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 read a proclamation declaring October 2021 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Peterson thanked Mayor Steele for declaring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Jeff Belcher, 203 S. Ellen, discussed the Mayor's tenure on Council. Next, Belcher addressed the process for the Mayor being recalled and a temporary Mayor being selected. Lastly, Belcher discussed the Home Rule Charter and the authority it delegates to Council. Staff responded to Belcher's comments. Pat Briggs, 309 N. Old Wilderness, discussed the proposed sidewalk project being considered from Highway 14 to Wasson Dr. Briggs stated she had spoken to her neighbors, and they have all expressed their desire not to have a sidewalk along Old Wilderness. Next, she discussed the reasons she and her neighbors do not want the sidewalk. Lastly, she asked Council to revisit the idea of a sidewalk along Old Wilderness. Jan Mann, 205 N. Old Wilderness, discussed the proposed sidewalk project being considered from Highway 14 to Wasson Dr. Mann discussed the parking issues that would occur for the homes on Old Wilderness if the sidewalk was constructed. She also mentioned the lawn, trees, and shrubs that would be lost to the sidewalk. Ron Sanders, 976 Glen Oaks Dr., discussed why he started attending Council meetings and why he continues to attend the meetings. Next, he discussed ordinances, the Home Rule Charter, and the Council's Emergency Powers given by those documents. Sanders then discussed the temporary move of the visitor's sections to the end of the Council meeting in 2020 and the five (5) minute speaking limit.

Drew Douglas, Communications Director, gave an update on the status of the Strategic Plan. This presentation is available at City Hall for review. Douglas began with an overview of the Strategic Plan process. This process included the ImagineNixa.com website that was live from February through June of 2020, an advisory committee that reviewed the input from ImagineNixa.com and developed the plan structure for the Strategic Plan. This plan structure included strategic priorities, action plans, and action steps. Douglas stated that the "High-Performance" Government section of the Strategic Priority area would be the only part of the Strategic Plan discussed at this meeting. He discussed each action plan in detail. Action Plan #1: Streamline processes in an intuitive manner that reduces effort across all departments. This action plan has six (6) action steps assigned to it; three (3) of these action steps are currently in progress. Action Plan #2: Update levels of technology and digital security to protect citizen and city-data. This action plan has six (6) action steps assigned to it, one (1) action step is completed, one (1) in progress, and four (4) budgeted for 2022. Action Plan #3: Identify and address staffing needs in order to meet community demands and provide efficient services. This action plan has two (2) action steps assigned to it, with none of these steps scheduled to begin in 2021. Action Step #4: Offer compensation, benefits, and training which are all competitive. This action plan has 12 action steps assigned to it, two (2) action plans being completed, and two (2) action steps requested in the 2022 budget. Action Plan #5: Ensure talent attraction efforts reach diverse professional and student organizations. This action plan has five (5) action steps assigned to it, two (2) are operational, and one (1) is requested in the 2022 budget. Action Plan #6: Develop and implement guidelines for visually portraying diversity in communications and marketing materials. This action plan has one (1) action step assigned to it and is currently in progress. Action Plan #7: Provide voters with opportunities to secure new revenue sources to ensure the long-term financial stability of the City. This action plan has two (2) action plans assigned to it, with one (1) requested in the 2022 budget. Action Plan #8: Expand financial transparency efforts to educate the public about city finances. This action plan has four (4) action steps assigned to it, one (1) is in progress, and one (1) is operational. Action Plan #9: Expand and enhance message distribution systems, procedures, and protocols to improve public awareness of city news, events, and program offerings. This action plan has eight (8) action steps assigned to it, two (2) are in progress, and two (2) are operational. Action Plan #10: Design and utilize a city app which is integrated with the website. This action plan has one (1) action step currently assigned to it, and it is in progress. Action Plan #11: Redesign Nixa.com to be more function, interactive, and user-friendly. This action plan has two (2) action steps assigned to it, with one (1) in progress. Action Plan #12: Implement a virtual platform for broadcasting city council meetings. This action plan has three (3) action plans assigned to it, and all three (3) are operational. Council asked if this presentation would be available to the public other than through the YouTube Channel and Douglas responded it would be available on the website.

