March 2022 Council Meeting Minutes
FRIENDLY URL: Nixa.com/council-minutes/2022/march
PAGE TITLE: March 2022 Council Meeting Minutes
TAB 1 TITLE: Summary
Nixa City Council held 2 regular meetings in March 2022.
The first meeting was on March 14th.
The second meeting was on March 28th.
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TAB 2 TITLE: March 14, 2022
TAB 3 TITLE: March 28, 2022
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REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF NIXA, MISSOURI
Nixa City Hall March 14th, 2022 7:00 p.m.
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.
Proclamation:
Mayor Steele read a proclamation proclaiming March 21st as World Down Syndrome Day. Mayor Steele presented the proclamation to families in the community.
Visitors (Speaker Card Required; Comments Limited to 5 Minutes):
Billy Romine, 640 N Jerico St., spoke about a potential speed limit increase in the Springs Subdivision. Romine discussed traffic studies and the concerns of the residents of Jerico and Weldon with increasing the speed limit at that intersection along with other streets in the subdivision.
Doug Colvin, Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director, stated there had been one (1) traffic study that has occurred at the intersection, and a second (2nd) is being conducted.
Ron Sanders, 976 Glen Oaks Dr., discussed the republican form of government and his concerns with Robert’s Rules of Order.
Presentations:
Anna Evans, Show-Me Christian County, told Council that the January and February board reports were provided to Council. Evans thanked Cindy Robbins and Chris Russell for attending the Annual Meeting of the Springfield Business Development Corporation. Evans discussed a video that was produced to help market Christian County to businesses outside of the area. Evans gave an overview of business continuity plans and how Show-Me Christian County can help businesses develop those plans. Evans stated that Show-Me Christian County is participating in the Christian County Comprehensive Planning process. Evans reminded Council that on April 2nd, a ribbon-cutting will take place on the square in Ozark for the upgrades that occurred on County property.
Joe Campbell, Police Chief, presented the Police Department’s 2021 Annual Report. Campbell discussed staffing levels and the time of service of the officers within the department. Campbell told Council that the number of calls for service increased over the previous year, with 41,215 calls for service in 2021. Campbell further compared the calls to service numbers for 2021 to 2020 and 2019; specific information was given on DWI charges, traffic stops, warnings, and physical arrests. Campbell next gave a brief overview of the 2021 crime trends, including violent crimes, property crimes, and drug offenses. Campbell next reviewed traffic stop statistics; the police department had 11,749 traffic stops. Next, Campbell provided information on crash data; the police department worked 329 vehicle crashes. Campbell showed Council a spreadsheet with information comparing stops, warnings, tickets, and crashes. Campbell told Council that out of the 41,215 calls for service, there were 631 arrests, with force needing to be used on 22 of those arrests. Next, Campbell provided information on the types of cases that are assigned as well the number of complaints that the department received. Campbell stated that the department spent 2918 hours on training. Campbell gave Council information on the Police Services Unit that handles records and evidence. Campbell provided a few highlights of the year, including Cops Connecting with Kids, Citizens Police Academy, the Nixa Christmas Parade, and the Shop with a Cop program. Council asked Campbell questions about training and K-9 Jack.
Ordinances (First Reading and Public Hearing; Comments Limited to 5 Minutes; No Council Vote Anticipated):
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 Facilitate the Transfer of Certain Electric Transmission Assets to Said Corporation. Colvin stated that the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Corporation (MJMEUC) is currently trying to purchase the 69KV assets that the City sold to Gridliance in 2019. Colvin stated the City needs to put these agreements in place to help complete the transfer of the assets to MJMEUC. Colvin provided details on each of the agreements individually. Colvin stated the franchise agreement would be a 20-year agreement, and the rent in the lease agreement would be $5,751.26 per year. Colvin stated that the easements granted to Gridliance will need to be terminated for MJMEUC agreements to take place. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was closed.
Council Bill #2022-032
Granting a Franchise to Operate a Natural Gas Distribution System Within the City to Spire Missouri Inc. Colvin stated that Spire Missouri has had a long-standing agreement with the City allowing for their gas lines to run through the city rights-of-way. Colvin said the agreement before Council has the minimum standards for Spire and states how the franchise payments will be calculated. Colvin stated that this agreement would be for 20 years. Council asked questions about the 20-year time frames for agreements. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed.
Council Bill #2022-033
Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to Provide Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Funding for Certain Improvements on North Main Street. Jeff Roussell, Street Superintendent, stated that this ordinance is the same agreement that was passed as a Resolution at the February 28th meeting. Roussell stated that after the resolution was passed, the Highways and Transportation Commission contacted the City stating, with little reasoning, that the agreement needed to be passed as an Ordinance. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed.
Ordinances (Second Reading and Public Hearing; Comments Limited to 5 Minutes; Council Vote Anticipated):
Council Bill #2022-027
Amending Chapter 2 of the Nixa City Code to Add Provisions Related to the Procedures of the City Council. Nick Woodman, City Attorney, stated this ordinance puts forth rules and procedures for how Council conducts its business. Woodman stated that staff recommends approval. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments.
