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

Mayor Steele recognized Drew Douglas for his five (5) years of service to the City. Cindy Robbins, Assistant City Administrator, stated Drew is the Communications Director. Robbins stated he takes care of the communications for all of the departments within the City. Robbins said Douglas was instrumental in the Strategic Planning process and is currently working on a branding project. Robbins stated that she is appreciative of every day that Douglas is here. Mayor Steele recognized Carrie Brown for her 25 years of service to the City. Bryan Hawk, Utility Billing Supervisor, stated that Brown could not be in attendance tonight. Hawk said Brown's experience and tenure with the City makes his job easier. Hawk stated that Brown has held many positions within the City but is currently in the utility office. Hawk said Brown provides excellent customer service and is a valued member of the team.

Mayor Steele read a proclamation declaring February as Black History Month.

Jeremy Ealy, 640 Chitwood Ln., discussed a sewer backup that occurred in his residence in December of 2021 and his interactions with City staff concerning the sewer backup. Robbins discussed the findings of the City's insurance company. Robbins also stated that the claim had also been given to the contractor Ace Pipe Cleaning for their insurance company's insurance agency to review. Robbins also told Council she had suggested that Mr. Ealy submit a claim to his insurance company, with Mr. Ealy responding that he was no inclined to file any claim on his homeowner's insurance. Robbins said that the check request for the family's hotel stay should be processed soon, and she is trying to make contact with the company that did the initial clean-up in Mr. Ealy's home. Council held discussion with Mr. Ealy and staff.

Chris Russell, Chamber of Commerce Director, provided Council with a Chamber update. Russell told Council there are currently 523 active members of the Chamber, the Chamber has a $450,000 budget this year, and there are 110 Chamber events scheduled for 2022. Russell gave an overview of the Nixa property taxes compared to the Ozark. Russell discussed some of the big events the Chamber has planned for 2022; these included Sucker Days, Nixpo, and Sky-High fireworks. Russell reminded Council of the Experience Nixa App the Chamber launched and the future expansion of that app. Next, Russell provided information on the Nixa Arts Council. Russell discussed the Sculpture on the Move project and the need for Nixa to have more sculptures/art in the City. Lastly, Russell told Council that the Chamber is under contract for a new Chamber and Visitors Center that will be located across the street from City Hall. Council asked questions about the Sculpture on the Move project. Sam Hamra, Hamra Enterprises, stated he was the City's attorney in the 1960s when the electric co-op was created. Hamra provided Council with a detailed history of the Nixa Electric system. This history includes Nixa voters passing bonds to pay for the electric system, Empire Electric supplying the City with electricity while our system was being built, and ultimately the Nixa electric system being presented to the President for approval. A 5-minute break was taken at 8:15 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., the meeting was called back to order.

Council Bill #2022-012

Amending Chapter 22, Article IV, Section 22.210 of the Nixa City Code to Establish New Rates for Electric Service. Doug Colvin, Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director, stated that this ordinance would allow for a rate reduction for this year and small incremental increases through 2026. Colvin stated that the last rate reduction was made in October of 2017. Colvin gave an overview of the factors that support a new rate change and the proposed rates for 2022-2026. Colvin provided Council with a chart with the new electric rates by service class and the need for increasing the private security lighting rate. Next, Colvin provided Council with a chart detailing the estimated revenue/expense and unrestricted reserve balance. Colvin also discussed the cash balances in the future after the rate changes took effect. After a brief Council discussion, Colvin stated he would be bringing back an updated chart at the next Council Meeting with corrected numbers. Colvin provided information on the Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA). Colvin discussed the formula to determine each annual adjustment and gave an example of how the ECA could affect customer's bills. Colvin next provided Council with a chart comparing the rates of similar electric providers to the new proposed rate. Council held discussion on the proposed rate change. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was

Council Bill #2022-0013

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks for the Administration of a Grant Funding Program and Amending the 2022 Budget to Appropriate Funds for Such Contract. Robbins provided background information to Council regarding the use of ARPA funds for non-profits. Robbins told Council the ordinance is to allow for a contract with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks to allow them to distribute the funds for the City through their grant process. Robbins also stated that this ordinance would approve a budget amendment for those funds. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2022-011

Amending Chapter 6 of the Nixa City Code by Modifying Sections 6-4 and 6-5 so that Violations of Said Sections Apply to Certain Animals Within the City Limits Regardless of Where the Animal is Kept. Nick Woodman, City Attorney, stated that this ordinance was first read on January 10, 2022. Woodman said this ordinance would modify the animal at large and rabies vaccination sections of the City code to apply to animals that are present in the City limits, not just kept inside the City limits. 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 ordinance. Giddens made a motion to approve Council Bill #2022-011 with Hoogstraet seconding and Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, and Orf voting aye on roll call.

Resolution #2022-014

Consenting to the Mayor's Appointment of Matt Ogden and Tariq Lewis to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Garrett Tyson, Planning and Development Director, stated that in late November 2021, the Planning and Zoning Commission had to Commissioner resign. Tyson stated Matt Ogden would fill the remainder of David Young's term, which will end in November 2022, and Tariq Lewis will fill the remainder of Ryan Keating's term, which will end in November 2023. Council held discussion. 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 #2022-014 with Peterson seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-015

Amending the City's Personnel Handbook by Modifying Policy 7.1.5 Which Relates to Personal Hours. Amanda Hunsucker, Human Resources Director, stated that this policy relates to the Police Department's personal hours. Hunsucker gave a brief overview of how the Police Department earns personal hours. Council asked clarifying questions, with Hunsucker responding. Council asked Police Chief Joe Campbell his thoughts on the policy changes with him responding. Council held an additional discussion. 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. The resolution died on the floor due to a lack of motion.

Resolution #2022-016

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with the Ozarks Transportation Organization to Provide Project and Construction Management Services for the Main Street Improvement Project. Travis Cossey, Assistant Public Works Director, stated that in the 2022 budget is a capital improvement project that will include improvements to the North Main corridor from Tracker Road north to Highway CC. Cossey said the project would be I funded with federal funds allotted to the City from the Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO). Cossey said this year, the City has the opportunity to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with OTO to help with the administrative processes to get through the federal funds and federal highway process to obtain the 80% allotment of funds to that project. The program and process is a no cost agreement with OTO. Council asked what type of improvements would happen at that section of road. 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 #2022-016 with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-017

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with Decker and DeGood, PC. For Auditing Services. Jennifer Evans, Finance Director, stated that the City has an external audit performed each year, and in previous years the letter of engagement from the auditor has been used to initiate that audit. Evans said a formal contract would be used to initiate the audit in the future. Evans told Council the contract would show the charges for services and the letter of engagement sent by the auditor. 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 #2022-017 with Peterson seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Evans stated she would be changing the budget summary to look like the budget dashboard that was presented in the budget.

Peterson made a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to sections 610.021 (3) & (13) RSMo with Orf seconding and Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, and Giddens voting aye on roll call vote. The City Council Meeting adjourned at the close of the executive session.