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PAGE TITLE: July 2021 Council Meeting Minutes



TAB 1 TITLE: Summary

Nixa City Council held 2 regular meetings in July 2021.

The first meeting was on July 12th.

The second meeting was on July 26th.



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TAB 2 TITLE: July 12, 2021



TAB 3 TITLE: July 26, 2021

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Regular Meeting of the Council Members of the City of Nixa, Missouri

Nixa City Hall July 12, 2021 7:00 p.m.

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

The pledge of allegiance was given.

Visitors:

Ron Sanders 976 Glen Oaks Dr. voiced concern about having to provide his name and address when speaking during the visitor’s section. He feels by giving your name and address those who are watching online will know who you are, where you live and where you stand on certain issues. Sanders feels that those who speak in the visitor’s section may be ridiculed at a later date and may be resistant about voicing their concerns or opinions again. The lines have been crossed when a public official ridicule someone for their opinion in a public manner. There were many that were hesitant to sign the petition circulated in fear of backlash.

Hoogstraet responded to Sanders’ comments.

Mayor Steele agreed visitors did not have to broadcast their home address because it is provided on the visitor’s card, they fill out to speak during the visitors’ section.

Jimmy Ledbetter 3468 Woodley Park Pl. Oviedo Florida former Mayor Pro-Tem spoke regarding the recall of Mayor Steele. Ledbetter provided the timeline of events regarding the mask mandate order. The recall is going to cost citizens tens of thousands of dollars when Mayor Steele did nothing illegal or immoral. Ledbetter feels certain Council would have voted the order down immediately if the City of Nixa was in jeopardy in any way.

With no further comments the visitors section was closed.

Orf made a motion to postpone Council Bill #2021-068 to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting with Lucas seconding and all Council members voting aye.

Ordinances (First Reading and Public Hearing; No Council Vote Anticipated):

Council Bill #2021-072

Amending Chapter 117, Article VII, Section 117-277 of the Nixa City Code to Modify the Residential Side Yard Requirements was presented. Planning and Development Director Garrett Tyson reviewed the ordinance with Council. During the May 24thCouncil meeting, Nixa Council adopted Ordinance #2195 which amended the City’s zoning regulations concerning dimensional standards such as setbacks and required yards. At the second (2nd) reading Council considered two (2) separate amendments for required residential side yards. Amendment #1 changed the required side yard in residential districts from five (5) to seven (7) feet and Amendment #2 would make the change to lots in subdivisions having a preliminary plat approved prior to the passage of the ordinance. Staff recommended approval of both Amendment #1 and Amendment #2, but staff mistakenly represented Amendment #2 as making both suggested amendments. Council adopted Amendment #2 but did not adopt Amendment #1. The intent was to change the required side yard from five (5) feet to seven (7) feet the measure to the foundation wall. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed.

Ordinances (Second Reading and Public Hearing; Council Vote Anticipated):

Council Bill #2021-067

Accepting the Bid of Blevins Asphalt Construction Company for the Tracker Road and Old Castle Road Roundabout Improvement Project and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract for Same was presented. Assistant Public Works Director Travis Cossey explained the bid award and contract. This is for an intersection improvement at Old Castle and Tracker Road. This would provide an upgrade of the intersection to include a roundabout. Blevins submitted a bid of $200,000.00 and was the only bidder for the project. The budgeted amount for the project is $225,000.00 so Blevins bid is well within the budgeted amount. Graham asked if this was asked for by the residents of this area. Cossey stated yes and this is also part of the Strategic Planning process too. This location was identified as an area that would benefit from a roundabout. This roundabout will be full sized with diversion lanes. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments.

Robert Dunn 812 E. Kings Mead Circle does not see a need for a roundabout but feels the high traffic on Highway CC needs to be addressed. The chicane installed does not slow anyone down and was a waste of money. Mayor Steele asked if there are any future plans to address the traffic issues on Highway CC. Cossey stated MoDOT has scoping projects identified for the whole CC corridor from Main Street to Highway 65. There are no improvements identified at this time but is a priority project currently that is unfunded. Giddens added there is a concern over the speed of vehicles traveled on Old Castle and the installation of the chicane has helped slow the traffic down.

