City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes

City Council

Council Chamber

Columbia City Hall

701 E. Broadway

Monday, August 5, 2024

7:00 PM

Regular

I. INTRODUCTORY ITEMS

The City Council of the City of Columbia, Missouri met for a regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.

on Monday, August 5, 2024, in the Council Chamber of the City of Columbia, Missouri.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and the roll was taken with the following results:

Council Member BETSY PETERS, Mayor BARBARA BUFFALOE, Council Member LISA

E.A. MEYER, Council Member ROY LOVELADY, Council Member NICK FOSTER, and

Council Member DON WATERMAN were present. City Manager De’Carlon Seewood,

City Counselor Nancy Thompson, City Clerk Sheela Amin, and various Department

Heads and staff members were also present.

The minutes of the regular meeting of July 15, 2024 were approved unanimously by voice

vote on a motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by Council Member Meyer.

The agenda, including the consent agenda, was approved unanimously by voice vote on a

motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by Council Member Foster.

II. SPECIAL ITEMS

None.

III. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

None.

IV. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

V. PUBLIC HEARINGS

PH26-24

Proposed construction of a vehicle wash bay facility at the City of Columbia

sanitary landfill.

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk.

Utilities Director David Sorrell provided a staff report.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

There being no comment, Mayor Buffaloe closed the public hearing.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion authorizing staff to proceed with the proposed

solid waste vehicle wash bay improvement project. The motion was seconded by

Council Member Lovelady, and approved unanimously by voice vote.

PH27-24

Consider the Water and Light 2024 Renewable Energy Plan.

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk.

Utilities Director David Sorrell and Electric Utility Services Manager Todd McVicker

provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Eddie Lehr spoke.

Troy O’Donnell Sapp spoke.

There being no further comment, Mayor Buffaloe closed the public hearing.

The Council asked questions and made comments.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to accept the 2024 Renewable Energy Plan. The

motion was seconded by Council Member Foster, and approved unanimously by

voice vote.

PH28-24

B166-24

FY 2025 Annual Budget for the City of Columbia.

Discussion shown with B168-24.

Amending Chapter 17 of the City Code as it relates to Parks and

Recreation fees.

Discussion shown with B168-24.

B167-24

B168-24

Amending Chapter 22 of the City Code as it relates to Rental Unit

Conservation Law provisions, and fees and charges.

Discussion shown with B168-24.

Amending Chapter 27 of the City Code as it relates to water rates.

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk, and the bills were given second reading by

the City Clerk.

Finance Director Matthew Lue, Budget Officer Andrea Greer, Assistant Finance Director

Jim McDonald, Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington, and Neighborhood

Services Manager Leigh Kottwitz provided

a staff report, and they along with City

Manager De’Carlon Seewood, Economist Supervisor Deepayan Debnath, Assistant

Utilities Director of Rates and Fiscal Planning Sarah Talbert, and Utilities Director David

Sorrell responded to Council questions and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Tom Rose, Chair of the Housing and Development Commission, spoke and responded to

Council questions.

Stacy Ford, Chair of the Human Services Commission, spoke.

David Spear, Chair of the Commission on Cultural Affairs, spoke and responded to

Council comments.

John Conway, 4902 Thornbrook Ridge, spoke.

Julie Ryan spoke on behalf of COMO Safe Water Coalition.

Eddie Lehr spoke.

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp spoke on behalf on Race Matters, Friends.

Eugene Elkin, 3406 Range Line Street, spoke.

Reba Newman, 4800 Murrell Drive, spoke.

Chriss Jones spoke on behalf of Hold CoMo Accountable.

Troy O’Donnell Sapp spoke.

Renee Carter, a Second Ward resident, spoke.

There being no further comment, Mayor Buffaloe continued the public hearing to the

August 19, 2024 Council Meeting.

The Council asked questions and made comments.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to continue B167-24, B168-24, and B169-24 to the

August 19, 2024 Council Meeting. The motion was seconded by Council Member

Waterman. After discussion, the motion was approved unanimously by voice

vote.

The Council made comments.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

B171-24

Authorizing a transportation enhancements funds program agreement with

the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the Broadway

(Maplewood Drive to West Boulevard) sidewalk project.

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Public Works Director Shane Creech provided a staff report, and responded to Council

comments.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend B171-24 per the amendment sheet. The

motion was seconded by Council Member Lovelady and approved by voice vote

with the exception of Council Member Meyer who had stepped out during the

discussion on this item.

