By Betsi Werling

The Bluffton Village Council met Monday, May 11 with Mayor Rich Johnson calling the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Reports included downtown safety zone improvements and work on the Community Pool. A second reading of legislation to build outdoor pickleball courts was approved.

PATHWAY BOARD
Council member Ben Stahl reported on the May meeting of the Pathway board, which included discussion about collaborating with Allen County through the  Active Transportation and Safe Routes to School programs. Since most of the village is within two miles of the schools, the entire community fits within program parameters and associated funding.

The board discussed the Downtown Safety Zone and resident concerns about safety on sidewalks.  Using temporary sidewalk decals to encourage scooter and bike riders to slow down in the business district was proposed. A motion to purchase the decals was approved by Council. The decals will go from the Etecera Shop to College Avenue.

There will be a public meeting in September 2026 with the Streets and Alleys Committee and the Pathway Board to gather feedback on the type of pathway project to be created along Riley Street.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION
Bryan Lloyd reported on various projects happening in or around Bluffton. The SR 103 roundabout is currently undergoing concrete and grading work. Supervisors anticipate doing asphalt work in the next two weeks.

The Elm Street project should have asphalt the week of May 11. The Village also heard from Miller Pipeline; they anticipate doing concrete and asphalt patchwork on College Avenue during the next week.

Work is being done at the Community Pool preparation for opening the week after Memorial Day. Some grinding and sealing will be done in areas where paint is flaking. There has been some discussion about having more robust concession stand options, but the pool does not currently have a food license.

Jesse Blackburn reported on plans to replace the Village’s antiquated server. Perry Protech has recommended a hyperconverged server, which would result in fewer system outages and back-ups. The cost is higher than the amount originally budgeted for server replacement. The cost will be approximately $70,424, not to exceed $71,000. The platform's life span is longer than the current equipment and would not add to the annual cost of service. Council approved the contract.

EVENT PERMITS
Council approved three special event permits presented by Mayor Johnson: 

• 4th of July - Food trucks in the area of Cherry St. and the municipal parking lot
• June 19 - Food truck locations for the America 250 Drone Show at Harmon Field
• May 21 - Bluffton High School Baccalaureate Service from 5:00-8:30 p.m. on College Avenue between Jackson and Main streets 

SAFETY SERVICES 

Fire Department
Chief Jon Kinn reported on getting quotes and doing preventative maintenance on equipment that will expire this year. Kinn said the Department is working with a radio programmer to simplify the number of channels being used to notify firefighters.

Police Department
Chief Ryan Burkholder reported that there were 738 police calls for service, 156 police chief calls for service and 29 traffic stops for the month of April. 

EMS Department
An EMS building open house will be held on June 13 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The station is located at 115 E. Washington St.

LEGISLATION 

Resolution No 10-2026 - A 2nd reading was approved of legislation authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Bluffton University for the display of the Bluffton University Name and Logo on the Village East Water Tower. Council member Phil Talavania abstained due to his employment at the university. 

Resolution No 11-2026 A 2nd reading was approved. The measure would authorize the village administrator to submit an application for funding through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Natureworks Grant Program for the construction of a public pickleball complex. It would be a collaboration between Bluffton Family YMCA, Bluffton Village Council and the pickleball community. The agreement is similar to projects such as the dog park, where the Village and volunteers work together.