City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes

City Council

Council Chamber

Columbia City Hall

701 E. Broadway

Monday, October 21, 2024

7:00 PM

Regular

I. INTRODUCTORY ITEMS

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

on Monday, October 21, 2024, 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 LISA E.A. MEYER, and Council Member ROY LOVELADY were

present. City Manager De’Carlon Seewood, Assistant City Counselor Kristin

Mengwasser, City Clerk Sheela Amin, and various Department Heads and staff members

were also present.

The minutes of the regular meeting of October 7, 2024 were approved unanimously by

voice vote on a motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by Council Member Meyer.

Council Member Meyer asked that B244-24 be removed from the consent agenda.

The agenda, including the consent agenda with B244-24 being moved to old business,

was approved unanimously by voice vote on a motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by

Council Member Foster.

II. SPECIAL ITEMS

SI17-24

Recognition by the American Public Works Association for Achieving a

Sixth Re-Accreditation Award for Leadership in the Field of Public Works.

Joe Johnson, the APWA Region VI Director, presented the Re-Accreditation Award for

Leadership in the Field to the City of Columbia Public Works, Utilities, Economic

Development, and Community Development Departments.

III. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

BC12-24

Board and Commission Applicants.

Upon receiving the majority vote of the Council, the following individuals were appointed to

the following Boards and Commissions.

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Nguyen, Alice, 713 Huntridge Drive, Ward 6, Term to expire May 1, 2029

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CODES COMMISSION

Noordsy, Andy, 13 E. Craig Street, Ward 2, Term to expire August 1, 2027

Mayor Buffaloe suggested the appointment to the Citizens Police Review Board be

delayed and for the vacancies to be readvertised since only one application was received

for the three current vacancies, and the Council was agreeable to the delay and

readvertisement.

CITY OF COLUMBIA NEW CENTURY FUND, INC. BOARD

Lavely, Stephen, 1503 Gary Street, Ward 1, Term to expire September 30, 2027

COLUMBIA SPORTS COMMISSION

Kelly, Elizabeth, 3412 Whitney Court, Ward 4, Term to expire December 31, 2024

COMMISSION ON CULTURAL AFFAIRS

Froidl, Molly, 3204 Crestwood Lane, Ward 5, Term to expire October 31, 2027

Gadsden, Kristin, 205 Bright Star Drive, Ward 4, Term to expire October 31, 2027

CONVENTION AND VISITORS ADVISORY BOARD

Lammers, Lori, 3301 Lemone Industrial Boulevard (Business), Ward 4, Term to expire

September 30, 2026

FINANCE ADVISORY AND AUDIT COMMITTEE

Schneeberger, Peter, 605 Thilly Avenue, Ward 4, Term to expire December 31, 2025

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Cristal, Scott, 2205 Country Club Drive, Ward 3, Term to expire November 1, 2027

Morgan, Heather, 119 Benton Avenue, Ward 1, Term to expire November 1, 2026

SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION ADVISORY COMMISSION

Lindner, Molly, 1705 Brookfield Manor, Ward 5, Term to expire October 31, 2027

Morrison, Beth, 5380 S. Rock Quarry Road, Boone County, Term to expire October 31,

2027

YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

Schierding, Eleanor, Ward 5, Term to expire June 1, 2027

IV. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT

SPC56-24

Steph Yoakum - Human Rights in Columbia.

Stephanie Yoakum, a member of the Human Rights Commission and the Citizens Police

Review Board, spoke.

V. PUBLIC HEARINGS

PH32-24

Proposed construction of new Alluvial Well 10A to serve the McBaine

Water Treatment Plant.

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk.

Utilities Director David Sorrell provided a staff report, and he and Assistant Utility Director

of the Electric Utility Steve Hunt responded to Council questions.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

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

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

of Alluvial Well 10A. The motion was seconded by Council Member Lovelady and

approved unanimously by voice vote.

PH33-24

Consider approval of the FY 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and FY 2025

Annual Action Plan.

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk.

Housing Programs Manager Jennifer Deaver provided a staff report, and responded to

Council questions and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Chriss Jones, a Second Ward resident, spoke.

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

The Council made comments.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

B244-24

Authorizing a subrecipient agreement with The Curators of the University of

Missouri for implementation of a Boone County community paramedic

program.

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Public Health and Human Services Director Rebecca Roesslet provided a staff report, and

responded to Council questions and comments.

Brady Dubois, the CEO of Boone Health, spoke.

The Council made comments.

B244-24 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

follows: VOTING YES: FOSTER, WATERMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL,

MEYER, LOVELADY. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

VII. CONSENT AGENDA

The following policy resolution and bills were given second reading and the resolutions

were read by the City Clerk.

PR177-24

Establishing a revised Community Development Block Grant and HOME

funding policy; establishing a review process for annual CDBG and HOME

funding requests.

B237-24

B238-24

Repealing Division 5 within Article V of Chapter 2 of the City Code, which

established the Downtown Columbia Leadership Council.

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Oscar and Gloria

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

4105 Glenview Court; providing a severability clause (Case No.

200-2024).

