June 1, 2020
Nixa News | June 2020 Edition
In this month's edition you can read about...

  • June 2 election info
  • Work begins to widen Highway 14 thru Nixa
  • Win $$$ off your Nixa Utility bill for sharing your ideas about Nixa's future at imaginenixa.com
  • How to respond to the 2020 Census
  • 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.
I am proud and thankful for the way Nixa residents and business owners continue to make real sacrifices and adjustments to their routines to help us protect those around us who are most vulnerable to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The statistics in Nixa and across Christian County have remained relatively low, and we want to keep it that way.

Since Governor Parson extended the 1st phase of the Show Me Strong Recovery plan to remain in effect through June 15th, and since his order allows local governments to be more strict based on local conditions but not less restrictive, and based on the advice of local healthcare leaders, and based on my consultations with our neighboring communities and city staff, I have decided to extend the first phase of the Nixa Strong Recovery Plan. You can read more about it here.

This means that the restrictions in place since May 4th will continue, but we are changing our recommendation regarding attendance to public events.

Since we continue to see low numbers of cases of COVID-19 in our community and our hospitals and public health officials are currently able to keep up with numbers of new cases, we feel comfortable in raising the recommended attendance limit from 20 up to 50 people. We strongly recommend people avoid attending events of 50 or more, but we are also asking that everyone make their own choices regarding the risk they are willing to expose themselves to and to think of other people in your lives who you may come in contact with and the risk you may expose them to if you were to become infected.

Thank you again for all you have done and continue to do to limit the spread of COVID-19 and I assure you, we anxiously await the day that we will be able to safely return to normal life once this pandemic has passed. And remember, if you and your loved ones need assistance through this difficult time, please visit NixaStrong.com to learn about the resources available to you.


Sincerely,
Mayor Steele
Vote June 2nd!
Want to understand the 4 propositions Nixa voters are being asked to decide on the ballot on June 2, 2020?

This video explains what our Home Rule Charter is, why updates to it have been proposed, and what each update would mean. Be informed and please vote June 2nd!

Polling location change
Polling Location Changed
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.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Construction to widen Highway 14 thru Nixa is now underway. Expect traffic impacts.
It's finally happening! Construction work to widen Missouri Route 14 (Mount Vernon Street) thru Nixa will begin week of June 1.


Drivers in Nixa can expect traffic impacts and potential delays along Missouri Route 14 (Mount Vernon Street) west of U.S. Route 160/Missouri Route 13 in Nixa when a widening project begins the week of June 1, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
Route 14 will be widened to five lanes -- two lanes in each direction with a center-turn lane -- between Estes Street and a point west of Christian County Route M/Nicholas Road.

Here’s a look at the project:
  • Widen Route 14 to five lanes – add a new lane in each direction, creating a five lane roadway with two lanes in each direction with a center-turn lane.
  • Add turn lanes at Nicholas Road, Truman Road and Tiffany Boulevard.
  • Install new storm drains with curb and gutter.
  • Replace traffic signals with new signals to accommodate the new lanes.
  • Build sidewalks along south side of 14 (City of Nixa contributing to the cost of sidewalks).

Traffic impacts:
  • Lane closings during lower traffic volume times.
  • Route 14 and side streets closed at times for storm drain pipe installations. Road closings announced well in advance of the traffic impacts.
  • Business entrances closed half at a time or one entrance closed if other entrances exist. Businesses will be notified in advance of entrance work.
  • Crews and equipment close to traffic in areas.

The project is scheduled for completion by early June 2021.
The prime contractor is D & E Plumbing of Nixa.
The total estimated project cost is $8.4 million.
(For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit  www.modot.org/southwest )
Working For You
Win prizes for helping us imagine Nixa's future!
The City of Nixa has extended Imagine Nixa through the end of June.

You can be entered to win great prizes like $100 off your Nixa Utilities bill! Just visit  imaginenixa.com  to tell us how we should improve our city by the year 2025! Keep an eye on our Facebook and Nextdoor posts for details on eligibility and how to be entered for each prize drawing.