Council Bill #20201-101

Amending Chapter 20 of the Nixa City Code to Modify Several Provisions of the City Code Related to the City's Speed Limit Regulations. Nick Woodman, City Attorney, gave a brief bill summary. Next, Woodman gave an overview of code history and the code’s codification. The recodification done in 2012 froze the speed limits that were in place at the time of the recodification but did not provide a process to modify these speeds. Woodman then gave his concerns with the current code. Next, Woodman gave an overview of the proposed changes to the code. Section 1 – clarifies who the "traffic engineer" would be. Section 2 – clarifies that State speed laws are effective on State streets within the City limits unless the City has established its own speed for such route. Section 3 – authorizes the traffic engineer to establish speed limits, requires these speed limits be filed with the City Clerk, and speed limit signs are placed. Section 4 – provides for the speed limits for construction and school zones. Section 5 – provides a uniform violation section for all speeding offenses, provides that it is an ordinance violation to operate a vehicle "at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions" and "at a slow speed as to impeded normal traffic." It would also establish a rebuttable presumption that the posted speed limit is the established speed limit. Section 6 – approves the initial speed schedule. Council asked for clarification on the initial speed limit schedule. Woodman responded that it was just the initial schedule. He stated that he said there seemed to be an intent to move to the system that he is presenting; however, there was no follow-through in the past to get there. Council asked if there would be a need to change the signs at the City limits that say the speed limit is 25mph unless otherwise posted. Woodman responded that there would be no need to change those signs. Council asked about traffic commissions. Woodman stated that traffic commissions are used to get public input on the city streets. The Mayor directed Council and Staff to send a memo if they thought the traffic commission was a good idea. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments. Jeff Belcher, 203 S. Ellen, questioned who would perform the traffic study and if it would be a financial burden on the City. Council responded that the City had two (2) contracts with engineers who could perform that study for the City. Belcher discussed voting on the mask mandate. Council asked for clarification on Belcher's statements about voting on a mask mandate. Council stated that when speaking during a public hearing, the speaker should speak to the public hearing topic. Belcher went on to discuss emergency ordinances and executive sessions. Staff responded to Belcher's comments about executive sessions by giving an overview of executive sessions and the reasons why the Council can go into an executive session per the Sunshine Law. Ron Sanders, 976 Glen Oaks Dr., questioned the traffic engineer and their ability to establish speed limits. Sanders next questioned the oversight for the traffic engineer. Sanders discussed elected officials being involved in the process of speed limit changes. With no further comments made, Mayor Steele closed the public hearing. Council discussed the traffic studies and how speed limits are determined. Council then discussed the previous way Council decided speed limits. Council then questioned how the traffic commission would work. Staff responded that the traffic commission would make recommendations to the engineer and have public meetings where the public could discuss those changes.

Council Bill #2021-102

Amending Chapter 6, Article I, Section 6-6 of the Nixa city Code to Provide a Defense for Violations of Such Section. Matt Crouse, Parks Director, stated that this is the pet waste ordinance. The ordinance currently states that it is an ordinance violation for the animal to defecate on any property not your own. The change to the ordinance would make it an ordinance violation for anyone who does not immediately pick up and dispose of the defecation on the other person's property in a sanitary way. This change is needed before the City dog park is opened. Council asked if the City would be providing bags at the dog park for waste. Crouse stated that yes, there would be bags at the dog park. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2021-092

Amending Section 1-10 of the Nixa City Code to Codify the Court Costs Applicable to Municipal Ordinance Violations. Woodman gave a brief background on the bill, which was presented for first (1st) reading on September 27th, 2021. He next gave an update to a request Council had that night for how much of the court costs are retained by the City. Woodman also pointed out a typo that was discovered and corrected in the ordinance. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the ordinance. Giddens made a motion to approve Ordinance #2021-092 with Orf seconding and Orf, Giddens, Peterson, Graham, and Hoogstraet voting aye on roll call vote.

