City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
City Hall  
Monday, June 15, 2026  
7:00 PM  
Regular  
Council Chamber  
701 E. Broadway  
Columbia, MO  
I. INTRODUCTORY ITEMS  
The City Council of the City of Columbia, Missouri met for a regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.  
on Monday, June 15, 2026, 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 JACQUE SAMPLE, Council Member CHRISTINA HARTMAN, Council  
Member BETSY PETERS, Mayor BARBARA BUFFALOE, Council Member VALERIE  
CARROLL, and Council Member VERA ELWOOD were present. City Manager De’Carlon  
Seewood, Deputy City Counselor Becky Thompson, City Clerk Sheela Amin, and various  
Department Heads and staff members were also present.  
Mayor Buffaloe recognized the University of Nagano students visiting the MU Asian  
Affairs Center this year.  
The minutes of the regular meeting of May 18, 2026 were approved unanimously by voice  
vote on a motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by Council Member Elwood.  
Mayor Buffaloe noted the June 1, 2026 meeting minutes were not yet complete.  
Mayor Buffaloe understood B143-26 would need to be removed from the agenda at the  
request of the applicant.  
Mayor Buffaloe explained R117-26 would be moved from the consent agenda to new  
business at the request of staff due to the need for an amendment.  
The agenda, including the consent agenda with R117-26 being moved to new business  
and B143-26 being removed completely from the agenda, was approved unanimously by  
voice vote on a motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by Council Member Sample.  
II. SPECIAL ITEMS  
SI9-26  
Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem.  
Mayor Buffaloe suggested Council Member Sample be appointed as the Mayor Pro Tem,  
and asked if there was any objection. No one objected.  
SI10-26  
First Last Mile American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Update.  
Lester Woods introduced some of the staff associated with the First Last Mile Valet  
Service, indicated this program had come from a Source Summit roundtable discussion  
about four years ago as many felt transportation was a barrier to upward mobility, noted  
the priorities were getting people to and from employment opportunities, workforce  
participation, access to healthcare and other basic needs, and educational and training  
opportunities to allow for upward mobility and economic sustainability for those who  
participated in the program, explained over 7,000 rides had been provided over the last  
couple of years, including 2,317 through mid-May of this year, they had 9-11 staff  
members, and had eight specific partners, which included the University of Missouri  
College of Human Development and Family Services, MFA Oil, Love Columbia, the  
Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Job Point,  
Flourish, Connections to Success, and the Missouri Works Initiative, commented that  
services were provided to people associated with those organizations as well as others  
who had come to them individually, stated the $430,354.65 in investments in the last 2-3  
years had come Boone County, the City of Columbia, REDI, Veterans United, and an  
anonymous donor, commented that transportation continues to be a challenge due to  
high costs, lack of reliable transportation, limited public transportation, lack of vehicles,  
and long travel times, pointed out that First Last Mile was trying to close that gap by  
providing a more reasonable way for individuals to gain and retain employment while also  
helping employers solve their problems of hiring people, described the challenges in  
gaining support from private organizations, including those employers along Route B, and  
noted they were continuing to work toward sustainable funding for the program.  
III. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS  
BC6-26  
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  
Zia, Roseanna, Ward 4, Term to expire May 1, 2031  
CITIZENS POLICE REVIEW BOARD  
Cartwright, Zachary, Ward 4, Term to expire November 1, 2028  
Mayor Buffaloe suggested they continue accepting applications for the other vacancy on  
the Citizens Police Review Board and for the vacancy on the Climate and Environment  
Commission as there were new vacancies on both, and asked if there was any objection .  
No one objected.  