Barry Woosley 905 E. Clare Court thinks the roundabout will help this area. Woosley asked for a study of the traffic that travels West on Tracker Road because he has witnessed vehicles traveling at dangerously high speeds. Woosley suggested the installation of a chicane may help with the issue. Another issue discussed was the use of jake brakes being used by large trucks in the area.

Sanders added that jake brakes are safety devices for trucks that are used so a truck does not burn up their brakes or overheat them. Sanders suggested a couple of ways to get the public’s attention in this area, a public campaign or by adding police in this area.

With no further comments the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve, and all Council members voted aye. Giddens made a motion to approve Council Bill #2021-067 with Orf seconding and Orf, Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet and Lucas voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2021-068

Repealing Ordinance 2110 & Ordinance 2111for the Purpose of Terminating the State of Emergency and Emergency Powers Granted to the Mayor to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic was postponed until the next scheduled Council meeting.

Resolutions (Public Hearing and Council Vote Anticipated):

Resolution #2021-071

Authorizing the Issuance of a Beautification Façade Grant for Proposed Improvements at 102 South Gene Street was presented. Tyson reviewed the façade grant application submitted by Jeremy Pinegar on behalf of Nixa Hardware to add a mural to their downtown building. Pinegar submitted three (3) bids for the work ranging from $700.00 to $1,100.00. The proposed site is located at 102 South Gene Street. The mural will feature a logo that was used by Nixa Hardware for seventy (70) years. A short discussion was held between staff and Council. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion. Hoogstraet made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-071 with Graham seconding and all Council members voting aye.

Mayor and Council Member Reports:

City Clerk/Assistant City Administrator Cindy Robbins provided an update on the recall petition. The petition was sent to County Clerk Kay Brown’s office for verification of signatures. The committee obtained ninety-seven (97) signatures and seventy-three (73) of the signatures were valid. There will be a letter sent to the committee informing them of the results. An ordinance will be presented at a later date for approval of a special election on November 2, 2021.

Finance Director Jennifer Evans introduced Bryan Hawk as the new Utility Billing Supervisor. Hawk was a utility department billing supervisor for the City of Republic. Hawk comes to the city with a lot of experience and Evans stated she was happy to have him with the City.

Giddens thanked all the City’s crews that helped get the power back on and cleaned up after the storm.

Adjourn:

At 8:45 p.m. Giddens made a motion to adjourn with Graham 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 July 26, 2021 7:00 p.m.

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

The pledge of allegiance was given.

Consent Agenda:

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

Visitors:

Ron Sanders 976 Glen Oaks Dr. spoke about the proposed changes to the Home Rule Charter that will be discussed later in the Council meeting. The proposed changes are because those in power feel threated. There is a group that have chosen to use the Home Rule Charter as it was created, and this is threating to the Council.

Jeff Belcher 203 S. Ellen stated the reason of the recall was due to abuse of power. The mask mandate went against the vote of Council and everyone who spoke in opposition to it. Not listening to the voice of the people added to the push for the recall petition.

Service Awards:

Mayor Steele recognized Josh Enlow for five (5) years of service with the City. Water Department Superintendent Jason Stutesmun praised Enlow for his work in his department. Stutesmun added that Enlow will get the job done and do it right. Stutesmun wished he had more employees like Enlow.

Mayor Steele recognized Katie Buford for ten (10) years of service with the City. Parks and Recreation Director Matt Crouse said that Buford is his right hand and is extremely dependable, organized, loyal and appreciated. Buford is the coordinator of the City’s Think Tank which won MML’s 2019 Innovation Award.

Mayor Steele recognized Debbie Snider for ten (10) years of service with the City. Snider was not in attendance, but Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk Cindy Robbins praised Snider for her work as the Court Administrator. Snider knows the court system inside and out and is a great asset to the City.

Proclamation:

Mayor Steele read a proclamation for the Nixa vs. Ozark Community Blood Drive Challenge scheduled for August 19, 2021.

