By Paula Pyzik Scott
Mayor Rich Johnson presided over the October 14 meeting of the Village of Bluffton Council., which included the passage of a second reading on an ordinance prohibiting keeping roosters, resident comments on parking his commercial dump truck and the possibility of developing pickleball courts as a Bluffton YMCA-Village collaboration.
PUBLIC FORUM
Jacob Szabo appeared during the public forum to comment on a complaint made by a neighbor regarding his parking a 6-axle dump truck on his parents’ property, that resulted in the Bluffton Police Department notifying him of Ordinance 76.14 Parking of Certain Vehicles Prohibited.
Discussion with council members, the police chief and Village legal counsel touched on the reasons the ordinance exists, enforcement when complaints are made, past issues with diesel trucks being run overnight in cold weather and the use of buildings to store these vehicles.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Parks & Recreation Committee
Council member Ben Stahl reported that the Bluffton YMCA is interested in working with the village to maintain and schedule play time on proposed outdoor pickleball courts. Council member Dave Steiner suggested that a lease agreement could be used to address cost sharing. It was noted that there are faint pickleball lines on the school tennis courts across from Harmon Field.
The Village is interested in soliciting quotes for work to be done on the planned Village dog park on Lake Street. The updated design needs a final okay from the dog park committee. A maintenance agreement is needed for work to be done by volunteers.
The Bluffton Lions have provided information on matching grants of up to $150K for playgrounds. The Village is researching funding for playground space to be developed as part of the soccer complex in development on Snider Rd.
Ordinance Committee
Council member Mitch Kingsley announced that a public hearing on the proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance will precede council consideration of the legislation. This event will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19.
Airport Commission
Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn reported on the September meeting of the Bluffton Airport Commission. He reviewed information on a future taxi lane project, planning for new taxiway lighting and interest in developing more airport hangars. Blackburn stated that the airport does not generate revenue for the Village and asked the open-ended question, how can it become a better asset?
Tree Commission
Council member Ben Stahl reported that the commission has talked with the family of S. Main St. residents regarding removal of an oak tree in the tree lawn. The commission has concluded that the tree does not need to be removed but that it could be removed at the residents’ expense.
Pathway Board
Stahl reported on stop sign selection for places where new pathways cross streets. He noted that Riley St. is expected to be the next area of pathway development.
LEGISLATION
Rooster ordinance
Council approved the 2nd Reading of an ordinance to add roosters to the Village ordinance regarding prohibited animals, passing by a vote of 4-2. (Chapter 90, Section 02, Part D)
Discussion covered court orders for abatement, establishing probable cause for a court order and the use of a pest control company to remove roosters. Police Chief Ryan Burkholder noted that enforcement would be no different than any major case. Pictures or video and a signed complaint would be required to get a court order for removal of a rooster.
Chestnut Lane zoning
Council passed the 1st reading of an ordinance changing the zoning classification of property where housing is being developed on Chestnut Lane. This legislation was initiated by council in February 2021 and should have been voted on at that time.
Personnel manual
Council unanimously passed the 3rd Reading of a resolution to revise the following sections of the Village personnel manual: Section 3.14 - Resignation and Section 5.02 - Sick Leave Conversion.
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Village Administration
Jesse Blackburn provided the attached report and commented that Orange Twp annexation legislation is on track to occur in spring, that work on Pocono Drive utilities has begun and that excavation work has begun at the Snider Rd. soccer fields
Assistant Village Administrator Bryan Lloyd emphasized that Village Leaf pick up does not begin until oct 28, reminding residents that they need to bag leaves until that date, or take them to the Spring St. dump.
Mayor
Mayor Johnson reported that artist Sarah Phelps has finished her mural of Bluffton Olympian Trevor Bassitt on a Harmon Field building facing College Ave. Bassitt was in town and had his picture taken with Phelps. Johnson noted that Phelps volunteered her time to create the mural.
Fire Department
Fire Chief Jon Kinn reported that a Friends of Bluffton Safety Services committee has been established to promote the November 5 ballot issue to establish an income tax to support EMS, Fire and Police departments. Some 250 lawn signs have been ordered.
Kinn also noted that November 16 is the tentative date for handing garlands in the downtown.
Police Department
Police Chief Ryan Burkholder provided September service reports, which he noted were in line with typical levels of activity. He also reported on martial arts training for officers including basics and new methods, which was provided by Jacomet’s Martial Arts of Bluffton. Burkholder presented two thank you letters received by officers Probst and Rayle.
The Chief noted that he includes the Ohio consumer advocate newsletter in the packet and reminded all to be leery of email scams. He warned that if an email says you owe money or that they’ve got dirt on you, delete the email and let your provider know. Don’t click, don’t scan QR codes.
Burkholder highlighted an October 29 event at the Bluffton Art Company where youth are invited to paint with Bluffton Safety Services.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Bluffton Council is October 28.
