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.

Declaring the Results of the April 5th, 2022, General Municipal Election. Nick Woodman, City Attorney, stated that a resolution declaring the election results is required by section 9.3 of the charter after the County Clerk has officially declared the results of the election. 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 #2022-044, with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Rebekka Coffey, City Clerk, swore in the re-elected officials. Council Member for District 2 – Aron Peterson and Council Member for District 3 – Justin Orf.

Mayor Steele called for a motion to elect Mayor Pro Tempore. Orf nominated Giddens as Mayor Pro Tempore, with Graham seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

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

Mayor Steele recognized Angela Brooke for her five (5) years of service to the City. Doug Colvin, Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director, stated that Brooke transferred to the Public Works Department in 2019 after two (2) years with the Utility Billing. Colvin stated Brooke has good customer service skills and helps all of the department heads with projects. Mayor Steele recognized Lieutenant Fleetwood for his 10 years of service to the City. Chad Tennis, Deputy Police Chief, stated Fleetwood has many duties within the department. Tennis said a few of them include the operations bureau commander, the Nixa Emergency Tactical Team commander, field training administrator, and recruiter. Tennis commended Fleetwood’s recruiting efforts. Mayor Steele recognized Corporal Justin Henderson for his five (5) years of service to the City. Joe Campbell, Police Chief, stated Henderson could not be in attendance tonight. Campbell said he is a corporal in the operations division. Campbell stated that Henderson become interested in becoming a police officer after attending the Nixa Citizens Police Academy. Campbell said he is an asset to the department. Mayor Steele recognized Chris Huett for his 15 years of service to the City. Brian Denney, Electric Superintendent, stated that Huett started in utilities as a meter reader and is now the Assistant Electric Superintendent through hard work and dedication. Denney stated Huett is his right-hand man, and the City should be proud to have him as an employee. Mayor Steele recognized Varian Plank for his 15 years of service to the City. Jason Stutesmun, Water Superintendent, stated Plank started in utilities as a meter reader and transferred to the water department in 2012. Stutesmun said that Plank is the Lead Operator and is in charge of a variety of duties, including taking care of wells, water towers, and water systems. Stutesmun said Plank takes over 40 water samples per month and is an asset to the City.

Mayor Steele read a proclamation proclaiming May 1st – 7th as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Karen Perry with 4Jake was in attendance to accept the proclamation.

Jeff Belcher, 203 S. Ellen, discussed the April 11th Council Meeting and the visitors present at that meeting. Belcher asked questions of the Council while verifying their physical addresses. Belcher discussed Mayor Steele’s personal Facebook page. Mayor Steele responded to Belcher’s comments. Sandy Karnes, 622 N Maplewood Hills Rd., discussed doxing and her right to support her chosen candidates. Karnes discussed Mayor Steele’s personal Facebook page. Karnes requested that Mayor Steele remove a link from his Facebook page.

Council Bill #2022-042

Amending the 2022 Annual Budget to Appropriate Funds for a Full-Time Paralegal Position. Nick Woodman, City Attorney, stated that the cost to fund a full-time paralegal would be $57,361 with a two percent (2%) addition for potential overtime. Woodman said that per the Council’s direction at the April 11th Council Meeting this is the ordinance to amend the budget to fund the paralegal position. Woodman stated that the budget amendment would cover pay, benefits, and equipment. Woodman said that the paralegal would start sometime after May 15th and asked to post the position later in the week. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2022-041

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute an Agreement with Several Local Jurisdictions to Facilitate the Expansion of Broadband High-Speed Internet Services. Jimmy Liles, City Administrator, stated that this ordinance would allow for the creation of an RBI board to evaluate and select a feasibility consultant. Liles said that if the City chooses to participate in the feasibility study after the consultant is selected, the City’s portion of the costs would be 10.62%. Liles stated that once the costs are known, the Council will be given the opportunity to decide if they would like to move forward with the study. 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. Orf made a motion to approve Council Bill #2022-041 with Peterson seconding and Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, and Orf voting aye on roll call vote.