Presentations:

President/CEO Show Me Christian County Andrea Sitzes provided a monthly staff report for Council. Seitz stated Project Life received a request for a local incentives package from SREP for all four (4) sites submitted in May. A coordinated response with Presiding Commissioner Phillips and Mayors Jackson and Steele was provided. Seitz worked with city staff and the county Assessor to complete the response. Project Eli has conducted a debrief meeting with owners and waiting on cost estimates from design professionals on site estimates before further work can be done on the business plans and projections. Show Me staff is working with County and City staff on a marketing initiative. Jason England the new Executive Vice President for Arvest Bank is now serving on the board for Show Me. Lastly, Sitzes announced the hiring of a new Administrative Assistant Jennifer Torres who started today with Show Me. Torres received the customer service award while she was employed with the City’s Park and Recreation.

Eric Albers with Insight Design provided a presentation of the site and facility improvements and cost analysis report for the Police Department. Albers met with Police Chief Campbell and Deputy Police Chief Tennis to identify the existing deficiencies and underutilized spaces of the department. A facility analysis was done to identify the spaces being used currently and future needs. Parking capacity needs to be expanded to create storage for police vehicles and employee parking away from the public to prevent vehicles from being vandalized. Covered parking is not currently available and was discussed to assist officers by shielding their vehicles from the elements. Facility space analysis reviewed the departments current space of 8,456 sf and the desired space of 16,300 sf. One (1) of the main interior challenges is the lack of office space, resulting in personnel using conference rooms for offices. Storage is a definite challenge for this department and will need to be resolved. The underutilized space was also discussed during the analysis report which had been used in the past and is not in current use. Currently the underutilized space is 820 sf and the existing functions to be relocated or revised is 2247 sf. The information collected provided a plan for remodel. The current locker room is insufficient in size and by moving the current evidence room will allow for the expansion of the locker room and will meet ADA requirements. Storage revisions for file storage, ammo storage and detective storage will assist in the deficiencies the department is experiencing. The total construction cost estimate for all interior remodel areas is $311,788.00 which includes proposed existing areas to be remodeled, new covered parking and a new addition. Option one (1) of adding an additional building was also provided with a cost of $2,826,883.00 and that would bring the total square footage to 18,720 and would be adding a second (2nd) floor. Campbell and Tennis inquired about the possibility of building on one (1) level instead of adding a second (2nd) floor. This would add about $36,000.00 to the project to have it all on one (1) floor. The addition of a second (2nd) floor would add 7,260 sf and would add $1,648,644.00 to the project resulting in a total of $3,926,009.00. The addition of a second (2nd) floor would benefit other departments as well such as the Utility Department. The site improvements will include a privacy fence $23,589.00, West parking field which is included in the building addition estimates and protection bollards for $36,291.00. The addition to the square footage on the building will require additional parking which will incur more costs. The construction cost estimate for parking expansion ranges from $763,675.00 to $1,844, 461.00. The new facility comparison indicates $6,325,000.00 for a new facility with 25,905 sf including one hundred fifty (150) parking stalls or a total remodel of the existing building with the maximum addition of 25,908 sf would be $4,144,822.00 and adding parking would increase the total cost between $4,908,497.00 to $5,989,083.00.

Ordinances (First Reading and Public Hearing; No Council Vote Anticipated):

Council Bill #2021-071

Accepting the Bid of BuildTec Construction, Inc. for the Well House #1 Improvement Project, and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract for Same was presented. Assistant Public Works Director Travis Cossey explained the improvements to well house #1. The bid award and contract authorization between the City and BuildTec Construction, LLC will allow BuildTec to demo the well house #1 and replace it with a new building. The well house is located at 209 St. Louis St. and is in extreme disrepair. Constructed in 1948 the well house contains the original 25,000-gallon ground storage tank that was used until the construction of Tower #1 on the property in 1961/1962. The roof at the well house is in serious disrepair and is being supported by the original storage tank. The contractor will demo and remove the existing building, storage tank and construct a new well house. The new well house will contain a disinfection room to accommodate the city’s chlorine and fluoride injection programs. The construction project is a 2021 CIP project #W2021-04 for $400,000.00. The city received three (3) bids that ranged from $324,000.00 to $397,332.00. The low bid from BuildTec Construction provided a bid that was under the budgeted amount. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments.

Sanders 976 Glen Oaks Dr. asked if the price of the project would be reduced if the fluoride/chlorine room was removed from the plans. With no further questions the public hearing was closed for comments.

