Issue 73| March 2023

On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 10:00 AM State Emergency Management and the NWS will conduct a Statewide Tornado Drill.

Every school, citizen, and business is encouraged to participate in the drill. Residents should treat the drill as if it were an actual Tornado Warning. The purpose of the drill is to test everyone's readiness for life-threatening severe weather events such as tornadoes, flash floods, and damaging winds.

Local officials are encouraged to sound warning sirens to initiate the drill.

The National Weather Service will issue a Routine Weekly Test (RWT) to NOAA Weather Radios to initiate the drill. In Missouri, this is a change from past years in which a true Tornado Warning was issued.

An actual “Tornado Warning” message will NOT be sent to Weather Alert Radios or other alert systems. So, Weather Alert Radios will NOT go off automatically. They will, however, perform a “required weekly test” of the radios. Don’t wait to get an alert, do your drill at 10 am. 

https://stormaware.mo.gov/statewide-tornado-drill/

https://www.weather.gov/media/sgf/newsletter/springnewsletter2023.pdf

Citizens of Ozark, I wanted to reach out about an important issue. As you may be aware, there is a proposed tax in Ozark that, if passed, would generate revenue to help fund our police department.

This tax, which amounts to 3%, would only apply to the purchase of recreational marijuana and not medical marijuana.

Missouri voters approved a 6% statewide tax on recreational marijuana in November, and this amendment also allowed individual cities to impose an additional 3% tax on sales. This tax will help us to achieve our goal of providing the best possible law enforcement services to our citizens.

On January 3, the Board of Aldermen passed a bill, putting forth the proposal for voters to decide on April 4. If the tax is approved, it will only be levied on the purchase of recreational marijuana and will not be applicable to medical marijuana. This means that those who use medical marijuana will not be impacted by this tax.

I want to emphasize that the revenue generated by this tax will be directed toward funding our police department. This will help to ensure that our officers have more resources to respond to emergencies, investigate crimes, and continue to maintain a safe community for all of us.

-Mayor RJ Flores

Find more information here; https://ozarkmissouri.com/637/About-Ozarks-Proposed-Recreational-Marij

Meet our City Horticulturist

Lana Baysinger 

"When I am asked about my interest in this field, I say it is genetic. What I mean by that is my parents were both avid gardeners. My Mother still is. I learned my knowledge and abilities from them. I absolutely love plants and the way they dress up the world. Landscapes define structures and add great aesthetics. Horticulture contributes to the quality of life and the rehabilitation of our environment. I have two degrees in communication and believe that landscapes communicate. They communicate internally and externally "

Find out more about Lana and all the amazing things she does for the City of Ozark here on our website; https://ozarkmissouri.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=340

Meet our Mayor, RJ Flores, in this open forum-style meeting.



These meetings are a chance to discuss the upcoming opportunities coming to Ozark and the things that mean the most to you as an Ozark Citizen.

March 11 | 9 - 11 am

1530 W. Jackson St.

“As members of the Ozark Board of Alderman, we are responsible for and responsive to the citizens of Ozark, a responsibility that is not taken lightly. I am excited for this opportunity to serve the citizens of Ozark as their Mayor – RJ Flores

We can not wait to hear from you!

Love Your City by Keeping it Clean!

2023 Limb Collection!

April 3 - 7

**You must register for this limb collection by

Friday, March 31, by 5 pm. **

To sign up, please get in touch with City Hall at 417-581-2407.

• Limbs must be the curbside before 7 a.m. April 3.
• Limbs must be stacked against the curb with all cut ends facing the street.
• Limbs must not block the sidewalk or extend into the street.
• To prevent damage to your property, keep items five(5) feet away from your trash can, mailbox, fences or walls, water meter, telephone connection box, and parked cars. Do not place any items under low-hanging tree limbs or power lines
• The City of Ozark only collects large brush from its residential trash and recycling customers and from homes within the city limits of Ozark
• Items will not be collected if they are in an alley or if they are in front of a business or a vacant lot.

ONLY TREE TRIMMINGS WILL BE COLLECTED

McCracken Road Project Information

Phase Two(2) Consists of installing the southern pedestrian tunnel crossing under 3rd Street just north of the existing Fire Station entrance. It is anticipated that this phase will begin February 6, 2023 (weather dependent) and will extend thru the second week of March.  

Phase Two(2) Update: Feb. 6 - 10

Work completed for the week of February 6th. Opening of McCracken and closure of 3rd street started excavating for the 3rd street box culvert and placing rock for grade before concrete pour.

Phase Two(2) Update: Feb. 20 - 24

Work completed for the week of February 20th: Continue with the Force main line heading south on 3rd street, built forms and poured concrete for the Garrison Branch box walls and top, also poured concrete floor for the 2'6" x 11' box for Garrison branch trail. Continue to move soil and compact for the new Finley park entrance.

Please see the Detour map provided below:

Please check out the website for the full story on the project. HERE

***Mill Pond Bridge weight limit is ten (10) ton. Truck Detour routes are listed on our website HERE. NO LARGE TRUCKS will be allowed to cross Mill Pond Bridge.

See Phase TWO (2) Detour Map below.

To stay up to date on this project and read more about the upcoming phases, visit our website by clicking the button below.

What's on the Calendar this month?

Join our Camp Directors on Tuesday, March 7th at The OC or via Zoom (info below) to learn more about our Day Camp Program through Ozark Parks and Recreation! This year, we will be rebranding our Camp under the "Finley River Camps" name and tweaking some of the names to make it more accessible to new families, but it will be the same programs that parents have come to love! We expect to cover the following topics, but you are welcome to bring your questions to the session to ask!

• Child Safety Procedures
• Summer Schedules
• Staff: Training and Ratios
• Changes for Summer 2023 including ProCare Connect, new money policy, and more!

You are also welcome to just come and get to know the leadership of the Summer Camp Program, and put a name with a face when it comes to the emails and message you'll receive all summer long!

Zoom link can be given by emailing HaydenP@ozarkmissouri.com. See less

Location:

The Ozark Community Center | 1530 W. Jackson St.

Time:

Tuesday, March 7 | 6 - 7 pm

Enjoy swim lessons all year long in our heated indoor pool!

Classes are run monthly.

Cost:

Registration closes two(2) days before the start date.

Annual OC Members | $40/month

Non-Members | $50/month

After the registration deadline, there is a $10 Fee. If registering after the registration deadline, you MUST call or email to see if there is registration is still available for that session. aquatics@ozarkmissouri.com

Register at the OC Front Desk or use the button below.

Call 417-581-7002 for more information!

Private and semi-private swimming lessons

We offer private and semi-private swimming lessons for all ages and skill levels. One-on-one private lessons or two-on-one semi-private lessons are both great options for young swimmers to learn at a pace that’s best for them.

Private lessons are offered in eight 30-minute sessions or four

one-hour-long sessions.