Ron Sanders, 976 Glen Oaks Dr., asked why the address had to be given when addressing Council, with Woodman responding. Sanders discussed where and how ordinances are created and proposed to Council. Sanders also discussed the Sargent of Arms section of the ordinance. Council responded to Sanders comments, and Sanders responded to those comments.
With no further comments made, the public hearing was closed. Council asked questions of Woodman. Council discussed potentially amending the ordinance later to add sponsorships for council bills. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the council bill. Giddens made a motion to approve Council Bill #2022-027 with Peterson seconding and Orf, Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, and Lucas voting aye on roll call vote.
Council Bill #2022-028
Amending the 2022 Annual Budget to Appropriate Funds for the Lease of Police Vehicles. Joe Campbell, Chief of Police, stated there is a budget shortfall for the lease of new police vehicles due to the vehicles being brought into operation sooner than anticipated. Campbell said the proposed budget amendment would be for $100,329.00. Campbell said there might be an issue with getting equipment due to supply chain issues. 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. Graham made a motion to approve Council Bill #2022-028 with Lucas seconding and Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, and Orf voting aye on roll call vote.
Council Bill #2022-029
Establishing a Charter Review Commission to Review the City’s Charter and Recommend Any Proposed Amendments Thereto. Jimmy Liles, City Administrator, told Council that applications were taken from December 2021 to January 2022 to serve on the Home Rule Charter Review Commission. Liles said there were 30 applications, and nine (9) were selected three (3) from each district as per the Charter, as well as three (3) potential replacements. Liles gave an overview of the demographics of the nine (9) selected commission members. Council asked if the replacements could attend the meetings, with Liles responding yes, the meetings are public. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments.
Linda Thaut, 77 Stoneybrook Ln. Clever, asked where she could find information on the Home Rule Charter Commission. Liles responded.
Ron Sanders, 976 Glen Oaks Dr., asked about meeting requirements, commission minutes, if the meetings will be streamed on YouTube, and where the meetings will be held. Staff responded to Sanders comments.
With no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the council bill. Hoogstraet made a motion to approve Council Bill $2022-029 with Graham seconding and Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, and Giddens voting aye on roll call.
Mayor Steele directed staff to bring back information about traffic committees.
Resolutions (Public Hearing; Comments Limited to 5 Minutes; and Council Vote Anticipated):
Resolution #2022-031
Authorizing the Sale or Distribution of Alcohol on City Property and Authorizing a Multi-Day Event for the Proposed 2022 Sucker Days Special Event. Garrett Tyson, Planning and Development Director, provided Council with background on special event permits. Tyson stated that the Sucker Days event would take place May 19th – 22nd, and this resolution would authorize the sale and distribution of alcohol on the city parking lot. Tyson stated that this resolution doesn’t authorize the special event itself, just the distribution and sale of alcohol. Council asked if they work for the Chamber should they abstain from this vote. Woodman responded no. 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. Giddens made a motion to approve Resolution #2022-031 with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
Resolution #2022-032
Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with Ewing Signal Construction, LLC for Certain Traffic Signal Improvements at the Intersection of Main Street and Aldersgate. Travis Cossey, Assistant Public Works Director, stated this is a bid award for scheduled maintenance to the traffic signal at Aldersgate and Main. Cossey stated this is proactive maintenance to replace the control panel within that traffic signal that has reached its life’s end. Cossey said Ewing Signal was the lowest bid and within budget. 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. Graham made a motion to approve Resolution #2022-032 with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
Resolution #2022-033
Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with D&E Plumbing & Heating, Inc., for the Replacement of Stormwater Infrastructure Along Morning Drive. Cossey stated that there was an issue last year with a stormwater pipe on Morning Glory Dr. where the pipe collapsed. Cossey said that Street Department was able to do a temporary repair on the pipe, but it needs to be replaced. Cossey stated that D&E Plumbing & Heating had the lowest bid at $111,600. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed. Peterson made a motion to approve Resolution #2022-033, with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
Mayor and Council Member Reports:
Graham reminded Council that Nixpo is March 19th, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Graham stated there would be 111 booths with a shuttle service available.
Giddens stated that the Nixa boys basketball team would be going to the Final 4 playoffs.
Lucas said that the Police Department awards banquet went well. Campbell stated there was a nice dinner and that the staff enjoyed the event.
Adjournment:
Mayor Steele called for a motion to adjourn. Giddens made a motion to adjourn at 8:47 p.m., with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
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Regular Meeting of the Council Members of the City of Nixa, Missouri
Nixa City Hall March 28th, 2022 7:00 p.m.
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.
Proclamation:
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.
Visitors (Speaker Card Required; Comments Limited to 5 Minutes):
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.
Presentations:
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.
Ordinances (Second Reading and Public Hearing; Comments Limited to 5 Minutes; Council Vote Anticipated):
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.
Resolutions (Public Hearing; comments Limited to 5 Minutes; and Council Vote Anticipated):
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.
Discussion Items:
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 and Council Reports:
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.
Adjournment:
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.
