I. CALL TO ORDER

Ann Marie Gortmaker called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.

(John Bowders appeared virtually)

Staff Present: Adam Kruse, Cody Moore, Gabe Huffington, Cavelle

Cole-Neal, Mitch Dooley

Members of the public appeared in person. No members of the public

appeared virtually.

II. INTRODUCTIONS

Statement by Chair on Virtual Participation

Ann Marie Gortmaker makes a statement on virtual participation and

reminds members to keep their cameras on and to speak in to the

microphone.

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Commission discussed the agenda.

Marlee Walz made a motion to approve the agenda. Jonathan Asher seconded

the motion. All in favor; motion approved.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

DRAFT January 8, 2026 Disabilities Commission Meeting Minutes

Commission discussed the January minutes. Jonathan Asher abstains

from voting.

Marlee Walz made a motion to approve the minutes. Ken Rice seconded the

motion. Motion approved.

V. SPECIAL ITEMS

Cody Moore, Graphic Artist in the City's Communication Division, to

discuss draft logo for the Dawn Z Business Accessibility Award

Cody Moore presented the most recent draft logo for the program, this draft

incorporates feedback from the previous meeting. Commission members

discussed the draft logo and provided positive feedback for this draft going

forward. Staff will continue working on marketing materials for the program

with this logo in mind.

Gabe Huffington, Parks and Recreation Director, to provide a general

update on City recreation services and facilities

Gabe Huffington provides a presentation to the Commission about existing

facilities, adaptive sports and upcoming projects. Gabe Huffington

mentions that the Parks Department tentatively has an accessibility audit of

the Parks system planned in the future and will keep the Disabilities

Commission informed about an opportunity to participate.

Koda Inman-Ahlstrom, Director of Disabled Athlete Sports Association

(DASA) in Columbia to discuss the organization's events and activities in

the community

Koda Inman-Ahlstrom presents about the DASA program. DASA

specifically works with athletes who have a diagnosed physical disability,

which can differ from some of the program offerings the City has for

athletes with a cognitive disability. In Columbia, DASA currently has 50-60

athletes. Some of the programs offered locally include adaptive yoga,

competitive and recreation swimming, rock climbing, and basketball. Koda

said the mission objective of the organization is to rehabilitate people with

physical disabilities into successful individuals, with success being a

subjective term that can include social skills, fitness and more. For ways

the City and Commission can help DASA, it is to help spread awareness

about the program and to recognize the impact of adaptive sports

opportunities and how disabled individuals excel from these experiences.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

Discussion on Advocacy Movement for MoDOT to develop a 'Statewide

Active Transportation Plan'

John Bowders discussed the push to get a statewide active transportation

plan. This is to look at alternative transportation such as pedestrians and

bicycles. It also promotes projects related to the ADA. Missouri is one of a

few states that does not have one of these plans, and Local Motion is

asking for support locally through letters to forward to the state.

2026 Draft Speaker Schedule for Commission Meetings - updated

February 2026

John Bowders provides an update that the speakers for March include

Michael Parks from the Airport and Patrick Lee from Services for

Independent Living.

Earth Day Planning for April 26, 2026

Adam Kruse provides an update. The registration costs $45. John

Bowders also asks Koda Inman-Ahlstrom if he believes DASA might be

interested in getting a booth alongside the Disabilities Commission and

that if he had some adaptive sports equipment, it might attract attention to

the booths. Koda said that he might look into it.

John Bowders made a motion for the Disabilities Commission to sign up for Earth

Day 2026. Joseph Facteau seconded the motion. All in favor; motion approved.

ADA Symposium Planning for July 19 to 22, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona

Adam Kruse discusses the ADA Symposium, and says that the

Commission is introducing it this month because at the March meeting the

Commission will select members to attend.

VII. REPORTS

Future Agenda Items

Ann Marie Gortmaker talked about Mike Parks and Patrick Lee attending

next month. Ann Marie also reminded Commissioners that the speaker’s

list is a living document and members can always request speakers or

topics that it is interested in.

Chair

John Bowders said that the Commission’s Annual Report will be on the

next City Council Agenda, Monday, February 16.

Staff Report

No report.

MU Chancellor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities

No report.

Safe Streets for All Working Group

John Bowders says that the consultant who is working on Safe Streets for

the next 5 year plan will be presenting on February 25 at the ARC from 4 to

6 PM. The will be explaining what the consultant’s suggestion for the plan

will be and would like the public to have input.

Airport Steering Committee

John Bowders said they have the executive summary of the planning

document in draft form. The Commission can ask Mike Parks about it next

month.

VIII. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF

Ken Rice commented that a good speaker to come in might be someone

from Columbia Public Schools. There is opportunity for the Commission to

collaborate with CPS in the future as it has a big impact in the community.

Marlee Walz commented that another potential speaker is a friend who is

the Director of the Occupational Therapy Program, Dr. Leann Lowery.

Adam Kruse commented that he forgot to mention during staff reports,

there is an event on March 5 with the Missouri Commission on Human

Rights to talk about Public Accommodations and Disability Awareness.

Ann Marie Gortmaker commented appreciation for Joseph Facteau’s

interest in the Public Transit Advisory Commission. Also, that there is an

interested party meeting following this meeting to discuss plans for the

future use of the Colt Railroad.

IX. NEXT MEETING DATE: March 12, 2026

X. ADJOURNMENT

Ken Rice made a motion to adjourn. Jonathan Asher seconded the motion. The

meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m.