City Council meeting

The regular monthly meeting of the Nixa City Council was called to order by Mayor Brian Steele. Attending were Council Members Shawn Lucas, Justin Orf, Jarad Giddens, Aron Peterson, Darlene Graham, and Amy Hoogstraet. The pledge of allegiance was given.

Mayor Steele called for a motion on the Consent Agenda. Giddens made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented, items a through b, with Orf seconding and Orf, Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, and Lucas voting aye on roll call vote.

Mayor Steele recognized Jenni Gerhauser for her 15 years of service to the City. Jennifer Evans, Finance Director, stated that Jenni is an internal auditor for the City, which means she helps to reconcile the bank accounts. Evans also stated that Jenni orders supplies for the City and is happy she is a part of City staff.

Jeff Belcher, 203 S Ellen, questioned Council on minutes for previous meetings. Belcher also asked Council about Facebook posts. Lastly, Belcher questioned Council about campaigns and campaign committees. Council responded. Chris Russell, Nixa Chamber of Commerce Director, discussed the mask survey from 2020 that the Chamber conducted. Russell stated that the Chamber never gave a recommendation either for or against a mask mandate; the Chamber just provided data. He stated he wanted to clear up any allegations that the Mayor went against the Chamber’s recommendation about the implantation of a mask mandate. Council asked if the Chamber would ever do a survey to see how businesses/people faired during the pandemic. Russell responded that the Chamber membership is varied, so a survey would be difficult; however, looking at retail sales numbers and new business license numbers would provide information on Nixa’s resiliency. Ron Sanders, 976 Glen Oaks Dr, discussed the 5-minute speaking limit. Sanders also discussed the 2020 Chamber of Commerce survey. Lastly, Sanders discussed the love citizens have for their City and the trust citizens have for Council, and the trust Council should have for their citizens.

Andrea Sitzes, Show Me Christian County President, discussed Project Eli developments. Sitzes discussed the Business Retention and Expansion Report; items discussed were: the Strong Business Council, Smart Business Walk, and internet service. Next, Sitzes discussed three (3) different consultants that have been looking into the area, where they asked the Planning and Zoning Department for data on the City. Sitzes also spoke about the SMCOG monthly meeting. She also discussed a groundbreaking in Fremont Hills and a meeting with a hospitality developer. Lastly, Sitzes discussed that she has been approved to start working with Vivian Smith for marketing services. Sitzes is excited about working with Smith because she was once the Communication Intern for the City.

Council Bill #2021-092

Amending Section 1-10 of the Nixa Code to Codify the Court Costs Applicable to Municipal Ordinance Violations. Nick Woodman, City Attorney, gave a background on the Municipal Court consolidation process and information on the Office of State Court Administrator (OSCA) court consolidation processes. OSCA has two (2) requirements: the first (1st) being that City must increase the base Court costs from $12.00 to $15.00. The second (2nd) is to provide ordinances that show the authorized court costs for ordinance violations. Woodman gave information on why this ordinance will help with the codification of the court costs. Woodman stated that staff recommends approval of this Council Bill. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing. Ron Sanders, 976 Glen Oaks Dr., questioned the court costs. Council and staff responded with how much court costs are now and why there is a need for updated court costs. Sanders then questioned how much of the court costs stay within the City. Staff stated they did not have a specific amount, and Council directed staff to bring back to the next Council meeting how much of the court costs stay with the City. With no further comments made, Mayor Steele closed the public hearing.

Council Bill #2021-091

Rezoning the Real Property generally Located along the 300 Block of South Nicholas Road from an R-1 District to a M-1 District. Scott Godbey, City Planner, introduced himself to Council. Godbey gave information about the approximately seven (7) acre property. This information included that the property currently has access to City electric. The Planning and Zoning commission just approved a minor subdivision that would allow the property to have access to City water and sewer. Next, Godbey discussed that the property is located within the Oakmont lift station service area, and the proposed M-1 District won't have as much load on the lift station as other districts. Godbey stated that staff recommends the rezone. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the ordinance. Hoogstraet made a motion to approve Ordinance #2021-091 with Graham seconding and Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, and Orf voting aye on roll call vote.

Resolution #20201-097

Supporting the Tax Credit Application of Ring Property Company, LLC., to the Missouri Housing Development Commission to support the Development of Property Generally Located Along the 900 Block of South Gregg Road. Godbey discussed the application process for low-income housing tax credits from the Housing Development Commission for multi-family housing. Godbey then gave information on the proposed site that the developer had chosen for this project. This site is currently zoned R-3, has approximately 5.9 acres and is part of the Oakhurst subdivision. Godbey gave information on the income requirements for renters of this development. The developer is proposing 48 units to be built, which meets current zoning requirements. Council asked when the last resolution of support for a development like this was approved. Godbey answered that Nicholas Court was the last approved development. Council discussed the location of this development. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Giddens made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-097 with Peterson seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2021-098

Supporting the Tax Credit Application of Housing Plus, LLC., to the Missouri Housing Development Commission to Support the Development of Property generally Located at the Southwest Corner of Gregg Road and Northview Road. Godbey explained that this resolution is for a different developer but the same application process as the previous resolution. The proposed site for this development is in Eagle Park, which is currently zone R-3. The developer is proposing 44 units to be built, which meets the current zoning requirements. Godbey gave information on the income requirements for renters of this development. Council questioned if this development would include a 55+ community. Staff responded that they believed there would be. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing. Becky Selle, 432 S Hazel Run, clarified that the development being proposed is family units that would be two (2) and (3) bedrooms and considered Phase one (1). Phase two (2) of this development would be senior housing. With no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Hoogstraet made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-098 with Peterson seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2021-099