COLUMBIA AND BOONE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT BOARD  
Kelly, Jacqueline, Ward 4, Term to expire June 30, 2029  
COMMISSION ON CULTURAL AFFAIRS  
Christiansen, Ashlee, Ward 4, Term to expire October 31, 2027  
DANGEROUS OR AGGRESSIVE ANIMAL ADVISORS  
Rose, Tom, Ward 5, Term to expire June 15, 2029  
DISABILITIES COMMISSION  
Bowders, John, Ward 4, Term to expire June 15, 2029  
Fields, Hazel, Ward 1, Term to expire June 15, 2029  
Powell, Rene, Ward 1, Term to expire June 15, 2029  
PERSONAL ADVISORY BOARD  
Kendrick, Kyle, Ward 3, Term to expire September 30, 2027  
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION  
Lowe, Shane, Ward 4, Term to expire May 31, 2027  
Stockton, Kate, Ward 4, Term to expire May 31, 2029  
RAILROAD ADVISORY BOARD  
Harness, Scott, Boone County, Term to expire July 15, 2030  
Hendrickson, Blair, Ward 5, Term to expire July 15, 2030  
WATER AND LIGHT ADVISORY BOARD  
Fracica, Philip, Ward 6, Term to expire June 30, 2030  
Piontek, Emily, Ward 1, Term to expire June 30, 2029  
Mayor Buffaloe noted Council Member Sample would continue as the Council liaison to  
the Youth Advisory Council, and asked if there was any objection. No one objected.  
IV. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT  
SPC27-26  
Water and Light Advisory Board - Council Priorities on Water and Electric  
Utilities.  
David Switzer,  
a
representative of the Water and Light Advisory Board (WLAB),  
commented that the City’s total revenue in FY 2025 had been $484 million of which $200  
million, or over 40 percent, had come from the water and electric utilities and over $18  
million of revenue from the water and electric utilities had been transferred into the general  
fund this past year, noted the water and electric expenditures last year were over double  
that of the public safety expenditures, stated the importance of the next 5-10 years in  
terms of the utilities due to the transmission line project, AMI, continued water  
infrastructure projects, and meeting the electric capacity needs as identified in the  
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), asked that the Council allocate more time on the  
complex water and electric utility issues and for the Council to meet with the WLAB,  
believed a good place to start was with the IRP in terms of how they would meet their  
capacity needs, suggested at least two 2.5 hour work sessions involving the Council, the  
WLAB, and staff, for a broader discussion of the IRP as it would allow the Council to be  
in a better position to make decisions for the community, the WLAB to better align its  
recommendations with what the Council needed from them, and for staff to have clear  
guidance in order to pursue the various opportunities as they came along, and stated the  
WLAB was optimistic about the future of the water and electric utilities and looked  
forward to working with the Council to ensure these services continued to be excellent,  
reliable, and affordable for the people of Columbia.  
SPC28-26  
Matt Schacht - Requesting clarity on staff's notification that community  
media was defunded in a closed door meeting.  
Matt Schacht, a Third Ward resident and representative of Vidwest, displayed a map of  
the current members of Vidwest along with a petition with over 630 signatures of people  
who wanted the City to fund community media, suggested any future contract jettison the  
old television channel and continue with the other good items involving community media,  
explained community media was a school, a gear library, a business incubator, and a  
third space for residents, pointed out that about one in five of its members identified as  
non-white and low-income community members were utilizing these services to empower  
themselves, start businesses, and gain skills, noted it was an access point, and  
commented that an investment in community media was an investment in the  
community’s social infrastructure.  
SPC29-26  
Jeff Stack - Civil Liberties and City Officials' efforts to hide poverty via,  
essentially, a ban on panhandling and protests along public  
roadways/intersections (a.k.a. the public safety ordinance set to go into  
affect July 1).  
Jeff Stack commented that he and Margaret McConnell were both strongly opposed to  
the ordinance set to go into effect on July 1 that would ban panhandling and constitutional  
protected protests on Columbia roadside medians.  
Margaret McConnell, a Second Ward resident, understood the Council wanted to thrive,  
believed Ordinance No. 026217 harmed Columbia, commented that the study for which  
the City paid $100,000 did not show any causal link between panhandling in medians and  
traffic fatalities nor did it demonstrate that a median ban would provide a public safety  
benefit, stated the ordinance was not about public safety and would harm the community,  
particularly the vulnerable unhoused population, as it would remove their main source of  
income for basic human needs, which was not much to begin with as they likely only  
collected about $60 on a good day, explained even a couple of good days did not provide  
enough for a rent or mortgage payment and only allowed for a hotel room with a toilet and  
shower along with a few extra meals, pointed out panhandling had been ruled as  
protected free speech by the courts because everyone had a right to say what they  
needed, asked those in attendance who valued their First Amendment rights and  
challenged the constitutionality of Ordinance No. 026217 to stand, and noted some of  
those standing were willing to risk arrest and all were willing to provide resources in a  
legal challenge.  