B239-24

B240-24

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Randall F. Kilgore to

allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 804

Fairway Drive; providing a severability clause (Case No. 203-2024).

Approving the Final Plat of “Destiny Worship Center Subdivision” located

at the southern terminus of Prairie Ridge Street and south of Weymeyer

Drive (4914 Prairie Ridge Street); authorizing a performance contract

(Case No. 173-2024).

B241-24

Authorizing assignment of easement rights from Boone County Regional

Sewer District relating to a sewer extension project located on the east

side of Route Z and north of I-70; directing the City Clerk to record the

assignment.

B242-24

B243-24

B245-24

Authorizing a first amendment to the HOME funding agreement with the

Housing Authority of the City of Columbia for property located at 207 Lynn

Street.

Authorizing Amendment No. 3 to the contract with the Missouri Department

of Health and Senior Services for local public health disparities initiative

program services.

Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds for the

purchase of fire apparatus.

R178-24

Setting a public hearing: proposed construction of storm water

improvements on Bernadette Drive.

R179-24

R180-24

Authorizing Adopt A Spot agreements.

Authorizing FY 2025 agreements with various arts and cultural

organizations for arts programming or services.

R181-24

Authorizing a third amendment to the allocation agreement with Columbia

Community Land Trust, Inc. for the issuance of ARPA funds for affordable

housing purposes.

R182-24

R183-24

Authorizing a third amendment to the 2023 agreement with The Food Bank

for Central & Northeast Missouri, Inc. for food distribution services.

Authorizing a memorandum of understanding and addendum to agreement

with Great Rivers Council, Incorporated, Boy Scouts of America, a/k/a

Learning for Life, associated with the Fire Explorer Post program within the

Fire Department.

The policy resolution and bills were given third reading and the resolutions read

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

WATERMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, MEYER, LOVELADY. 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.

B246-24

B247-24

B248-24

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Matthew Patterson to

allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 1419 N.

Azalea Street; providing a severability clause (Case No. 217-2024).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Nicholas Hermann to

allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 210 Bourn

Avenue; providing a severability clause (Case No. 218-2024).

Vacating a portion of a utility easement on Lot 3B within The Village of

Cherry Hill Plat 3 located on the east side of Corona Road and south of

Merchant Street; directing the City Clerk to record the ordinance (Case No.

172-2024).

B249-24

B250-24

B251-24

B252-24

Vacating a portion of a sewer easement located north of Veterans United

Drive and east of Providence Road; directing the City Clerk to record the

ordinance (Case No. 180-2024).

Accepting a conveyance for utility purposes associated with the proposed

vacation of a portion of the Merideth Drive right-of-way; directing the City

Clerk to record the conveyance (Case No. 201-2024).

Vacating a portion of the Merideth Drive right-of-way located northwest of

the Scott Boulevard and Chapel Hill Road intersection; directing the City

Clerk to record the ordinance (Case No. 201-2024).

Authorizing construction of a vehicle wash bay facility at the City of

Columbia sanitary landfill; calling for bids through the Purchasing Division.

B253-24

B254-24

Authorizing a consent to assignment of a sewer extension agreement with

Setzer Properties, LLC and KW COU, LLC serving property located on the

east side of Route Z and north of I-70.

Authorizing a development agreement with Jack and Kay Wax to establish

public infrastructure obligations relating to the extension of a sanitary sewer

to property located at 709 Russell Boulevard and 1811 Rollins Road and

associated future construction of City’s Oakwood Court Private Common

Collector Elimination (PCCE) #31 sanitary sewer improvement project;

directing the City Clerk to record the development agreement.

B255-24

Accepting conveyances for underground electric utility purposes; accepting

a Stormwater Management/BMP Facilities Covenant; directing the City

Clerk to record the conveyances.

B256-24

B257-24

B258-24

B259-24

Authorizing agreements with The Curators of the University of Missouri for

FY 2025 arts programming funds.

Authorizing Amendment No. 4 to the contract with the Missouri Department

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

Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds associated

with the Sanford-Kimpton Building improvement project.

Authorizing the City of Columbia to participate in the Missouri Firefighters

Critical Illness Trust and Pool; further authorizing the City Manager to

execute such documents as may be necessary for the City's participation

therein.

B260-24

Authorizing an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation -

Federal Highway Administration associated with the FY 2022 and FY 2023

charging and fueling infrastructure grant program; authorizing a

memorandum of understanding with Daniel Boone Regional Library for

installation of an electric vehicle charging station; amending the FY 2025

Annual Budget by appropriating funds.

X. REPORTS

REP65-24

Request from the Building Construction Codes Commission to review the

2024 International Building Codes.

Community Development Director Tim Teddy provided a staff report, and responded to

Council questions.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to authorize the Building Construction Codes Commission

to proceed with the 2024 code review process. The motion was seconded by Council

Member Foster and approved unanimously by voice vote.

REP66-24

Pollinators Beautification Report.

Cultural Affairs Manager Sarah Dresser and Public Works Engineering and Operations

Manager Richard Stone provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions and

comments.

REP67-24

REP68-24

Prairieview Stormwater.

Utilities Director David Sorrell provided a staff report, and he and City Manager De’Carlon

Seewood responded to Council questions and comments.

Utilities Department Project Status Update.

Utilities Director David Sorrell provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions

and comments.

REP69-24

REP70-24

Strategic Plan New Decision Items (NDI) - Third Quarter Update.

Constituent Services and Legislative Affairs Administrator Stacey Weidemann provided a

staff report, and responded to Council questions and comments.

Monthly Finance Report.

Finance Director Matthew Lue provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions

and comments.

XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF

Larry Bossaller, 909 Prairieview Drive, provided a handout and spoke regarding flooding in

the Creasy Springs Road, Prairieview Drive, and Prairie Lane area, to include his

property.

Maurey Bland spoke about concerns with the rising level of crime throughout Columbia,

particularly car thefts, break-ins, and burglaries as these incidents were becoming all too

common, and asked for swift, concrete, and decisive actions to address this crisis.

Chriss Jones, a Second Ward resident, spoke on behalf of Hold CoMo Accountable

regarding concerns about the Citizens Police Review Board, including its membership,

the comments of Stephanie Yoakum earlier this evening, and her experience with the

police complaint and appeal process, and she made an appeal of her complaint directly

to the City Manager.

Jim Windsor, 200 Manor Drive, spoke about his concerns of a City Charter violation with

regard to the property tax equivalent charged to the water and electric utilities as he did

not believe property taxes were addressed in prior court cases.

John Conway, 4903 Thornbrook Ridge, explained he had contacted the State Auditor on

September 20 asking for a performance audit of the Water and Light Department along

with the Finance Department, the City Council, and City Manager as it related to the

Water and Light Department.

Jacob Owen, 901 W. Prairieview Drive, spoke in support of the drainage report and for the

City taking the time to improve the drainage in the neighborhood.

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp spoke on behalf of Race Matters, Friends, regarding Flock and

the need for transparency on the positives of that software along with where there could

be problems, their meetings with the Boone County Prosecutor, their support of the

pollinators program and signage associated with the program, the need for bus shelters,

the need to discuss new decision items more robustly, an explanation as to how the $ 40

million cost overruns for the water utility would be recovered, and their support of Jim

Windsor and John Conway for trying to get answers about the City’s utilities.

Susan Renee Carter, a Second Ward resident, spoke about the comments of Stephanie

Yoakum regarding equity as the most vulnerable were in need of housing support, trained

mental health professionals within the Police Department, and a robust Citizens Police

Review Board, and she wondered what kind of horrible crisis would need to occur before

creating a sustainable plan to address these types of issues.

Howard Fenster, 1314 Gary Street, spoke about his concerns regarding the structure of

utility rates and the desire for fairer utility rates, the conservation rebate programs. and

the payment in lieu of taxes.

The Council and staff discussed various topics to include the fact affordable housing

study was now available, the Housing Summit which would be held this Thursday, the

opportunity to attend the recap of the Housing Summit on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m.,

a bullying prevention proclamation Council Member Foster read on behalf of Mayor

Buffaloe at an event this past Saturday hosted by People First, which was an

organization of adults with disabilities, the recent incident in Calloway County whereby

two deputies were injured in the line of work, support of the Police Department to help

them become fully staffed, the fact private entities were required to pay the full seven

percent in property taxes and not just the City’s portion, support for addressing water

rates and property taxes in a public work session, the need for a report regarding the

conservation tier utility rate system as it tended to affect certain populations the most,

and the Ash Street improvement project.

Council Member Carroll made a motion for staff to evaluate the cost of extending

the Ash Street improvement project from Clinkscales Road to Garth Avenue to

First Street/Park Avenue. The motion was seconded by Council Member Meyer.

After discussion, the motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.

The Council and staff continued discussing various topics to include consideration of a

performance audit on utilities in relation to the PILOT along with an open and

comprehensive discussion to set a clear and understandable policy as they prepared for

the upcoming fiscal year, the need to review and potentially reduce the two space parking

requirement per dwelling unit, a status on the review of the number of people allowed to

reside in R-1 structures, the allowance of overtime benefits for officers who worked

special events, thanking the Columbia police officers that responded to the shooting in

Calloway County, a status on Police Department staffing to include the potential of a

program to encourage retired officers to come back to the department at desk jobs, the

need to come up with a clear solution with regard to the pension situation for the FY 2026

budget, an update on a plan at the City-level to address crime that does not just involve

staffing and software programs such as Flock, particularly in terms of preventative

measures, the work of the Missouri Foundation for Health in terms of crime prevention,

ideas and best practices for planning for growth in terms of infrastructure, the LETI

graduation that would be held on Thursday, an example of a positive and life-saving EMS

and police interaction that could have ended badly, signage within the Mayor’s Garden in

front of City Hall that could be an example of signage for the pollinator program, and the

Midwest Fall Cricket Challenge Cup that had been held this past weekend.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned without objection at 9:25 p.m.