City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
City Hall  
Thursday, April 17, 2025  
5:00 PM  
Special  
Council Chamber  
701 E. Broadway  
Columbia, MO  
I. ROLL CALL  
The City Council of the City of Columbia, Missouri met for a special meeting at 5:00 p.m.,  
on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Council Chamber of the City of Columbia, Missouri.  
The roll was taken with the following results: Council Member ROY LOVELADY, Council  
Member NICK FOSTER, Council Member BETSY PETERS, Mayor BARBARA  
BUFFALOE, and Council Member VALERIE CARROLL were present. Council Member  
LISA E.A. MEYER and Council Member DON WATERMAN were absent. City Manager  
De’Carlon Seewood, Assistant City Counselor Kristin Mengwasser, City Clerk Sheela  
Amin, and various Department Heads and staff members were also present.  
II. DECLARATION OF ELECTION RESULTS  
R42-25 Declaring the results of the April 8, 2025 municipal election.  
The resolution was read by the City Clerk.  
Mayor Buffaloe explained an amendment sheet had been prepared to reflect the certified  
election results, which had been received today.  
Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend R42-25 per the amendment sheet. The  
motion was seconded by Council Member Foster and approved unanimously by  
voice vote.  
R42-25, as amended, was read by the City Clerk, and the vote was recorded as  
follows: VOTING YES: LOVELADY, FOSTER, PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL.  
VOTING NO: NO ONE. ABSENT: MEYER, WATERMAN. Resolution declared  
adopted, reading as follows:  
III. RECOGNITION/COMMENTS OF OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS  
Outgoing Third Ward Council Member Roy Lovelady described his election journey in  
becoming the first openly gay, drag queen council member along with being the first  
black male elected to City Council outside of the First Ward, listed some of the  
accomplishments during his time on Council including getting money set aside for  
violence prevention and helping with the passage of the LGBTQIA+ sanctuary ordinance,  
gave some advice, such as the need to look for innovative ways to apply solutions to  
existing problems, being deaf to negative comments, and considering a Charter change  
to pay council members in order to encourage more diverse voices to run, and thanked  
those that assisted him in his campaign, his friends and family, his fellow council  
members, and staff members.  
Mayor Buffaloe and City Manager Seewood presented outgoing Council Member Lovelady  
with a Resolution of Appreciation, a certificate for a heritage tree to be planted in his  
honor in a park of his choice, a stained-glass artwork with the City logo, and a framed  
print of Columbia City Hall.  
IV. OATH OF OFFICE OF NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS  
The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Mayor and Council Member At-Large  
Barbara Buffaloe and presented her with a framed Commission of Office.  
The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Fourth Ward Council Member Nick  
Foster, and Mayor Buffaloe presented him with a framed Commission of Office.  
The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Third Ward Council Member Jacque  
Sample, and Mayor Buffaloe presented her with a framed Commission of Office.  
Everyone then took their places at the dais.  
V. COMMENTS OF NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS  
Third Ward Council Member Sample explained public service was who she was as  
person as her family had served their communities for generations, thanked her campaign  
team, the Disabilities Commission, and her husband, boys, and niece, and stated she  
would recommit herself to the values of diversity which ensured all voices were heard,  
equity which ensured everyone had what they needed to succeed, inclusion which made  
space at the table for everyone, justice which corrected systems that too often caused  
harm, accessibility which opened doors physically, socially, and economically, and  
belonging which reminded every person that they mattered.  
Fourth Ward Council Member Foster thanked those that supported him in his campaign  
and in the election along with his wife, kids, and other family members, stated his  
commitment to the truth and the facts, as he felt that would lead to the best outcomes,  
recommitted himself to city services that provided dependable roadways, sidewalks, and  
trails, quality utilities that they touched daily, equitable access to necessary services for  
good health, decent and affordable housing for everyone, ample opportunities for  
satisfying and well-paying employment, and the time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life,  
such as the parks and the arts.  
Mayor and Council Member At-Large Buffaloe stated she was humbled and grateful to  
have been re-elected, thanked the voters regardless of whether they had voted for her or  
not, her fellow mayoral candidates for an issue focused campaign, those that assisted  
with her campaign, her husband and kids, and her friends who picked her up when she  
was down, and indicated she would focus on the priorities shared by many, such as  
public safety, housing affordability, responsible growth, climate action, and an accessible  
and transparent government.  
VI. APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR PRO TEM  
Mayor Buffaloe asked if there was any objection to Council Member Foster continuing his  
role as Mayor Pro Tem. No one objected.  
VII. BOARD APPOINTMENTS  
City of Columbia New Century Fund, Inc. Board  
Mayor Buffaloe stated she currently served as the liaison to the City of Columbia New  
Century Fund, Inc. Board and would continue as the liaison unless there was an  
objection. No one objected.  
CAM Stakeholder Committee  
Mayor Buffaloe noted Council Member Peters currently served as the City Council  
representative on the CAM Stakeholder Committee and would continue to serve unless  
there was an objection. No one objected.  
Youth Advisory Council  
Mayor Buffaloe explained Jacque Sample had agreed to serve as the liaison to the Youth  
Advisor Council, and asked if there was an objection to her serving in that role. No one  
objected.  
VIII. OTHER ITEMS THE COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS  
Mayor Buffaloe announced that a reception would be held in Conference Room 1A/1B in  
recognition of the incoming and outgoing council members.  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.