City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
City Hall  
Conference Room  
1A/1B  
Monday, June 15, 2026  
4:30 PM  
Pre-Council  
701 E. Broadway  
Columbia, MO  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
The meeting was called to order at approximately 4:30 p.m.  
6 - Buffaloe, Peters, Carroll, Sample, Elwood, and Hartman  
Present:  
Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Discussion  
Attachments: Presentation  
Mayor Buffaloe introduced Matthew Lue, Finance Director. Matthew clarified that this  
would be a high level introduction to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). He emphasized  
that the CIP is made up of multi-year planned projects. He provided some common  
examples, including roads and bridges. He explained the difference between a capital  
improvement project and a capital expense. Generally, capital improvement projects have  
a budget of $10,000 or more, take more than one year to complete, have dedicated  
funding sources, and use a life-to-date budgeting method. Capital expenses generally can  
be completed in one year.  
He explained why the City has a CIP and why it is important. He emphasized fiscal  
responsibility, adding that they are large projects that cities generally have to save up to  
complete. He added some of the complications, including changes in prices for  
construction materials.  
He highlighted some upcoming 2027 capital projects. Meganne Montesinos, Budget  
Officer, noted that these projects are subject to change. For each project, Meganne  
provided the goals, timeline, and anticipated budget. She covered examples in a variety of  
departments, including Fire, Public Works, and Utilities.  
Matthew discussed how the CIP budget is created, as well as funding sources. These  
generally include taxes, like the capital improvement sales tax, parks sales tax, and  
transportation sales tax, or bonds, such as general obligation bonds or revenue bonds.  
He noted some other funding sources including grants, development fees, and utility  
rates/fees.  
Matthew outlined the budget process, adding that departments prepare a list as early as  
January. Once Finance reviews the list with the City Manager, staff prepare the CIP  
budget and present it to Council. Matthew shared an overview of upcoming Council  
budget dates.  
Council member Elwood asked for clarification on how projects end up on the CIP, as  
well as how citizen input is considered. Erin Keys, Utilities Director, shared the example  
from the Storm Water Utility. She noted they had a ranking system based on the  
consequence of failure and likely failure. She noted that there were around 100 projects  
identified. Council member Carroll asked when the ranking system started. Erin noted  
that when the utility was established in 1994 there was a list of projects, but the ranking  
system had been in place for the last ten years. She noted that projects can get moved  
up, especially if the infrastructure is failing. Carroll asked if the ranking system existed in  
projects with other utilities. Erin noted that it was not as straightforward. She noted  
Sewer had a master plan, and that Water and Electric was in the process of reviewing  
projects. Carroll noted an interest in better understanding how projects are prioritized.  
She asked about discussing this in more detail during a future work session.  
Council member Hartman asked if the proposed Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)  
project would go on the CIP. Matthew noted that the capital improvement sales tax could  
not be used on the Utilities - it was specifically for Public Works and Public Safety. Erin  
noted that, if regular rate increases were a possibility, then staff could save for it. She  
cautioned that the project cost would increase. De’Carlon Seewood, City Manager,  
referenced the master plan for each utility. Erin noted that they had been saving for AMI,  
but due to increases in power costs and inflation. Matthew noted that there are times  
when bonding is advantageous. Hartman asked when the last time Council brought a  
project to staff to include on the CIP. Matthew referenced the Sports Fieldhouse. Carroll  
noted that she had asked to add a project to the sidewalk master plan before and it was  
included. She noted that she liked that process as it ranked it so it could be in priority  
order and did not jump the process. The Mayor asked for clarifying process questions,  
asking if the proposed CIP would be attached to the budget document. Matthew  
confirmed.  
Citizens Police Review Board (CPRB), Planning and Zoning Commission  
(PZC), and Water and Light Advisory Board (WLAB) Applicant Interviews.  
The Mayor and Council conducted interviews for the Planning & Zoning Commission,  
Citizens Police Review Board, and Water & Light Advisory Board. A total of 14 individuals  
were scheduled to interview for the three boards.  
II. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TOPICS  
None.  
III. ANY OTHER ITEMS COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS  
None.  
IV. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:54 p.m.