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.

Consent Agenda

Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve 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.

Service Awards

Mayor Steele recognized Damian Smith for his 10 years of service to the City. Jeff Roussell, Street Superintendent, stated Smith could not be in attendance for the meeting. Roussell said Smith is instrumental in street sign implementation and right-of-way spraying. Roussell also said Smith helps teach other coworkers information needed for the CDL test. Mayor Steele recognized Corey Becker for his 10 years of service to the City. Roussell stated Becker could not be in attendance for the meeting. Roussell said Becker started in the building and grounds crew but has been promoted to a lead position. Roussell stated Becker is continually trying to learn and is helpful in teaching co-workers. Mayor Steele recognized Trevor Hale for his five (5) years of service to the City. Roussell stated Hale could not be in attendance for the meeting. Roussell said Hale started as a utility worker and transferred to the Street Department. Roussell stated Hale with office expansions because he is very versed in framing and sheetrock. Mayor Steele recognized Tom Fraizer for his five (5) years of service to the City. Brian Denney, Electric Superintendent, stated Fraizer could not be in attendance for the meeting. Denney said Fraizer came to the City from another local municipality as a Journey Lineman and two (2) years ago was promoted to a lead position. Denney stated Fraizer teaches the apprentice lineman. Mayor Steele recognized Jason Cook for his 10 years of service to the City. Cindy Robbins, Assistant City Administrator, stated Cook started in the Street Department and was transferred in 2013 to the Building Department. Robbins said Cook was a certified residential building inspector. Mayor Steele recognized Jason Bennett for his 15 years of service to the City. Joe Campbell, Police Chief, stated Bennett is a sergeant with the department and came to them from the academy. Campbell stated Bennett has held many positions within the department and is currently the support division’s supervising sergeant. Campbell stated Bennett is known for his critical thinking skills. Mayor Steele recognized Christiana Gullett for her 10 years of service to the City. Campbell stated Gullett is a corporal with the department and came to them from the academy. Campbell stated that Gullett has held many positions with in the City the most recent being a detective in the support division, however, she is currently back in operations as a field supervisor. Campbell said in every position she is in, Gullett is known for her detailed reports. Mayor Steele recognized Laurie Wilkerson for her five (5) years of service to the City. Jennifer Evans, Finance Director, stated Wilkerson is consistent, intelligent, tenacious, organized, and a hard worker. Evans stated Wilkerson was recently promoted to lead accounting clerk from the accounts payable clerk which means she is currently wearing multiple hats in the finance department. Mayor Steele recognized Beth Reed-Francis for her five (5) years of service to the City. Evans stated Reed-Francis could not be in attendance for the meeting. Evans read a statement from Utility Billing supervisor Bryan Hawk, about Reed Francis. The statement said Reed-Francis is dedicated to the job and was recently promoted to lead billing clerk. The statement also noted that Reed-Francis has a positive outlook and takes pride in her work.

Proclamation

Mayor Steele read a proclamation proclaiming June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Representatives from the Nixa High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance, PFLAG Springfield, and the GLO Center were in attendance to accept the proclamation.

Visitors

James Perry, 207 N Gregg Rd., stated he was speaking in favor of the proclamation. Perry said the proclamation is massive to many in the community and citizens can feel valued now. Perry thanked the Mayor for this proclamation. Aaron Schekorra, 518 E Commercial St. Springfield, stated he was the President of PFLAG Springfield. Schekorra said he was speaking in favor of the proclamation. Schekorra stated PFLAG works to make lives better by working with parents of LGBTQ+ children. Schekorra said support from the community can help prevent bad outcomes in LGBTQ+ youth. Shelia Michaels, 783 Rippling Creek, thanked Council for the proclamation. Michaels said she was a teacher in the community and spoke about how important the proclamation was for the community. Tamara Yancy, 1320 W Carriage Ct., thanked the Mayor and Council for the proclamation. Yancy stated she hopes this proclamation will lead the community to come together. Janicia Volce, 1947 W James River Dr., stated she was a biological and foster parent as well as a teacher in the community. Volce thanked the Mayor and Council for the proclamation and told them it was needed in the community. Megan Block, 518 Commercial St. Springfield, stated she was the Co-President of the Board of Directors of the GLO Center. Block thanked the Mayor and Council for the proclamation. Block stated GLO provides resources and support to the community and is a place to be oneself. Jeanne Coburn, 1371 W Stonehouse Rd., stated she was the sister of someone who identified as gay. Coburn said the proclamation was important because everyone is important regardless of who they are. Coburn thanked the Mayor and Council for recognizing Pride Month. Elizabeth Buskirk, 1227 Verna Ln., stated she was a college professor, mother and stepmother. Buskirk said she cares deeply about the community and region. Buskirk said many don’t have a choice to be their authentic selves and thanked the Mayor and Council for this glimmer of hope. Buskirk thanked the Mayor and Council for the proclamation.