This opportunity to share your ideas for the future of our community will close on June 30th.

City leaders will consider every idea posted to imaginenixa.com and then use those ideas to create a game plan for how to accomplish our community vision over the next 5 years.
How to Respond to the 2020 Census
It's not too late to respond to the 2020 census. Please encourage your neighbors and HOA members to complete their census form online!

Also be sure to encourage elderly loved ones, young adults living on their own for the first time, and loved ones who live in rural areas to complete the census for the address where they live.

Complete the census survey online in less than 5 minutes at www.my2020census.gov .

A complete census count will help our community bring our tax dollars back to our community that we've already paid to the federal government. It helps us fund roads, schools, and healthcare right here in Nixa. Every person that goes uncounted will cost our community thousands of dollars.

You can also respond to the census by calling 844-330-2020, or by completing the paper form and mailing it back.

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.
Nixa Declares War on Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes
Nixa street department staff will begin mosquito fogging this year on Monday, June 8th as part of our annual summer mosquito abatement.

We do this in order to cut down on the amount of disease-carrying mosquitos within the Nixa city limits.

The fogging truck will drive designated routes Mon-Thur. 7:00pm to 9:00pm. You can see which streets will be sprayed on this map: https://www.nixa.com/home/showdocument?id=7541

The intent is to spray every area once a week. We do not spray along every street. The wind will carry the mist so that areas near the streets where we do spray will also benefit from the mosquito killing effects. We try to spray the city parks more than once a week and also drop mosquito abatement in ponds and other standing water areas in the city.

Please help do your part by limiting the amount of standing water on your property.

Mosquito spray Frequently Asked Questions:

Is the spray harmful to humans? No. We would not spray if it were dangerous for our residents. The chemical we use is MasterLine Kontrol 4 (for mosquitoes, flies, and gnats). The active ingredients are Permethrin and Piperonyl Butoxide, and they are highly diluted, 90% of what gets sprayed is an inert oil mist. You can read the full material safety data sheet here:  https://www.nixa.com/home/showdocument?id=7545

Is the spray harmful to pets? No. We would not spray if it were dangerous to pets. The pesticide is highly toxic to insects.

Is the spray harmful to plants? No. However, as an extra precaution, and as always, you should wash any fruits or vegetables prior to eating them.
This service will depend on weather. Rain and/or winds over 12mph will render fogging ineffective. Areas not fogged because of these conditions will be fogged on the next scheduled date for that area if conditions allow.
2020 Nixa Parks Program Guide
Exceptional City Staff
Employee Spotlight
K-9 Jack
The Nixa Police Department's first ever dual-purpose patrol dog is Jack, from Vohne Liche Kennels. Jack is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois from Hungary. Officer Kyle Prince and K-9 Jack graduated from a 6-week training program on February 14 th , 2020.

Jack is trained in suspect apprehension, tracking, narcotics detection, area search for humans and article search.  When he's working, he is laser-focused on his job. He's also a good boy who loves to play and be loved on. We're thankful to have him on our team!
City Events
Movies in the Park 2020
July 18: Movie in the Park - Frozen 2
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.
  
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)
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: The Nixa Senior Center is still closed due to the elevated health risk for COVID-19 associated with senior citizens. We will resume these events as soon as it is safe to do so.

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.
Parks Programs
The pool is open!
Nixa Parks logo
The Aquatics Center will open June 1st! There will be a 100 person maximum at the Aquatics Center. If you have purchased a season pass to the pool, your season pass will be refunded. No season passes will be sold, however daily admission and punch cards will be sold. A punch card does not guarantee entry into the pool. 

Membership billing will resume June 1st and Tot Drop will open. Tot Drop will have a maximum capacity of 8 kids (Children will be required to have their temperature checked). No day passes or punch card to The X Center will be sold.
Summer It Up!
Join Nixa Parks and Recreation for Summer It Up! The day camp is offered Monday through Friday (with the exception of Memorial Day and the 4th of July), from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. The program is open to children ages 5 to 12 years old; entering Kindergarten - 6th grade.

