The 47-page Council packet is attached HERE

By Andy Chappell-Dick

The meeting started at 7:00 p.m. sharp with the customary invocations. Minutes were approved and bills were paid. Then Mayor Johnson looked at his watch, and explained that a Public Meeting had been embedded in this Council Meeting, officially set and advertised for 7:05.  It was 7:01.  After some murmuring, it was suggested in the meantime perhaps Councilor Dave Steiner could give a report for the Finance Committee. Steiner stated that the Committee had met to discuss an extension of a tax abatement for Diamond Manufacturing, which they endorsed and passed along to Council to approve later in this meeting.

It was 7:03.  People looked around.  Someone offered that maybe in the future Public Meetings could be set for 7:02.

PUBLIC HEARING
Finally, at 7:05, Council initiated the Public Hearing by motion. It was a zoning issue: a Cherry Street couple had petitioned the Village to vacate an alley on their property. They were on hand to explain that it had not been maintained or even used as a public alley in quite a while, and a proper survey revealed that it quite literally ran through their kitchen, a bathroom and their bedroom. Neighbors had been notified as required, none were present. The entire alley will pass to the petitioners, since they had purchased a narrow strip from their neighbor on the other side. Vacating an alley requires an act of Council, and this was passed unanimously in its first reading.

OPEN FLOOR TO THE PUBLIC

Several other people were seated in the public gallery, and Mayor Rich Johnson's preference is to give them a chance to speak at the top of the meeting so their business is dealt with and they're free to duck out.

Two other residents were present to talk about a driveway location along the new pedestrian pathway project. This was referred to an upcoming meeting of the Streets and Alleys Committee and a meeting on site was scheduled.

Then, Dave Stratton and Cindy Leis from Allen Economic Development Group explained a request for a new property tax abatement for Diamond Manufacturing on Jefferson Street. They asked that Council pass an approval of this abatement by emergency, as it was scheduled to go before the County Commissioners next week. Diamond’s Brian Langhals was also present to explain their plans for expansion. The approval resolution passed unanimously with no discussion.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
In other Committee Reports,  Councilor Mitch Kingsley gave an update on the Ordinance Committee's deliberations about Accessory Dwelling Units. It's the first real action, he said, that will be informed by the Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan.  "We're in favor of doing this, but we have to figure out how to do it right," he said. 

Councilor Ben Stahl gave a report for the Pathway Board, in which they were deliberating final touches like benches and commemorative signs for the monumental projects that have just started. The lanes about to be built along State Route 103 and County Line Road represent the most linear footage added to the Bluffton network in a single year.

RESOLUTIONS
There were three Resolutions to vote on, all third readings of street improvement projects. They were passed unanimously.

STAFF REPORTS
Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn reported progress on the ongoing effort to reconfigure the Thurman Street municipal parking lot. He reminded the Council that the Village does not own the majority of this area; but with the continuing cooperation of private owners, the Village hopes to keep the lot largely intact. A public meeting is scheduled for August 23 to talk through some nitty-gritty ownership changes.

MAYOR
Mayor Johnson appointed Deron Geiser to replace Dave Miller on the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals.

EMERGENCY SERVICES
EMS Chief Jan Basinger said he's looking at ambulances from three companies to replace the older of the agency's two trucks. If it were ordered today, delivery is not until 2025 or even later, so there is some urgency. He also reported that run rates this summer are down to nearly half the usual monthly total.  

Fire Chief Jon Kinn said only that the department will be pursuing a grant to buy a $12,000 washing machine, called a commercial extractor. For years their heavy turnout gear has been laundered in the EMS regular-duty machine, which is not a fair fight. That machine died a few months ago.  

Police Chief Ryan Burkholder reported that the advance purchase of a new cruiser discussed at the last meeting fell through, and the department is facing a difficult challenge in sourcing a new vehicle without the drastic price increases of the upcoming model year. 

With a heavy heart, he said, he also announced the resignation of two officers.  Part-timer Nathan Jordan has served for 27 years and is retiring, although he's keeping his day job in the Public Works Department. Jared Arnold is a full-time officer who is leaving for another department. Both will be very difficult to replace. Part-time openings have been advertised for over a year; finding a full-time officer in the current climate will also be a challenge. 

SOMETHING NEW
Mayor Johnson ends every meeting by asking for any final public comment.  What would YOU say? There is rarely a peep; indeed, by meeting's end there's rarely a public. As part of my effort to connect Icon readers with our local government, let me take your questions or comments to your representatives. E-mail them to [email protected], and I will ask them in open forum. Taxes? Streets? Garbage? Ideas for growth?  Roses or thorns?  Answers will appear here as part of the Council Summary.