Diamond Sports request additional field, may neighbors paint pickleball courts on the street?

By Betsi Werling

Mayor Rich Johnson conducted the June 22 Village of Bluffton council meeting, which had no legislation on the agenda. There were wide-ranging discussions including recreation, residential and business property developments, and public event permits.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Diamond sports at Village Park
Council member Ben Stahl reported on the June 10 committee meeting with Nathan Davis from Bluffton Diamond Sports. Discussion centered on adding an additional diamond and a walkway to Field 3. Bluffton Diamond Sports reported that participation has continued to rise. An engineering proposal may be needed for the additional field and walkway. 

Pool concessions
Pool staff has asked the Village to take over concessions during swim meets, a change that cannot be implemented this season. There is no food license to offer anything beyond a pre-packaged snack. 

Legacy Park shelter house
Council member Tom Downey reported on the June 16 Parks and Recreation committee meeting with the Bluffton Soccer Club to discuss building a shelter. Initially, the plan was to do the underground work and the cement pad, but the Village needs to avoid undermining the prevailing wage process. Therefore, the committee would like to do the whole project and possibly scale back some of the work. Jesse will reach out for bids on this project and the Soccer Club seek material donations to decrease the overall cost of the shelterhouse. 

PLANNING COMMISSION 

Utilities request on Tom Fett Rd.
Tom Downey reported on the June 10 Planning Commission meeting which included a request from Eli Hoffer to build on a 4-acre property along Tom Fett Rd. The applicant was open to options including using Village water and sewer, unannexing the property and putting in well and septic system or running utilities directly to the property. 

Concerns voiced included that some properties in the area could be forced to be part of annexation and paying associated costs. If services were run directly to the property, it could impact undeveloped land in the future. After discussion, council tabled the request. On June 17 the Planning Commission denied the request.

Request to add dwelling to Chestnut Lane
During the June 10 committee meeting, Bob Fett requested permission to add a single-dwelling lot at the end of the cul-de-sac in Chestnut Lane; members of the Planning Commission approved this request. 

STREETS, LIGHTS & SIDEWALKS
Council member Joe Sehlhorst reported on the June 11 meeting of the Streets, Lights & Sidewalks Committee, including Pathway Board members. The complete policy for streets and sidewalks was shared, and sidewalk connectivity was discussed. 

The Pathway Board would like to hold a public meeting to gather input on connecting Bentley Rd. pathway to Buckeye Park along Riley St. 

Painted pickleball court on subdivision street
The committee discussed a painted pickleball court on Richland Dr. Village administrator Jesse Blackburn will talk with the Home Owners Association about the court.

FINANCE COMMITTEE 
Phil Talavania reported on the June 18 Finance Committee meeting, which included discussion on the annual budget to be submitted to Allen County. During the next Village Kevin NIckel shared that the County uses this budget to allocate funding. A public hearing on the budget will occur during the next scheduled Village meeting, at 7:00 p.m. on July 13.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR REPORT 
Assistant Village Administrator Bryan Lloyd reported that Phase 2 construction and detour has started at the SR 103 Roundabout. Crews plan to pave this coming Saturday.

The Grove Road Bridge Project is waiting on some environmental work. There is a main gas line that needs to be re-routed. The project is expected to take about 6 months. 

East Water Tower Painting will begin about July 4. 

Council approved selling the following surplus items on GovDeals.com: an International Dump Truck and two Ford Explorers.

VILLAGE HARDWARE PERMIT REQUEST
The Board of Zoning & Building Appeals will be considering a building permit request from Family Hardware (Do It Best) to construct a showroom at the front of the building at 111 Cherry St. This meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 29 at 5:30 p.m.

MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Johnson presented a request from the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a Food Truck Festival on July 16 from 4- 8:00 p.m. Council requested additional details.

Johnson also reported on an F3 10-Mile Ruck. The goal for the event is to have 25 runners complete 10 miles in celebration of America turning 250. 

SAFETY SERVICES 

Fire Chief Jon Kinn reported that Bluffton participated in the NOVFA Firefighter’s Convention was held in Ottawa on June 20.

EMS Chief Noah Babcock said the June 13 Open House was a success and that two additional paramedics are now state certified.