Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Bluffton Common Council Meeting: February 17, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, February 17, 2026

BodyBluffton, Indiana

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, February 17, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

Meeting Thumbnail

⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:06

So we're submitting it the 27th.

Unassigned speaker

0:08

But the deadline has been a good question.

Speaker 1

0:09

Okay, it's 5 30 we'll call

Speaker 2

0:11

the speeding of order.

0:12

This is the meeting of the common council for the city of Lufton.

0:16

Councilwoman Reed is not with us, but we do have a quorum.

0:22

It is our tradition at City Council to open our meetings with an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance tonight will be led by Councilman New Witchwan.

Rick Johnson · Speaker 3Inferred

0:36

Heavenly Father, we thank you for helping strength ability to be here tonight.

0:48

We know too that you have all the wisdom that we need.

0:51

We just pray that you would manifest that sensitivity, open our hearts and minds to see that wisdom.

Speaker 2

1:00

Move the flag.

Unassigned speaker

1:31

Well,

Speaker 2

1:31

welcome everybody.

1:32

It's great to see a packed house.

1:34

Thank you all for being here tonight.

1:36

Before we move on to our regular business tonight, I would like to take a few minutes to recognize one of our city employees for actions that remind us what public service is all about.

1:47

On January 19th, during one of our recent snow events, a day when the temperatures were in the single digits, wind chills were in the negative teens with gust up over 30 miles per hour.

2:00

Brad Kelly from our street department was out doing what he and our crews do best clearing roads and keeping Bluffton moving.

Unassigned speaker

2:09

In

Speaker 2

2:09

the middle of that work, he noticed something unusual.

2:12

A garage door open and what appeared to be someone lying on the floor.

2:18

He could have assumed someone else would handle

Unassigned speaker

2:20

it.

Speaker 2

2:21

He could have kept going.

2:23

Instead, he stopped.

Unassigned speaker

2:25

When

Speaker 2

2:26

he went to check, he found an elderly resident who had fallen, suffered a head injury, and was unable to move.

2:33

Brad immediately called 911 and stayed with her until emergency responders arrived.

2:41

What stands out to me most of all is Brad did not seek recognition.

Unassigned speaker

2:47

He

Speaker 2

2:48

mentioned it later in the safety meeting simply as a reminder to co-workers to stay aware of his surroundings.

2:55

That tells you everything you need to know about his character.

2:58

Tonight we recognize Brad not for just what he did, but how he did

Unassigned speaker

3:03

it.

Speaker 2

3:03

Attentively, decisively and with compassion.

3:08

Brad, thank you very much for representing the very best of Lufton.

3:13

Please come forward.

Unassigned speaker

3:26

Okay,

Speaker 2

3:27

now you get to stand here and be embarrassed.

3:28

You ready?

3:32

Okay, so this is an official proclamation.

3:34

Whereas on January 19th, 2026, at approximately 2 p.m.

3:39

while performing his duties ploughing snow for the city of Lufton, Brad Kelly demonstrated extraordinary attentiveness and compassion.

3:47

And whereas, while operating his snowplow, Mr.

3:50

Kelly observed the garage door open and noticed what appeared to be a woman lying on the floor, attempting to wave or raise her arm for assistance.

3:58

And whereas, upon approaching the residents, Mr.

4:01

Kelly discovered an elderly woman lying on the garage floor, unable to move, and suffering from a head injury, who had been attempting to summon help, and whereas Mr.

4:11

Kelly promptly called 911 to request emergency assistance and remained with the injured woman, offering comfort and reassurance until emergency personnel arrived to provide necessary medical care.

4:23

And whereas the swift actions, presence of mind, and compassion demonstrate why Mr.

4:29

Kelly's reflects the highest standards of public service and embody the spirit of dedication and care that defines our employees of the sit the city of Lufton.

4:39

And whereas the Bluffton police chief recognized this act as one that clearly exemplifies service beyond and above the call of duty.

Unassigned speaker

4:48

Now, therefore, I, Scott Mencer, mayor of the city of Lufton, Indiana, do hereby commend and recognize Brad Kelly for his outstanding actions, selfishness, and commitment to the safety and well being of our community, and I extend the sincere gratitude and appreciation of the City of Lufton for his exact exemplary service.

Speaker 2

5:10

A witness there are, I have hereunto set upon my hand on the 17th day of February 26th.

5:18

Congratulations, Brad.

5:19

We put the ones.

5:40

So as mayor, uh, I have started what's called the mayor's challenge coordination.

5:46

We have given one of these challenge coins out so far.

5:49

This will be the second one that we do.

5:51

This coin is presented to a city employee who does something above and beyond what is outside his normal scope of duty, and this certainly qualifies.

6:01

So, Brad, with that, I present you the official Lufton Challenge

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Affordable Housing█████████████████████████████████████████████67%

Procedural█████████████████25%

Homelessness██3%

Community Engagement██3%

Mental Health Awareness█2%

Summary of Proceedings

Bluffton Common Council Meeting: February 17, 2026

The Bluffton Common Council convened on Monday, February 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The meeting included a recognition of a city employee for exceptional public service, a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for owner-occupied home rehabilitation, the approval of compliance filings, and a resolution formalizing the local match for the grant. The meeting was adjourned at 6:11 PM.

Consent Calendar

Approval of CF1s: Eric presented five CF1 (continuing compliance) filings. Following a review noting the accuracy of the paperwork, the council voted unanimously to approve all five filings in a single motion.

Public Comments & Testimony (OCRA Grant Public Hearing)

The public hearing on the city's application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) for a $350,000 CDBG grant dominated the meeting. The grant would provide up to $25,000 per home for critical repairs (roofs, HVAC, ADA modifications) to 14-18 owner-occupied homes. The city contributed a 27.71% local match ($97,000) from the city's Rainy Day Fund, Wells County Foundation, Lancaster Township, and Harrison Township.

