By Paula Scott

The October 24 regular meeting of the Village of Bluffton council began with a moment of silence in memory of council member Jerry Cupples’ wife Sonia, who passed away on October 18.

The meeting included reports from Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow and Pathway Board committees, the first reading of a natural gas aggregation resolution and plans for Blaze of Light decoration dates, among other items. The packet of agenda, prior meeting minutes and supporting materials is attached.

ATTENDANCE
The meeting was conducted by Mayor Rich Johnson and was attended by all council members: Jerry Cupples - President, Mitch Kingsley, Joseph Sehlhorst, Ben Stahl, Dave Steiner and Phill Talavinia. Village employees present were Jan Basinger - EMS chief, Jesse Blackburn - Village Administrator, Jon Kinn - Fire Chief, Bryan Lloyd - Assistant Village Administrator, Kevin Nickel - Fiscal Officer, Lieutenant Matt Oglesbee - Bluffton Police Department. Village solicitor Elliott Werth was absent with Marshall Finelli serving in his place. In addition to the Icon, Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce director Jim Enneking was present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Joe Sehlhorst - Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow (BBT)

The October 19 BBT community engagement event used questions derived from the July survey; there was a steady flow of people from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Questions now available online.

Councilor Ben Stahl asked, who gets the large posters used to collect feedback? Sehlhorst answered that consultants with the Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission would compile the data, noting “it’s information to help us come up with new suggestions and create discussion. It’s not scientific.”
 

Mitch Kingsley - Pathway Board meeting of Oct 6

A count of current pathway use was conducted for a whole day. One counter sitting in a van was put on social media, causing people to be concerned that he was watching children. In future volunteers will be identified to create awareness of the activity.

Fundraising for SR 103 pathway: This project has been awarded a significant ODOT grant with $273K coming from the community. The Pathway Board would like to raise $90K and will appeal to businesses in that area.

LEGISLATION 
Resolution NO. 27-2022 authorizing a governmental natural gas aggregation program, and directing the Allen County Board of Elections to submit a ballot question to electors in May, received its first reading and passed unanimously.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Jesse Blackburn - Village Administrator:

• This was day one of leaf pick up. Blackburn noted that the Last time it was this warm, the equipment had some trouble with overheating.
• Allen County Land Bank has chosen Cherry St. grain elevator for demolition funding. . “Don’t know that it made it to council” Ben’s Construction of Lima is slated to do the demolition; one of the taller buildings they have done. No firm dates. possibly in the middle of November. A road closure may be needed, as well as fire hoses to control dust.
• Village owned farmland is up for auction for lease agreements.
• A request to declare surplus two UV control cabinets from the waste water treatment plant. Sehlhorst asked: Do they work? Bryan Lloyd responded that there are workable parts.
• Trick or Treat is Thursday, October 27 from 6:-7:30 p.m.
• A Zoning Board of Appeal is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 8. The owner of a home in the 300 block of S. Main is requesting to use the home for a business. They reside in another Bluffton home.
• Asked for an executive session after the meeting to discuss contracts.
• Holiday lights on trees in the Presbyterian Church yard will be installed Saturday, October 29; the Ream folk art display will be installed on November 19.

Bryan Lloyd - Assistant Village Administrator

• Has a list of jobs for the department of public works (image below). 
• Fire hydrant flushing has been followed by increased water use; looking and listening for any problems; may call in a leak detection company. This can happen after flushing hydrants
• Will read meters on the 31st of October.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Jan Basinger - EMS Chief

• EMS website needs to be updated. 

Jon Kinn - Fire Chief

• Fire prevention week went well with an assembly for K-5th grades for one hour, with some 400 kids. Rides on the antique fire truck were given to 125 preschool and daycare kids. Staffing was a little tough.
• Garlands and lights will go up downtown on November 12, with a rain date of whenever weather looks good.

Lieutenant Matt Oglesbee - Bluffton Police Department

• Attached monthly report including police activity summary and ticket statistics (packet pages 12-15, was not reviewed in the meeting)
• A police cruiser is receiving safety modifications.
• The department has provisional certification status with the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency on Group 3 (Bias Free Policing, Investigation of Employee Misconduct) standards.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Council chatted with Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce Director Jim Enneking about plans in the works for the Blaze of Lights on Saturday, November 26.

An executive session was called at 7:42 p.m. with no action expected.

NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Bluffton Council will be at 7:00 p.m. on November 14.