City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
City Council  
Conference Room  
1A/1B  
Monday, September 16, 2024  
5:00 PM  
Pre-Council  
Columbia City Hall  
701 E. Broadway  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Buffaloe called the meeting to order at approximately 5:00 p.m.  
6 - Buffaloe, Foster, Waterman, Meyer, Peters, and Carroll  
Present:  
Absent:  
1 - Lovelady  
This item is open to the public: Local 955 Presentation  
Stubbs introduced himself as the representative for Local 955. He hoped that they would  
have more amicable agreement at the end. He went over the goals of his presentation.  
Hopefully that the city will bargain in good faith during the management rights. Review  
the city’s refusal to bargain over wages, benefits, and working conditions for water  
distribution workers and its impact. And finally review bargaining of wage compression  
and identify the key points in which wage compression was not fixed.  
Half of the 21 items offered by the union were rejected by the city. The city only offered a  
1% adjustment to the step scales and one step increase. .5% less than what  
unrepresented workers receive.  
Connor Fox explained why Local 955 did not like the offer. The union agreed to postpone  
negotiations to join the union.  
Local 955 showed the previous contract. The city’s bargaining agreement and the items  
were rejected. The city refusing to negotiate certain items goes against previous  
negotiations.  
The city workers highlighted pay disparities and how they could be remedied if they join  
Local 955.  
Stubbs said they would like their negotiations to meet in good faith and reward long term  
employees to be rewarded for staying with the city in one place.  
A majority of 955 members are wage earners. They asked the City Manager to bargain in  
good faith, create a report that accurately covers the effects of the City’s wage  
compression proposal, and set up a work session with local 955 stewards. They also  
asked staff to draft an ordinance to address the city's administration’s union busting and  
refusal to bargain in good faith.  
The Stewards opened the floor up to questions. Carroll said she wanted a copy of the  
presentation. Buffalo asked about wage compression that is not on the agenda. Buffalo  
asked whether or not members or just stewards had seen compression. Local 955 Rep  
stated that all members will receive compression information.  
This item is open to the public: Motion for the City Council to go into  
closed session in Conference Room 1A/1B to discuss:  
- Legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a public  
governmental body and confidential or privileged communications between  
a public governmental body or its representatives and its attorneys  
pursuant to Section 610.021(1) RSMo.  
- Leasing, purchase or sale of real estate by a public governmental body  
where public knowledge of the transaction might adversely affect the legal  
consideration therefor pursuant to Section 610.021(2) RSMo.  
- Preparation, including any discussions or work product, on behalf of a  
public governmental body or its representatives for negotiations with  
employee groups pursuant to Section 610.021(9) RSMo.  
At approximately 5:20 p.m., Mayor Buffaloe made a motion for the City Council of  
the City of Columbia, Missouri, to immediately go into a closed meeting in  
Conference Room 1A/1B of City Hall to discuss legal actions, causes of action or  
litigation involving a public governmental body and confidential or privileged  
communications between a public governmental body or its representatives and  
its attorneys pursuant to Section 610.021(1) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri;  
the leasing, purchase or sale of real estate by a public governmental body where  
public knowledge of the transaction might adversely affect the legal  
consideration therefor pursuant to Section 610.021(2) of the Revised Statutes of  
Missouri; and preparation, including any discussions or work product, on behalf  
of a public governmental body or its representatives for negotiations with  
employee groups pursuant to Section 610.021(9) of the Revised Statutes of  
Missouri. The motion was seconded by Council Member Waterman.  
This item is closed to the public: Closed Meeting in Conference Room  
1A/1B  
This item is open to the public: Highway 70/63 Enhancement  
Discussion  
Attachments: I70/63 Interchange Enhancements Presentation  
Mayor Buffaloe called the open portion of the meeting to order at approximately 6:14 p.m.  
Shane Creech went over the design narrative for the I-170/63 interchange. Creech said  
that interchange plans have changed over the years. A contractor with the city  
introduced herself and explained what is going to be changed with the new bridges. The  
Lochmueller representative highlighted the new light boxes that will appear on the  
connectors. There will be a solid wall underneath the bridge and give it a light gray color  
to give it a nice tone. She showed the enhancement components to the city council. If  
the city likes the elements in the new bridge, they can add those elements to other parts  
of the city. She also showed roundabout examples. She showed all the phased  
enhancement cost drafts. The grand total would cost about $7.63 million.  
Creech said the city should prioritize what is needed first and then complete more  
aesthetic elements in later phases. The representative said that those could be placed in  
phases. Waterman asked about the sources of funding.  
Staff members answered some questions about funding and why the costs went up.  
Staff explained that the cost is high because this is a once in a generation project. The  
university and CVB are supportive. Companies and organizations are supportive. There  
is currently a little less than $1 million in private funding. Seewood said the city is trying  
to get more stakeholders involved so there can be more input and funding. Buffalo asked  
about getting more stakeholders involved after they see some images of the finished  
product. Buffalo asked about moving funds around and taking advantage of grants.  
Creech is not as sure about getting grants for this specific project, unlike sidewalks there  
are just less opportunities. The current project they are talking about is 63 East.  
Waterman asked about the distance of the project. Staff said it would go out to the  
Missouri River. Creech said that the state would like to add an additional lane to I-10.  
Staff said he would like to get a task force together to get funds added and create a plan  
of action. Buffalo thanked staff and the other stakeholders for their time and effort.  
II. ANY OTHER ITEMS COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS  
None.  
III. ADJOURNMENT  
Mayor Buffaloe adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:38 p.m.