City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes

City Council

City Hall

Monday, January 5, 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, January 5, 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 BETSY PETERS, Mayor BARBARA BUFFALOE, Council Member

VALERIE CARROLL, Council Member VERA ELWOOD, Council Member JACQUE

SAMPLE, Council Member NICK FOSTER, and Council Member DON WATERMAN were

present. City Manager De’Carlon Seewood, City Counselor Nancy Thompson, City Clerk

Sheela Amin, and various Department Heads and staff members were also present.

The minutes of the regular meeting of December 15, 2025 were approved unanimously by

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

The agenda, including the consent agenda, was approved unanimously by voice vote on a

motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by Council Member Peters.

II. SPECIAL ITEMS

None.

III. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

None.

IV. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT

SPC1-26

Robin Schweitzer - Impact of Vidwest Studios as a small business owner

and single mother.

Robin Schweitzer, a Third Ward resident, commented that she had become a single

mom of two with less than $6,000 to her name a couple of years ago after a contentious

divorce, explained Vidwest had allowed her to check out a Mac-mini and a new keyboard

when her 10-year old laptop and keyboard stopped working, which had allowed her an

access point to scale her digital media consulting business that now supported nonprofits

in Columbia and throughout the world, stated Vidwest had provided her financial support,

grace, flexibility, and a job, and that this access and care, i.e., workforce development

and economic mobility, had been lifesaving as it had allowed her to begin rebuilding from

ground zero, pointed out Vidwest made it possible for people without inherited resources

or for people who had lost everything to continue to participate fully and professionally in

public life, and believed that without Vidwest and community media, she would be

working less, earning less, and contributing less, and would not have been able to tell her

story and build a livelihood while carrying responsibility, and emphasized that Vidwest

had been the difference between barely surviving and being able to sustain a life that

worked for her and her kids.

SPC2-26

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp, Race Matters, Friends - The Missouri Public

Records Act (Sunshine) as a tool, transparency, accountability, and the City

not being prohibited from being more transparent.

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp with Race Matters, Friends, commented that hope was not naïve

and was work, referred to a moral crisis within Second Baptist Church in 1873 whereby

some church deacons and trustees acted outside of their authority creating trauma that

had led to debt and mistrust within the church community, noted moral courage,

transparency, and accountability allowed the brick and mortar work of hope to continue

unabated with the building of a thriving church and school from the ground up, noting

unilateral action could not be tolerated, understood the City Manager’s Office had

discretionary funds to distribute to various organizations and citizens but was she

unaware of any distribution process, wondered if the intent was to buy silence,

complicity, or apathy from funded groups, noted she was awaiting a response to a related

records request because she did not believe the brick and mortar work could flourish

under a pretext of naivety, silence, eraser, or opacity, stated the City of Webster Groves

had recently updated their charter to increase part-time city council pay and add

language regarding public engagement, which she read, pointed out Webster Groves had

also admitted they had been involved in racial covenants and were encouraging people to

bring their deeds to the courthouse to have those covenants removed, explained hope

was a moral resistance to unilateral power, egocentric individualism, and authoritative

personalities in government, and cited the Ralph M. Brown Act by saying people did not

yield their sovereignty to the agencies which served them, did not give their public

servants the right to decide what was good or not for the people to know when delegating

authority, and insisted on remaining informed so that they might retain control over the

instruments they had created.

V. PUBLIC HEARINGS

None.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

B323-25

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Jennifer Hempel and

Paula Clayton to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property

located at 411 McBaine Avenue; providing a severability clause (Case No.

11-2026).

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Community Development Director Clint Smith provided a staff report, and he and City

Counselor Nancy Thompson responded to Council questions and comments.

Russell Boyt indicated he was speaking on behalf of the owners as well as the

designated agent and potential manager, Jessica Simpson, commented that he strongly

believed in the private property rights, understood this had previously been a Job Point

home, expressed concerns with the discussion at the Planning and Zoning Commission

meeting as he did not feel race should have been discussed, felt affordable housing

needed to be defined if that was a concern in terms of allowing short-term rentals, and

pointed out the inconsistencies in approving and denying short-term rentals as some that

had been approved were within 300 feet of others and others had price points that could

be considered affordable.

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp believed an inventory of the existing housing stock, which

included location, age, type of home, how serviced in terms of utilities, etc., was needed,

agreed with Russell Boyt with regard to his comments about defining affordability, felt

they were taking affordable housing offline every time they turned a property into a

short-term rental in an affordable neighborhood, and suggested the Council endeavor to fix

this conundrum.

Barbie Banks. 215 W. Ash Street, commented that she did not care about parking,

having lots of cars on the street, or transient people living in her neighborhood, explained

she cared about having guardrails and working through the democratic process they had,

which included providing input to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to the City

Council, stated their comments were not personal attacks, pointed out she purchased

her home through an affordable housing program at a time when she made less money

and was required to purchase within certain neighborhoods, and felt this process and its

guardrails were similar to that program.