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS  
None.  
VI. OLD BUSINESS  
B101-26  
Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Hinkson Valleyview  
LLC to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at  
2002 Valley View Road; providing a severability clause (Case  
No.93-2026).  
The bill was given third reading by the City Clerk.  
Community Development Director Clint Smith provided a staff report, and responded to  
Council questions and comments.  
Noel Feldman, 2013 Valley View Road, stated he lived a couple of doors down from the  
subject property, explained 100 percent of the households in the neighborhood were  
opposed to the property becoming a short-term rental as they believed it would put their  
safety and quality of life at risk, felt this unanimous opposition should be enough for the  
applicant to withdrawn their request and for the Council to deny the request, noted his  
primary concern was for the safety of his daughter as the bottom of the cul-de-sac was a  
safe space for her to play and an uptick of unfamiliar motorists on a steep street without  
sidewalks would pose a serious threat, commented that the owners as well as their  
agent, Russell Boyt, had shown little interest in communicating with the neighborhood to  
seek common ground, pointed out that operating a short-term rental was a privilege, and  
thought that type of behavior should not be rewarded.  
Alan Marshall, 810 N. Valley View Drive, understood the Council had received a letter  
from him and his wife, explained the property owner and proposed manager had indicated  
the home would be rented by professionals, such as traveling nurses, but those  
contracted assignments were approximately 13 weeks in length, which was considered a  
mid-term rental versus  
a short-term rental, noted there was no guarantee that the  
registered agent, who currently lived next door, would not move elsewhere or that the  
owners would move from Iowa, and asked why a money making venture for an out of state  
resident should outweigh the unanimous opposition of the neighbors who lived there  
year-round.  
Megan Arns, 2004 Valley View Road, stated her opposition to the proposed short-term  
rental as she lived next door, expressed concerns with the lack of communication as well  
as the constant rotation of guests for up to 210 nights per year since the owners had not  
reached out and Russell Boyt, who would serve as the local manager, had not proactively  
contacted the neighbors nor had he share the owners’ contact information, commented  
that they were not only concerned about the possibility of disruptive guests as they were  
also concerned with preserving the character, safety, and stability of a quiet residential  
neighborhood, explained Valley View Road and N. Valley View Drive were small dead end  
streets, occupied primarily by families with no sidewalks,  
a single street light, and  
children who regularly used the streets as a shared community space, indicated the  
residents knew each other, recognized cars, and looked out for each other’s children and  
property, pointed out a short-term rental, which provided transient lodging, would change  
that dynamic as the neighbors would lose the ability to know who was coming and going  
week to week, and noted they would welcome long-term tenants as they would become  
neighbors.  
Eugene Elkin, a Second Ward resident, understood two small girls had been found dead  
in a short-term rental swimming pool in Florida, and suggested the City require short-term  
rentals to have high liability insurance.  
Miranda Moore, 2012 Valley View Road, stated the neighbors had not been consulted or  
communicated with from the beginning nor when the Planning and Zoning Commission  
had suggested it, explained they had been told to take solace with the fact the agent  
lived next door and would fix problems promptly when notified, and noted they did not feel  
that would happen due to the lack of communication and falsehoods thus far.  
Maris Ashby, 2003 Valley View Road, commented that this short-term rental did not give  
anything meaningful back to the neighborhood, noted it would take  
a
beautiful  
single-family home out of the small residential area where families lived, built  
relationships, and put down roots, take their privacy as the neighborhood did not have  
privacy fences and was not built for separation, and take away the ease of letting children  
play in the front yards and the cul-de-sac when that was the only option as the back  
yards were steep, explained this corridor was not designed to absorb rotating guests and  
there were already access and parking issues, which the City had helped manage during  
holidays and big events, reiterated that there was not a benefit to the neighborhood,  
pointed out that the lack of communication from the owners and agent was not a missed  
courtesy as it was about accountability and trust and there was not any assurance that  
they would be proactive or reactive going forward.  
