By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Bluffton Council met on Monday, November 25 with Mayor Richard Johnson presiding. There were no individuals present to speak during the public comments section. The Bluffton Icon and Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce were in attendance.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Streets & Lights
Joe Sehlhorst reported on meeting with Dr. Fan Ye from Ohio Northern University about potential Civil Engineering student capstone project topics in Bluffton. 

Tree Commission
Ben Stahl said that the Tree Commission has agreed to a S. Main St. family removing a tree in the tree lawn in front of their home. The Commission will contribute $250 to the cost, the amount it would have spent treating the three

Ordinance
Mitch Kingsley reported on the November 19 Public Hearing on proposed ADU legislation (minutes attached). He characterized “most feedback cautionary or negative… The main issue was whether the owner needs to live on site.” He said that this provision will be revisited before the committee brings it to council.

Personnel and safety services
Mitch Kingsley reported that hiring a full-time EMS chief will be the first step to changes made possible by the new Safety Services income tax approved by voters in the November general election. He noted that work on the EMS building will require an architect. 

The joint meeting also heard a request from Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder for a residency waiver in anticipation of his retirement and planning to move just outside the village limits. Legal council advised that the residency requirement may be waived by ordinance.

LEGISLATION

The 2nd reading of an ordinance accepting an increased price for bulk water from the Village of Ottawa was approved. In discussion, Stahl noted that “online chatter” suggests a misconception among water customers that their price will go up as well. He noted that Ottawa rates have gone up every year for 6 years, but that customer prices have not gone up during that time. He also noted, “Nobody’s making money on water!”

The 2nd reading of an ordinance for temporary appropriations in 2025 was approved.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn reported that a contract to repair the south water tower fill pipe was approved at the November 18 emergency meeting. He expects the work to be completed in December and for the same repair to be made on the north water tower in the spring.

December 6 is the scheduled end of 2024 leaf pickup. After that date, residents should place leaves in biodegradable bags for pickup. Leaf pickup ends so that the Village can begin prepping trucks for road salt.