Away With Geese devices installed at Buckeye Park

By Paula Pyzik Scott

CORRECTIONS made regarding Steiner's and Cupples' years of service.

Council member Dave Steiner served at his last official council meeting on November 24, a few weeks ahead of the end of his elected term in office. Council accepted his resignation, which was necessitated by his moving outside the Village limits. Colleague Jerry Cupples commended Steiner for his work on Village finances and specifically the Ottawa water contract, saying, “We couldn’t have done it without him.”

With Council members Jerry Cupples and Mitch Kingsley concluding terms at the end of December, some Council business will be impacted by committee assignment transitions and the need to appoint a Council member in January. In the November 2025 election, there were three candidates for four seats.

At the end of 2025, Cupples will have served a total of 28 years and Kingsley will have served 22.5 years. Steiner will have served a combined 32 years in Bluffton elected office, about 14.5 years on Council and 18 years as Clerk Treasurer.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Matt Gilroy, Director of Strategic Initiatives at  Findlay Hancock Economic Development, introduced himself to the council.

The meeting packet is attached HERE.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Mitch Kingsley reported that the committee met to discuss the ongoing draft of ADU legislation, saying, “We have done what we can. We aren’t fully in agreement on a couple of items and feel that the new council members can take it over from here.” Joe Sehlhorst commented, “we have learned zoning is very involved, very difficult.” He suggested that it may be time to begin working with a consultant on zoning: “Needs and wants have changed and Bluffton needs to be prepared for the future.”

WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP LETTER
Joe Sehlhorst presented a letter about the Watershed Partnership and a grant that will allow Bluffton University to establish a 1-acre prairie with educational signage in an area that typically floods. 

LEGISLATION
Council passed the third and final reading of an ordinance establishing connection fees for water and sanitary sewer services.

Council passed the third and final reading for an ordinance adopting an application for permit to work within road right-of-way. Members noted specific places where work has been done without proper repairs.The permit process will create better accountability.

Council passed the first of three readings for assigning zoning district classifications for annexed properties east of I-75 on State Route 103. Beginning on page 21, the attached packet details five parcels with three designated Commercial, one designated residential and one designated Industrial.

RESOLUTIONS
Council passed the first reading of a resolution establishing temporary appropriations for the first quarter of 2026. The resolution begins on page 23 of the attached packet.

ADMINISTRATION
Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn told Council that December 11 is projected to be the last day of leaf pickup, following one of the longest leaf pickup seasons in memory.

The Village has installed four “Away With Geese” devices in Buckeye Park. With a price tag of $2,600, this Is a pilot study to deter Canada geese from being a nuisance in the park. The devices flash lights at night, preventing the geese from getting a good night’s sleep.

Blackburn reported on two Legacy park grant applications, one with ODNR for $500K for Phase III and a $25K Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District application for part of the shelter house. He commented, there aren’t many areas you want to federalize, because it brings a lot of extra cost.” 

SAFETY SERVICES

FIRE
Chief Jon Kinn reported that new Kenwood radios are now in service for all three department, with some reprogramming needed. He commented that a simplified radio plan is needed for Allen County. He would like to establish one zone for Bluffton and another for the other agencies they work with.

Bluffton’s aging aerial truck has been repaired, with some issues still to be addressed. The department is considering how much to invest in the truck prior to its replacement.

POLICE
Chief Ryan Burkholder reported that Officer Austin Probst is now a certified drone pilot, which would enable the department to host an EMA drone in Bluffton. The department will be meeting with America 250 coordinators to discuss security for 2026 events.

The Chief noted that the holidays are prime time for scams by phone and email: “If it looks too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Lock your doors and vehicles. Don’t leave valuables in your vehicles. Be safe, use designated drivers, and call us if you see anything.”

BLAZE OF LIGHTS
Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce director Jim Enneking thanked the EMS, Fire and Police departments for their help in advance and during the November 29 Blaze of Lights parade and festival. He noted that as of Monday, the forecast for Saturday was two inches of snow.

NEXT MEETING
Council will hold a regular meeting on Monday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m.