Ozark Newsletter - August 2019 News and Updates

Volume XXIII | August 2019

August 2019 News and Updates

If you have a photo you would like to share in an upcoming newsletter please tag @OzarkMO on Instagram with a caption and the hashtag #BeOzark or email spayne@ozarkmissouri.com.

August edition includes.... Mayor's Corner with Ozark Mayor Rick Gardner Riverside Road Now Open Top Things To Do in Ozark Q&A with City Staff Ozark PD News and Updates Ozark Employee Spotlight! Upcoming Programs & Events 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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My contribution to this newsletter will be a bit different than those in the past. I would like to use this space to pay tribute to Danny Clinton who passed away Friday, July 19. Danny was one of the finest community minded citizens I have ever known. Danny was not a man of great means or business influence, but gave his time, heart and soul, love and encouragement to Ozark High School athletes and sports programs for over 25 years. He was a scorekeeper, statistician, and announcer for countless Ozark sports programs through those years. His passion for the athletes and programs was unmatched and has been recounted by many of the coaches he worked with in recent days. My first introduction to this passion was in the early 1990's when Ozark First Baptist Church started broadcasting the Ozark boy's basketball games over their newly formed entry into the ACTS television cable network. I can see Danny now sitting behind his table on the stage of the gym in what is now the Junior High gym. He did the play by play and Ozarkers who couldn't attend the games could see and hear him bring the games to them.  Danny was also asked several years ago to serve the City as a volunteer member of the Public Funding Corporation. This didn't take a large amount of time but was incredibly important in the financial operation of the city. He was just always there when and where he was needed. His shoes will be impossible to fill and we will miss him. Rick Gardner Mayor

Planning for Growth in Ozark

City of Ozark hosts top elected and appointed officials to discuss important long-range transportation needs. Ozark, MO – (July 25) The City of Ozark hosted a meeting on July 25 at The Finley restaurant with key transportation decision makers from Jefferson City, Springfield, and Ozark to discuss future transportation needs along the US Route 65 corridor. Those in attendance included Elijah Haahr, Missouri speaker of the house; Joelle Cannon, district office director – Sen. Roy Blunt; Ed Hassinger, MoDot deputy director and chief engineer; Jay Wunderlich, MoDot director of government relations; Steve Campbell, MoDot SW district engineer; Rick Gardner, Ozark mayor; Steve Childers, Ozark city administrator; Jeremy Parsons, Ozark director of public works; David Christianson, Cochran Engineering; Sara Fields, executive director Ozarks Transportation Organization; and Chuck Branch, chairman Ozark Planning and Zoning Commission. “Christian County, is one of the fastest growing regions in the state, today was a great opportunity to share that growth with MoDot, and plan how we can partner together to capitalize and encourage future growth through new infrastructure and innovative planning,” Speaker Elijah Haahr said. The open discussion centered on planning for future transportation projects such as a third interchange on US Route 65 between State Highway CC and State Highway 14 in Ozark. “The future of economic development and maintaining a quality of life asset for our citizens depends on how well we can manage our transportation system,” said Steve Childers. “We know that more growth means more traffic, so we are proactively planning, identifying funding options, and meeting with key transportation officials to help us achieve our goals for the future." Further discussions included the possibility of connecting Springfield Lake/Galloway Village and Ozark’s downtown Finley Farms project via a greenway trail. In May, a steering committee for the “Chadwick Flyer Regional Trail” was formed to look into the feasibility of a trails system from Ozark to Galloway Village. This steering committee will be headed by Jeremy Parsons, director of Ozark Public Works, and Mary Kromrey, executive director Ozark Greenways. The steering committee will also include representatives from Springfield, Christian County, City of Ozark, Ozark School District, and Finley Farms. "The City of Ozark sees the 'Chadwick Flyer Regional Trail’ as a regional planning opportunity. The trail will provide connectivity to more than just some of the fastest growing communities in the Missouri. It will connect people to nature, areas of cultural significance, historically significant properties, neighborhoods, and unique commercial destinations; all while providing a healthy and viable alternative form of transportation for citizens throughout Christian and Greene Counties,” Parsons said. Ozark Mayor Rick Gardner said he was more than pleased with openness of the discussions, and looks forward to future talks on Ozark’s transportation needs and trail plans with MoDot. “What an amazing meeting we had with members from MoDot, Speaker Elijah Haahr, and Joelle Cannon from Sen. Blunt’s office, discussing Ozark’s transportation needs and economic development opportunities. Cooperation is the key to accomplishing great things."

