City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
Historic Preservation Commission  
Conference Room 1B  
Tuesday, January 6, 2026  
5:30 PM  
Regular Meeting  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Chair - Stephen Bybee, Vice-Chair - Carrie Gartner, Secretary - Josh Parshall  
Meeting was called to order at 5:33 PM.  
5 - Stephen Bybee, Carrie Gartner, Josh Parshall, Jennifer Luchau and Trey Cook  
Present:  
1 - Melissa Hagen  
Absent:  
II. INTRODUCTIONS  
Guests - Dennis Fitzgerald, CoMo Preservation  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Commissioner Gartner moved to approve the agenda as distributed.  
Commissioner Cook seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by voice  
vote.  
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Commissioner Gartner moved to approve the December meeting minutes as  
distributed.  
Commissioner Luchau seconded and the motion passed unanimously by voice  
vote.  
December 2, 2025 Meeting Minutes  
Attachments: HPC MINUTES 12022025  
V. DEMOLITION PERMIT APPLICATIONS  
Staff Liaison, Rusty Palmer, presented the demolition permit application  
materials for the listed properties. Limited discussion.  
Commissioner Cook moved to close review of the applications.  
Commissioner Luchau seconded and the motion passed unanimously by voice  
vote.  
1804 Gordon Street  
Attachments: 1804 Gordon ASSESSOR  
1804 Gordon St  
508 Sexton Road  
Attachments: 508 Sexton Rd ASSESSOR  
508 Sexton Rd  
1705 McKee Street  
Attachments: 1705 McKee St ASSESSOR  
1705 McKee St  
VI. STAFF REPORTS  
A. Proposed Definitions for Preservation Plan  
Attachments: Preservation Plan Proposed Definitions  
Mr. Palmer presented commissioners with a comparison chart contrasting the  
existing HP definitions and the SHPO sample definitions. Another column was  
created, combining the two definitions into a final, proposed definition for each  
term. Mr. Palmer indicated that he would include the proposed definitions  
section in the preservation plan for consideration throughout the remaining  
public comment and approval process. He asked commissioners to review the  
proposed definitions and provide comments.  
B. Chapter 4 Draft Completed  
Attachments: CHAPTER 4_ HISTORIC PRESERVATION LEGISLATION  
Mr. Palmer indicated that he completed the HPC Council Actions section of the  
preservation plan, and presented the timeline format document to the group.  
Commissioners indicated their approval, and Mr. Palmer noted that the section  
would be added to the final document as presented to the commission.  
C. Benton-Stephens Phase II Survey Grant Agreement  
Attachments: Council Memo  
Financial Assistance Agreement  
Locator Map  
Mr. Palmer indicated that the Phase II survey grant agreement received  
preliminary approval from the State Historic Preservation Office, and the final  
approval should be forthcoming in the next few months.  
He also noted that the next round of grants was just announced, and the  
pre-application is due by the end of February. Given the commission had  
prioritized the next phase of the Benton-Stephens Neighborhood Survey, Mr.  
Palmer was interested in working with a commissioner to rework the previous  
application materials for the next phase.  
VII. OLD BUSINESS  
A. Benton-Stephens Phase I Survey Consultant Selection  
Mr. Palmer indicated that Loggia Preservation was selected after the final cost  
evaluation was completed by the Purchasing Division. He noted that the  
consultant agreement would be drafted and sent to the SHPO grants manager for  
approval and release of funds before work can begin. He anticipates this will  
take 30-60 days.  
B. Preservation Plan Report to Council  
Liaison Palmer reported that the Council report was somewhat behind schedule  
due to the number of cases being processed at the moment. The anticipated  
agenda date for the report will be January 20th.  
The report indicates that the final public input meeting on the plan will be held  
on February 7th, in conjunction with the speaker series event at the Columbia  
Public Library Friends Room. Additional information and commenting  
opportunities will be available for roughly 60 days via the BeHeard page for the  
project.  
VIII. NEW BUSINESS  
A. Most Notable Plaques - Replacement Postcards  
Mr. Palmer indicated that the postcards were not yet complete, but he does have  
a source for mailing addresses. He will have these ready for circulation before  
the final selection of Most Notables next month.  
IX. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF  
Liaison Palmer indicated that current projections for the HPC FY 2027 budget are  
set at $32,500, which represents no change.  
Mr. Palmer also noted that references to the HPC Manual would be rendered  
obsolete with the completion of the preservation plan, considering the items in  
the manual could be incorporated into the plan. He indicated that, moving  
forward, he intended to include the appropriate items in the plan, and any  
remaining items would be shifted to the website in a conspicuous location.  
Commissioner Bybee asked for an update on the number of Most Notable  
Properties applications received thus far. Mr. Palmer reported receiving four so  
far.  
X. NEXT MEETING DATE - FEBRUARY 3, 2026  
XI. ADJOURNMENT  
Commissioner Bybee moved to adjourn at 6:67 PM, and the meeting was  
adjourned.  
Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to  
disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email CITY@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in making  
the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of  
the posted meeting date as possible.  
USB DRIVES PROHIBITED: A speaker who desires to display a presentation must upload the  
presentation, in advance, to the city network using an upload portal. To upload your files and learn  
more, visit CoMo.gov/upload.