City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes

City Council

City Hall

Monday, December 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Regular

Council Chamber

701 E. Broadway

Columbia, MO

I. INTRODUCTORY ITEMS

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

on Monday, December 1, 2025, 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 NICK FOSTER, Council Member DON WATERMAN, Council

Member BETSY PETERS, Mayor BARBARA BUFFALOE, Council Member VALERIE

CARROLL, Council Member VERA ELWOOD, and Council Member JACQUE SAMPLE

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.

Mayor Buffaloe explained the minutes of the regular meeting of November 17, 2025 were

not yet complete.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to remove R164-25 from the agenda at the request of staff.

The motion was seconded by Council Member Elwood, and approved unanimously by

voice vote.

Mayor Buffaloe explained a constituent had requested the B299-25 be moved from the

consent agenda to old business.

The agenda, including the consent agenda with B299-25 being moved to old business and

R164-25 being removed from the 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

SPC56-25

Ashton (Ash) Schreiber - How Vidwest helps support students and

professional development.

Ashton Schreiber, a junior at the University of Missouri studying music and psychology,

indicated he was the head writer for Shot Reverse Shot, which was the filmmaking club at

Mizzou that provided students an opportunity to gain hands on professional experience

with film outside of class, pointed out Vidwest provided them access to professional

grade equipment at a reasonable price, stated the gear at the University was exclusive to

film production students and was only permitted to be used for classwork, explained he

had become involved with Shot Reverse Shot because he wanted to get into composing

film scores, and noted that without the gear Vidwest provided, the club would not be able

to continue.

V. PUBLIC HEARINGS

PH31-25

Proposed construction of a sidewalk improvement project along the north

side of Mills Drive, between Forum Boulevard and Highridge Drive.

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk.

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

questions and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Shane Lowe, 1133 Ashland Road, stated he was hoping to live in this area soon,

wondered if striping on the north and south sides of the intersection at Forum Boulevard

could be included in this project as it was not visible from a vehicle in certain locations,

thanked the City for keeping the crossing buttons in a relatively accessible position,

expressed concern with the pooling of water on the west side of the street where there

was a steep gutter, asked for the City to consider ways to convey pedestrians from the

east side to Schnucks and other businesses without having to use vehicle corridors, and

noted deterioration of a sidewalk on the east side of Forum Boulevard.

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

The Council asked questions and made comments.

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

of the Mills Drive sidewalk improvement project. The motion was seconded by

Council Member Foster, and approved unanimously by voice vote.

PH32-25

Proposed construction of a pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) at the

Material Recovery Facility site located on the south side of Peabody Road;

providing for construction of the proposed improvement using a

design/build contract.

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk.

Utilities Director Erin Keys provided a staff report.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

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

The Council asked questions and made comments.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion authorizing staff to proceed with the design and

construction of a building at the Material Recovery Facility, and for the City

Manager to proceed with the selection of a design-build contractor. The motion

was seconded by Council Member Waterman, and approved unanimously by

voice vote.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

B299-25

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Lori Brockman to allow

the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 2609 Wee Wynd;

providing a severability clause (Case No. 318-2025).

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Community Development Director Clint Smith provided a staff report, and responded to

Council questions.

Jamie Varvaro, 105 Thistledown Drive, indicated he was speaking on behalf of the 38

neighbors who had signed a petition in opposition of the issuance of the permit to operate

a short-term rental on this property, explained the circle drive on Wee Wynd was a safe

space for young children to ride their bikes and play on its greenspace, noted

Thistledown Drive, which was adjacent, did not have any sidewalks for children to safely

play, stated many of the surrounding neighbors maintained the park-like area, believed

the continual flow of strangers or renters who were unfamiliar with the neighborhood to

this area where the children played was a public safety concern, and asked the Council

to deny this request due to the safety issue involved.

Paul Blanchard, 14 Thistledown Drive, explained his property was immediately adjacent

at the corner of Thistledown Drive and Wee Wynd, noted this was an established

neighborhood with mostly owner-occupied homes, stated the reference to rentals was

likely on Dundee Drive, not Thistledown Drive, felt the items in the ordinance were criteria,

not guidelines, pointed out the concern was not with long-term renters, only short-term

renters, believed allowing this short-term rental would decrease the value and salability of

his property, indicated the noise from this property would affect six other properties, and

reiterated the comments of Jamie Varvaro in that the short-term renters, their visitors,

those cleaning the home, etc. would add to people unfamiliar with the neighborhood,

creating the safety concern.

Lori Brockman, 4004 Baurichter Drive, indicated she had owned and managed rental

property for 25 years, had purchased this property in 2016, and had been running it as a

rental, noted this property had not previously operated as a short-term rental because she

wanted to obtain a permit first, stated there had not been any complaints regarding this

property and that she only had seven complaints on all of her properties combined, which

were minor, such as trash outside on move out day, and resolved, pointed out she had

also taken care of the greenspace, understood her permit would be revoked if there were

issues, and asked the Council to allow her the opportunity to operate a short-term rental

at this site.

The Council asked questions and made comments.

B299-25 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

follows: VOTING YES: WATERMAN, PETERS, CARROLL, SAMPLE. VOTING NO:

FOSTER, BUFFALOE, ELWOOD. 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.

B296-25

B297-25

Adopting amended FY 2026 Classification and Pay Plans; establishing

implementation dates of December 7, 2025 and January 18, 2026.

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Chelsea Petree to

allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 318

Anderson Avenue; providing a severability clause (Case No. 312-2025).

B298-25

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Rock Bridge Rentals,

LLC to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at

1409 Wilkes Boulevard, Apartment 103; providing a severability clause

(Case No. 316-2025).

B300-25

B301-25

B302-25

Accepting a conveyance for sewer purposes; accepting Stormwater

Management/BMP Facilities Covenants; directing the City Clerk to have

the conveyances recorded.

Authorizing cost share request/agreement with the Missouri Department of

Conservation associated with the removal of dead trees at Albert-Oakland

Park.

Authorizing a grant agreement with the State of Missouri - Missouri State

Council on the Arts for the 2025-2026 Annual Heritage Festival and Crafts

Show managed by the Parks and Recreation Department.

B303-25

B304-25

B305-25

Authorizing an agreement with the City of Fulton, Missouri for mutual aid

fire services.

Authorizing an agreement with Columbia School District No. 93 for the

Teen Connection Project program services.

Authorizing Amendment No. 5 to the contract with the Missouri Department

of Health and Senior Services for maternal child health program services.

B306-25

Authorizing a memorandum of understanding with the Missouri Department

of Health and Senior Services for the issuance of birth and death

certificates and associated information technology activities.

B307-25

R162-25

R163-25

Authorizing a collective bargaining agreement with Columbia Professional

Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 1055.

Consenting to the issuance of a state license for the sale of intoxicating

liquor to 5418 Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Highball, located at 132 S. Ninth Street.

Authorizing investment of police and fire pension funds in securities

managed by Ares Private Markets Fund; authorizing execution of any

agreements as are necessary for completion of those investments.

R165-25

R166-25

Authorizing an airport lease agreement with United Airlines, Inc.

Authorizing a professional engineering services agreement with Burns &

McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. associated with the Clear Creek

sewer force main rehabilitation and replacement project.

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

Clerk with the vote recorded as follows VOTING YES: FOSTER, WATERMAN,

PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, ELWOOD, SAMPLE. 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.

B308-25

B309-25

B310-25

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Marmar Atallah and

Hana Shehadeh to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property

located at 3408 Eastham Drive; providing a severability clause (Case No.

332-2025).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Tigers GameDay

Escape LLC to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property

located at 1906 Grant Lane; providing a severability clause (Case No.

331-2025).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Chris and Stacy

Mattingly to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at

717 Campusview Drive; providing a severability clause (Case No.

338-2025).

B311-25

B312-25

B313-25

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Devin Kelley to allow

the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 302 N. Ninth

Street; providing a severability clause (Case No. 4-2026).

Rezoning property located on the southeast corner of Green Valley Drive

and Moon Valley Road from District PD (Planned Development) to District

R-MF (Multiple-family Dwelling) (Case No. 335-2025).

Authorizing an annexation agreement with KW COU, LLC for property

located on the north side of Enterprise Drive and east of Route Z; directing

the City Clerk to have the agreement recorded (Case No. 243-2024).

B314-25

B315-25

Approving the Final Plat of “Alan Creek Estates Plat 1” located on the

northwest corner of Alan Lane and McKee Street; authorizing a

performance contract (Case No. 285-2025).

Approving the Final Plat of “West Worley Addition, Plat 1-A” located on the

east side of Pennant Street and the west side of Pershing Road (506 and

508 Pennant Street and 505 Pershing Road); authorizing a performance

contract (Case No. 275-2025).

B316-25

B317-25

Authorizing an agreement with Columbia Community Land Trust, Inc. for

administrative services.

