The Bluffton Village Council held a Regular Meeting on the 3rd floor of Bluffton Town Hall on Monday, November 8, covering the following business. (See attached packet for more details.) 

Council Reports

Finance (Dave Steiner, Phil Talavinia) reported they are requesting more detailed numbers before making decisions on upcoming appropriations.

Utilities (Jerry Cupples, David Steiner) reported they approved the Village Administrator's summary of prioritized projects and discussed upcoming waterline work.

Streets, Lights, Alleys and Sidewalks (Jerry Cupples, Joseph Sehlhorst) had a longer report. Crack sealing in Village parking lots was successfully completed. For 2022, street repair is anticipated for Richland Drive, Hunters Run and College Ave. The group also discussed longer term capital improvements outlined in a ten-year plan.  Aside from regular maintenance, major work is not anticipated until 2023, which will focus on W. Elm St. and North Main St.

Parks and Recreation (Mitch Kingsley, Ben Stahl) reported that 2022 improvements are in the works for the parking areas at the Village Park, plus upgrades for ADA accessibility. The disc golf course will be overseen in partnership with the new Bluffton Disc Golf Association, but membership is not required to use the course.

Council Resolutions

The second reading of a grant agreement with Johnny Appleseed Parks was passed.

The first reading of a resolution concerning purchase of bulk water from Ottawa also was passed. Administrator Jesse Blackburn indicated that the cost to buy Ottawa water is increasing due to capital improvements at their plant, but he lauded Councilman Dave Steiner for his ongoing efforts in maintaining an effective relationship with Ottawa officials.

Department Reports

Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn and Assistant Bryan Lloyd returned to water billing, recommending that the billing cycle start on the first of the month, rather than the 15th. This is simpler for all involved, and will be confusing only for the cycle in which the transition occurs. No date was set for this change.

The administrators also highlighted changes to sump pump requirements for residents, particularly those who find it necessary to discharge their sump pumps towards a street. In these cases, a building permit is required to make a curb cut.

Autumn is coming late this year; residents are assured that leaf collection will continue as long as possible.

In Emergency Services reports, Fire Chief Jon Kinn stated that all trucks had passed their annual inspections. EMS Chief Jan Basinger told Council that although department membership is at an all-time low, this year is on track to have more total calls than any prior year. Police Chief Ryan Burkholder presented a summary of police activity, which is at normal levels.