Resolution #2021-101

Amending the City's Personnel Policies to Provide for "Victim's Economic Security and Safety Act" Leave. Amanda Hunsucker, Human Resources Director, presented information on the Victim's Economic Security Safety Act. This act allows for two (2) weeks of leave for domestic abuse or sexual assault victims. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Graham made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-101 with Hoogstraet seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2021-102

Authorizing the City Administrator to Apply for and Accept Grant Funding Provided by the Nixa Community Foundation to Support the Police Department's Citizen Police Academy Program. Joe Campbell, Police Chief, presented information on a $1500 grant being applied for by the City Administrator for the Police Department. Campbell stated this money would be used to enhance the Citizen's Police Academy to be able to provide the best program possible. He said costs are rising, and donations from businesses are becoming limited. Lastly, he stated that the Citizen's Police Academy would like to offer video training in the future, and this grant money would help accomplish that. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Peterson made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-102 with Graham seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2021-103

Authorizing the City Administrator to Apply for and Accept Grant Funding Provided by the Nixa Community Foundation to Acquire Audio Equipment for Use by the Parks Department. Crouse presented information on a $1500 grant being applied for by the City Administrator for the Parks Department. Crouse stated this money would be used to purchase speakers and speaker stands for the Movies in the Parks Program. The new speakers would also allow for more longevity to the current system. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, 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 #2021-103 with Graham seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2021-104

Authorizing the City Administrator to Apply for and Accept a Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Grant Provided by the Nixa Community Foundation to Support the City's Listen Encourage Advocate and Demonstrate Initiative. Cindy Robbins, Assistant City Administrator, and City Clerk, presented information on a $500 grant being applied for by the City Administrator for the City's Listen Encourage Advocate and Demonstrate (L.E.A.D) initiative. Robbins stated that it was stated at the previous L.E.A.D event that there was a need for more inclusive events. If the grant is received, another inclusive event would take place in conjunction with the Mayor's Tree Lighting title "Cocoa with the Community." The money from the grant would be used to purchase cocoa and cookies for the event. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments. Jeff Belcher, 203 S. Ellen, stated he attended the last L.E.A.D event. He stated that one of the discussion items at that event was bullying. Belcher also discussed the visitor's section and the five (5) minute speaking limit. Council responded to Belcher's comments regarding the visitor's section and the five (5) minute speaking limit. Ron Sanders, 976 Glen Oaks Dr., discussed the visitor's section. Council responded to Sanders comments about the visitor's section referencing October 26, 2020 meeting. With no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Giddens made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-104 with Peterson seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2021-105

Authorizing the City Administrator to Apply for and Accept an Ozarks Inclusive Opportunity Grant Provided by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks to Support the City's Listen Encourage Advocate and Demonstrate Initiative. Robbins presented information on a $2,000 grant being applied for by City Administrator for the City's Listen Encourage Advocate and Demonstrate (L.E.A.D) initiative. Robbins stated that the money from this grant would be used to fund 2022 L.E.A.D events. Potential events could include a multi-cultural event or t-shirts for ambassadors. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Graham made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-105 with Hoogstrae

Resolution #2021-106

Authorizing the City Administrator to Apply for and Accept Funding Provided by the Nixa Community Foundation to Acquire Canoes for Use by the City's Stream Team Program. Doug Colvin, Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director, presented information on the grant being applied for by the City Administrator for eight (8) canoes for the Stream Team. Colvin stated that the Stream Team had been around for about 20 years and were in rough condition. Council asked how much one (1) canoe costs. Colvin responded that a single canoe was around $1,000. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, 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 #2021-106 with Peterson seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Colvin reminded Council that Friday at 10 a.m. there would be an unveiling of a new street sweeper at John Thomas School of Discovery. Peterson reminded Council there would be a Drug Take Back Day Saturday, October 23, 2021, 10-2 p.m. at CVS pharmacy. Council asked how many times a year this event occurs, and Peterson responded twice a year. Peterson stated that prescription and over-the-counter medications would be taken. Items not accepted would be needles and inhalers. Hoogstraet stated there would be a blood drive at City Hall Thursday.

Peterson made a motion to move to executive session with Orf seconding and Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, and Orf voting aye on roll call. The City Council meeting adjourned at the close of the executive session.