Resolution #2022-042

Amending the Police Department’s Law Enforcement Policy Manual. Joe Campbell, Police Chief, said at the April 11th meeting that some of the documents that were attached to the ordinance were incomplete, and the documents before Council tonight were updated. Since the April 11th meeting, Campbell stated that no changes were made to the documents. 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 #2022-042, with Hoogstraet seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-045

Granting a Permit to Nixa Public Schools to Authorize the Display of Fireworks for the 2022 High School Varsity Football Season. Garrett Tyson, Planning and Development Director, stated the School District requested to continue the public fireworks for the 2022 home football games. Tyson stated that this resolution would give them authorization for fireworks September-November. Tyson stated the operators from last year’s fireworks display will be the operators this year. Tyson said the school district requires the operator to show proof of liability insurance in the amount of $5 million and worker’s compensation insurance. Tyson stated that staff recommends approval of the resolution. 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 #2022-045, with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-046

Authorizing the Sale or Distribution of Alcohol on City Property for a Proposed Special Event to be Held by the Rotary Club of Nixa. Tyson stated that the special event would be held on June 4, 2022, at McCauley Park. Tyson said the application provides evidence that the guidelines set forth in the City Code will be met. Tyson stated the Rotary Club had held this same event at the same location without any incidents, and that staff recommends approval. Council asked if Tyson knew what kind of event it would be, with Tyson responding that the event was a fundraiser to benefit the Christian County 100 Club. Matt Crouse, Parks Director, stated the event would be a cornhole tournament. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments. Sandy Karnes, 622 N Maplewood Hills Rd., asked if any of the Council Members were a member of the Rotary Club. Council responded that none of them were a member of the Rotary Club. 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 #2022-046, with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-047

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute Contracts with On-Side Construction LLC and Ewing Signal LLC for Boring, Excavation, and Trenching Work. Travis Cossey, Assistant Public Works Director, stated this resolution was for a bid award for two (2) different contracts for on-call services for boring and trenching work. Cossey stated this is an annual contract, and staff is asking for two (2) contractors this year due to the increase in the workload. Cossey said staff is recommending approval of both contracts. Council asked about the prices both companies quoted for the bid. Cossey stated that the bid was made in unit prices for each service that could be requested. Cossey said these unit prices would give staff the opportunity to contact the first (1st) responder for a particular job. 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. Orf made a motion to approve Resolution #2022-047 with Peterson seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-048

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with Emery Sapp & Sons Inc., for Certain Milling and Asphalt Work. Cossey stated that the contract contained within the resolution was an annual bid. Cossey stated three (3) bids were received, with Emery Sapp & Sons being the lowest bid. Cossey said Emery Sapp has previously done work for the City and would be milling and overlying approximately three point five (3.5) miles of City streets. Council asked who the contract was last year. Cossey stated Blevins was the contractor the previous two (2) years. 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. Hoogstraet made a motion to approve Resolution #2022-048, with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Liles provided an ARPA funds update. Liles stated that the Nixa Community Foundation had selected its grant recipients for the $30,000 that was received from the City. Freedom’s Rest received $5,750, Volunteers of Medicine received $8,250, Least of These received $5,750, Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks received $8,250, and Project Birthday Bag received $2,000. Liles also stated he attended an affiliate conference for the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, where he spoke about Nixa’s donation and the process of distributing the ARPA funds. Liles stated that the Home Rule Charter meetings began last week, and the commission hopes to have amendments to them by November. Giddens addressed Belcher’s comments about his personal property taxes. Giddens also commented on the 19 new business licenses over last year’s new business license numbers. Giddens also questioned the sales and use tax numbers. Evans responded about an overpayment this time last year that skewed the number for this year. Peterson said that Saturday, April 30th, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. he and Officer Forgey will be at Walgreens for National Drug Take Back Day.

Peterson made a motion to adjourn to executive session pursuant to sections (3) & (13) RSMo. in which the Council will discuss the hiring, firing, disciplining, or promoting of particular employees, and personal information about the employees is to be discussed; and individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to the employee are to be discussed. This closed session, records related thereto, and any votes taken by the Council shall be closed pursuant to section 610.021, particularly sections 610.021 (3) & (13). The Council Meeting adjourned at the conclusion of the executive session.