Council Bill #2021-073

Calling for a Special Election on November 2, 2021, to Submit to the Qualified Voters of the City the Question of Whether to Recall Mayor Brian Steele, Authorizing the City Clerk to Do All Things Necessary or Convenient to Submit Said Question; and Amending the 2021 Annual Budget to Provide Funding for Said Special Election was presented. Robbins reviewed the ordinance calling for a special election. On June 28, 2021, the City Clerk’s office received a recall petition submitted by the petitioner’s committee. The petition is asking for the recall of Brian Steele Mayor of Nixa Missouri. On June 29, 2021, the petition was sent to Christian County Clerk’s office to verify the number of signatures. Ninety-seven (97) signatures were submitted and seventy-three (73) were verified as registered inside-city voters. To comply with the Home Rule Charter, Section 10-4(a) a certificate of sufficiency for the recall petition to the committee was sent via certified mail. The Home Rule Charter states in Section 10-6 (c) once a recall petition has been certified to Council as sufficient by the City Clerk, the Council shall at the next meeting after receipt of certification schedule a date to hold the special election. The election shall be held at the next available regular or special election date established by the Missouri election calendar in accordance with State law, for which timely notice may be given. The ordinance presented also includes a budget amendment for $15,000.00 for anticipated costs for this election. The funds requested are an estimate because Christian County Clerk Kay Brown can’t provide an exact cost, so it has been based on the election of April 2021. In the event the costs exceed $15,000.00 another budget amendment will be requested to cover additional costs. The certification deadline for the November election is August 24, 2021. Orf read a statement of his opinion regarding the recall petition. A copy of the letter Orf read is on file at Nixa City Hall. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments.

Belcher stated this issue could have put behind us, but the Mayor and Council refused to vote on the mask mandate and now City Council is upset because the special election could cost the city $15,000.00. Belcher asked why the mask mandate order was refused to be voted on for ten (10) months, there were opportunities to make a change.

Sanders asked as a city council what powers should be granted to the mayor. A council should not give unlimited powers to an executive. Principles have been spelled out in the Home Rule Charter that explain the job of the mayor. Citizens asked repeatedly to remove the mask mandate and as a result of that request not being done the recall petition was done.

Kent Ward 201 W. State St. asked where the 14% sales tax growth for 2020 came from. Evans stated access is given for sales tax report from particular retailors and under State Statute it is not allowed disclose as to which retailers it came from. Ward asked Orf about the statement of .4% of citizens trying to bring a $15,000.00 recall election to the ballots. Ward asked which department advised the lockdown? Orf stated it was the Department of Health and Senior Services that advised it for the State. With no further comments the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2021-074

Amending the 2021 Annual Budget to Appropriate Funding for the Fence Portion of the City’s Dog Park Project was presented. Park and Recreation Director Matt Crouse explained the budget amendment request for $45,925 to complete the dog park fencing. It was discovered the funds budgeted for the dog park in 2020 that were not expended did not get rolled over to the 2021 budget resulting in the request for a budget amendment. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments.

Belcher questioned spending $46,000.00 for fencing the dog park but the city will complain about spending $15,000.00 for an election. Belcher asked if the fence will be maintained as part of City property and added the flower gardens at city parks are in bad shape. Mayor Steele added there is a plan to refresh the bathrooms at McCauley Park. Belcher asked if city employees could maintain the flower gardens instead of elderly citizens trying to. Mayor Steele stated the gardens at the city’s parks are maintained by volunteers.

Giddens suggested to Sanders to ask the recall committee to join him and pull weeds at the City’s flower gardens. With no further comments the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2021-075

Accepting the Bid of K&B Equipment, LLC., for the Adjustment of Certain Sewer Utility Access Points; Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract for Same; and Amending the 2021 Annual Budget to Provide Funding for Same was presented. Cossey explained the project will be to adjust sewer manholes along East Highway 14 corridor. The need to adjust the manholes was not known or anticipated during the preparation of the 2021 budget and was not included as a CIP either. During the final preparations of the Highway 14 expansion MoDOT informed the city there are several manholes that will need to be raised. The manholes need to be raised to match the design of the final grade of the roadway expansion. The City received two (2) bids for this project, K&B Equipment, LLC for $56,560.00 and Doug’s Construction for $67,792.00. The low bidder of the two (2) bids submitted was K&B Construction, LLC. They are the contractor currently working on the waterline relocation project on Highway 14. To move forward with this project staff is requesting a budget amendment for $60,000.00 and award the bid to K&B Equipment, LLC. The City has submitted a reimbursement request to MoDOT for $12,875.00 because one (1) of the manholes needing to be raised is located in an existing city easement not in MoDOT’s right-of-way. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2021-076

