By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Bluffton Council met in regular session on May 26 with Mayor Rich Johnson presiding and all council members present. Two individuals joined the Icon in the audience. Council had a full slate of items to discuss and legislation to vote on. Pool opening (hopefully May 31), street and sidewalk safety, paving projects and funding for the Bluffton Airport were among the issues covered.

The meeting packet is here.

STREETS & ALLEYS COMMITTEE

Curb improvements in Swiss Country Estates
The 2026 Village paving project will address failing curbs the Swiss Country Estates subdivision by putting asphalt over part of the curbs. Sehlhorts noted that the village doesn’t have a policy for who is responsible for curb replacement costs. He said the committee needs to be focused on creating a policy.

Vine Street to stay open
Vine Street will not close on weekends this summer, following the advise of the Bluffton in Bloom committee. Choice One Engineering is working on designs that would introduce angle parking and “parklets,” which provide enclosed seating or other uses for parking lanes. 

Search for speed limit reduction
The Village is exploring opportunities to reduce the speed limit along State Route 103 west of I-75 to 35 MPH. An initial request to the Ohio Department of Transportation determined that it may be reduced to 40 MPH. 

N. Main St. improvement options
In a report from the Streets & Alleys committee, council member Joe Sehlhorst provided information on a N. Main St. design proposal to coincide with 2027 replacement of bridges. The design includes improved road and driveway entries and marked on-street parking.

Downtown sidewalk safety zone
Council approved a resolution to recognize a formal safety zone with locations for decal placement. The primary concern discussed was motorized scooters.

More speed beacons
The Village will purchase two additional speed beacons, which notify drivers if they are exceeding the speed limit. There are currently four beacons that are moved from place to place. Council member Ben Hill asked Police Chief Ryan Burkholder to see if the beacons can collect data. 

LEGISLATION

Application for Pickleball Complex funding
Council passed a 3rd Readings an application to the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources for partial funding of a pickleball complex. Discussion on the pickleball court project revolved around the rough estimate of $200K with the Village to provide $50K. Ben Hill said, “It’s hard to vote on this with so many unknowns” and abstained from the vote.  

Bluffton Airport applications for funding
Council approved several applications for ODOT grants, including a weather station, a new fuel system, rehabilitation of apron pavement and the replacement of hangar doors.

Pool will open May 31, pending repairs
Final operational testing at the Bluffton Community Pool revealed three cracked 8” supply lines near the sand filters. Global Electric is working on honing out the fitting with the correct tolerances.

Blackburn said that it’s time to start requests for proposals to replace the aging pool with a 5-7 year timeline. He noted that the pool is full and not leaking. 

Mosquito spraying to begin
The Village will begin its summer mosquito spraying on Wednesday nights.

SPECIAL EVENT REQUESTS

Two July 19 events
Council approved special event requests for two events on June 19. The America 250 Drone Show at Harmon Field will include the closure of Collage Ave. from the bridge to Railroad St. The Bluffton Festival of Wheels will close Main St. and adjacent blocks beginning at 2:00 p.m.

SAFETY SERVICES

EMS Open House
EMS Chief Noah Babock provided a reminder that the EMS Open House on June 13 will run from noon to 3:00 p.m.

Intern to work with BPD
Council approved the application of Ethan Luginbill to work with the Bluffton Police Department as an intern. He will work 240 hours, half of what he needs to graduate.

Roth car seat ID tags
Chief Burkholder announced that he is ordering 100 Roth ID tags, which provide emergency contact information for occupants of car and booster seats. The tags can be converted to wrist IDs in the event of an auto accident.

NEXT MEETING

Bluffton Council will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8.