Riverside Road is now open to the public!

That’s right, Riverside Road is now open to the public as of July, 17, 2019. Due to some great work by the Ozark Special Road District, Mrotek Construction and a break from significant rainfall, the project was able to open one week ahead of schedule. As always, thank you to our residents for your patience while this roadway improvement was being constructed.

Ozark Employee Spotlight

Cheryl Carter, Planning and Development Permit Technician Cheryl Carter is the Planning and Development Permit Technician for the City of Ozark. She moved to Nixa in 1992 from Springfield to raise her children in a smaller community. When she isn’t enjoying her large family outings, donating to various organizations close to her heart, watching movies, traveling and more, she dedicates her time to assisting multiple people and entities within Ozark. This includes assisting residents with obtaining their permits for the various projects they are building, helping the Ozark Historic Preservation Commission to maintain the charm of the Ozark community, and working with the Special Events that are brought to the Ozark area to ensure all goes smoothly. You can also find Cheryl assisting with Business Registrations and Redevelopment Reviews for new businesses coming to town. Through the many years of living in the Nixa and Ozark area, Cheryl and her family have attended the Christian County Fair, Rodeos, Finley River excursions and everything else Ozark provides, including the Christian County Library. Cheryl’s top three favorite aspects of her job are working with the public, learning and growing with all aspects of what makes the city run smoothly, meeting long-time residents and hearing their historical Ozark stories from days past while also helping new businesses for Ozark's future. Thank you for “Making Ozark Better Every Day,” Cheryl! We appreciate your dedication to the City of Ozark!

Kali Springs HOA Meeting

Members of Public Works met with residents of Kali Springs on July 16, 2019 during its HOA meeting to discuss potential projects with the help of the 3/8 Cents Transportation Tax which was voter-approved in 2017. Residents of Kali Springs can view the neighborhood subtab by clicking here.

Christian County Library Update

For more information on these flyers, click HERE

Top Things to Do in Ozark:

Walking Trails Ozark has some beautiful scenery and these walking trails give you the opportunity to enjoy it while also keeping you moving.  Click the picture to view the video! The OC The Ozark Community Center has a long list of amenities to offer residents and visitors year-round. Visit the subtab here. Click the picture to view the video!

Ozark Public Works Department

Making Ozark Better Every Day: The PW department manages multiple infrastructure projects each year. One of the ongoing priorities outlined in citizen surveys is to ensure that our Central Business District / Downtown is a safe, pedestrian friendly environment. Thanks to you, the voters, our 3/8 cent Transportation Sales Tax has allowed us to not only complete multiple roadway improvements, we have also been able to complete several pedestrian projects. This Plan identifies some of the more critical areas in the Central Business District that need to be improved over the next five years. For more information and updates on the Transportation Sales Tax Improvements please click HERE.

Ozark Police Department

Ozark has a CPTED-trained officer! Ozark Police Department's Officer Megan McLaughlin is now a trained CPTED Officer. Learn more about this program and how to schedule an appointment with Officer McLaughlin to have your property evaluated: Video Link

Youth Training Program OPD hosted its first Youth Training Program for kids ages 6-11 on July 16th! Forty kids spent the evening with Ozark Police Officers learning about our department. Participants interacted with K9 Officer Smith & Bump, made traffic stops, were given safety tips, had their department photo taken and chowed down on some pizza. Thank you to all of our 'hero's in training' for coming to be a part of this event, and we look forward to the 12-17 age group on August 6th! Learn how to sign up for that event by looking at the flyer below:

Park and Recreation Department

OC Member Registration HERE. Non-Member Registration HERE.

Register HERE.

Upcoming Programs & Events

Hillbilly Mud Run Saturday, August 10, 2019 Ozark City Park 1075 N. Riverside Dr. Registration Link

Ozark Farmers Market at Finley Farms Stop by the Ozark Farmers Market at Finley Farms! Located at 601 N. 4th St., the Ozark Farmers Market hosts area farmers, artisans, & Food Trucks each Thursday, May-September, 3:00-7:00pm. Facebook Page

Blood Drive Ozark Community Center

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