Russell Boyt, indicated he was representing the owners, felt there were a lot of mistruths,  
stated he and the owners had met with and provided contact information to a large group  
of homeowners after the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and he had spoken to  
the Kalinkos, who were next to the subject property, to try to address their concerns,  
pointed out a neighborhood meeting had been held and neither he nor his wife had been  
invited, explained the home was purchased by Jon and Laurie Gehrke in September of  
2025 after it had been on the market for 120 days, provided examples of how the  
Gehrke’s were deeply rooted in the Columbia community, noted the home was purchased  
for the personal enjoyment of Gehrke’s as they made several trips to Columbia annually  
and planned to retire here, believed it had the potential as a short-term rental due to its  
proximity to the University and the hospitals, commented that the driveway had two  
recognized parking spaces with room for another and a third space would be added next  
week, emphasized that he lived next door and would handle the day-to-day scheduling,  
maintenance, and concerns, and stated there would not be any on-street parking even  
though the main section of Valley View was 31 feet in width, which was enough for cars  
to be parked on both sides and wider than the streets in newer subdivisions, such as Old  
Hawthorne and The Brooks.  
Laurie Gehrke, a resident of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and owner of 2002 Valley View Road with  
her husband, noted she had been a nurse for 45 years with the last 21 years as a  
pediatric flight nurse, stated it was not their intent to endanger the children of the  
neighborhood as they had raised six children on a cul-de-sac as well, explained she and  
her husband wanted to use the property as did their now adult children, commented that  
if they could not use it as a short-term rental, they would use it as a long-term rental and  
be forced to stay in hotels again when coming to Columbia, indicated they had spoken to  
and exchanged numbers with the neighbors after the Planning and Zoning Commission  
meeting, and pointed out they had not been able to attend the meeting on May 4 due to  
her husband’s surgical complications.  
Susan Maze, a First Ward resident, commented that the short-term rental ordinance  
included neighborhood protections, such as short-term rentals not being within 300 feet of  
one another, neighbors having a say, and the establishment of an 800 number to report  
violations after hours because currently it was impossible to register a complaint after  
5:00 p.m. without  
a police report even with video evidence, noted that since the  
establishment of the short-term rental ordinance, she had noticed that neighborhood  
opposition, affordable housing, the concentration of short-term rentals, and factual  
discrepancies did not matter, and felt the ordinance that many had worked hard on did  
nothing to protect them from the issues.  
Jon Gehrke stated he felt bad for creating this situation in a sense as they were not trying  
to negatively affect the neighborhood, explained they were trying to enhance the  
neighborhood and had put a lot of money in and around the house, noted they were  
hoping to be there soon on a full-time basis, but could not say when that would happen,  
indicated they had provided their phone number to all of the neighbors and he was  
available 24/7 if there was an issue, and pointed out he had grown up in Columbia and  
intended to come back when he retired.  
The Council asked question and made comments.  
B101-26 was given fourth reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as  
follows: VOTING YES: CARROLL, ELWOOD. VOTING NO: SAMPLE, HARTMAN,  
PETERS, BUFFALOE. Bill declared defeated.  
B142-26  
Amending Chapter 29 of the City Code to revise the use-specific  
standards associated with accessory dwelling units (Case No. 113-2026).  
The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.  
Community Development Director Clint Smith provided a staff report, and responded to  
Council questions and comments.  
Adrienne Stolwyk, 212 Hirth Avenue, commented that she had been advocating for  
accessory dwelling units (ADUs) since the 2013 ordinance went into effect as well as  
adjustments as time had passed, stated she did not believe the lot size should be  
changed as it was not a concern she had heard from community members, noted smaller  
ADUs could be built on small lots with some design work and creativity, provided the  
ADU built by Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) on a lot that was less than  
5,000 square feet as an example, expressed concern for those who could qualify to have  
an ADU today but would not qualify tomorrow, suggested allowing ADUs on cottage lots if  
that was the concern, believed the rear yard setback needed a nuanced approach as had  
been mentioned by one of the Planning and Zoning Commission members as  
a
single-story structure built up to the six-foot rear yard setback worked on many corner  
lots, and asked that the lesser setback still be allowed where it worked while  
progressively going to 15 feet in the new scenarios.  