Amending the 2021 Annual Budget to Appropriate Funding for an Outstanding Invoice for Maintenance Work on Water Tower #5 was presented. Assistant City Administrator/Public Works Director Doug Colvin explained the request of a budget amendment for an outstanding bill for maintenance work on water tower #5 from 2014. The city requested bids to complete maintenance and inspection work for water tower #5. Utility Services Co. was awarded the bid to complete the interior inspection, painting and touch up on the tower. The work was completed but failed to meet the standards the city expects. The city had to clean up the site and remove a sand pile left from sandblasting the interior bowl and additional clean ups were needed as well. Utility Services Co. did not provide an inspection report as required by the contract and did not send an invoice for the work. Numerous attempts were made by emails and conversations by former Water Department Superintendent Milton Dickensheet asking for the report and final invoice in the amount of $43,340.00. Dickensheet sent a certified letter with the same request in October 2015. The city carried the funds over from 2015 anticipating the closure of the project and receipt of both the report and invoice. On May 4, 2021, the city received a request from Utility Services Co. for final payment of the outstanding invoice. Several conversations and emails were held between city staff and Utility Services Co. resulting in a final invoice sent which was dated October 2015. The report does not meet the requirements outlined in the contract, but city staff have been advised to make the payment to Utility Services Co. The funds had not been carried over in the budget since 2015 so staff is requesting a budget amendment of $43,400.00 to close the file out. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, no comments were made, and the public hearing was closed.

Ordinances (Second Reading and Public Hearing; Council Vote Anticipated):

Council Bill #2021-068

Repealing Ordinance 2110 & Ordinance 2111 for the Purpose of Terminating the State of Emergency and Emergency Powers Granted to the Mayor to Address the Covid-19 Pandemic was presented. City Attorney Nick Woodman presented Council Bill #2021-068 which will repeal Ordinance #2110 and #2111. This would repeal the city’s emergency declaration and the emergency powers granted to Mayor Steele. Woodman provided the history of this bill. Council Bill#2021-068 was read at the June 28th Council meeting and it was postponed by a motion to the next regular city council meeting which is this evening’s meeting for a second reading. Ordinances #2110 and #2111 were adopted in March 2020. These two (2) ordinances declared a state of emergency existed in the City of Nixa as a result of COVID- 19 and granted the mayor certain emergency authority to address COVID-19. If Council Bill #2021-068 is approved Ordinances #2110 and #2111 will no longer be in effect. Woodman presented Amendment #1 if approved would modify the effective date of the bill. Instead of it being effective after the approval of Council and Mayor the bill would be effective on September 1, 2021. September 1, 2021 was chosen because the Governor’s current Executive Order #21-07 remains in effect until August 31, 2021, and Amendment #1 would coincide the City’s emergency declaration with the State’s. Council would have the authority to extend the emergency by an Ordinance. A discussion among Council and staff was held regarding concerns/opinions moving forward such as the authority of the City Administrator being able to make changes for a new COVID policy for city staff without having to ask for Council’s approval. Liles added he would be able to amend city policy without having Council’s approval as long as it is not violating an approved Resolution. 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 one (1) of the amendments presented. Orf made a motion to approve Amendment #2 with Hoogstraet seconding and all Council members voting aye. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve Council Bill #2021-068 as amended. Peterson made a motion to approve Council Bill #2021-068 as amended with Giddens seconding and Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas and Orf voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2021-072

