Council awards East Flower Lane contract, OKs ordinance reading

The Worthington City Council on Monday awarded the contract for the East Flower Lane Extension project.

The lowest bid for a bituminous option for the project, which was submitted by Duininck Inc., was $1,358,427.05, which was approximately 32% below the engineer’s estimate. The lowest bid for a concrete option, submitted by Hjerpe Construction Inc. of Hutchinson, was $1,508,005.60, representing a reduction of about 30% from the engineer’s estimate. After some discussion, council members voted unanimously to go with Hjerpe Construction and concrete.

Among the other items on Monday's agenda, the council unanimously approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would establish a 1,000-foot buffer between retail cannabis businesses. A 200-foot-buffer for such businesses from schools, playgrounds and athletic fields was approved earlier this year.

Worthington Police Chief Troy Appel urged council members during the meeting to limit retail cannabis business as much as possible, stating that otherwise "it just becomes overwhelmingly available to everyone." Council member Mike Kuhle said he liked the concept of the 1,000-foot buffer, and fellow councilman Chris Kielblock agreed the ordinance was "a good idea."

In other business Monday, the council approved the city police department's receipt of a $1,000 award through the Walmart Spark Good Local grant program. The funds will be contributed to a public safety equipment purchase. Additionally, reviewed and updated Worthington Police Department Police Officer position guidelines were approved. Assignment details, job requirements and other minor details were added, removed or adjusted within the position guidelines for clarification and consistency. Worthington City Administrator Steve Robinson noted that the last such update was back in 1993.

Also approved a resolution that revises the designation of County State Aid Highway 25 within the city's corporate limits.

Worthington City Administrator Steve Robinson explained that to avert potential delays in construction of East Flower Lane, he requested the Nobles County Engineer and Board of Commissioners consider revoking certain segments of roadways listed as County State Aid Highway for the purpose of turning them over to the City of Worthington. The segments include: CSAH 25 (Plotts Avenue) from Trunk Highway 60 to West Gateway Drive; CSAH 25 (West Gateway Drive) From Plotts Avenue to South Lake Street; and CSAH 25 (East Gateway Drive) from South Lake Street to Trunk Highway 60.

County State Aid Highways are subject to greater study and oversight by the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding changes in access and speed limits than municipal roadways, Robinson added. The Nobles County Board of Commissioners approved the request submitted to the Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation by resolution at its June 17 meeting, subject to concurrence by the city.

Also Monday, council members voted to have Mayor Rick von Holdt be the city's representative to Cuero, Texas, for that community's annual Turkeyfest celebration in October. The council also hosted a public hearing and heard a presentation on the city's storm water pollution prevention plan.

Meeting as the Economic Development Authority prior to the start of the council meeting, members approved a façade improvement matching grant application from James Lesnar for work to take place at 414 Oxford St., where he is moving his business, Edward Jones. Work includes replacing windows, installation of new pillars for front porch/overhang area and front railing. Much of the work is designed around creating an accessible (ADA) front entrance for customers.

The total cost for the work is $65,088. The property was eligible for a 1:2 match up to $5,000 and was awarded the maximum allowed.