By Paula Pyzik Scott

The November 12 meeting of the Bluffton Council included numerous committee reports and seven items of legislation, all of which were approved unanimously. Meeting packet contents are listed and attached below. The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and Bluffton Icon were in attendance.

Reports included an update on development of a new village park including a soccer complex on the north side of Snider Rd. near Main St. Legislation included approval of a new water rate of $3.54 per CFF from the Village of Ottawa to begin January 1. ▶︎

PARKS AND RECREATION
Committee member Ben Stahl reported that progress on soccer fields at the new Snider Rd. park is a little ahead of schedule, causing some costs to come early. Stahl noted that postponing the stone work would create more costs due to the impact of weather on the area.

Prior to the 7:00 p.m. council meeting, the Parks and Recreation committee met with representatives from the Bluffton Lions Club and the Bluffton Soccer Club to discuss fundraising and planning for an all-abilities playground and naming of the park.

Stahl noted that the committee is starting to talk about Community Pool rates and wages in connection with the increase in Ohio’s minimum wage in January 2025 (it will be $10.70 for non-tipped employees).

UTILITIES
Committee member Dave Steiner noted that the EPA has put a push on replacing galvanized steel service lines to houses.

FINANCE
Committee member Dave Steiner reported that an additional $105K is needed to pay for the Snider Rd. park construction work that is ahead of schedule. Village administrator Jess Blackburn reviewed the three phases of development beginning with getting grass growing on the soccer fields and ending with the creation of walking paths and a playground. He reported that the Village’s total investment in 2024 would be $313K. He noted that other groups (including Bluffton Soccer Club and Bluffton Lions Club) will be providing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

ADMINISTRATION
Blackburn reported that inspection of residential sanitary compliance has reached 88.3% and that a recent rain event showed that positive changes are being made. The inspection summary showed 1,321 compliant residences, 35 non-compliant residences and 179 not inspected.

Blackburn introduced an Enbridge gas main installation project to take place near Kibler and Main, and the alley behind, which will involve boring 3.5 feet deep and may involve quite a bit of paving work. A January start date is estimated.

Assistant Village Administrator Bryan Lloyd reported on the new leaf pickup machine which is speeding up the process. All residential areas will be visited twice a week with rounds starting on Mondays and Thursdays, weather permitting. Lloyd notes that the equipment is larger, making it especially important for residents to avoid parking near leaf piles.

FISCAL OFFICER
Kevin Nickel recommended and council approved continued funding of $5K/year each for the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs. This funding is based on Village income from Ohio lodging (hotel and motel) taxes.

MAYOR
Mayor Rich Johnson presented and council approved a special event permit to provide a decorative and protective structure where Santa can visit with families in the alley between 111 and 113 N. Main St. The structure will be in place from November 20-January 5.

SAFETY SERVICES
Fire Chief John Kinn advised the council that downtown garlands will be installed beginning at 8 a.m. on November 16. He thanked all present for their support of the Safety Services income tax that passed in the general election. He noted that 73% of voters said yes to the new tax.

All council members were present for this meeting: Jerry Cupples, Mitch Kingsley, Joe Sehlhorst, Ben Stahl, David Steiner, Phill Talavinia.

PACKET PAGES
1-2 Agenda
3 Minutes of October 28, 2024 regular meeting
4-5 Voucher report
6 Parks & Recreation meeting minutes of Nov 6, 2024
7 Parks & Recreation meeting minutes of Nov 7, 2024
8 Utilities Committee meeting minutes of Nov 8, 2024
9 Finance Committee meeting minutes of Nov 8, 2024
10 Ordinance No. 09-2024 Zoning change for a Sunset Dr. property
11 Ordinance No. 10-2024 Annexation of territory from Orange Township
12-14 Exhibit A of annexation parcel
15 Ordinance No. 11-2024 Amendment to annual appropriations, $105K for park land and buildings
16 Resolution 27-2024 To accept rate of $3.54/CCF charged for bulk water by the Village of Ottawa
17 Resolution 28-2024 To enter an agreement with Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District for the purpose of applying for a grant
18 Resolution 29-2024 Transfer from the General Fund to Park Fund
19-25 Resolution 30-2024 Temporary Appropriations for 2025
26-28 Administration Report
29 Application for Special Event Permit by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce