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, Aron Peterson, Darlene Graham, and Amy Hoogstraet. Jarad Giddens was absent. The pledge of allegiance was given.

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

Mayor Steele recognized Jerry Rockhold for his 10 years of service to the City. Jason Stutesmun, Water and Wastewater Superintendent, stated that Jerry Rockhold could not be in attendance. Stutesmun said that Rockhold started with the Parks department and moved to the Wastewater department after a year. Stutesmun stated Rockhold takes care of the lift stations, inspects grease traps, and works at the recycling center on the weekends.

Mayor Steele read a proclamation proclaiming March as Women's History Month.

George Baronkovich, 2037 N. Equestrian Lane Nixa, provided Council with a handout about life insurance. Baronkovich discussed the need to attract more doctors and insurance agencies to the City, as well as the need for more natural doctors.

None of the presenters were available for the meeting.

Council Bill #2022-027

Amending Chapter 2 of the Nixa City Code to Add Provisions Related to the Procedures of the City Council. Nick Woodman, City Attorney, said this ordinance would guide and govern the processes of the City Council, and having a procedures policy is typical for legislative bodies. Woodman discussed the importance of having a written procedures policy. Woodman next discussed each division of the ordinance in detail. Division 2 would handle the calling and scheduling of Council Meetings, Division 3 would handle the conduct of Council Meetings, Division 4 would handle Council actions, and Division 5 would handle Council Committees. Council asked about the current public hearing comment section time limits, with Woodman responding. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2022-028

Amending the 2022 Annual Budget to Appropriate Funds for the Lease of Police Vehicles. Joe Campbell, Chief of Police, stated that during the 2022 budget process, it was decided to use Enterprise Leasing to acquire new police vehicles. Campbell said a plan to rotate 12 vehicles out during 2022 for a cost of $212,000 was finalized. Campbell stated that the department was told that vehicles would be late due to inventory issues during the process. Campbell told Council the department's feelt manager made contact with a dealership in Kentucky and was able to find different vehicles that would allow delivery sooner. Campbell said this ordinance is to amend the budget to provide an additional $100,329 to cover the additional costs for leasing the different style vehicles. Council asked what type of vehicles the department would be getting now, with Campbell responding 2022 Chevy Tahoe. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2022-029

Establishing a Charter Review Commission to Review the City's Charter and Recommend Any Proposed Amendments Thereto. Jimmy Liles, City Administrator, told Council that in December 2021 through January 3rd, 2022, the City began receiving applications from citizens to serve on the Home Rule Charter Commission Review Committee. Liles stated there were 39 applications: 12 from District 1, 14 from District 2,.and 13 from District 3. The applicants being recommended by the Mayor are from District 1 are Greg Anderson, Kendal Dingus, Kiri Home. The applicants for District 2 are Andrew Carl, David Larsen, and Ruth Maynard. The applicants from District 3 are Charlotte Stapleton, Mark Hartsock, and Karen Keever. Liles said that there are alternates for each district if a commissioner can no longer fulfill their duties. Liles stated that staff recommends the Mayor's recommendations. Council thanked all of the applicants. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2022-021

Annexing Approximately 5 Acres of Real Property Generally Located at 617 South Harrison Street; Zoning Said Property to the R-5 Zoning District; and Amending Chapter 2, Article II of the Nixa City Code. Garrett Tyson, Planning and Development Director, stated that this ordinance is to allow the annexation of 617 South Harrison Street. Tyson said the property would be zoned R-5 multi-family district. Tyson stated that this district would allow for medium-density housing, with each housing unit having its own ground floor entrance. Tyson told Council that the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval. Mayor St ele 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. Orf made a motion to approve Ordinance #2022-021 with Hoogstraet seconding and Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, and Orf voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-022

Granting Special Use Permit 22-001 to Authorize a Bar, with Restaurant, Use for the Neighborhood Commercial Zone Property Located at I 05 West Sherman Way, Suite IO1. Tyson stated that a bar with a restaurant was not allowed at I05 West Sherman Way, Suite IO I, without a special use permit. Tyson stated that the current district, although labeled a neighborhood commercial district, it is more of a commercial district, and the special use permit at this location is appropriate. Tyson said the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend 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 ordinance. Lucas made a motion to approve Ordinance #2022-022 with Orf seconding and Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, and Orf voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-023