Julie Meitzler (Assistant Superintendent, Bluffton-Harrison MSD): Expressed support, noting that housing instability directly harms student attendance, academic performance, and elevates stress levels.
Roger Thornton (Resident): Expressed support, emphasizing the program's role in retaining housing and allowing long-term residents to remain in the community.
Rick Johnson (Wells Area Director, Habitat for Humanity): Expressed full support for the program, stating Habitat for Humanity aims to partner with the city on this rehabilitation initiative.
Tammy Shaker (Resident): Expressed support, sharing anecdotes of a neighbor's home becoming a blighted property for lack of a roof repair and an elderly relative likely needing future assistance.
Isaac Stoller (Local Realtor): Expressed strong support, stating the grant helps seniors age in place, protects property values, and strengthens neighborhoods.
Unnamed Resident: Shared a deeply personal story about his family's struggle with poverty and the loss of his mother's home, stating the grant would have been life-altering for her and voicing strong support for the program.
Father David Peoli (Priest, St. Joseph's Catholic Church): Expressed support, stating the grant would be a valuable tool to supplement the outreach already being done by local churches and nonprofits.
David Riggie (Lancaster Township Trustee): Expressed support, sharing the story of a resident whose furnace failed, leading to broken pipes and a family displaced from their home, and encouraged the public to write letters of support.

Discussion Items

Recognition of Brad Kelly: The Mayor presented a formal proclamation and the "Mayor's Challenge Coin" (the second awarded) to Brad Kelly of the Street Department. On January 19, 2026, during a severe snow event, Mr. Kelly noticed an open garage door and an elderly woman who had fallen and suffered a head injury. He stopped his snowplow to check on her, called 911, and stayed with her until help arrived. The Mayor commended Mr. Kelly for his attentiveness, decisiveness, and compassion.
OCRA Grant Application Process: Grant administrator Dave G from Region 3A detailed the scoring criteria for the grant, including the 68.81 community distress score for Bluffton, the 27 points earned from the local match, and the 450-point minimum threshold on the 700-point scale. The application deadline is March 1, 2026, with awards expected in late spring.
Resolution 2026-03 (Match Resolution): The council discussed and unanimously passed Resolution 2026-03, which formalizes the $97,000 local match for the OCRA grant application.
Tabling of Agenda Item: The council voted to table the final item on the agenda to the next council meeting to allow for two edits to be made to the resolution.

Key Outcomes

Brad Kelly Recognized: Street department employee Brad Kelly was officially recognized and awarded the Mayoral Challenge Coin for his heroic actions.
Five CF1s Approved: The council unanimously approved five continuing compliance filings.
Resolution 2026-03 Adopted: The council passed the local match resolution for the OCRA grant application, committing $97,000 in matching funds ($40,000 from the city's Rainy Day fund, $25,000 from the Wells County Foundation, $12,000 from Lancaster Township, and $20,000 from Harrison Township).
Item Tabled: The final agenda item was tabled for amendments to the next council meeting.
Adjournment: The council adjourned at 6:11 PM.

Meeting Transcript

So we're submitting it the 27th. But the deadline has been a good question. Okay, it's 5 30 we'll call the speeding of order. This is the meeting of the common council for the city of Lufton. Councilwoman Reed is not with us, but we do have a quorum. It is our tradition at City Council to open our meetings with an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance tonight will be led by Councilman New Witchwan. Heavenly Father, we thank you for helping strength ability to be here tonight. We know too that you have all the wisdom that we need. We just pray that you would manifest that sensitivity, open our hearts and minds to see that wisdom. Move the flag. Well, welcome everybody. It's great to see a packed house. Thank you all for being here tonight. Before we move on to our regular business tonight, I would like to take a few minutes to recognize one of our city employees for actions that remind us what public service is all about. On January 19th, during one of our recent snow events, a day when the temperatures were in the single digits, wind chills were in the negative teens with gust up over 30 miles per hour. Brad Kelly from our street department was out doing what he and our crews do best clearing roads and keeping Bluffton moving. In the middle of that work, he noticed something unusual. A garage door open and what appeared to be someone lying on the floor. He could have assumed someone else would handle it. He could have kept going. Instead, he stopped. When he went to check, he found an elderly resident who had fallen, suffered a head injury, and was unable to move. Brad immediately called 911 and stayed with her until emergency responders arrived. What stands out to me most of all is Brad did not seek recognition. He mentioned it later in the safety meeting simply as a reminder to co-workers to stay aware of his surroundings. That tells you everything you need to know about his character. Tonight we recognize Brad not for just what he did, but how he did it. Attentively, decisively and with compassion. Brad, thank you very much for representing the very best of Lufton. Please come forward. Okay, now you get to stand here and be embarrassed. You ready? Okay, so this is an official proclamation. Whereas on January 19th, 2026, at approximately 2 p.m. while performing his duties ploughing snow for the city of Lufton, Brad Kelly demonstrated extraordinary attentiveness and compassion. And whereas, while operating his snowplow, Mr. Kelly observed the garage door open and noticed what appeared to be a woman lying on the floor, attempting to wave or raise her arm for assistance. And whereas, upon approaching the residents, Mr. Kelly discovered an elderly woman lying on the garage floor, unable to move, and suffering from a head injury, who had been attempting to summon help, and whereas Mr. Kelly promptly called 911 to request emergency assistance and remained with the injured woman, offering comfort and reassurance until emergency personnel arrived to provide necessary medical care. And whereas the swift actions, presence of mind, and compassion demonstrate why Mr. Kelly's reflects the highest standards of public service and embody the spirit of dedication and care that defines our employees of the sit the city of Lufton.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com