Juanita Briones

The agenda includes public hearings and planning commission recommendations for conditional use permits for dispensaries at 1015 3rd Avenue, 341 Oxford Street, and 1151 Ryan's Road. It also involves a planning commission discussion on off-premise signs, and other business including a potential special meeting.

The Worthington City Council held a regular meeting to discuss several key items. These included a public hearing on residential property tax abatement, approval of an internal transaction transferring the cable TV system and franchise to a wholly-owned subsidiary, and nominating committee appointments/reappointments. Additionally, the council addressed declaring costs to be assessed and ordering the preparation of proposed assessments for sanitary sewer improvements and miscellaneous unpaid charges, as well as calling for a hearing on these proposed assessments. Other topics included a commercial property tax abatement application, a lease agreement with Geldner Underground, employee longevity awards, transferring funds from the spending plan to Tax Increment District No. 7, extending the spending plan, an ice arena lease agreement, and purchasing a new snow plow.

The council held a public hearing and adopted a resolution approving tax abatement for Fertilizer Dealer Supply. They also approved a lease agreement with Geldner Underground for a portion of the property containing the east water tower. Employee longevity awards were acknowledged, and a resolution was adopted to transfer funds from the Spending Plan to Tax Increment District No. 7. Additionally, the council adopted a resolution extending the Spending Plan to December 31, 2026. An ice arena lease agreement with the Worthington Hockey Association was approved, and a budget amendment was made to purchase a new snow plow for a Volvo wheel loader. The Planning Commission approved the HRA's purchase of the Opthamology building.

The agenda includes items for City Council action or review, such as an application for exemption from lawful gambling for Hospice Cottage, Inc., an application for a parade permit for UFCW 663 / St. Mary's Church, and a burning permit application from Minnesota West Community & Technical College. There is also a proposal for the 2018 year-end audit services from Drealan Kvilhaug Hoefker & Co., P.A. Case items include third readings of proposed ordinances amending Worthington City Code Title XV, Chapter 155.186 and Chapter 155, as well as a second reading of a proposed ordinance to vacate platted utility easements and public drainage and utility easements in Merck Addition. Also included are second readings of proposed ordinances to amend the storm water utility rate and planning commission voting requirements for comprehensive plan adoption or amendment. The council will also authorize the issuance and award sale of general obligation storm water bonds, appoint a special city attorney and special assistant city attorneys, and revise the employee paid time off policy. Finally, the agenda includes discussion of the closure of City Hall on the Friday after Thanksgiving and Monday, December 24, 2018.

The agenda includes items such as welcoming a new planning commission member, the election of officers, a public hearing and planning commission recommendation for a requested amendment to Planned Unit Development #9, another public hearing and planning commission recommendation for a preliminary plat and change of zone for Parcel 31-0687-100, a planning commission review and approval of terms of sale for 733 Lucy Drive, Worthington HRA, and a planning commission discussion regarding accessory structure allowance on large lots. Additionally, there will be a staff update.