Summary of Nov. 22 Bluffton Council Meeting
Bluffton Village Council held a regular meeting on Monday, November 22 with the Icon reporter comprising the audience. The council packet is attached.
Council advanced four pieces of legislation, all dealing with financial matters.
- First reading by emergency of Ordinance 10-2021-10, town hall building improvements, $22,000.00
- Third reading by emergency of Resolution 20-2021, Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District grant funds
- Second reading of Resolution 21-2021, accepting bulk water rate
- First reading of Resolution 22-2021, temporary appropriations
The Utilities Committee recommended that Council accept a quote by All-Terra for waterline work through the Bluffton University campus. Administrator Blackburn reported that the project had been approved by the EPA.
The Finance Committee recommended updated 2022 appropriations. The Committee will also keep their eye on the recently-passed federal infrastructure bill, which may be an unexpected source of funding for projects in the Village.
The Ordinance Committee reported they are initiating an overhaul of Bluffton's zoning ordinance. Upcoming meetings will seek to identify what issues exist, consider how to work with the Planning Commission, and determine whether hiring expert help may expedite the process.
The Tree Commission reported that AEP's work in town will result in up to seven trees being culled from the Lake Street arboretum. Negotiations with the utility will result in compensation funds that will be used to replace them.
Among highlights from their report, administrators Jesse Blackburn and Bryan Lloyd described updated instrumentation at the sewer plant that will hopefully result in more automation and a reduction in EPA-required staffing; new diving boards arrived just this week as a warranty replacement for the swimming pool.
Water bills will see a change in March, when the billing cycle will be adjusted to reflect usage by calendar month. Residents will see a higher bill in March, but it will reflect usage from Jan. 17 to Feb. 28. Water rates are not increasing and haven't since 2015; this is despite incremental increases in the bulk water rate that Bluffton pays Ottawa.
Council briefly discussed public safety in light of the recent vehicular attack on a parade in Wisconsin. The police department will consider changes to how roads are blocked for such events.
The attached packet includes:
- Agenda
- Approved minutes of November 8 regular meeting
- November 22 vendor voucher list
- Committee meeting minutes
- AEP photo of arboretum
- Allen County public health update
- Ordinance and resolution details
- 2022 appropriations items
- Administration report
- NatureWorks grant letter for disc golf course
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, November 23, 2024
- Pirate football downs Patriots in Region 22 final
- Owen D. Ziessler worked for Accubuilt
- Weekend Doctor: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Agenda for Bluffton Council on November 25
- Super Cute Dresses ships 10,000 packages via Bluffton Post Office in 2024
- Volunteer opportunities at Bluffton Hospital
- Invitation to provide monthly display at Bluffton library
Friday, November 22, 2024
- Ticket and livestream info for Bluffton Pirates v. Patrick Henry football
- Service of thanks at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
- Pirate girls basketball beats Hornets in McDonald’s opener
- 100+ voices in Bluffton's Handel's Messiah chorus
- Pirate Worcester named top district defender
- BVHS receives Level 7 achievement in ‘Most Wired’ survey
Thursday, November 21, 2024
- McDonald’s Holiday Tournament, Thursday, November 21
- 2024 Fall Festival in pictures: At the Schumacher Homestead
- Fairy I. Parkins was postmaster of Benton Ridge
- Council committee and residents discuss ADUs, best and worst case scenarios
- BPL hosts Open Crafts and Game Space, November 26
- Women in Business meet November 21
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Bluffton Beavers sports roundup, Nov. 13-19
- ODOT prepping for first snow of the season
- Mason named OBL 2024 Banker of the Year
- October 2024 land transfers in Bluffton school district
- November chamber meeting explores member news, Blaze plans and flag etiquette
- Bluffton EMS by the numbers: October 2024
- Children left unattended in running vehicles can lead to abductions
- Icon search function goes from 0 to 30
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- Tickets and streaming information for Nov. 22 Pirate football playoff game
- Spirit Bus for November 22 football playoff in Findlay
- Tea Bag Exchange & Tasting at BPL, November 21
- Letter: University students learn about Fair Trade
- Join volunteer crew for 2024 Ream Display-Blaze of Lights setup
- Village of Bluffton asks for updated utility billing contact information