Council approves creation of village building department

A third and final reading of two ordinances establishing a village building department and authorizing a request to the Ohio Board of Building Standards to certify the village for the enforcement of Ohio Building Codes was approved by Bluffton town council at Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Also, two additional ordinances were given a first reading. The first ordinance proposes that the village adopt a solid waste management plan. Council voted to approve the ordinance as an emergency measure. A second ordinance proposes that the village grant a franchise to Ohio Power Company as the provider of electric energy. Council also voted to approve the ordinance as an emergency measure as the village’s current franchise expired in April and, according to mayor Fred Rodabaugh, the village has work for them to do.

Separately, village administrator Jamie Mehaffie reported that the bid opening for the South Main/North Dixie Highway projects has been postponed until Thursday, July 22 at 11 a.m.

Mehaffie also reported on the request from Bluffton Hospital to temporarily allow short-term use of Garau Street for loading and unloading. Council voted to allow the request for the period of time until completion of the project. The hospital’s main entrance will be used for deliveries.

Council discussed creation of a stand-alone water conservancy district. Allen County is currently part of the Maumee Conservancy District, which encompasses 15 counties. The proposed stand-alone conservancy district would only include 6 counties. The benefit of the stand-alone district is that it would allow more local influence and local control.