B171-24, as amended, was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote

recorded as follows: VOTING YES: PETERS, BUFFALOE, LOVELADY, FOSTER,

WATERMAN. VOTING NO: NO ONE. ABSENT: MEYER (Council Member Meyer

stepped out during the vote on this item.) Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

B172-24

Authorizing acceptance of the FY 2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All

(SS4A) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund projects

and activities associated with the Vision Zero Program; amending the FY

2024 Annual budget by appropriating funds.

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Public Works Director Shane Creech provided a staff report, and responded to Council

comments.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend B172-24 per the amendment sheet. The

motion was seconded by Council Member Lovelady and approved unanimously

by voice vote.

B172-24, as amended, was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote

recorded as follows: VOTING YES: PETERS, BUFFALOE, MEYER, LOVELADY,

FOSTER, WATERMAN. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

VII. CONSENT AGENDA

The following bills were given second reading and the resolutions were read by the City

Clerk.

B169-24

B170-24

B173-24

Voluntary annexation of property located on the northwest corner of Brown

School Road and Highway 763 (1003 E. Brown School Road); establishing

permanent M-C (Mixed-use Corridor) zoning (Case No. 158-2024).

Approving the Final Plat of “OPR Subdivision Plat 2” located on the south

side of Old Plank Road and west of Bethel Church Road; authorizing a

performance contract (Case No. 146-2024).

Amending the FY 2024 Annual Budget by adding positions in the Public

Works Department; amending the FY 2024 Annual Budget Appendix -

Authorized Full Time Equivalent (FTE) position identification summary;

amending the FY 2024 Classification and Pay Plan to add a classification.

B174-24

B175-24

Authorizing the acquisition of easements associated with the replacement

and improvement of public storm drainage infrastructure on Sexton Road

and McBaine Avenue.

Amending the FY 2024 Annual Budget by appropriating funds for the

building foundation repair project at the Activity and Recreation Center

(ARC).

B176-24

Authorizing a challenge cost share agreement with the United States

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Region 8 to support

conservation of genetic diversity of the maple-leaf oak.

R135-24

R136-24

R137-24

Setting a public hearing: setting property tax rates for 2024 for the City of

Columbia.

Setting a public hearing: proposed construction of improvements at

Westwinds Park.

Authorizing a programs agreement for rapid HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis C

testing services and a business associate agreement with Spectrum

Health Care.

R138-24

R139-24

Authorizing a second amendment to the allocation agreement with

Columbia Community Land Trust, Inc. for the issuance of ARPA funds for

affordable housing purposes.

Approving the Preliminary Plat of “Central Humane Society” located on the

northwest corner of Brown School Road and Highway 763 (1003 E. Brown

School Road) (Case No. 159-2024).

The bills were given third reading and the resolutions read by the City Clerk with

the vote recorded as follows: VOTING YES: PETERS, BUFFALOE, MEYER,

LOVELADY, FOSTER, WATERMAN. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bills declared enacted

and resolutions declared adopted, reading as follows:

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

None.

IX. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING

The following bills were introduced by the Mayor unless otherwise indicated, and all were

given first reading.

B177-24

B178-24

Amending Chapter 2 of the City Code relating to conflicts of interest and

financial disclosure procedures; directing the City Clerk to send a certified

copy of the ordinance to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Setting property tax rates for 2024; directing the City Clerk and Finance

Director to give notice of the property tax rate.

B179-24

B180-24

Adopting the FY 2025 Annual Budget for the City of Columbia.

Authorizing a contract with Consolidated Public Water Supply District No. 1

of Boone County, Missouri relating to the relocation of a waterline as part of

the Route K and Old Plank Road roundabout improvement project.

B181-24

B182-24

B183-24

Authorizing replacement and improvement of public storm drainage

infrastructure on Alan Lane, McKee Street, Oriole Lane, and Boyd Lane;

calling for bids through the Purchasing Division or authorizing a contract for

the work using a term and supply contractor.

Authorizing construction of stormwater improvements on Calvert Drive,

Sylvan Lane and Vandiver Drive, and construction of sanitary sewer

improvements on Calvert Drive; calling for bids through the Purchasing

Division.

Authorizing a joint funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey,

United States Department of the Interior for operation and maintenance of

a streamgage on Hinkson Creek to provide historical stream flow data and

flood stage information.

B184-24

B185-24

Authorizing construction of improvements at Westwinds Park; calling for

bids for a portion of the project through the Purchasing Division.