Summer camp will begin May 4th (in a limited capacity) and end the day Nixa Public Schools start school for the 2020-2021 school year. You can still register by contacting Nixa Parks. The fees for the program are as follows: $25 (per family) registration fee, Members (per week) $96.50, Non-Members (per week) $110.
Swim Lessons
There are 6 levels of swim lessons. Each level has 4 sessions, with each session consisting of 8 total classes. Classes are held Monday - Thursday for two weeks. In case of inclement weather or holidays, Friday may be used as a make up day. Tadpoles and Intro to Swim are 30 minute classes; Levels 1 - 5 are 45 minute classes. Registration for swim lessons begins March 2nd and ends the Thursday prior to the session start date.
Fees for Swim Lessons are as follows: Members $42, Nixa Residents $47, Non-Residents $55.
For details on each lessons, available times, or for private lessons--contact us! Fridays are reserved as rain make up days.
Session 2: June 22nd - July 2nd
Session 3: July 6th - July 16th
Session 4: July 20th - July 30th
Session 5: August 3rd - August 15th
Jr. Lifeguards
Ever wonder what it would be like to be a Lifeguard? Check out Jr. Lifeguards! Registration begins March 2nd and ends Thursday, July 16th--space is limited to 30 kids!
The program is open to ages 10 to 15 years old. The fees for the program are as follows: Members $32, Nixa Residents $37, Non-Residents $42.
Classes will be held Monday - Thursday from 11 am - 12 pm July 20th through 30th.
Martial Arts
Martial Arts
Join GMHMA Springfield for Martial Arts classes at Nixa Parks and Recreation. Martial Arts enables students to develop a higher degree of speed, balance, control, and confidence.
Dates: Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 pm at The X Center.
Open To: Ages 5 years old and older.
Registration: Tuition is $40 per month with a $60 startup cost (includes uniform) made payable to GMHMA Springfield at the first class.
Fall Recreational Soccer
Recreational Soccer is geared towards introducing and fostering interest in soccer. Emphasis is on learning the game and having fun. The league is open to boys and girls; it is comprised of 4 different divisions, 3&4 years old, 5 years old and Kindergarten, 1st/2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, and 6th-8th grade. Games for every division are on Saturday morning/afternoons. 
 
Season Dates:  September 19th - October 24th 
 
Open To:  Boys and girls ages 3 years old (must be 3 by September 19th) to 8th grade. 
 
Location:  Games will be played on Saturdays at McCauley Park and practices are held at Rotary Park. 
 
Fees:  Members $42, Nixa Residents $47, Non-Residents $55. 
 
Registration:  June 15th and ends August 19th. Late registration from August 20th - 23rd with an additional $10 late fee.
Fall Recreational Volleyball
Recreational Volleyball is geared towards introducing and fostering girls 3rd through 6th grade an interest in volleyball. Emphasis is on learning the game and having fun. 

Season Dates:  September 21st/22nd - October 19th/20th. 3rd/4th grade plays on Monday evenings; 5th/6th grade plays on Tuesday evenings.  The season ending tournament will be held on Saturday, October 24th.

Open To:  The program is open to girls in 3rd - 6th grade.

Location:  Games will be played and practices will be held at The X Center. 

Fees:  Members $42, Nixa Residents $47, Non-Residents $55.
 
Registration:  June 15th and ends August 19th. Late registration 
August 20th - 23rd with a $10 additional late fee.
More Nixa Parks Events, Programs, & Sports Leagues
For the latest info on all the events happening at Nixa Parks and The X Center, follow the link to NixaParks.com
FYI: For Your Information
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Now Hiring!
The City of Nixa has job openings for various city departments!

Visit the  jobs section of our website   or you can call our Human Resources department at 417-725-3785.

You can learn more about what it's like to work for the City of Nixa when you  check out our page on LinkedIn .
Follow us on Facebook , Nextdoor, Twitter !
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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Nixa City Hall | 417-725-3785 | CityHall@Nixa.com | Nixa.com