Nixa News | March 2020 Edition
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In this month's edition you can read about...
- How to share your ideas about Nixa's future (visit imaginenixa.com)
- Nixa residents to vote on Home Rule Charter updates
- How to respond to the 2020 Census
- Change to polling location
- Nixa Police name Officer Of The Year for 2019
- New businesses now open in Nixa
- And more!
As always, you can find much more information at Nixa.com and engage with us on our official social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor.
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As we move into spring – which can’t come soon enough for me – I want to touch on three things I'm encouraging everyone in Nixa to do:
- share your ideas
- participate in the census
- and vote.
Imagine Nixa
– Imagine Nixa is the first phase of our strategic planning process. It's a community-wide brainstorm that lets all Nixa residents have a voice in where the City will direct its resources over the next five years. If you have not had a chance yet, jump over to
www.imaginenixa.com
to add your ideas and input for Nixa’s future. Enter your own comments, vote for someone else’s idea or just see what your neighbors are thinking. No idea is too big or too small for us to consider! Comments on the site will end May 17
th
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2020 Census
– Nixa continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in the state, but we don't know exactly how many people live here until we get census results every 10 years. Our population number determines how much federal funding and government representation our community receives. The 2020 census is our chance to make sure that our hard-earned tax dollars we send to Washington, DC make their way back to Nixa. By making sure we get a full head-count, we can ensure that we get fair representation and funding. Census invitations will be sent out in March, so keep an eye out for your invitation and make sure you do your constitutional responsibility by responding online, by phone, or by mail.
Home Rule Charter Election
– Nixa passed its Home Rule Charter in 2010. This document essentially serves as the City’s constitution. This year marks the tenth anniversary of becoming a charter city, and the Home Rule Review Commission has recommended four updates to the charter with the intent to help us operate more efficiently.
Please take a moment to check out the specific items that will appear on the ballot.
Nixa voters will decide these items during the April 7
th
municipal election.
Sincerely,
Mayor Steele
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This perplexing puzzle will keep you bewildered, befuddled, and bemused.
Q:
A time when they are green, a time when they're brown, but both of these times, cause me to frown. But just in between, for a very short while, they're perfect and yellow and cause me to smile! What am I talking about here?
The answer to The Baffler is at the bottom of the newsletter.
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Nixa residents to vote on proposed Home Rule Charter updates in April 7 Election
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The City of Nixa passed its Home Rule Charter in 2010. This document essentially serves as the constitution for our city. Every 10 years, we have an opportunity to review and update the charter to ensure our local government works efficiently to serve the community.
On April 7th, 2020, Nixa residents will vote to either accept or reject 4 proposed updates to our Home Rule Charter which have been recommended by the Home Rule Charter Review Commission. That commission reviewed the entire charter and concluded that each of the proposed updates would allow the city to operate more efficiently.
None of the proposed updates would impact taxation, representation, or city services.
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If you previously voted at Nixa City Hall, please be aware that your polling place has been changed to Nixa First Baptist Church at 601 Wasson Drive behind Braum's at the intersection of 160 and Wasson Dr.
Please contact the Christian County Clerk, Kay Brown, with any questions regarding elections or polling locations: 417-582-4340.
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Help us imagine Nixa's future!
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Share your ideas for how to make Nixa an even better place by visiting
wwww.imaginenixa.com. Join the conversation by May 17!
Imagine Nixa is a community-wide brainstorm. This is the first phase of our strategic planning process which will determine how the city focuses its resources through 2025 and beyond.
No idea is too big or too small to be considered!
You can engage in the discussion forums, add an idea to the brainstorm wall, take the survey, and add as much input as you want! The best way to impact the future of our community is to contribute your specific ideas to the discussion forums.
Also, be sure to vote for the ideas you like! This will help city council understand which ideas have the most community support.
Imagine Nixa will close on May 17th, and then we will begin the process of considering and analyzing each idea to determine what action steps to include in our 5-year plan. The plan will be adopted by council and will be shared with the public this fall, so you can see how your ideas impacted the plan for Nixa's future.
Tell your neighbors to share their ideas too!
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Now Open for Business in Nixa
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Shop local! The following brick and mortar businesses have received new Nixa business licenses in the last month.
- Frank 'N' Steins LLC - 105 Sherman Way Ste 106 (restaurant and bar)
- Gettin' Basted - 606 W. Mt. Vernon (BBQ restaurant)
- The MidWesthetician - 105 W. Sherman Way, Set 107 (licensed esthetician, facial treatments, skin care, relaxation)
- Meridian Title Company - 105 W. Sherman Way, Ste 105 (title insurance agency/closing/escrow office)
- Natural Healing of Nixa - 328 S. Village Center (CBD, lotions, vitamins, etc.)
Thinking about opening a business in Nixa?
Call City Hall at 417-725-3785 to talk to us about your idea. We would be thrilled to assist you through the process.
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City of Nixa seeking to hire Assistant Director of Nixa Utilities & Public Works, and new Finance Director in 2020
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The current Director of Finace, Donna Swatzell, will be retiring later this year. We hope to allow the new hire to experience several months of training with our current director prior to her retirement.