Eugene Elkin, a Second Ward resident, noted there was a nice new home at the corner  
of Sexton Road and Garth Avenue on the right side when traveling north whereby the  
main house faced the next street and it faced Garth Avenue, wondered if that lot was less  
than 3,000 square feet, suggested allowing perpendicularly placed structures on deep  
lots, and noted ADUs were a benefit to seniors.  
Scott Claybrook, 602 Florence Avenue, thought they should celebrate the meaningful  
progress over the last 12 years as well as the allowance of an ADU in R-1 by right,  
explained ADUs added to the rental stock, created an affordability factor, and allowed for  
aging in place, believed the change in the lot size was an equity issue as it would affect  
those with lots in older neighborhoods, stated there had not been any communicated  
polling, support, concern, or data associated with the existing six-foot rear year setback  
for R-2 and R-MF, and suggested a 15-foot set back for R-1 or abutting as well as R-2  
and R-MF if the ADU involved a second story while still allowing a 6-foot setback in R-2  
and R-MF if the ADU was a single story structure.  
Louis Wilson, 404 W. Broadway, expressed his appreciation for the work of the Planning  
and Zoning Commission, Community Development staff, and the Council, noted there  
was a need for housing, believed housing was best built on existing ground within the City  
as it could then be served by existing infrastructure, felt there was a lot of ground within  
the City, explained he lived on a 15,000 square foot lot and that less than a block from  
him were two people living on nearly 60,000 square feet of ground, commented that ADUs  
were a low impact way to build extra housing with less opposition than subdivisions while  
allowing individual homeowners with the opportunity to be a small scale developer, stated  
support for the recommended amendments, and asked for Council to consider the  
additional leniency proposed by Monarch Architecture because there were only a limited  
number of lots that size so it would not result in many additional requests and would add  
to the housing stock.  
Katie Dunne, 708 Donnelly Avenue, commented that she closed on this 840 square foot  
home about a month ago from a larger home because it was zoned R-2 and allowed for  
an ADU, explained she had hoped the ADU would be available for one of her children  
during breaks or until they were able to be on their own as well as for her as she aged,  
stated she was in the design process now and had hoped to make the ADU accessible,  
and expressed concerns with how the proposed changes would impact her ADU design  
as her home was on a corner lot.  
Shane Lowe, 1660 Highridge Circle, stated he loved the change to allow ADUs by right in  
R-1 as it was a sensible investment that could dramatically improve lives, understood the  
Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended tighter setback requirements in  
zoning districts where ADUs were already allowed, partly due to allowing ADUs to be  
taller, and suggested the setbacks be addressed on taller ADUs without imposing the  
additional restrictions on all R-2 and R-MF lots.  
The Council asked question and made comments.  
B142-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as  
follows: VOTING YES: SAMPLE, HARTMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL,  
ELWOOD. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as follows:  
VII. CONSENT AGENDA  
The following bills were given second reading and the resolutions were read by the City  
Clerk.  
B144-26  
B145-26  
Authorizing construction of Fire Station #10 located at 1020 S. El  
Chaparral Avenue; calling for bids through the Purchasing Division.  
Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the  
amount of $1,500,000.00 associated with the Municipal Service Center  
South construction project.  
B146-26  
B147-26  
B148-26  
B149-26  
B150-26  
B151-26  
B152-26  
Authorizing an FY 2025 CDBG grant agreement with the Housing Authority  
of the City of Columbia associated with the J.W. Blind Boone Center  
building renovation project.  
Authorizing an agreement with The Curators of the University of Missouri  
associated with the 2026 Missouri State Senior Games and Show-Me  
State Games.  
Authorizing a tourism development sponsorship agreement with The  
Curators of the University of Missouri associated with the 2026 Missouri  
State Senior Games and Show-Me State Games.  
Authorizing Amendment No. 1 to the master services and purchase  
agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. associated with software, equipment,  
and technology services for the Police Department.  
Authorizing a cooperative agreement with Boone County, Missouri for the  
Police Department's participation in a countywide 800 MHz interoperable  
radio system to improve communications among public safety agencies.  
Authorizing a cooperative agreement with Boone County, Missouri for the  
Fire Department’s participation in a countywide 800 MHz interoperable  
radio system to improve communications among public safety agencies.  