Authorizing a grant agreement with the State of Missouri - Missouri Arts

Council for community arts programs and services administered by the

Office of Cultural Affairs in FY 2026.

B318-25

B319-25

B320-25

Authorizing application to the United States Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration and the Missouri Department of

Transportation for airport capital assistance grants in 2026.

Authorizing Amendment No. 1 to the contract with the Missouri Department

of Health and Senior Services for local public health agency accreditation

assistance program services.

Authorizing a low income home energy assistance program supplier

agreement with the Missouri Department of Social Services - Family

Support Division.

B321-25

B322-25

Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the total

amount of $5,788,537.67 for first quarter appropriation of funds.

Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the

amount of $99,840.00; authorizing an agreement for professional services

with Powerhouse Community Development Corporation for community

navigation liaison peer services.

X. REPORTS

None.

XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF

Bill Moyes, 4209 Fritz Court, handed out a photo of Silvey Street, just north of Compass

Evangelical Free Church where the hill met I-70 Drive Southwest, agreed it was

dangerous to utilize that hill when the weather was dicey as it had been known as “prayer

hill,” explained that beginning last year, there was a locked gate at the site instead of

barricades when the weather was bad, understood the Public Works staff had indicated

there had been multiple instances of people moving the barricades to drive through,

sometimes with dire consequences, and stated he wanted documentation on the number

of dire consequences that had occurred because no one had died, been seriously injured,

or been hospitalized for traveling on that road to his knowledge.

Matt Hake asked for clarification regarding whether the items that were read by their

number for second reading had been approved, indicated admiration for the Council for

taking on short-term rentals as it was a tough issue, thought the associated policy was

decent, and noted the Council had approved his short-term rental tonight.

Devin Kelly noted two batches of numbers had been read and asked for clarification as to

whether the earlier ones had been approved tonight. Mayor Buffaloe explained the items

under Introduction and First Reading would show up on the next meeting for

consideration, and the ones under the Consent Agenda has been approved this evening,

except for R164-24, which had been removed from the agenda.

The Council and staff discussed various topics to include being appreciative of staff for

clearing the roadways as well as the sidewalks surrounding City Hall, picking up trash in

these conditions, and working to keep homes heated and lighted, encouraging the public

to clear their sidewalks, Council Members Foster, Waterman, and Peters being grateful

for the opportunity to recently attend the National League of Cities (NLC) City Summit as

they had learned the challenges they were facing were not unique as other communities

were facing those same challenges, i.e., affordable housing, transit, childcare, workforce

development, homelessness, etc., the desire to look into something similar to The Other

Side Academy, which taught people how to live productive and sober lives, the need to

address infill appropriately in neighborhoods, Council Member Carroll having the pleasure

of attending

a Thanksgiving meal hosted by the First Street Christian Church and

Powerhouse Community Development, which was a continuation of the Everybody Eats

tradition, which was started by Almeta Crayton, a previous First Ward Council Member,

appreciation for the thoughtfulness of a Columbia Police Department officer and a Transit

Division driver for providing for a bus at 4:00 a.m. for residents of an apartment complex

that had been evacuated to stay warm until the incident was over, acknowledging the fact

that departments worked together for the betterment of the community, suggesting

clarifying signage at the locked gates at Silvey Street indicating the street was closed

during the winter season versus just when there was rain, snow, and ice, and the creation

of a municipal campaign finance reform task force to review whether there was a need for

limitations to campaign contributions after obtaining input from the public along with how

enforcement would be handled if it was determined this type of reform was needed.

Council Member Sample made a motion to create

a municipal campaign finance

group to study and provide recommendations regarding the topic. The motion

was seconded by Council Member Elwood. After discussion, the motion was

approved unanimously by voice vote.

The Council and staff continued discussing various topics to include the plan to provide

Council with a report with draft legislation regarding a municipal campaign finance reform

task force at the second meeting in January, Council Member Waterman having the

opportunity to accept a Digital Cities Survey Award on behalf of the City’s IT Department

at the NLC Cities Summit as they had come in fourth out of ten in the 125,000-249,999

population category, acknowledging the work of the Convention and Visitors Bureau staff

over the past four years in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department and MU

Athletics for recently hosting a successful and efficient District I NCAA Cross Country

Championship event, appreciation for the police officer who directed traffic for that event

for at least three hours, and being thankful that Columbia was a welcoming community

with opportunities to host events such as this.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned without objection at 8:27 p.m.