council members welcomed new officer Tate Gaul to the Worthington Police Department, and Gaul was administered the oath of office. Gaul is the son of Tim Gaul, who served on the WPD for more than 30 years.

Four other orders of business pertaining to public safety received unanimous support from the council, including a memorandum of understanding between the city and Worthington Independent School District 518 pertaining to school resource officer participation. Several council members offered praise to the WPD and the school district for their collaboration on the program.

Among other items on the agenda for Monday night's council meeting was approving plans for a stormwater lift station rehabilitation project and authorizing the advertisement for bids on the work.

City Engineer Hyunmyeong Goo explained during the meeting that the lift station building has deteriorated, offers no access for future motor replacement and has an outdated electrical system that cannot support larger-scale pumps for future upgrades. Its location was described as being located near the left-field corner at the south softball diamond of Centennial Park.

Bids for the project will be received at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 and considered for award at the Dec. 22 city council meeting.

In a community development agenda item also pertaining to the area around the softball fields, the council moved to initiate a petition to vacate one block of Tower Street.

Community Development Director Matt Selof said the block is planned to be removed and the space to be part of the planned improvements to Centennial Park and the school district's planned softball field. Tower Street between Clary Street and 11^th Avenue is planned to be removed and the space used for parking, concessions and restrooms, and to allow connectivity between the school site and Centennial Park.

Selof added a petition must be signed by more than 50% of property owners abutting the  portion of road to be vacated and more than 50% of the property owners within 300 feet of the ends of the portion to be vacated.

Additionally on Monday, the council approved Task Order No. 34 with Bolton & Menk Inc. for professional engineering services to assist with the city’s applications for planning grants related to stormwater, wastewater and community resilience. This work includes collecting and organizing the necessary information to complete the grant application. The task order amount is not to exceed $5,000.

Tate Gaul with City Clerk Mindy Eggers after taking his oath.

Gaul (third from left) with his family.