Authorizing a cooperative agreement with Boone County, Missouri for the  
participation of Columbia Regional Airport in a countywide 800 MHz  
interoperable radio system to improve communications among public  
safety agencies.  
R114-26  
R115-26  
Setting a public hearing: proposed replacement of Bridge #9 on the MKT  
Trail.  
Setting a public hearing: consider the Water and Light 2026 Renewable  
Energy Plan.  
R116-26  
R118-26  
Setting a public hearing: consider the FY 2027 Capital Improvement  
Project Plan for the City of Columbia, Missouri.  
Authorizing artists' commission agreements with William Edgar, Glory  
Hartsfield, and Matthew Moyer associated with the North Village Park art  
benches project.  
R119-26  
R120-26  
Authorizing a special event operations agreement with The Boone County  
Fair, Inc. for the 2026 Boone County Fair event at the Northeast Regional  
Park located at 5212 N. Oakland Gravel Road.  
Authorizing a FY 2025 Community Development Block Grant Agreement  
with Love Columbia Corp, d/b/a Love Columbia, for property renovation  
located at 208 St. Joseph Street.  
The bills were given third reading and the resolutions were read by the City  
Clerk with the vote recorded as follows: VOTING YES: SAMPLE, HARTMAN,  
PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, ELWOOD. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bills declared  
enacted and resolutions declared adopted, reading as follows:  
VIII. NEW BUSINESS  
R121-26  
Authorizing the temporary closure of a portion of the sidewalk and parking  
lanes within North Village Park along Orr Street, St. James Street, Ash  
Street and Park Avenue, to facilitate the removal of the existing  
infrastructure and construction of new sidewalks and parking lane  
improvements.  
The resolution was read by the City Clerk.  
Parks and Recreation Manager Cavelle Cole-Neal provided a staff report, and responded  
to Council questions and comments.  
R121-26 was read by the City Clerk, and the vote was recorded as follows:  
VOTING YES: SAMPLE, HARTMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, ELWOOD.  
VOTING NO: NO ONE. Resolution declared adopted, reading as follows:  
R117-26  
Authorizing a third addendum to the payment services agreement with  
RecTrac, LLC d/b/a Vermont Systems, to add the WebTrac App  
Workgroup Plus software application associated with the management of  
Parks and Recreation Department programs.  
The resolution was read by the City Clerk.  
Deputy City Counselor Becky Thompson provided a staff report.  
Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend R117-26 per the amendment sheet,  
which replaced “add” with “remove” in two locations. The motion was seconded  
by Council Member Sample, and approved unanimously by voice vote.  
R117-26, as amended, was read by the City Clerk, and the vote was recorded as  
follows: VOTING YES: SAMPLE, HARTMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL,  
ELWOOD. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Resolution declared adopted, reading as follows:  
IX. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING  
The following bills were introduced by the Mayor unless otherwise indicated, and all were  
given first reading.  
B153-26  
B154-26  
Amending Chapter 12A of the City Code as it relates to stormwater waste  
disposal prohibitions.  
Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Jonathan Lee-Warner  
and Rachelle Lee-Warner to allow the operation of a short-term rental on  
property located at 3303 Timberhill Street; providing a severability clause  
(Case No. 137-2026).  
B155-26  
B156-26  
B157-26  
B158-26  
Rezoning property located on the north side of Diego Drive and the east  
side of Bethel Street from District R-MF (Multiple-family Dwelling) to  
District M-N (Mixed Use-Neighborhood) (Case No. 135-2026).  
Approving the Final Plat of “Backus Subdivision Plat No. 3” located on the  
south side of E. Green Meadows Road and the north side of E. El Cortez  
Drive; authorizing a performance contract (Case No. 134-2026).  
Accepting conveyances for utility, underground electric, sewer and public  
turnaround purposes; accepting Stormwater Management/BMP Facilities  
Covenants; directing the City Clerk to have the conveyances recorded.  
Authorizing a real estate contract with Make Holdings LLC to acquire a  
parcel of land located at West Gillespie Bridge Road to be used for  
greenspace purposes.  
B159-26  
B160-26  
Authorizing replacement of Bridge #9 on the MKT Trail; calling for bids  
through the Purchasing Division.  
Authorizing the FY 2025 Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)  
agreement with the Columbia Housing Authority for tenant-based rental  
assistance.  