Also later this year, we will be seeking to hire an Assistant Director of Nixa Utilities & Public Works. These departments represent large and complex elements of the municipal government and the person in this position will play a key role in their management.
The public works position has not yet been posted, but
keep an eye on our jobs page at Nixa.com if you know someone who may be interested in applying. We offer great benefits and pride ourselves on being a team of innovators. Nixa is a place where an outstanding professional can make their mark.
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How to Respond to the 2020 Census
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The census is a simple questionnaire about yourself and everyone who is living with you April 1st. (You may complete the census survey before or after April 1st, but only count the people who are living in your home as of April 1st.)
The census is how we get an accurate population count.
Beginning March 12th, You may respond to the census survey online at
www.my2020census.gov. You may also respond to the census by calling 844-330-2020, or by completing the paper form and mailing it back. Most people will receive their invitation to respond to the census by April, at their physical address.
When responding, remember to count everyone living in your home or apartment, even babies!
Learn more about the census at
2020census.gov. If you have questions about the census, you can call Nixa City Hall at 417-725-3785. If we don't know the answer to your question, we know where we can find an answer.
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2020 Nixa Parks Program Guide
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Barbara Blevins was employed by the City as an Accounting Clerk in 1996 and has served as the Assistant Finance Director for three years. Barb is proficient in the General Ledger, Banking processes and Asset Management. She is also responsible for the tracking of City grants and inventories. Barb is known for her dedication and cooperation to get a job done correctly and in a timely manner. She is much appreciated by her co-workers for her willingness to assist whenever needed and to provide guidance. In her spare time, Barb loves spending time with her family – especially her grandchildren.
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Nixa Police Officer of the Year
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Detective Matt Sloan is the 2019 Nixa Police Officer of the Year.
This honor is awarded by the Police Administration to a single officer each year who has consistently exemplified the mission, vision, and values of the Police Department.
Detective Sloan sets an example of teamwork for all members of our department by always being willing to step up and help when necessary. This year especially, he has taken on extra workload without hesitation. He is a joy to work with, is easy going, and demonstrates commitment to the cases he is assigned. He always works to produce a quality investigation. One of his greatest attributes is his compassion for others and he is adept at communicating with others in ways they can understand.
Detective Sloan has become the go-to person concerning our department's highest priority cases, such as child victim and sexual assault cases. He has a reputation for treating all victims and suspects with dignity and respect in a professional and compassionate manner.
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Nixa Police Annual Awards
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Each year, the Police Department Administration recognizes outstanding officers with the Police Officer of the Year Award, the Award of Merit, the Marksmanship Award, and the Award of Life Saving.
The Award of Merit recognizes exceptional work above and beyond the call of duty to improve the overall service of the department. The recipients of the 2019 Award of Merit are Corporal Rob Seiner, Corporal Jeremiah Tayman, Officer Justin Henderson, and Corporal Dennis Acox.
The Award of Marksmanship is given to an officer who demonstrates superior skill and proficiency in marksmanship during a given period, competition, event, or incident. This year's top performer at the department's intramural timed and proficiency competition was Officer Johnny Williams. This is the third time Officer Williams has earned the Marksmanship Award.
The Award of Life Saving recognizes actions by an individual to provide lifesaving efforts to a person who, without immediate assistance, would be in imminent risk of death. The recipients of the 2019 Award of Life Saving are Officer Travis Rupp and Officer Justin Henderson.
Officer Rupp provided CPR to an unresponsive male at Coyote's Nixa Grill on October 22, 2019 after being dispatched to the location for a report of an unresponsive person. The person was revived and taken to the hospital by EMS, likely saving his life.
On August 22, 2019, Officer Henderson was off duty when his neighbor notified him that their daughter had collapsed and was unresponsive. When Officer Henderson arrived on scene, the girl's pulse was weak and she did not appear to be breathing. He acted quickly to begin chest compressions and after a few moments, the girl began to cough and regained consciousness. His actions likely saved the girl's life.
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The Easter Bunny is coming to town! On Saturday, April 20th join us and our event sponsor, Mac Dental, for the annual Easter Egg Hunt.
The Easter Bunny will be hopping around for pictures too!
The event begins at 10:00 am, with activities running until 11:30 am.
Make sure you arrive early for your age division’s hunt time! The Easter Egg Hunt is free and open to all.
Hunt times:
6 months - 2 years at 10:10 am
3 - 5 years at 10:30 am
6 - 8 years at 10:45 am
9 - 12 years at 11:00 am.
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April 25: Prescription Drug Take Back Day
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Don't be an accidental drug dealer. Get rid of unwanted or expired medications, but do NOT flush medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash because they can leak into our water.
The Nixa Police Department is partnering with the Nixa CVS Pharmacy for the DEA's Prescription Drug Take Back Day. You may drop off expired, unused, or unwanted medicines in pill or liquid form. We cannot accept any needles, infectious waste, or aerosol cans.
Drop off Saturday, April 25th 10am-2pm at the Nixa CVS Pharmacy.
Questions? Contact Officer Forgey: 417-725-2510.