Ben Falby, 407 McBaine Avenue, stated he remembered when the City had decided to

take a vested interest in affordable housing on that block and when 411 McBaine Avenue

along with a few other homes were built, expressed it feeling strange to go crossways

with the original intent of the home and that area, noted he knew many people that were

looking for homes and allowing short-term rentals made it harder to find homes, explained

he was unsure of where the line was, but believed they were good with short-term rentals

on McBaine Avenue between Broadway and Worley Street, and commented that they did

not need this home to become a short-term rental.

Paula Clayton, one of the applicants, provided a handout, explained she and her wife

were applying for the conditional use permit for a short-term rental to allow for flexibility

because Columbia would be where they retired and it would allow them to travel back

multiple times per year to establish relationships and work on the home while they were

still physically able, pointed out they were good neighborhoods, stated they were

committed to being sustainable, long-term residents and had a responsible plan with a

designated agent, noted this had been a private sale because the 10-year restrictions on

the property had passed, and asked the Council to approve their request.

The Council asked questions and made comments.

B323-25 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

follows: VOTING YES: PETERS, BUFFALOE, ELWOOD, SAMPLE, FOSTER,

WATERMAN. VOTING NO: CARROLL. Bill declared enacted, reading as follows:

B328-25

Authorizing a municipal agreement with the Missouri Highways and

Transportation Commission associated with improvements to the Interstate

70 corridor from the Missouri River to Route B (Paris Road).

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Public Works Director Shane Creech provided a staff report, and responded to Council

questions and comments.

Elke Boyd indicated she lived in the southern part of the Parkade Neighborhood and

within two blocks of I-70, asked that sound barriers be included in the municipal

agreement because the interstate was loud and it was difficult to have conversations

outside, suggested they wait to approve the municipal agreement until after the upcoming

community advisory group meeting as there might be other items they would like to

incorporate into the agreement, believed it was important for the sidewalks and crossings

to be sufficient in width to not get hit by a side mirror and for adequate lighting at the on

and off ramps for safety purposes, and requested those two items be added to the

municipal agreement as well.

Jackson Hotaling stated he was a resident of the downtown without a car, understood the

last community advisory meeting had been held around June 6 and the issues raised

then had not been incorporated into the municipal agreement, pointed out Missouri had

more pedestrian fatalities this year than in 2024, which would not be improved with the

addition of another lane as it would make it more challenging to cross, explained prior

recent construction in the Conley Road area had not adequately addressed pedestrian

needs, noted they would lose some pedestrian and bicycle facilities, especially along

Providence Road, with this project, expressed concern with having to choose between

pedestrian and railroad amenities, and asked the Council to consider the consequences

associated with this project.

The Council asked questions and made comments.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend B328-25 per the amendment sheet,

which replaced Attachment A. The motion was seconded by Council Member

Peters, and approved unanimously by voice vote.

B328-25, as amended, was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote

recorded as follows: VOTING YES: PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, ELWOOD,

SAMPLE, FOSTER, WATERMAN. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted,

reading as follows:

B329-25

Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the

amount of $133,500.00 for the purchase of medical supplies in support of

the fire paramedic pilot program.

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions and

comments.

B329-25 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

follows: VOTING YES: PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, ELWOOD, SAMPLE,

FOSTER, WATERMAN. 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.

B324-25

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Ridge View

Investments Series LLC, Series Six to allow the operation of a short-term

rental on property located at 1603 Woodmoor Court; providing a

severability clause (Case No. 337-2025).

B325-25

B326-25

B327-25

Granting a waiver and design adjustment associated with the Final Plat of

Consolidated Water, Plat No. 1 for sidewalk construction along a portion of

the east side of Seventh Street (Case No. 284-2025).

Approving the Final Plat of "Consolidated Water, Plat No. 1" located on the

east side of Seventh Street and north of Nebraska Avenue; authorizing a

performance contract (Case No. 284-2025).

Accepting conveyances for sewer and utility purposes associated with the

proposed Final Plat of “Centerstate South Plat 1” and located along

portions of Lake Ridgeway Road; directing the City Clerk to have the

conveyances recorded (Case No. 315-2025).

B330-25

B331-25

Authorizing an agreement with Columbia School District No. 93 associated

with plans to utilize park facilities in the event of an emergency.

Authorizing a memorandum of understanding with the United States

Capitol Police for the purpose of reimbursing the City for law enforcement

protective services.

B332-25

B333-25

Authorizing a cooperative agreement with Boone County, Missouri for the

transfer of surplus equipment to support countywide enforcement

operations.

