A proposed “amended” sidewalk ordinance passed the first of three readings on Monday by a 3 to 2 vote of Bluffton council members.

Voting for the amendment were Sean Burrell, Roger Warren and Joe Sehlhorst. Voting against the amendment were Judy Augsburger and Everett Collier. Mitch Kingsley was absent during the vote.

The amended ordinance proposes that repair of current sidewalks in the village continue at the expense of the property owner. It also proposes that the village create a fund to pay for the installation of new sidewalks where it deems new sidewalks necessary.

If passed, no property owner will be assessed for new sidewalk construction, however, after one year the property owner will take ownership of the new sidewalk. Once ownership is transferred it becomes the property owner’s responsibility to maintain the sidewalk.

If passed, plan works like this:
1 - The village allocates money each year to go into a “new” sidewalk fund. (This amount will change annually depending upon the village’s budget.)
2 - The village administrator develops a plan for new sidewalk construction during that calendar year based upon the amount of money in the sidewalk fund.
3 - The administrator’s plan goes to the council’s sidewalk committee (two members of council, appointed annually by the mayor).
4 -The sidewalk committee reviews the administrator’s plan and either recommends it to the full council or offers suggestions to change it, and then recommends it to the full council.
5 - Public hearings are scheduled for public input on the plan.
6 – Following the public hearings council votes to accept or deny the plan.

Under this plan, the village’s priority is “connectivity.” Meaning that the village will review streets where sidewalks are already in place, but some are missing. An example given on Monday is a section of East College Avenue where sidewalks on the north side of the road extend from Main to the County Line Road with the exception of three or four properties.

Approximately 25 persons attended Monday’s meeting. Six persons spoke during the time for public input. None of those who spoke have sidewalks on their property.