B161-26  
B162-26  
Authorizing Amendment No. 4 to the contract with the Missouri Department  
of Health and Senior Services for overdose data to action program  
services.  
Authorizing an agreement with Columbia School District No. 93 for the  
Teen Connection Project program services.  
X. REPORTS  
REP34-26  
Columbia Residential Parking by Permit Only (RPPO) Update.  
Assistant Finance Director Jim McDonald provided a staff report, and responded to  
Council questions and comments.  
Mayor Buffaloe made a motion for staff to bring forward the appropriate legislation to  
release the funds related to the Residential Parking by Permit Only program. The motion  
was seconded by Council Member Peters, and approved unanimously by voice vote.  
REP35-26  
REP36-26  
REP37-26  
2025 Annual Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Report.  
Sustainability Manager Eric Hempel provided a staff report, and responded to Council  
comments.  
Annual Surveillance Technology Report.  
Police Chief Jill Schlude provided a staff report, and she and Assistant Police Chief Lance  
Bolinger responded to Council questions and comments.  
Boone County/City of Columbia/University of Missouri - 2024 and 2025  
Annual Stormwater Management Reports.  
Utilities Director Erin Keys and Sewer and Stormwater Engineering Manager Justin  
Fessler provided a staff report.  
REP38-26  
History of Funding for CAT TV, Vidwest, and PEG Channel Fees.  
Cultural Affairs Manager Sarah Dresser provided a staff report, and she, City Manager  
De’Carlon Seewood, and Deputy City Counselor Becky Thompson responded to Council  
questions and comments.  
XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF  
Eugene Elkin, a Second Ward resident, understood there was a recent recycling event,  
suggested the announcement of such events in the future as he had been unaware,  
suggested the Council listen to everyone who spoke on water and electric issues,  
indicated he had heard that the AI technology was stronger than the human cell, which  
was causing concern among government officials, and noted AI banks, which were being  
pushed by six billionaires, involved heavy water and electricity usage, was noisy, and  
would impact human jobs and human existence.  
Susan Maze, a First Ward resident, stated she did not understand why the City was  
trying to avoid spending $35,000 for  
a jobs and skill program for people living in  
unresourced areas when they spent millions on the Farmers Market and the North Village  
Arts District, noted she was conducting research on crime data in terms of who was  
being arrested, expressed displeasure that the City and the County felt the answers to  
mental health were more cops and jail cells, commented that the mentally ill who were  
ticketed for trespassing or violating the new pedestrian ordinance would likely not show  
up for their court date, understood a double amputee in a wheel chair had been in the  
Boone County jail for more than 24 hours due to open container ordinance violations,  
wondered how many college students received the same citations, believed there was a  
difference in how rules were enforced in poor neighborhoods versus wealthy white  
neighborhoods and provided a short-term rental located between Jefferson Middle School  
and Hickman High School as an example, felt the Council needed to be honest and  
straightforward if they were truly applying an equity lens, and emphasized that the  
problems in Columbia were related to mental health and social equity issues, not the  
homeless being mean.  
Matt Schacht thanked the City for the report and public discussion regarding CAT-TV,  
Vidwest, and PEG channel fees, noted that the PEG funding had disappeared in 2008,  
but the City had decided to continue to invest in that space, and with that investment  
came a culture, a space, and a whole community of people, explained that the cut in  
funding would take away the funding for the space, i.e., the rent, utilities, internet, and  
insurance, commented that while they appreciated the grants they received from the  
Office of Cultural Affairs, that funding would not keep the roof over their heads, pointed out  
that if they lost the space, they would lose the place where people gathered, formed  
relationships, mentored each other, and learned how to use new tools, stated that media  
had to be built, maintained and upgraded in a space, expressed concern regarding a  
domino effect in that they would not be able to provide services to certain non-profits  
without City funding, which in turn would affect the non-profits, one of which had a big  
economic impact on Columbia, asked for the City to continue to fund them for another  
year or two until a more permanent RFP for video services could be agreed upon was  
available, and reiterated that it would be tragic if they were to lose the space.  
