City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes

City Council

City Hall

Conference Room

1A/1B

Monday, March 9, 2026

6:00 PM

Work Session

701 E. Broadway

Columbia, MO

I. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.

7 - Buffaloe, Foster, Waterman, Peters, Carroll, Sample, and Elwood

Present:

This item is open to the public: City Communications Discussion

Attachments: Presentation

Sydney Olsen, Engagement & Public Communications Manager, presented information

on the upcoming Communications department. The department will serve as a strategic

hub for all City communications. The following divisions will be organized in this

department: creative services, marketing, engagement/public communications, and

contact center. She noted that this was not a centralized model - communications staff in

other departments will still stay in those departments. She reviewed the goals of the new

department, including enhancing external communications, public relations, crisis and

reputation management. She emphasized consistent messaging and supporting

departments in telling the City’s story.

Council member Nick Foster asked for an example of maintaining consistency with

various departments. Sydney emphasized the importance of recognition to ensure the

messaging is immediately recognizable to residents. She clarified that Communications

wouldn’t edit content, but would provide assistance through templates and consistency

through branding. Goals also included external storytelling, streamlined internal

communications, content strategy, and brand alignment.

Sydney shared information on the proposed City newsroom model, which would have the

organization operate as an internal media organization. She highlighted a proposed

strategic communications plan. She emphasized using feedback from the annual survey,

Community Summit, etc. as well as sharing how the City is using the feedback. She

emphasized working with all City departments and being a resource to them.

She highlighted the need for a citywide crisis communication plan, noting that

improvements have been made including tabletop exercises. The Mayor asked about the

role of Council in communications, as well as the expectations especially related to crisis

communications. Council member Valerie Carroll asked about having a staff member that

reports to Council on communications - she referenced the Council Corner videos and

ways for Council to be involved in those. De’Carlon Seewood, City Manager, noted the

two public information specialists and noted that one could ensure communication with

the City Council.

Sydney emphasized internal communication, specifically with improving communication

from city leadership and staff. This would be employee recognition as well as two way

communication. She also discussed Coffee with the City Manager and the positive

feedback received from that.

Mayor Buffaloe asked about engagement, noting information from the Contact Center

would be useful for other departments. Sydney noted a planned strategic plan related to

engagement to ensure they are working in tandem. Foster asked about how easily this

would move forward after Sydney leaves. De’Carlon noted that steps were being taken to

ensure there is a foundation for the new director. He noted that departments do a great

job responding to current issues, but work still needs to be done on proactive

communication.

Council member Betsy Peters asked about the timeframe and how success will be

measured. De’Carlon noted the first step is hiring the director, ideally to have that position

filled by July. He stated a goal was for City Council to be involved. Communications

touchpoints will be ongoing with Council as well as department directors to ensure what

is being done is working or if a pivot is needed. Mayor Buffaloe expressed a need for

realistic expectations to be shared with Council.

Stephanie Brown, Special Projects Manager, provided some information on a planned call

tree for the general City phone line.

This item is open to the public: Motion for the City Council to go into

closed session to discuss:

-Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a

public governmental body when personal information about the employee

is discussed or recorded pursuant to Section 610.021(3) RSMo.

-Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or

records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment pursuant to

Section 610.021(13) RSMo.

At approximately 6:40 p.m., Mayor Buffaloe made a motion for the City Council of

the City of Columbia, Missouri, to immediately go into a closed meeting in

Conference Room 1A/1B of City Hall to discuss the hiring, firing, disciplining or

promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body when

personal information about the employee is discussed or recorded pursuant to

Section 610.021(3) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, and individually

identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to

employees or applicants for employment pursuant to Section 610.021(13) of the

Revised Statutes of Missouri. The motion was seconded by Council Member

Foster.

This item is closed to the public: Closed meeting in Conference Room

1A/1B

At approximately 6:42 p.m., the City Council went into closed session in Conference

Room 1A/1B pursuant to RSMo Sections 610.021(3) and (13).

II. OTHER ITEMS COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS

None.

III. ADJOURNMENT

The closed meeting adjourned at approximately 7:54 p.m.