Amending Chapter 117, Article VII, Section 117-277 of the Nixa City Code to Modify the Residential Side Yard Requirements was presented. Planning and Development Director Garrett Tyson reviewed the modifications approved to the city’s zoning code regarding dimensional standards such as building setbacks and required yards. At the May 24th regular council meeting Council considered two (2) separate amendments regarding required residential side yards. Amendment #1 would change the required side yard in residential districts from five (5) to seven (7) feet. Amendment #2 would be applicable to lots in subdivisions having a valid preliminary plat approved prior to the effective ordinance date. Staff recommended approving Amendment #1 and Amendment #2, but Amendment #2 was presented to make both changes so Council adopted Amendment #2 but did not adopt Amendment #1. Council’s intention was to effect the change in the required side yard from five (5) feet to seven (7) feet which measures to the foundation wall. 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, and all Council members voted aye. Giddens made a motion to approve Council Bill #2021-072 with Peterson seconding and Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf and Giddens voting aye on roll call vote.

Resolution (Public Hearing and Council Vote Anticipated):

Resolution #2021-072

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract Extension with Central Bank of the Ozarks for Banking Services for the Municipal Court was presented. Finance Director Jennifer Evans reviewed the contract extension with Central Bank of the Ozarks. This contract was for an initial three (3) year with the option of two (2) subsequent one (1) year extensions. The bank notified the City last year that due to the drop in the Fed Funds rate resulting from the Pandemic, the interest rate on the City’s account would be reduced. The interest rate from 2017-2019 was 1.7% on the checking account and 1.8% on the money market accounts. The renewal rate in 2020 was lowered to 0.45% and 0.5%. The continued loss of revenue that low interest rates represent have created a need for a Request for Proposal to ensure the City is receiving the most competitive rates available. Central Bank have agreed to extend the current rates of 0.45% and 0.5% through September 30, 2021, so the city can complete the RFP and selection process. The Municipal Court checking account has some challenges because of the integration of Office of the State Courts system (OSCA). The account has an average balance of $10,000.00 so the loss of interest revenue is negligible compared to the process of changing banks with the State. The recommendation of staff is the one (1) year extension of the contract with Central Bank of the Ozarks for banking services at the proposed renewal rates for the Municipal Court only. 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. Graham made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-072 with Orf seconding and all Council members voting aye.

Resolution #2021-073

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with the Association of Professional Trainers for the Use of a Certain Firing Range was presented. Police Chief Joe Campbell explained the range is partially closed, and the Police department has entered into a contract for use of the facilities at APT Firearms Academy for firearms training and qualification. The contract is set to expire in July 2021. This is an annual contract that can be adjusted as needed. The contract will allow the Police department to receive enough training days for firearms training and qualifications for commissioned officers of the department as well as training for the SWAT team (NETT). The Police department agrees to pay $2,500.00 annually and all training days have been agreed upon by both parties. Giddens asked what the fee was last year, and Campbell stated it was the same. 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. Peterson made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-073 with Giddens seconding and all Council members voting aye.

Discussion Items:

Liles reviewed the proposed Home Rule Charter Amendments. Liles is asking for review of the charter amendments. The changes would be for section 10.3 asking the voters of Nixa to change the number of signatures needed for a recall. If Council elects to present any changes to the public for vote, it could be placed on the ballot as early as the November election. Staff is asking for direction from Council on how to proceed. A brief discussion among Council was held as to how they feel about initiating the change to the percentage of signatures needed for initiative, referendum, and recall. Liles added the suggestion of reconvening the Home Rule Charter Review Committee is a good idea and they can also review other items in the Home Rule Charter such as the Municipal Court. Woodman stated the Charter requires an ordinance to bring the Home Rule Charter Review Committee back to session. There will be an ordinance presented at the next Council meeting for the Home Rule Charter Review Committee.

Mayor Steele inquired about the physical arrests presented in the informational items. Campbell stated the procedure of physical arrests is back in place.

Graham received an email from a citizen concerned about the closing of Norton Road. The explanation of the work that was planned was gave so Graham could relay it to the concerned citizen.

Orf referred the citizen to the Ozarks Transportation Organization Major Throughfare maps for reference

Mayor Steele received complaints about the burning of the fields in the area of the Norton Road construction.

Hoogstraet requested a briefing from the Health Department regarding the Delta Variant. Liles stated he can reach out to local health officials for Hoogstraet’s request.

Adjourn:

At 9:08 p.m. Giddens made a motion to adjourn with Hoogstraet seconding and all Council members voting aye.