City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
Molly Thomas Bowden  
Neighborhood Policing  
Center  
Monday, December 8, 2025  
9:00 AM  
Council Retreat  
Community Room  
1204 International Dr.  
Columbia, MO  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Buffaloe called the meeting to order at approximately 9:03 a.m.  
7 - Buffaloe, Foster, Waterman, Peters, Carroll, Sample, and Elwood  
Present:  
II. AGENDA TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED  
Setting the Stage  
Council-Manager Form of Government  
Governing Together  
Follow Up  
Generative Conversations  
Calendaring Upcoming Items  
Closing Thoughts  
Setting the Stage  
The retreat began with Mayor Buffaloe welcoming her colleagues and highlighting the  
importance of united governance. She then introduced the facilitator, who reviewed the  
agenda and meeting norms. Next, members of the City Council and staff introduced  
themselves by sharing their expectations for the day and reflections on previous retreats.  
Common themes included learning from one another and strengthening communication.  
Council Manager Form of Government  
The facilitator provided a review of the council-manager form of government.  
Governing Together  
The group addressed several questions about governing together as a body. These  
included: What does good governance look like to you? What values are important in  
governing? What is important to remember when your position is the prevailing decision  
and when it is not? How do you distinguish between policy (Council) and administration  
(manager and staff)? What kind of relationship do you have with you Council colleagues,  
and with the City Manager and staff? What do you want this governing body to be known  
for?  
Follow Up  
The group discussed and revised their norms for communication. These were originally  
established in 2023 and then revised in 2024. The norm related to requests for Council  
reports was clarified. Staff also encouraged the use of the Council Inquiry email system  
to ensure better tracking and accountability.  
The group addressed how to best utilize the current Council Questions system. The  
group agreed to begin regularly scheduled off-week Council work sessions on the second  
Monday of each month on an as needed basis. Information on how to request a special  
meeting was clarified, as well was information on media requests, adding items to the  
agenda, and support from staff for emergent issues.  
Generative Conversations  
Members of Council discussed the best strategies for working together with key partners.  
They expressed their desire for the City to take a more proactive role in shaping the  
narrative around safety in Columbia. Many members agreed that the City has an  
opportunity to highlight many of the important public safety initiatives that have been  
underway or planned, even prior to September. Ideas included greater centralization of  
communications, highlighting City efforts toward the beginning of Council meetings,  
greater enforcement of City Code, and proactively convening additional gatherings of  
stakeholders. Overall, the group agreed on the importance of the City having a proactive  
public safety narrative.  
Calendaring Upcoming Items  
The group reviewed a number of upcoming items for Council’s awareness. As most  
department heads were not present, Council requested that staff provide a more  
comprehensive preview of upcoming agenda items in an upcoming Current Events.  
Closing Thoughts  
As the check-in came to a close, participants were asked to share takeaways from their  
time together.  
III. OTHER ITEMS COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS  
None.  
IV. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:11 p.m.