End of year comments from departments; Equipment replacement; financial wrapping up; council meeting packet

By Andy Chappell-Dick

Bluffton Council met on Tuesday, December 27, for its final meeting of 2022. The agenda was light on reports but heavy on emergency legislation, most presented by Fiscal Officer Kevin Nickel.  Five of six items dealt with year-end procedural accounting matters, and the sixth was renewing the Village's annual retainer contract with Findlay attorney Elliot Werth. All six passed 5-0. Councillor Phil Talavinia was absent.  

COMMITTEES
In the only committee report, Councilor Dave Steiner reported on Finance.  The committee had met to review various budgetary matters, and also put together recommendations for equipment purchases. This includes a new $60,000 F-250 pickup truck for the public works department. Village trucks are on a 15-year cycle, so this vehicle would replace a worn out 2008 model.  Also discussed was a new leaf vacuum machine for $95,000. These recommendations were both were approved 5-0.

ADMINISTRATION
Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn reported that work progressed rapidly in the week before Christmas on the Lawn Avenue waterline replacement.  With the stone quarry closed this week, there won't be much happening on this project until the new year.

Blackburn notified Council that a rural Bluffton couple has filed a petition for an eight-unit apartment conversion of the former True Word Tabernacle church building behind Town Hall (104 E. Elm). Several zoning variances must be considered for such a project to be allowed under the Village's zoning ordinance. The property is currently zoned C-1, which allows multi-family units only with approval as a conditional use. There are also setback and parking requirements which the property cannot meet and must seek variances before proceeding. 

A public meeting was set for 7:00 p.m. on January 10 at Town Hall for the changes to be considered and to solicit public comment.

MAYOR
Mayor Richard Johnson asked Council to consider buying the lot at the corner of Spring and Riley Streets. Earlier this year the present owner was granted zoning permission to convert the existing shed into a residential duplex, which at the time generated public controversy because the property is fully within a flood plain and regulations that govern this are not well defined. In any case, the owner has abandoned the plan and offered to sell to the Village. Blackburn pointed out that it is in the public interest for such lots to be publicly owned, and flood-prone communities such as Findlay and Ottawa have done this methodically.  Furthermore, the shed could be used by the Village for storage of equipment and material. Someone pointed out this might be an ideal place for a dog park.  Council agreed unanimously to purchase the lot for $20,000.    

SAFETY SERVICES

Emergency Medical Services - Chief Jan Basinger reported: Total EMS runs for 2022 have surpassed 800, which is already more than last year's record number.  He pointed out that about half of the runs involved the nursing homes, which may have spiked lately with the closing of Pandora's Hilty Home and the influx of residents to Bluffton. The roster of volunteer EMT's is very low, yet the agency is able to cover nearly all runs without triggering mutual aid.  

Fire Department - Chief Jon Kinn: The department has begun the long process of procuring a new engine.

Police Department - Chief Ryan Burkholder commented that it had been a tough year for the department, after Officer Dominic Francis was killed in the line of duty in March. He thanked Council for their support, and said that things were slowly returning to normal. An important dedication will happen in a few months when Bluffton's stretch of I-75 is named in honor of Officer Francis. 

A letter from Sgt. Tyler Hochstettler was included in the Council packet summarizing the activities of the K9 unit. K9 Kato has been off duty for some of the year as Sgt. Hochstettler was drawn into other duties, went on family leave for a time, and there have been some equipment issues as a new K9 cruiser is outfitted. For the year, Officer Kato performed five vehicle sniffs and one suspect track. No public demonstrations were requested; however, the sergeant says that "K9 Kato always remains ready."

ADJOURNMENT
To close the meeting, Mayor Johnson asked if anyone present had anything to say in looking ahead to 2023. Hearing no response, he turned to the Village attorney.  "Elliot?"  Pause. Some of us leaned in, expectantly.  A faint smile crept across Mr. Werth's face; was it a sign of approbation or just the realization that this was a billable moment?  Finally he spoke:  "Stay out of trouble." Meeting adjourned.

Happy New Year from your Village Council reporter. Support your local news oulet. Thank those who work to keep our town safe and functioning; when they're doing their job well, nobody seems to notice.--ACD