Nixa City Council communications host Aaron Peterson said the city is nearing completion of a facility project that will relocate utility-billing staff to City Hall on the far west side and that the council has appointed Jay Ortiz to fill the District 1 seat until the April election.

“We are in phase 1. We are getting close to completion on that. And at that time, we will have the utility billing people moved over into City Hall on the Far West Side,” Peterson said.

The update described three infrastructure items. Peterson said a sidewalk project on Old Wilderness Road will connect Highway 14 to the Cox Medical building; city staff are awaiting bids and will start work once bids are returned. He also said the city is taking qualifications-based bids for a utility-billing building remodel that is expected to begin after the first phase is finished and billing staff have been relocated.

Peterson announced the council “was able to appoint a new member of council to District 1, Jay Ortiz,” saying Ortiz will serve until the election in April. The transcript did not record a motion, second, or a vote tally for the appointment.

Peterson also noted upcoming community observances and events. He said Constitution Week will be observed Sept. 17–20 and encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Constitution. He said a multicultural event will be held downtown in September (date not specified) and will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The remarks were presented as a short council communication rather than part of a formal agenda item; no ordinance, budget action, or formal vote totals were recorded in the transcript for the items Peterson described. City staff will proceed with bid evaluation for the sidewalk and the remodel; Peterson indicated timing for the remodel depends on completion of phase 1 and the relocation of utility-billing personnel.

“I am Aaron Peterson and this has been your Council Chat,” Peterson said at the close of his remarks.