City Council Meeting

The regular 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 read a proclamation proclaiming April 3rd – 9th as National Library Week. Mayor Steele presented Renee Brumett, Executive Director of the Christian County Library, with the proclamation.

Diane Davis, 722 W. Center Cir., stated she supports the branding proposal. Davis stated that a branding proposal is long past due, and the new material would be a fresh new look. Jimmy Liles, President of the Nixa Community Foundation, introduced members of the advisory board members in attendance. Liles presented Cindy Robbins, Assistant City Administrator, with the Nixa Community Foundation's Extra Mile Award. Liles read a brief message about Robbins’ dedication to the citizens of Nixa.

Renee Brumett, Executive Director of the Christian County Library, told Council that National Library Week has been celebrated since 1958 with the intent to encourage everyone to read. Brummett provided Council with statistics on the Christian County Library Branches. Brummett stated that in 2021 there were 115,000 visits to the four (4) Christian County branches, 45% of which were at the Nixa branch, 100 new library cards issued at the Nixa branch, and 300,000 items checked out, 25% of those items being digital. Brummett discussed the items that the library offers to the community, such as home delivery of materials, small business resources, and the bookmobile. Council asked about the Friends of the Library program and Friends of the Library Book Sale and the types of objects that can be checked out from the library. Brumett stated that the library has multiple items such as fishing poles and cake pans that allow people to learn new things without having to make the initial purchase of those items. Drew Douglas, Communications Director, introduced Matt Noblett, a branding consultant who has been helping with the branding proposal that is being presented. Noblett gave a background on his professional career in communications and marketing and the process that went into the branding proposal before Council. Douglas provided an overview of the current branding materials in use. Douglas presented the recommended branding materials. Douglas next broke down the aspects of the brand and gave information on each individual piece. Those pieces included the logo mark, the word mark, local combination mark, and global combination mark. Next, Douglas presented information on the new department brands with the combination mark. Douglas gave information on the updated website logo. Douglas provided the difference between the current branding and the proposed branding in the Utilities combination marks, the Police Department administrative staff combination marks, the Police Department patch, the Parks Department combination mark, program supplemental marks, and facilities logos. Douglas discussed the current City flag and the proposed flag and its symbols. Douglas discussed the current City seal and the proposed seal and the symbols contained in them. Douglas presented the graphical elements, which included the skyline silhouette. Douglas also spoke about other symbology within the branding, such as the sucker fish and the red azalea. Douglas read the community brand promise, organizational brand promise, and potential marketing campaigns. Council provided feedback on the proposal. Council gave direction to bring back more information about branding to the Council Workshop in April.

Council Bill #2022-031

Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Franchise Agreement, Lease Agreement, an Operations and Maintenance Agreement, and Other Related Agreements with the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Corporation to Facilities the Transfer of Certain Electric Transmission Assets to Said Corporation. Doug Colvin, Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director, stated that two (2) legal descriptions are incorrect in the packet. Colvin said that it was anticipated that the correct descriptions would be ready before this meeting; however, they were not ready to be included. Colvin stated he is requesting to postpone this council bill until the April 11th council meeting. Mayor called for a motion to postpone Council Bill #2022-031. Lucas made a motion to postpone Council Bill #2022-031 to the April 11th council meeting, with Hoogstraet seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Council Bill #2022-032

Granting a Franchise to Operate a Natural Gas Distribution System Within the City to Spire Missouri, Inc. Colvin stated this ordinance, if approved, would allow Spire to use the Cities right-of-way for their gas distribution. Colvin stated that this franchise agreement would provide for compensation to the City in the amount of five percent (5%) of Spire's gross receipts. Colvin also stated that this franchise would be for 20 years. Council asked if Spire would allow for combined billing, with Colvin stating he doesn't think so, but he could ask. 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 council bill. Giddens made a motion to approve Council Bill #2022-032, with Orf seconding and Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, and Giddens voting aye on roll call.

Council Bill #2022-033

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to Provide a Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Funding for Certain Improvements on North Main Street. Travis Cossey, Assistant Public Works Director, stated this contract was previously passed by a Resolution at the February 28th meeting. Cossey said that MoDOT requested that the contract be approved by ordinance. Cossey noted that there had been no changes to the contract. 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 council bill. Hoogstraet made a motion to approve Council Bill #2022-033 with Peterson seconding and Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, Giddens, and Peterson voting aye on roll call.

Resolution #2022-034

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Cost Share Agreement to Identify a Regional Broadband Consultant. Jimmy Liles, City Administrator, stated that the need for broadband internet continues to rise. Liles said that the region's cities have met with Springfield City Utilities (CU) to look at the best approach to providing broadband internet. Liles stated CU has offered to help with preparing a request for proposal (RFP) to find a consultant to do a feasibility study of broadband internet. Liles said that Nixa's portion of the $20,000 fee for CU's services is $2123.60. Liles told Council that using CU's expertise is the best way to find a consultant. 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 #2022-034, with Graham seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

New Business Items - Traffic Commissions & Advisory Boards

Colvin told Council there are more communities without traffic commissions & advisory boards than with boards. Colvin stated that those cities with boards had three to five (3-5) members picked by Council or the Mayor and includes representation by Public Works Directors, Attorneys, Police, and Engineers. Colvin said that each city was different depending on its size. Colvin then briefly described how the City currently handles traffic issues or decisions. Council asked if we had enough issues to justify creating a traffic commission or board, with Colvin responding. Council gave direction to continue with how the City is currently operating, and if needed in the future, a commission or board could be created.

Mayor Steele asked Garrett Tyson, Planning and Development Director, about the numbers in the building permit comparison report with Tyson responding. Liles reminded Council that there is a Downtown Revitalization Committee Event happening Thursday 31st at the Main Event Center. Liles stated that a few members of staff would be speaking at the event. Giddens stated he had received an email from a citizen who liked the flag presented by Douglas. Giddens also told Council there would be a ribbon-cutting in Ozark on the square for the Christian County Courthouse Saturday, April 2nd at 10 a.m. Hoogstraet thanked Cindy Robbins, Assistant City Administrator, for another great L.E.A.D Event. Hoogstraet thanked the community for welcoming and helping a family from Ukraine.

Peterson made a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to section 60.021 (2) & (12) RSMo with Orf seconding and Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, Giddens, Peterson, and Graham voting aye on roll call. The City Council Meeting adjourned at the close of the executive session.