City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
City Council  
City Hall  
Conference Room  
1A/1B  
Monday, November 17, 2025  
5:00 PM  
Pre-Council  
701 E. Broadway  
Columbia, MO  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Buffaloe called the meeting to order at approximately 5 p.m.  
6 - Buffaloe, Foster, Waterman, Carroll, Sample, and Elwood  
Present:  
Absent:  
1 - Peters  
Energy Codes 101  
Clint Smith, Community Development Director, provided background for the discussion.  
He introduced Zoya Ehsan, a representative from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance  
(MEEA), who would lead the presentation. She spoke about MEEA, which is a  
collaborative network and nonprofit organization. She covered what an energy code is,  
noting that it is a set of rules that set the minimum energy efficiency standards for new  
buildings.  
She discussed the two national model codes, the IECC and ASHRAE 90.1. She noted  
that in Missouri municipalities and counties adopt their own energy codes, and that there  
is not a state adopt code. She reviewed the purview of building energy codes, comparing  
residential with commercial standards. She emphasized energy code uses the science of  
controlling heat transfer in buildings.  
She discussed why an energy code should be adopted in whole, noting that many  
different systems work together to increase energy efficiency, using the example of a well  
insulated house with quality windows would use less energy for heating and cooling. She  
emphasized cost savings, particularly during development rather than retrofitting an  
existing building.  
She mentioned the health and safety benefits, noting air quality in particular. She  
highlighted a study commissioned by the Metropolitan Energy Center in KCMO which  
found a 34% difference in asthma frequency and intensity between weatherized homes  
and the control group.  
Valerie Carroll asked about how these codes address existing buildings. Zoya noted that  
the codes were more relevant for new construction, but highlighted weatherization efforts  
on homes of all ages from the KCMO study.  
She reviewed the code adoption landscape in Missouri for both residential and  
commercial. She noted that the 2024 IECC code has not yet been adopted in the state.  
She highlighted the major updates in the IECC from 2015 through 2024 - this code is  
updated on a three year timeframe. She highlighted cost savings for occupants. She  
covered national averages for the additional cost for single family home construction. She  
noted, in Missouri the average additional construction cost between 2018 to 2024 IECC  
code is between $3,000 and $4,200. She noted that the impact on affordable housing  
does not necessarily paint a complete picture, referencing the $32,000 figure attributed to  
the 2021 IECC code. She added double counting, jurisdictions where the home is built,  
and other factors that may account for increased costs.  
She also referenced the long-term benefit to energy codes, including improved public  
health, decreased demand on the grid, and more resilient buildings.  
Clint provided information on how building codes are updated in Columbia, and provided  
information about the item on tonight’s Council agenda that would allow the proposed  
codes to be on display for 90 days in the Clerk’s Office. He also referenced increased  
public engagement surrounding this potential update.  
Clint briefly discussed how applications would be handled if they were submitted on the  
cusp of any new code adoption. He also noted plans for a potential public form to help  
with education and outreach.  
Don Waterman raised some concerns about impacts on housing costs.  
Snow & Ice Discussion  
Attachments: Presentation  
Richard Stone, Engineering & Operations Manager, presented. Richard emphasized  
everything they do is centered around keeping people safe on the roadways. He noted  
several major roadways that are controlled by MoDOT or Boone County - though they  
often have the plows down when driving on those unless the roads have recently been  
treated.  
He noted the first, second, and third priority routes, and that any weather response is  
based on availability of resources and establishing a plan before winter. He noted that  
each weather season has around 10 winter weather events, but it can be as low as 4 or  
as many as 25. He emphasized the around 1,465 lane miles the City is responsible for -  
noting that it would be a single road from Columbia to Miami, FL.  
He mentioned the deferred fleet replacement, but complimented the recent investment,  
adding 4 tandems and 1 single axle that should be delivered this winter. He noted that a  
dump truck fully outfitted can cost up to $300,000 and take up to one year to arrive.  
He noted that there are between 8-30 drivers per shift, plus additional support. The Street  
Division has 45 FTE currently, compared to 43 FTE in 2005. Most communities target  
20-35 lane miles per operator for continuous operation. In Columbia, staffing is at about  
35 lane miles for Street Division, but with the other resources from other departments it is  
about 25 lane miles per operator.  
For less than 4” of snow, there are continuous operations for first, second, and third  
priority routes. Neighborhood streets are addressed during normal business hours after  
the priority routes are cleared. For 4” or greater, the priority routes are addressed first. All  
streets are plowed and treated to passable condition, which means passable by a front  
wheel vehicle at slow speeds with reasonable winter weather driving. Salt is not effective  
at less than 15 degrees.  
Richard noted issues with freeze/thaw and the challenges it can cause. When the  
majority of routes are passable, the Contact Center may forward calls to Public Works for  
review.  
For events with 6” and greater snow events, downtown snow removal may be necessary  
due to the lack of places to push the snow. For snow events with 12” or snow or greater,  
it may take multiple days to address first and second priority routes.  
Priority routes are evaluated each year, as well as parking requirements. Priority  
neighborhoods require neighbors to agree to remove all vehicles from the street. They are  
normally plowed at night.  
There are some potential for blowers, potentially for the 2027-2028 winter. This is still  
being evaluated. He discussed a future new salt dome and highlighted the time saving of  
having a second site.  
Staff answered questions related to public notification, plowing pedways, and priority  
neighborhoods. Stephanie Brown discussed how information flows through the Contact  
Center.  
The Mayor noted it was helpful last winter for Council to receive updates from staff during  
winter weather events.  
II. ANY OTHER ITEMS COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS  
None.  
III. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:35 p.m.