Council Bill #2022-058

Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Mutual Aid Agreement to Continue the City’s Participation in the Combined Ozarks Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Team Task Force. Campbell said this task force is called COMET and the MOU with COMET has been done for many years. Campbell stated that this ordinance would be updating the MOU; however, nothing has changed with the agreement itself. Campbell said this task force investigates more than just drugs, they investigate crimes involving sex trafficking, gun cases, assault, and murder. Campbell told Council this task force is a great resource. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2022-051

Amending the 2022 Annual Budget to Appropriate Funds for the Scoping for a Police Department Expansion. Campbell stated this council bill was first (1st) read on May 9th. Campbell told Council this council bill would provide options for an expansion or remodel to the police department and the design options would be coming from Insight Design. Campbell stated the budget amendment would be for $20,000. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called a motion to approve the council bill. Giddens made a motion to approve Council Bill #2022-051 with Peterson seconding and Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, and Orf voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-052

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute Contracts with Southwest Power Pool and Southwestern Power Administration for the Provisions of Electric Transmission Services in the City. Doug Colvin, Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director, stated these two (2) agreements are renewals and updates to existing agreements with new expiration dates of June 2030. Colvin said the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) agreement is the standard transmission agreement and the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) is an agreement between the City of Nixa and SPP. 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 #2022-052 with Graham seconding and Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, and Giddens all voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-053

Amending the 2022 Annual Budget to Reflect Several Adjustments to the Utility Department Funds. Colvin stated this council bill was first (1st) read on May 9th. Colvin stated the purchase of the RDE Water System and the Tuscany Hills Water System is what prompted the need for a budget amendment. Colvin stated there is also a budget amendment need for the electric department for increased materials cost. Colvin said the electric department budget amendment would be $285,700 the water department budget amendment would be $4,142,177 and the wastewater budget amendment would be $385,107. 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 #2022-053 with Lucas seconding and Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, Giddens, and Peterson voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-054

Rezoning the Real Property Generally Located Along the 900 Block of East Mount Vernon Street From the R-1 Residential District to the General Commercial District. Robbins stated this council bill was first (1st) read on May 9th. Robbins stated the property is vacant, the proposed land use is consistent for the area, Mount Vernon is sufficient to support the proposed land use, and utilities are available but the access to water is a concern. Robbins stated the rezone failed at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting due to a lack of second on a motion. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments. Ron Sanders, 976 Glen Oaks Dr., attended the last meeting where citizens spoke against this rezone. Sanders commented he hopes Council will vote no on the rezone. Derek Bodendorfer, 255 Shangri-La, asked Council to leave the property zoned R-1. Bodendorfer asked who he would need to speak to so that the neighbors would not need to go through this rezoning issue on this property again. Bodendorfer also asked if the City could be interested in purchasing the property. Jimmy Liles, City Administrator, told Bodendorfer he could come speak with him. Joe Green, 168 Shangri-La, stated he is concerned with traffic in that area and said there is no other commercial properties in that area. Leslie Dye, 201 Shangri-La, stated there is no other commercial property in the area. Dye asked that council keep the zoning as R-1 as there are already covenants for that lot to have a single family home built. With no further comments made the public hearing was closed. Council stated that commercial traffic would not be good at that location. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the council bill. Giddens made a motion to approve with Lucas seconding and Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, Giddens, Peterson, and Graham voting nay on roll call vote. Council Bill #2022-054 did not pass.

Council Bill #2022-055

Rezoning the Real Property Generally Located Along the 400 Block of East Mount Vernon Street From the R-1 Residential District and the Neighborhood Commercial District to the General Commercial District. Robbins stated the first (1st) read of this council bill was on May 9th. Robbins stated the property is located at the corner of East Mount Vernon and Market Street. Robbins said the property is vacant, with the proposed land use consistent with the area, Highway 14 has sufficient capacity to handle the proposed rezoning, and utilities are immediately available. Robbins stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission passed the rezone unanimously. 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. Lucas made a motion to approve Council Bill #2022-055 with Orf seconding and Lucas, Orf, Giddens, Peterson, Graham, and Hoogstraet all voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-056

Amending Chapter 105 of the Nixa City Code to Add Provisions Related to the Protection and Preservation of Karst Features. Robbins stated the first (1st) reading of this council bill was on May 9th. Robbins stated the city has regulated the development around sinkholes for many years. Robbins stated this council bill will modify marginal sinkhole development. Robbins stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval. 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 #2022-056 with Person seconding and Orf, Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, and Lucas all voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-057

Amending the 2022 Annual Budget to Appropriate Funds for Design Services for Parks Facilities. Matt Crouse, Parks Director, stated this council bill was first (1st) read on May 9th. Crouse stated the budget amendment would be $40,000. Crouse stated the parks department participation has grown and the facilities are starting to be maxed out. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing, 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 #2022-057 with Graham seconding and Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, and Orf all voting aye on roll call vote.