Carol Hazard, 1101 Jean Rae Drive, believed the report given by the Columbia Police  
Department lacked some information, such as the kind of software being used in the  
video surveillance systems, the kinds of programs that were running it, the control  
practices mentioned on page 4, how the Council maintained accountability of those  
practices, and transparency to the public in that regard, noted page 6 had indicated there  
was no substantiated complaint about the Flock system, wondered what system was  
being used for public complaints, what the criteria were for substantiation of a complaint,  
whether there was a link on the website, and how citizens could make complaints,  
understood 86 percent of the hardware was installed, which meant there were 110 Flock  
cameras as of May in Columbia, which meant there was one camera for every 1,316  
people or 0.066 miles, provided Kansas City as a comparison as they had 150 Flock  
cameras, which resulted in one for every 3,400 people or 2.11 miles, questioned whether  
there was a lack of trust with the population that lived in Columbia, commented that the  
Flock website indicated all of their hardware had video camera capability, and asked what  
safety protocols were in place for children who were walking to and from school.  
The Council and staff discussed various topics to include the high quality of board and  
commission applicants, which made appointment decisions very difficult, the hope that  
those not appointed would continue to look for additional vacancies and other  
engagement opportunities, the Third Ward having  
a couple of shots fired incidents  
involving youth and adults recently, which was an ongoing issue, encouraging the  
community to not utilize guns when they were upset, the recent loss of two people  
associated with the Third Ward due to mental health difficulties, the desire for people to  
understand it was okay to not be okay, the fact there were resources even though some  
resources were stretched along with the hope that people would reach out for those  
resources, appreciation for those that attending tonight’s meeting, the importance of  
community spaces, such as parks, community events, etc., in terms of human  
connectivity and mental health, a reminder that every Wednesday, a group called  
1
Million Cups, which included small business owners, met to help each other solve tough  
problems, the notification that every Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m., a group of non-profits  
met at The Heist to talk about community building, and the Vehicle Stops Report  
released by the Missouri Attorney General.  
Council Member Hartman made a motion for a work session to be held, preferably this  
year, on the Vehicle Stops Report released by the Missouri Attorney General in order to  
discuss the disparity data along with the potential to make improvements. The motion  
was seconded by Council Member Sample. After discussion, the motion was approved  
unanimously by voice vote.  
The Council and staff continued to discuss various topics to include the request of the  
Water and Light Advisory Board for joint work sessions related to the Integrated Resource  
Plan.  
Council Member Peters made a motion to schedule two 2.5 hour work sessions with the  
Water and Light Advisory Board, beginning in early fall. The motion was seconded by  
Council Member Elwood, and approved unanimously by voice vote.  
The Council and staff continued to discuss various topics to include taking the time to  
participate in the various Juneteenth events throughout the week, including the Douglass  
Park clean up event on Thursday, this being neighborhood block party season,  
appreciation for board and commission members asking the Council to utilize their  
expertise, this being the first entirely women Council in Columbia’s history, which was a  
cause for celebration, appreciation for the Small Business Grant recipient award and  
celebration event held this past Friday whereby they had heard from eight small  
businesses that were making a difference in the community, and the future discussion  
surrounding the potential for presentations and public comment for first read items.  
Mayor Buffaloe made a motion for a report to be discussed at a future work session  
involving what it would look like logistically to have presentations and public comment for  
first read items. The motion was seconded by Council Member Peters, and approved  
unanimously by voice vote.  
The Council and staff continued to discuss various topics to include Council Member  
Peters replacing former Council Member Foster as the Council liaison for homeless  
outreach work, which included participation in the Homeless Strategic Plan Steering  
Committee and the Affordable Housing Coalition, the successful recycling drop-off event  
that had been held this past Saturday as they had collected about one ton of mixed  
containers, 4.5 tons of fiber, and four tons of glass, this week being the start of weekly  
curbside recycling in which the City would collect fiber and mixed containers, which  
included 1 and 2 plastics and metal cans, the continual discussion to find possible  
container locations for glass recycling, the potential for additional recycling drop -off  
events, Columbia being one of only 441 government agencies to be recognized as a  
GFOA Triple Crown Award winner out of 19,000 total agencies, and the fact the next  
council meeting would be held on July 20 as there would not be a meeting on July 6 due  
to renovations to the meeting spaces.  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting was adjourned without objection at 11:45 p.m.