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May 22: Movie in the Park - Incredibles 2
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The Movies in the Park series is presented by the Massengale Group. All movies are held at McCauley Park, begin at dusk, and all movies are FREE! Please bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase. All movies are
dependent on weather. No smoking and no alcohol.
Friday, May 22nd:
Incredibles 2 (PG)
Saturday, June 20th:
Frozen 2 (PG)
Saturday, July 18th:
Jumanji: The Next Level (PG 13)
Saturday, August 8th:
Toy Story 4 (G)
September 12th:
Aladdin (PG Live Action)
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The Update is a great way to learn more about what's happening in Nixa and have your questions answered while enjoying lunch. Each month, we bring a different guest speaker from Nixa local government. These events give senior citizens an opportunity to meet and interact with the city's leadership, voice their concerns, and stay informed!
Upcoming dates: March 25, April 29, May 27.
Anyone can enjoy lunch at the Nixa Senior Center. The cost of lunch is $3.50 for those 60+ and $6.00 for those under 60. Learn more about the Nixa Senior Center at the
Nixa Senior Center
website.
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Babysitter's Training Class
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This American Red Cross in-person childcare certification course is designed for those ages 11 to 15 and builds on the skills to provide basic care to infants and children, what to do in an emergency, how to choose age-appropriate activities, and recognize and handling specific behaviors. This class can help you gain the skills and confidence needed for babysitting. The class covers some basic first aid however it does not include CPR or First Aid certifications.
Date:
Saturday, March, 14th; 9 am to 4 pm. Please bring lunch and snacks for the day.
Open To:
Ages 11 to 15 years old.
Location:
The X Center
Fees:
$58 per participant.
Registration:
Ends March 6th. (Space is limited!)
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Art Classes are open to ages 3 years old to 8th grade. There will be four sessions available for registration. The fee per session is as follows: Members $30, Nixa Residents $35, Non-Residents $40. All supplies will be provided; make sure to wear clothes that can get dirty! A project list is available for each session on the registration form.
Art Classes: Spring Session
Tuesdays (Intro to Art): March 17th - April 21st at 6:15 pm to 7:00 pm. 3rd-6th at 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm.
Thursdays (Studio Art 1st - 8th Grade): March 19th - April 23rd. Studio 2D at 6:15 pm to 7:00 pm. Studio 3D at 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm.
Registration ends March 13th.
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While Nixa is out of school for Spring Break--join us, at The X Center, for a camp full of fun and awesome activities. Registration begins January 27th and ends March 12th. Camp will be held Monday through Friday, March 13th - 20th, from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. The program is open to kids ages 5 years old - 6th grade. The fees for the program are as follows (per day): Members $17, Nixa Residents $22, Non-Residents $27. Please send a sack lunch and two snacks each day!
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This is an instructional league that has been designed to continue a child’s all around development from t-ball to baseball or softball. Each division is a progressional step up from the previous division.
Season Dates:
The six game season begins the week of May 11th.
Open To:
The program is open to boys and girls ages 3 years old to currently in 6th grade (Must be 3 years old by May 11th).
Location:
Rotary Park and Nixa Schools.
Fees:
Members $42, Nixa Residents $47, Non-Residents $55.
Registration:
February 3rd and ends on April 8th. Late registration from April 9th - 12th, with a $10 additional late fee. To register call 725.5486, stop by The X Center, or register online at nixaparks.com.
Game Days:
3 & 4 year old T-Ball: Thursday evenings.
5 year old/Kindergarten T-Ball: Saturday mornings.
1st/2nd grade (boys): Monday evenings.
1st/2nd grade (girls): Tuesday evenings.
3rd/4th grade (boys and girls): Tuesday evenings.
5th/6th grade (boys): Monday evenings.
5th/6th grade (girls): Thursday evenings.
*Game nights are subject to change.
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More Nixa Parks Events, Programs, & Sports Leagues
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For the latest info on all the events happening at Nixa Parks and The X Center, follow the link to
NixaParks.com
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FYI: For Your Information
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Sign Up for Text Alerts and
E-Notifications
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Get emergency alerts on your phone by downloading the Swift 911 Public app. Subscribe to the "Nixa City News" alerts category and any other categories you'd like to receive text alerts about.
Sign up here for e-mail notifications from the City of Nixa. You may select which categories of e-notifications you will receive, so you only get emails on the topics you're interested in. From bids, to calendar events, to press releases, you can get an alert as soon as the information is released so you don't have to wait for the monthly newsletter.
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The City of Nixa has job openings for various city departments!
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CITY CONTACT NUMBERS:
City Hall: 725-3785
Police: 725-2510
911 Non-emergency and Animal Control: 582-1030
Nixa Utilities and report an outage: 725-3229
Public Works: 725-2353
Parks: 725-5486
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The solution to your scalp scratchin'.
Q: A time when they are green, a time when they're brown, but both of these times, cause me to frown. But just in between, for a very short while, they're perfect and yellow and cause me to smile! What am I talking about here?
A: A banana
.
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Nixa City Hall | 417-725-3785 | CityHall@Nixa.com | Nixa.com
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