Bluffton council split its Monday meeting in half.

Council met in open session 39 minutes and coincidentally 39 minutes in closed session.

Two executive sessions took place Monday. They were split with 16 minutes taking place midway between the open session for “personnel job descriptions” as described by Mayor Judy Augsburger.

No action followed the first executive session and no explanation on the discussion was given as council reentered open session.

Then, at 8:55 p.m. council closed the door to the public again, meeting to discuss “contracts.” That session lasted 16 minutes with no action taken.

Council members Ralph Miller and Sean Burrell were absent Monday. Steven Chamberlain, village solicitor, explained the Bluffton University annexation request during open session.

In an Oct. 3 special meeting, council passed a resolution providing a green light for annexation of 25.88 acres of university property into the village. 

Chamberlain said that the annexation procedure could take 60 days. It involves approvals from the Richland Township trustees and Allen County commissioners.

The annexation will enable Bluffton University to construct a building on its nature preserve using village water and sewer.

In other council action Monday the street committee set a public hearing for 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 3. It is for the purpose of vacating an alley between Lawn Avenue and Vine Street on property owned by the Bluffton schools.

Jack Huber, village administrator, announced that fire hydrants will be flushed next week. He said leaf pick up would take place after the first hard frost.