Authorizing an agreement with Boone County, Missouri, on behalf of the

Boone County Sheriff’s Office, to provide the Police Department's K-9 unit

with maintenance proficiency training in obedience, explosives detection,

and other operational skills.

B334-25

Authorizing a subgrantee agreement with the State of Missouri Department

of Economic Development - Missouri Community Service Commission,

d/b/a ServMO, associated with the 2026 MLK Day of Service program.

R1-26

R2-26

Setting a public hearing: proposed construction of renovations to portions

of the utility customer service and treasury office areas located on the first

floor of the City Hall Building.

Authorizing the temporary closure of vehicular and parking lanes on

portions of Eighth Street between Broadway and Walnut Street, and on

portions of Walnut Street between Eighth Street and Ninth Street, to

facilitate repairs to the Guitar Building located at 28 N. Eighth Street.

R3-26

R4-26

Authorizing an aviation project consultant agreement with Burns and

McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. for design services associated with

construction of a deicing pad and containment facility at the Columbia

Regional Airport.

Authorizing Nabil and Dana Beaini to pursue access to sanitary sewer

services through an annexation agreement for contiguous property located

on the east side of Gans Creek Road (Case No. 44-2026).

The bills were given third reading and the resolutions were read by the City

Clerk with the vote recorded as follows: VOTING YES: PETERS, BUFFALOE,

CARROLL, ELWOOD, SAMPLE, FOSTER, WATERMAN. 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 policy resolutions and bills were introduced by the Mayor unless otherwise

indicated, and all were given first reading.

PR5-26

PR6-26

PR7-26

Repealing Policy Resolution No. 145-12 establishing revised policies

relating to appointments to City boards and commissions and adopting a

new policy resolution on the same subject.

Repealing Resolution No. 101-14A that established revised procedures

and guidelines for scheduled public comment at City Council meetings and

adopting a new policy resolution on the same subject.

Repealing Resolution No. 188-81 reaffirming rules for public hearings and

comments before the City Council and adopting a new policy resolution on

the same subject.

PR8-26

B1-26

B2-26

Establishing a policy for City Council member virtual participation at city

council meetings.

Calling the municipal election to be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to elect

Council Members for Wards 1 and 5 for the City of Columbia.

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Janet Rogers to allow

the construction of a detached accessory dwelling unit on property located

at 105 S. Glenwood Avenue in an R-1 (One-family Dwelling) zoning district;

providing a severability clause (Case No.19-2026).

B3-26

Rezoning property located on the northeast corner of Old Highway 63 and

Walnut Street (202 N. Old Highway 63) from District PD (Planned

Development) to District M-OF (Mixed-use Office) (Case No. 6-2026).

B4-26

B5-26

Approving the PD Planned Development of “Ashford Place” located at the

northern terminus of Sagemoor Drive and west of Hoylake Drive; approving

a revised statement of intent; authorizing a development agreement;

directing the City Clerk to record the development agreement (Case No.

231-2025).

Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the

amount of $200,000.00 to provide for Public Works Department capital

improvement projects.

B6-26

B7-26

B8-26

Accepting a conveyance for sidewalk purposes; directing the City Clerk to

record the conveyance.

Authorizing an Abatement Order on Consent with the Missouri Department

of Natural Resources.

Accepting conveyances for utility and sewer purposes; accepting a

Stormwater Management/BMP Facilities Covenant; directing the City Clerk

to have the conveyances recorded.

B9-26

Vacating portions of utility easements adjacent to properties located at

801 Fairway Drive and 2103 Country Club Drive associated with the

Columbia Country Club waterline relocation project; accepting a grant of

easement for utility purposes from Richard J. Rother and Kimi C. Rother;

directing the City Clerk to have the ordinance and conveyance recorded.

B10-26

B11-26

Authorizing an aviation project consultant agreement with Burns and

McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. for design services associated with

construction of a snow removal equipment building at the Columbia

Regional Airport; amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating

funds in the amount of $436,500.00.

Authorizing a sponsorship agreement with the Missouri Department of

Economic Development, Division of Tourism in support of 2026 Juneteenth

events; authorizing the City Manager, or the Manager’s designee, to enter

into agreements for sponsorship of Juneteenth community events;

amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the amount

of $26,982.00.

B12-26

B13-26

Authorizing an agreement with The Housing Authority of the City of

Columbia for tenant-based rental subsidy assistance program services.

Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the

amount of $291,280.00; authorizing an agreement with the National

Institute of Criminal Justice Reform for research, strategic planning, and

technical assistance professional services.

B14-26

Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the

amount of $600,000.00; authorizing a contract with TSI Global Companies,

LLC for services associated with the City Hall audiovisual modernization

project.

B15-26

B16-26

Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the

amount of $1,000,000.00 for the purchase of an aerial ladder truck.

Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the

amount of $65,000.00 for Risk Management office space.