Granting Special Use Permit 22-002 to Authorize a Short Term Residential Rental Use for the Single-Family Zoned Property Located at 605 South Bradford Avenue. Tyson stated that a short-term rental, better known as an air b-n-b, would not be allowed in this residential district without a special use permit. Tyson said the applicant had met all the requirements for a short-term rental, and the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend 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 ordinance. Peterson made a motion to approve Ordinance #2022-023 with Orf seconding and Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, and Peterson voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-024

Amending the 2022 Annual Budget to Appropriate Funds for the Purchase of a Floor Burnisher for the Parks Department. Matt Crouse, Parks Director, stated this ordinance was for a budget amendment for $7,500 for a new floor burnisher for the parks department. Crouse said the current burnisher is from the early 2000s and has broken down and needs replaced. 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. Hoogstraet made a motion to approve Ordinance #2022-024 with Graham seconding and Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, Peterson, and Graham voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-025

Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Asset Purchase Agreement with Rex Deffenderfer Enterprises, Inc. for the Acquisition of a Certain Water System. Liles stated he would be presenting information on this ordinance tonight. Liles said that the asset purchase agreement for the ROE Water system would be $2.5 million, and the asset purchase agreement for Tuscany Hills would be $500,000. Liles told Council that if they approved this ordinance, approvals from the agencies that currently oversee these systems would be needed before the sale could proceed. Liles said closing on both systems would be 60 days after the approvals happened. Liles stated that staff would come back to Council with utility rates before the actual closings. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments. Chris Russell, Nixa Chamber of Commerce Director, said he was very excited about this purchase. Russell stated he had never seen a better opportunity for growth that would impact economic development. With no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the ordinance. Orf made a motion to approve Ordinance #2022-025 with Peterson seconding and Lucas, Orf, Peterson, Graham, and Hoogstraet voting aye on roll call vote.

Council Bill #2022-026

Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Asset Purchase Agreement with the Tuscany Hills Regional Sewer District, Inc. for the Acquisition of Certain Sewer and Water Systems. Liles stated that the information for this ordinance was presented in the previous bill. 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. Graham made a motion to approve Ordinance #2022-026 with Hoogstraet seconding and Orf, Peterson, Graham Hoogstraet, and Lucas voting aye on roll call vote.

Resolution #2022-029

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Sponsorship Agreement with Academy Sports and Outdoors. Crouse stated this agreement would provide sponsorships for baseball teams, banner and signage, and social media posts, etc. Crouse said that the City would receive the ability to have discount shopping days for residents with Academy. Crouse stated 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. Lucas made a motion to approve Resolution #2022-029 with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2022-0210

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to Provide Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Funding for Certain Improvements on North Main Street. Jeff Roussell, Street Superintendent, stated this resolution would allow for $2.3 million in grant funding to be allocated to the City. Roussell said this money would be used to upgrade Main and Tracker to Highway CC. Roussell told Council that the City's portion of the project would be $462,286, with the rest of the total reimbursed to the City after the project's completion. Council asked if the improvements would include the intersection. Roussell responded that improvements would only go to the State right-of-way; however, MODOT is looking at that intersection, and the City is hoping to know their intentions by the fall. Council asked if the bike lane would be expanded, with Roussell responding yes. 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 #2022-0210 with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Cindy Robbins, Assistant City Administrator, told Council the next L.E.A.D. event would be at the Parks Department on March 23rd and 6:00 p.m. Graham mentioned that she has spoken to a couple who is moving to the area because of the great PR work of the Chamber of Commerce and the City. She thanked everyone for their hard work. Mayor Steele discussed liaison reports and stated that Giddens would be presenting the next report.

Mayor Steele called for a motion to adjourn. Graham made a motion to adjourn at 7:59 p.m. with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.