Accepting the Bid of BBC Electrical Services, Inc., for the Construction of a Certain Electric Pole Foundation and Authorizing the City Administrator to execute a Contract for the Same. Doug Colvin, Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director, discussed that this project is a part of the Highway 14 widening project currently going on. This contract would be for the construction of a foundation for a large steel pole for electrical lines. This foundation is needed because the pole and electrical lines are very heavy. There were three (3) responses to this bid, one of which was a no-bid. The other two (2) bids included BBC's, which was the lowest at $73,800, and the high bid, which was $148,050. Colvin stated that BBC has completed numerous successful projects for the City in the past. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Orf made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-099 with Giddens seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #20201-0910

Authorizing the Sale or Distribution of Alcohol on City Property and Authorizing a Multi-Day Event for the Proposed "Creepin at the Crossroads" Special Event. Godbey presented information on the Creepin at the Crossroads event, which will take place on October 30th, 4-10 p.m. This event will be similar to previous events that are held downtown (like Sucker Day). Godbey stated that 4C Sertoma will be supervising the alcohol sales at the beer garden, which will be set up on the City parking lot. He stated that this resolution approves the sale or distribution of alcohol, not the event itself. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing. Mark Anderson, 101 S Main Street, stated he was here for any questions on the event. With no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Lucas made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-0910 with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2021-0911

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with Enterprises FM Trust for a Vehicle Lease Program. Colvin discussed the presentation given by Enterprise Rental Leasing at the August 9th meeting. Next, Colvin discussed the age of the City's fleet, with 47% of the light and medium-duty vehicles being over seven (7) years old. This lease agreement would allow for the vehicles to be on a faster turnaround schedule, allowing for better maintenance of the vehicles. Colvin stated the lease agreement would start in 2022 with the Police Department and Public Works. He then discussed how the vehicles would be rotated during this agreement along with the fuel and maintenance cost savings the City would see. Colvin stated that in the first (1st) year, Public Works would have 11 vehicles on lease with an approximate cost of $83,000, and the Police Department would have 12 vehicles on lease with an approximate cost of $212,000. He stated that the Police Department has a higher expense because of all of the add-on equipment they require. Council asked if there needed to be a budget amendment made this year for this program. Staff responded that there would not need to be a budget amendment as the City would pay for the vehicles when they were delivered. Council then asked about the maintenance scheduled or process. Colvin responded that the maintenance would be as quick as what we have on the current fleet. The City's fleet staff would conduct routine maintenance such as oil changes, and warrant work would be conducted offsite. Council asked what the prices included; would it include maintenance insurance. Staff responded that the manufacture warranty would be used first (1st), then the City would be responsible for any maintenance after the warranty expires. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Giddens made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-0911 with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Amy Hoogstraet presented her liaison report on the Parks Department. Hoogstraet started the presentation by giving a brief overview of the department; this included information on staff and how hard it is to fill open positions. Next, she gave information on the facilities, which included information on McCauley Park (40 acres), the X Center and Aquatics Center, Rotary Park (10 acres), Gardens of Woodfield (6 acres), the upcoming Dog park (3.5 acres), and the Eoff Family Century Farm Park (106 undeveloped acres). Next, Hoogstraet gave an overview of the September 2021 parks flyer, which contains statistics for the department. She stated that this flyer shows the accomplishments of the Parks staff. Hoogstraet gave a brief overview of the programs that are offered through the Parks Department. Next, Hoogstraet discussed the current projects underway for the department; these included a retention wall system at McCauley Park because of water retention at the playground, park bathroom renovations, the dog park, and the X Center roof. Hoogstraet gave information on the upcoming dog park, which is planned to open sometime at the end of October 2021. She next discussed the needs of the department, which included more full-time staffing, renovations to McCauley park, gym space, more ballfields, and trails/connectivity. She stated that the most requested items from citizens for the Parks are an indoor pool/splash pad and a skate park. Hoogstraet next discussed the Eoff Family Century Farm Park and the potential this property has for the Parks Department. Lastly, she discussed what makes the Parks Department awesome, including the special events the parks department hosts, their staff, the Master Plan, and the people of Nixa. The Parks Department would not exist if it weren't for the citizens. Colvin presented Council information on concerns about a sidewalk along Old Wilderness Road. This sidewalk is a current CIP project the City has been working on. Council asked if a sidewalk couldn't be built, could a bike path be put in instead. Staff responded that a bike path wouldn't be able to proceed North on Wasson and that bike paths aren't meant for pedestrians. Council discussed the citizen's concerns with the sidewalk and asked if a sidewalk could go on the east side of the street instead. Staff responded that a sidewalk could not go on the east side of the road due to underground utilities and safety concerns for citizens crossing many commercial business driveways on foot. Staff also stated that another portion of this project would be to add street lighting. The Mayor directed Council to think about this concern and get back with him or the City Administrator with their ideas. Lastly, Council discussed the current zoning of the homes located on Old Wilderness. Staff responded that all the houses in question are zoned neighborhood commercial. Graham discussed a speed limit issue a citizen had with portions of Norton Road.

Giddens made a motion to adjourn at 8:36 p.m. with Lucas seconding and all voting aye