Resolution #2022-055

Authorizing the City Administrator to Apply for and Accept a 2022 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant in the Amount of $9,733.00 Which Includes a Matching Requirement. Campbell told Council that the department applies for this grant yearly and it is a 50% matching grant. Campbell said the money from the grant would be used to purchase new vests for incoming officers and to replace vests that would be expiring next year. 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 #2022-055 with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-056

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with Bellefeuil, Szue & Associates, Inc. for an Enterprise Resource Planning System. Evans stated it has been a long process to select a new ERP software. Evans said the process started with a Baker Tilly who conducted a needs assessment, drafted an RFP, solicited responses, and guided demonstrations. Evans stated the City has chosen BS&N as the new software system, which staff chose overwhelmingly. 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. Peterson made a motion to approve Resolution #2022-056 with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-057

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with BBC Electrical Services, LLC, for Construction Services Related to the Electric System. Colvin stated this agreement is for contract work on the labor work on the electric side. Colvin said that this contract is bid out every three (3) years and has bids for 246 potential standard tasks. Colvin stated there was only one (1) actual bid and the current contract is with that company. Council asked how the contract would work in the event of any emergency. Colvin stated this is a large company that works for multiple entities and they stay in contact with our electric department. Colvin said that the City doesn’t usually use this company during an emergency; they are used in proactive work. Council asked if there was similar bid recently for the electric department. Colvin stated there was one very similar. 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. Giddens made a motion to approve Resolution #2022-057 with Hoogstraet seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-058

Amending Policy 1014 of the Police Department’s Law Enforcement Policy Manual to Modify Provisions Related to Compensation and Overtime Pay. Campbell said this resolution would modify the compensation and overtime pay section of the Police Department’s Law Enforcement Policy Manual. Campbell said on May 9th the Council approved Juneteenth as an observed holiday and this resolution would update the policy to show 12 paid holidays. Campbell stated the resolution would also increase the annual bank of holiday hours to 144 hours from 132 hours. Council asked for clarification on the 144 hours for which employees with Campbell responding 144 hours for all to keep consistency. 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 #2022-058 with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-059

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with D&E Plumbing and Heating, Inc., for the Construction of a Police Firing Range. Campbell stated this project is a CIP for the year. Campbell said the project will be completed in two (2) phases with the firing range being phase one (1) and the training building being phase two (2). Campbell said there was only one (1) bid; however, D&E Plumbing has done many projects for the City in the past. Council asked about D&E Plumbing and the number of projects they currently have going and if they will be able to provide adequate attention to this project. Colvin stated they have multiple crews and equipment, and the number of projects would be very manageable. Campbell stated Shaffer & Hines is seeing a lot of no bids so the City is lucky to have gotten this bid. 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 #2022-057 with Graham seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Unfinished Business Items

Drew Douglas, Communications Director, provided information on the current brand family. Douglas told Council the current seal and flag were updated in 2017/2018. Douglas provided information on the current branding strategy. Douglas said the City needs a branding refresh to make the City more contemporary and make the branding family more consistent. Douglas discussed that the branding refresh should be unique, authentic, honest, natural, and not cliché. Douglas provided examples of the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Springfield, Missouri, and Ozark, Missouri branding families. Douglas provided information on the branding refresh options A-1, A-2, B, and C. Douglas discussed the flag options. Douglas stated he doesn’t recommend a white flag. Douglas showed flag options with the city seal, with a word mark, and symmetrical designs. Next, Douglas discussed potentially modifying the current x in the parks logo for a City logo. Council held discussion on many items including the modified parks x, the “x” options within potential seals A1 and A2, adding a modified “x” on the water towers, potential flag options, and seal options A1 and A2. Douglas stated he recommends seal options A or B. Council held additional discussion on the seal options. Council asked about the proposed police patch with Campbell responding. Council asked why seal options A and B were recommended with Douglas responding. Council gave direction to move forward with seal option A1 and asked for Douglas to bring back a blue flag option to review at the next Council meeting.

Liles reminded Council that City offices will be closed Monday May 30th for Memorial Day. Liles also stated there was a good turnout for Sucker Days. Graham thanked everyone for their help at Sucker Days.

Mayor Steele called for a motion to adjourn. Giddens made a motion to adjourn at 8:57 p.m. with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.