Ozark November Newsletter

Volume XIV | November 2018

November 2018 News & Updates

Photo credit Zachary Latham

If you have a photo you would like to share in an upcoming newsletter please email to spayne@ozarkmissouri.com.

November edition includes....

Comprehensive Plan Open House
Upcoming Programs and Events
Letter from our City Administrator
Maintenance of our local streets
Happenings of Municipal Court

You can always find more information on our website at ozarkmissouri.com and connect with us on our social media pages, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor

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A note from City Administrator, Steve Childers

Keep an eye out in the community because “here we grow again.” I am excited for all the opportunities we have on the horizon, I truly am, but as growth returns to Ozark so do the costs and challenges that come along with growth. That is why your City leaders and staff are preparing for the next decade of growth by updating the various master plans of our community. We are gathering citizen input through surveys and developing a plan that inputs citizen desires into goals for the future. As we prepare and embrace for this inevitable growth, one thing we have learned from the past is that the cost of living isn’t getting any cheaper. Not only for an individual, a household, your family and mine, but as the business responsible for managing the elements of citizen life that often go unnoticed until something breaks (i.e. water, sewer, streets, storm water, parks, recreation, public safety, etc.).

I became the City Administrator in November of 2007, just before the economic crash. I’m proud of how we handled those difficult times as we cut back and became more efficient with the diminished revenues and limited resources we had. Now that we are facing what I believe is the next housing boom, I am cautious and most focused on finding a balanced approach to development. We do not want new residential development to outpace new commercial development, or we will not remain sustainable. With over 70% of our home-owning population already commuting to Springfield for work, without equal commercial development and job creation, our residential subdivisions will continue to expand and push the cost of maintaining public services beyond what these residential subdivisions will support. It was once an almost economic development “guarantee” that residential development = commercial development. However, on-line shopping has caused big-box retailers to stop building brick and mortar locations in small bedroom communities like Ozark, so there this guarantee has expired.

The City of Ozark’s mission statement is “making Ozark better every day.” I know myself and our staff work to implement this mission each and every day on some level and although I am proud of that, I hope you can be too. We still have so many things to accomplish according to the citizen comments and input of what you want your Ozark to be ten years from now. We truly have a great opportunity to maximize the potential of Ozark. Our continued success will come from working together with our strategic business, schools, chamber, county, state, and citizen partners to truly make Ozark better every day.

Making Progress As Promised

Eunice Street is currently under construction. Curbs and 6' sidewalks are completed. Asphalt is next step. Excited to see this project completed soon

Q & A

Question:

Citizens often have inquiries as to how the City of Ozark selects the streets that are to be repaired or replaced?

Answer:

The City of Ozark established a computerized Pavement Management System in 2002 to provide a management program for scheduling appropriate maintenance or reconstruction of city streets in the proper time frame to extend their overall expected life cycle in the most efficient and economical manner. Street pavement has the shortest life cycle of all public infrastructure systems. This is primarily due to extreme physical abuse from frequent and heavy traffic and exposure to harsh environmental elements. For more data and informational videos please click HERE

Planning and Development Department

Development in Ozark is on the rise and it continues to remain busy in the Planning and Development Department. To better serve the community and allow staff time to focus on returning phone calls and reviewing applications, the Planning and Development Department will be changing our office hours.

Effective November 1, 2018 the new hours will be Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The remaining hour at the end of the day will allow staff to continue to work to complete our tasks. Staff appreciates your understanding as we work to diligently improve our relationship with you.

Comprehensive Plan Open House

The City of Ozark, in partnership with the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG), would like to invite you to the Comprehensive Plan Open House! Come visit The OC to participate in this interactive event to provide input on the future of our city! City and SMCOG staff will be on hand to discuss the Goals and Objectives that have been created for this Comprehensive Plan Update.

Before the plan is finalized, however, we would like to hear what you have to say! Stop in on Wednesday evening to have your voice heard. Can’t make it? No worries! We will be streaming the event on Facebook Live! You can ask questions, give your input, and communicate directly with staff from the comfort of your living room. We’d love to see you in any form, so stop by or log in and let’s get planning!

Police Department Update

Come out and join the OPD for their third annual “Emergency Responder’s Trunk or Treat” at the Ozark Police Department on Halloween, October 31, 2018, between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. The event provides a free, fun, and safe time for children and adults.

It will be hosted by the Ozark Police Department, Christian County Sheriff's Office, Ozark School Resource Deputies, Ozark Fire Protection District, Christian County Ambulance District, and Christian County Emergency Services (911).

We would like to congratulate the graduates of our 2018 Citizen's Academy. The graduates are John Medvec, Tara Jenkins, David Hall, Jeffrey Vale, Ethan Chung, Nathan Posten, Jacalyn Deans, Nicholas Haworth, Lane Harrison, Don Currence, Matthew Hildebrand and Kathleen Goff. Congratulations!!

Municipal Court Update

I received a ticket for Ozark Municipal Court, what happens now?

It will generally take one or two weeks for the ticket to be processed and in the municipal court system.

If the charge is a violation bureau eligible offense you may be able to pay your fine online at www.ozarkmunicipalcourtpayments.com or over the phone at 1(855)581-2434. Otherwise, you will be required to appear at court on the date on the ticket.

What should I expect when I go to Municipal Court?

Generally, the first time you appear at Municipal Court will be your Arraignment. Please arrive at least 15-30 minutes prior to your court time to allow adequate time to check in. You will be greeted by a bailiff at the door and may be screened with a metal detector. It may be helpful to bring a copy of your citation, your identification, and any documents you feel you want to present to the court in regard to your case.

What is a pre-trial conference?

A pre-trial conference in the Ozark Municipal Court is a meeting between an unrepresented defendant, the prosecuting attorney, and a judge if requested by both parties. It may be helpful to bring a copy of relevant documentation to a pre-trial conference such as proof of insurance, proof of registration, or proof of reinstated driving privileges.

What if I received a ticket for no motor vehicle insurance and I just didn’t have it with me?

If you have proof that you were insured at the time you received the ticket, you may bring it to the Ozark Municipal Court Clerk’s Office at 201-B E. Brick Street, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

If you have proof that you have insurance now but did not have insurance at the time you received the ticket, please bring that proof of insurance to your court date.

What if I am found guilty?

City Code Section 100.220 provides sentencing ranges of up to a $500.00 fine and up to 90 days in jail, or any combination thereof, for most cases.