Authorizing a third amendment to the PCS tower agreement with SBA

2012 TC ASSETS, LLC relating to the lease of City-owned property

located at 1808 Parkside Drive.

B186-24

B187-24

Authorizing a license agreement with the Missouri Department of

Conservation associated with the design and construction of the Gans

Creek Recreation Area natural surface trail.

Authorizing a first amendment to the agreement with ImageNet Consulting,

LLC for completion of the Laserfiche implementation and migration project;

amending the FY 2024 Annual Budget by appropriating funds.

B188-24

B189-24

Authorizing a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior

Services for Show Me Healthy Women program services.

Authorizing Amendment No. 2 to the contract with the Missouri Department

of Health and Senior Services for local public health disparities initiative

program services.

B190-24

B191-24

Authorizing a fifth supplemental to the airport aid agreement with the

Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for air service

promotion.

Authorizing a memorandum of understanding with The Board of Curators of

Lincoln University Missouri for Police Officer Standards and Training

Commission (POST) certification training.

X. REPORTS

REP49-24

Merideth Drive Right-of-Way Vacation (Case #201-2024).

Community Development Director Tim Teddy provided a staff report, and responded to

Council question and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion for staff to proceed with the technical review of the

requested vacation and present an ordinance to vacate excess right-of-way for Council

consideration upon completion of such review. The motion was seconded by Council

Member Foster and approved unanimously by voice vote.

REP50-24

CASH and HELP Programs.

After discussion, Mayor Buffaloe made a motion for staff to proceed with phasing out the

CASH and HELP programs. The motion was seconded by Council Member Foster and

approved unanimously by voice vote.

REP51-24

REP52-24

Communication from the Citizens Police Review Board relating to Chapter

21 Amendments associated with Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.

City Counselor Nancy Thompson provided a staff report, and responded to Council

questions and comments.

Solid Waste Report: Skipped Commercial Collection Services.

Utilities Director David Sorrell provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions

and comments.

XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF

Eugene Elkin, 3406 Range Line Street, spoke regarding the building of Habitat for

Humanity homes, water rates, the stock market, the homeless, water windmills, water

quality, and recycling.

Amari spoke about the rental license and inspection processes as he was new to

Columbia and did not know about those requirements nor the process to address

nuisance issues.

Chriss Jones, a Second Ward resident, spoke about the changes to the Citizens Police

Review Board as she did not feel some of the changes discussed earlier were needed,

her volunteering to participate in any committee formed by Police Chief Jill Schlude, and

her police misconduct complaint related to the responsiveness of police to a suicide call.

The Council and staff discussed various topics to include Council Member Meyer’s

experience during a police ride-a-long and a potential pilot program in Ward 2 involving art

beautification in terms of electric boxes, etc, and pollinator enhancements.

Council Member Meyer made

motion for the City Manager to direct and

report for pilot program in

collaborate with various departments to prepare

Ward 2 focused on high traffic areas and ways to improve the aesthetics with art,

beautification, and creative ways to improve the aesthetics of the pollinators on

or before October 21, 2024. The motion was seconded by Council Member

Waterman. After discussion, the motion was modified with agreement from

Council Member Meyer and Council Member Waterman for the City Manager to

prepare

report for

pilot program in Ward 2 with regard to pollinator

aesthetics and enhancements. The modified motion was approved by voice vote

with only Mayor Buffaloe voting no.

The Council and staff continued to discuss various topics to include a report regarding a

potential change to the council meeting start times and/or meeting days, the need for

better community engagement processes to improve trust with citizens beyond the

community connectors program, BeHeard, etc., the need for a conversation about how to

make Columbia’s transit system a more robust system, everyone educating themselves

and exercising their right to vote tomorrow, the ability to do solid waste ride-a-longs,

looking forward to receiving and acting on the transit and housing studies, appreciation for

the person handling manual recycling duties by himself in Ward 5 on July 31,

understanding the frustration and disappointment with the lack of progress on water utility

projects as that was shared by many on the City Council, the need to share progress and

delays on projects with the public, the fact the City has increased social services funding

over the last two years, the benefit of assisting when frustrated by volunteering,

participating in meetings when solutions are being discussed, supporting changes,

advocating at the state level, etc., the narrative in the budget as it described things that

were being done by the City, an update on some water utility capital projects, and the

use of BeHeard by the public to ask questions and make comments regarding the

budget.