The Worthington City Council on Monday night, following an extended discussion, ultimately took no action on an appeal of a variance application for a South Shore Drive property after the city's zoning board had previously denied the request.
The variance application had been submitted by Rick Heidebrink for property located at 1102 South Shore Drive. He sought the variance to allow for an addition to the attached garage/house that would extend 3 feet into the required 10- foot side setback.
Councilman Chad Cummings, who was taking part in his last city council meeting after serving two successive four-year terms, advocated for the variance. He noted that its approval would allow the Heidebrinks to have a double garage with enough space to open doors and exit their vehicles. Alternative solutions proposed Monday night were moving the garage behind the house or moving it forward. Cummings also suggested a compromise solution for a 2-foot extension into the setback, or a one-and-a-half foot extension, instead of 3 feet. He also said a variance may not be necessary depending on a potential survey of Heidebrink's property, which has yet to be done.
Though no official action was ultimately taken on the variance, there were discussions of submitting a new request as well as working on a potential amendment to the existing ordinance.
Also Monday, a new Worthington Police Department officer was sworn in during Monday night's council meeting.
Eh Kyoo recently joined the WPD. He was born in Thailand and spent the first eight years of his life, with his family, in a Thailand refugee camp, Worthington Police Chief Troy Appel explained while introducing Kyoo. The family was able to leave the camp as the result of a United Nations program and moved to the United States.
Kyoo and his family eventually settled in Worthington, where he graduated from Worthington High School in 2019. After high school, he joined the Minnesota National Guard and later attended and graduated from Minnesota West, with a degree in law enforcement. Kyoo started with the WPD in September and is currently working full-time shifts for the department.
In another public safety matter during Monday's meeting, Appel spoke about implementation of a WPD drone program and related policy. No one from the public offered comment during the meeting, though council members did praise the police department's efforts with the program thus far. Appel, responding to a question from councilman Mike Kuhle, stressed that "we won't be out spying with our drones" and that they would be used strictly for police-related business. WPD Deputy Chief Nate Grimmius and Nathan Minten of Media Works were praised for their efforts in coordinating the drone program.
Also Monday, the city council on Monday approved its annual contract with the Worthington Area YMCA to promote, manage and operate the city's summer youth recreation programs for its residents.
The agreement is effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025, with the management fee paid by the city at $66,435, a 3% increase over 2024, to be remitted in 12 monthly installments.
Additionally, the council followed a recommendation by the city's Park and Recreation Advisory Board and approved 2025 Park Fees and 2025 Olson Park Campground fees that represented no change from this past year. Public Works Director Todd Wietzema noted that 2024 was a record year for revenue at Olson Park.
Under administrative items, council members approved an upgrade of municipal sanitary sewer and water service to underserved neighborhoods. A total of $60,603.73 in funding from unobligated American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used.
The council approved a new labor agreement for non-supervisor patrol officers, detectives and dispatchers, replacing one that expires on Dec. 31 of this year. The new agreement, which takes effect Jan. 1, is a three-year-contract with a 5.0% cost-of-living adjustment effective Jan. 1, 2025, a 4.0% cost-of-living adjustment effective Jan. 1, 2026 and a 4.0% cost-of-living adjustment effective Jan. 1, 2027. Additional changes to the proposed agreement include amending off-duty compensation for canine handlers to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act, and changes to the vacation schedule and extended sick leave payout schedule adopted by the city council earlier this month.
Eh Kyoo (second from left)
Chad Cummings poses with his family after receiving a thank-you plaque to commemorate his city council tenure.