By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Bluffton Council tackled several infrastructure issues at its April 14 regular meeting. Resident assessment for Elm St. curb replacements, pedestrian accommodations on Riley St. and urgent municipal pool repairs featured in reports and discussions at the meeting. (Meeting packet is attached HERE.)

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Pathway Board - Council member Ben Stahl reported that a letter will be sent to Riley St. residents about a  topographical survey for pathway planning. A fall 2024 forum showed that pedestrian accommodations on Riley St are top interest among residents. Options include sidewalk, pathway and “sharrow” lane marking. Stahl noted that marking utilities can give the false  impression that construction is about to start. He emphasized that the project is just surveying the area.

Ordinance Committee - Council member Joe Sehlhorst reported on continuing work on proposed Accessory Dwelling Legislation. The committee is currently exploring the possibility of ADUs being granted through permits or licenses and are working with Village legal counsel for feedback.

Streets & Alleys - Council member Joe Sehlhorst reported on the March 25 public hearing regarding a Bluffton Exempted Village Schools request to close a portion of Vine Street in order to create an artificial turf practice field. The district has purchased two properties on Lawn Ave. Sehlhorst said the committee has advanced the application to the proposal phase. He noted that pedestrian access, storm drainage, school traffic congestion and nuisance traffic on an unimproved alleyway were issues to be addressed. He advised an audience member to send comments to both the Village and the School District.

The committee is planning curb replacement on Elm St. Because of the large number of sections needing repair, the Village is considering assessing property owners for both tear out and construction at 50%. A letter will be sent to those impacted by the project.

Tree Commission - Council member Ben Stahl announced an Arbor Day celebration to take place on April 26 at 11:00 a.m. Boy Scout Asa Clingerman will install a memorial bench for his father Forrest at the Village Arboretum, facing the Village Dog Park, which is currently under construction. Two species of hickory trees will also be planted. 

Recent gas line work on Main St. caused two large street trees to be removed. The committee will pursue compensation for their loss. Discussion later in the meeting also addressed the need to monitor other trees for resulting damage to roots, with two years allowed for compensation .

LEGISLATION

Spring Street parking ordinance
Council passed the 3rd and final reading of an ordinance to restrict parking on Spring St. from 3 a.m.-5 a.m. and providing permits for residents.

Appropriations amendment to cover Village pool repairs
Council approved the first reading by emergency of an amendment to the annual appropriation ordinance. Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn reviewed two major and urgent repairs needed at the Village Pool at 205 Snider Rd. that will require an additional allocation of $35K.

Water loss was discovered in the glued fittings for the mushroom waterfall. The cost of supply and return line repair is $29K.

It has also been determined that it is time to recondition and paint the pool floor, which was last done in 2015. The pool facility is over 30 years old. The cost of this project is $69K.

These projects, which can be completed in time for the 2025 season, will leave $28K in the Pool Improvement Fund.

Advertisement for public bid on improvements at SR 103 & Navajo Dr.
Council passed the 2nd reading of this resolution by emergency.

Fund transfers 
Council approved a resolution by emergency making certain transfers between funds. The amount totalled $1.147M. This does not include sewer fund transfers.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

In reference to Ohio Issue 2, which will appear on the May 6 ballot, Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn presented a list of 15 projects made possible by the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) State Capital Improvement Program. He emphasized that the program does not affect your tax rate; bonds fund these projects.

Blackburn presented an Allen County Public Health report on visits for food service, plumbing, sewage, buildings and places, pools and spas, rabies control, and water. A total of 109 inspections were made in 2024.

Community cleanup dumpsters will be available for resident use only at the Spring St. brush dump on the Tues-Thurs after Memorial Day, May 27-29.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.