Worthington City Council's Kolpin announces resignation

The Worthington City Council will have an unplanned opening when Alaina Kolpin's resignation takes effect on Thursday.

Kolpin formally announced her resignation during Monday's council meeting, noting that she is moving out of city limits – though she is remaining in Nobles County. Kolpin was appointed to the council in April 2021 to fill the Ward 2 seat vacated by the death of Mike Harmon. She filled the remainder of Harmon's term and was then elected in November 2022 to a four-year term.

Kolpin quickly became emotional when addressing fellow council members and city staff near the conclusion of Monday's council meeting. City Administrator Steve Robinson stepped in, praising Kolpin's dedication to her responsibilities as a council member and the work she did on behalf of her constituents. Also passing along comments of thanks to Kolpin during the meeting were council members Amy Ernst and Chad Cummings.

The city appears poised to act quickly to fill what will be an open position on the council. A special city council meeting has been scheduled for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, during which a vacancy is expected to be declared. Robinson said he recommended that a special election for the seat be held in conjunction with Election Day on Nov. 5, with the winner to serve the final two years of Kolpin’s unexpired term.

In the meantime, the city council plans to appoint an individual to serve on the council on an interim basis up through this year’s special election. Interested individuals must be at least 21 years old and current residents of Ward 2 for 30 days more. They are encouraged to contact City Hall for more information.

Also Monday night. the council voted to deny a text amendment to city code that would have allowed the Worthington Karen Baptist Church to apply for a conditional use permit for a cemetery for property zoned “B-3” General Business District.

The Worthington Planning Commission had recommended approval of the text amendment during its meeting last week. Council members Amy Ernst and Chris Kielblock, though, spoke Monday in opposition to the change, as they both worried the city could find itself tied to approve multiple similar CUPs as a result. Additionally, Worthington City Administrator Steve Robinson noted the city could ultimately become responsible for an abandoned cemetery within its limits and had recommended there be a long-term financial plan for keeping a cemetery maintained within a CUP application.

Ultimately, council members Ernst, Kielblock and Larry Jansen voted “no” on the proposed text amendment, while Cummings and Alaina Kolpin were “yeses.”

Among other business items Monday night, the council bid approved the lowest of three bids – from Ideal Landscape & Design Inc. – for the Third and Fourth Avenue Street Improvement project from Ninth Street to 11th Street in the amount of $4,247,110.50. That low bid was approximately 7% higher than the engineer’s estimated. It was also noted that due to the anticipated work, this summer’s International Festival in July would take on Sailboard Beach.

The council also approved a Workforce Development Program grant application from C.R. Lloyd Associates for a proposed market rate residential rental project that would be developed at GreatLIFE Worthington. It also set the annual permit fee to place a public dock on private property at $200 per dock, which is unchanged from last year.