By Andy Chappell-Dick

• Agreement for full-time police officer in Bluffton Schools
• Appropriation of easements on SR-103
• Oct. 19 public forum for strategic planning

With summer's end, the agenda facing Village Council has returned to its normal size. At the Monday, September 12 regular meeting at Bluffton Town Hall, there were six pieces of legislation to consider, five of which were in emergency "hurry up" mode. One prompted a lengthy executive session. Even though all six passed unanimously with little discussion, the meeting lasted nearly
two hours.

SCHOOLS RESOURCE OFFICER
The first resolution finalized the placement of a full-time Bluffton Police Department officer in the village schools. Council voted unanimously to authorize a contract spelled out in detail in a Memorandum of Understanding, which the Village and the School Board had negotiated over the summer.

Five goals are identified in the MOU:

• ensure a safe learning environment;
• prevent and reduce harm of potential violence;
• foster respect;
• create partnerships with behavioral health resources;
• and provide instructional programs

Passage of this bill as an emergency would mean the program could be started immediately. 

Prior to the vote, Councilman Mitch Kingsley read a "Comment in Concurrence." 

Stating that while he intended to vote in favor of the resolution and values the strong collaborative work in our community, he lamented that the same urgency of collaboration and resources can't also be applied to metal health resources. His statement is available HERE. The resolution passed unanimously without additional discussion.

CERTIFICATION OF PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION
The second bill was a procedural matter involving how property taxes are collected for the Village by the county auditor.  It's an annual certification.

SR-103 EASEMENTS
The regular session ground to a halt with the third resolution. The text of the bill stated that the Village would "appropriate" three separate easements on the edge of the Lugibihl property along State Route 103.  Readers are reminded that next spring marks the continuation of a construction project that is transforming the highway leading from the Village downtown to the interstate businesses. It's part of the long running and popular "Pathway Project."  This portion for now includes a bike path and lighting on the south side of SR 103, heading east from the County Line Road intersection. 

Both temporary and permanent easements have been negotiated with property owners. That the Village finds it necessary to "appropriate" easements along the Lugibihl Truck Sales property indicates there is some legal wrangling underway.  Therefore, Council immediately entered an Executive Session to talk through
the details. When they emerged 45 minutes later, the resolution was passed unanimously with no discussion.

OTHER RESOLUTIONS
The remaining three resolutions were routine, dealing with applications to obtain grant funding for street projects.  It is noteworthy that our Village government is very proactive in seeking any and all assistance that is available to help with infrastructure improvements. Substantial grants and low-interest financing don't
come knocking; it falls to Administrator Jesse Blackburn to identify these opportunities and position the Village to receive them.

PATHWAY UTILITY WORK
Council member Ben Stahl reported for the Bike and Pedestrian Pathway Board.  Work along County Line Road begins in November with AEP installing poles, followed by Don Snyder constructing the new paved pathway in the spring. The work along SR 103, discussed above, begins in May.  It will include a pedestrian crossing with flashing lights near the Wendy's restaurant.

In his report, the Administrator Blackburn highlighted the utility work beginning soon along the bike path and railway to the east of Cobb Lake.  AEP will be installing a line of poles along there, and so the bike path and boat ramp will face closures.

PUBLIC FORUM FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING
Blackburn also pointed to an upcoming public meeting called by the "Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow" Steering Committee.  Its scheduled for 3:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19 at Bluffton Middle School and will include refreshements. Residents and university students will be asked to provide additional input and ideas for the creation of a Comprehensive Plan. The earlier online survey was well received, drawing some 600 responses. The committee is looking for followup on the issues raised in the survey.

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Bluffton council is Monday, September 26. Meetings are held on the third floor of Bluffton Town Hall, 154 N. Main St.