On Jan. 25, Bluffton's council okayed a request from its board of zoning appeals to allow the Bluffton Hospital to construction a garage across from the hospital on Garau Street.

On the surface it may not appear to be major action, but it is another step in the hospital's renovation and expansion that should take place this year.

The action was required because the land in question needed to move from residential to commercial zoning. The complete minutes from the hearing on the zoning change request are found in the Bluffton council tab in The Icon.

Mayor Fred Rodabaugh released the list of 2010 council committees. That list is at the bottom of this story. Rodabaugh was absent from the meeting. Eric Fulcomer, council president, presided over the meeting that took about 35 minutes in open session. An executive session to discuss personnel followed the open session. No action was taken following that session.

In other council business Bluffton will again have a mosquito misting program in 2010. Council okayed the purchase of 95 gallons of mist and 400 briquettes for use in catch basins. The approximate cost is $6,175 for the mist and $650 for the briquettes. The action passed, 5-1 with Mitch Kingsley voting no.

Two resolutions accepted bids for various 2010 village projects:

• Authorizing the village to contract with Bluffton Stone Co./Bluffton Paving, Inc., for stone and asphalt material
• Authorizing the village to contract with Don Snyder Excavating Unlimited, J&D Snyder Excavating, LLC, and Hume Supply, Inc., for installation and excavation for water, sewer and storm pipe and similar material.

Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, reported that the Dodge Intrepid that the police department is rotating out of its fleet is scheduled to replace the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria. The '99 Ford is currently used by the assistant village administrator.

Mehaffie reported that the Dodge needs a new transmission, so the village is reviewing its options on repair or replacement of the vehicle.

Council meeting schedule

• Feb. 1 - Utilities committee, 4:30 p.m.
• Feb. 8 - Ordinance committee, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 8 - Safety committee, 7:30 p.m.
• Feb. 8 - Council meeting, 8 p.m.
• Feb. 9 - Water district meeting

2010 council committees
Council members: Dave Steiner, Dick McGarrity, Dennis Gallant, Eric Fulcomer, Mitch Kingsley, Jerry Cupples

Finance
Steiner, McGarrity

Safety/police
Gallant, Fulcomer

Utilities
Cupples, Steiner

Recreation
Kingsley, Cupples

Street, alleys, light
Cupples, Steiner

Personnel
Gallant, Fulcomer

Insurance
Steiner, Gallant

Ordinance
Kingsley, Cupples

Fire and rescue
Gallant, McGarrity

Tree commission
Kingsley

Cultural affairs
McGarrity

Planning commission
Cupples

Allen County Health Board reps
Fulcomer, Fred Rodabaugh

Allen County Regional Planning
Kingsley, Rodabaugh

Economics Development/Uptown Visioning Committee/Airport Commission
McGarrity