X. REPORTS

REP1-26

Downtown Community Improvement District (CID) - End of Year (FY 2025)

Fiscal Report.

Mayor Buffaloe understood this report was provided as required by state statute.

Nickie Davis, the Executive Director of the Downtown CID, provided a statement and

responded to Council questions and comments.

REP2-26

REP3-26

Water and Light Advisory Board FY 2025 Annual Report.

Mayor Buffaloe understood this report was provided for informational purposes.

DIVERT Programmatic Report.

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

responded to Council questions and comments.

XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp suggested that they celebrate collaboration and teamwork with

the DIVERT program as it was a good example of a collective effort, expressed concern

with the narrative implying the City was not trying to address the homelessness issue

prior to the death of Aiyanna Williams as she had emails involving the Mayor from

January of 2025 indicating what was being done, asked the Council to publicly state that

fact and explain what was being done, and requested context to a conversation at the

December retreat involving a potential entertainment district in the downtown.

Eugene Elkin, a Second Ward resident, thanked the City for the services provided to the

homeless, suggested the parking meters be $1 per hour during the nine-month school

year and reduced during the summer, thought they could determine affordability via

incomes per square mile in categories of low, medium, and high, and pointed out costs

were increasing, making it more difficult for people like him who were on fixed incomes.

John Shinn, 4408 Kingston Heath Drive, expressed concern with regard to the Ashford

Place development, stated he did not feel the Planning and Zoning Commission had been

properly informed, asked the Council to read the public comments on this issue,

particularly his comments, noted this development was inappropriate in this location as it

would create traffic hazards and safety issues, believed there was a procedural issue in

that the statement of intent was nullified when Tract 5 was subdivided into four tracts, felt

the ten acre public park would not be provided because the developer would likely stop at

299 units, and suggested the Council address the issue of panhandlers with dogs in the

street.

Terry Haupt, 1224 Shore Acres Loop, felt the Planning and Zoning Commission had

provided inappropriate waivers, agreed with John Shinn regarding the park, which meant

there would not be a large park on the east side of the city, pointed out the density was

actually about 9 units per acre versus 3.1 units per acre because they were only

developing on eight acres as the rest was the Grindstone Creek, trails, etc., noted the

situation could not be fixed once the development occurred, and explained he understood

the property would be developed but thought it should be developed appropriately.

The Council and staff discussed various topics to include appreciation for police, fire, and

other first responders for their efficient and professional work this past weekend, the fact

incidents of gun violence and domestic violence affected everyone, the need for mental

health

resources

and

preventative

measures,

appreciation

for

the

improved

communication from staff to the City Council following tragic incidents, the utilization of

Flock cameras in catching the perpetrator of the incident at the Shoppes at Stadium this

past weekend as well as its use with the abduction that had occurred a few weeks ago,

the fact Columbia had a policy in terms of the data associated with Flock that other

communities did not, the understanding that they needed to come at the issues

surrounding shooting deaths at multiple angles and as a community involving the Office of

Violence Prevention, the Columbia Police Department and other first responders, State

legislators in terms of legislative priorities, etc., because there was not a single solution,

appreciation for the Public Works staff for sweeping the streets in the East Campus

neighborhood while the students were out of town, sadness for the passing of Kenny

Greene as he had been a staple in the downtown and the arts scene, acknowledgement

of the emails received requesting the City consider renaming the North Village Park in

memory of Kenny Greene, recalling that Kenny Greene had suggested the old Ameren

site be named the North Village Park, understanding the Parks and Recreation

Department would relay to Council potential opportunities along with associated

processes for recognizing the impacts of Kenny Greene, an explanation of the testing,

treatment, etc. involved with water quality and ensuring safe drinking water in Columbia in

light of the reported issues in Eldon, Missouri, appreciation for the development of the

paramedic pilot program as it would provide on-scene lifesaving services, the power of

getting involved in the community when one felt hopeless in the face of huge and tragic

issues as volunteering was a positive way to directly impact one’s neighbors and the

community as a whole, a request for any communications received from boards and

commissions involving the pedestrian safety ordinance to be provided prior to the work

session on that item, a request to add the affordable housing stock discussion to the

work session list in terms of a potential definition of affordable housing along with its

impact on short-term rentals, recognition of the success of the DIVERT program in terms

of its innovation and allowing staff to feel empowered, suggesting each Council Member

attend a community support docket to view the associated interactions, the meeting

Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, City Manager De’Carlon Seewood, and Police Chief Jill Schlude

participated in with Governor Mike Kehoe, which allowed them to provide Columbia’s

safety and crime data, advocate for Columbia’s values, and suggest how the State could

assist with issues such as minors in possession of firearms, and appreciation for the

comments of the City Council regarding the DIVERT and paramedic programs as staff

had been embracing innovation and collaboration.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned without objection at 9:54 p.m.