By Andy Chappell-Dick

The June 26 meeting of the Bluffton Council followed on the heels of two public information meetings about the Village's new natural gas aggregation status. Several Councilors and Administrators participated and Councilor Ben Stahl had a pithy endorsement for joining the aggregation managed by Palmer Energy:  "I work full time. Their market analyst works full time trying to beat the utility's rate, I don't think I have time to do better than him."

The meeting packet is available HERE.

With Mayor Rich Johnson absent, Council President Jerry Cupples ran the council meeting. He called Shaunna Basinger of Lima/Allen County Regional Planning Commission to the podium to give a presentation of their Long-Range Transportation Plan. This is an ongoing planning document that covers roads, bridges, and other transportation assets in such a way that we're positioned for federal funding. On a sober note, she pointed out that while Bluffton is planning for steady growth through 2050, Allen County as a whole is projected to decline in population by a double digit percentage. Another projection is that truck traffic on roads in the county will continue to increase. The Commission has scheduled a 10:00-11:45 a.m. July 18 open house at the RTA Administration Building at 200 E. High St. in Lima. to solicit input from the public.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Jerry Cupples reported that the Insurance Committee had finalized new insurance coverage and needed Council's approval to pay the premium. For Utilities, Councilor Dave Steiner reported that the committee wants to update sewer and water tap fees for new customers, particularly when sprinkler systems are being added.

LEGISLATION
Three pieces of legislation were approved: the final reading of the gas aggregation resolution; the final reading of the solid waste district declaration; and the first reading of the ordinance that governs the trash and recycling contract for the next two years. Rates for unlimited trash and recycling collection will be $22.07 per month per residence starting next May, then $22.95 the next year.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
In his Administrator's report, Jesse Blackburn still had no start dates for the remaining five street construction projects slated for this year.  

Several projects already completed came in slightly under budget, which Blackburn attributed to Assistant Administrator Bryan Lloyd and his colleagues that oversee the day-to-day work out on the street. Their common sense approach, he said, along with cooperative local contractors, means that decisions can be made in the field that reduce costs without compromising quality.

Emergency Services chiefs had nothing of note, so the meeting was triumphantly adjourned by Mr. Cupples in under 30 minutes.