City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes

City Council

Council Chamber

Columbia City Hall

701 E. Broadway

Monday, January 6, 2025

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, January 6, 2025, 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 LISA E.A. MEYER, Council Member ROY LOVELADY, Council Member

NICK FOSTER, Council Member DON WATERMAN, Mayor BARBARA BUFFALOE, and

Council Member VALERIE CARROLL were present. Council Member BETSY PETERS

was absent. 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 16, 2024 were approved unanimously by

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

Upon her request, Mayor Buffaloe made a motion for Council Member Carroll to be

allowed to abstain from voting on PH1-25 and B313-24. Council Member Carroll noted on

the Disclosure of Interest form that the Frank Morris Trust donated funds for the trail and

her husband’s employer has financial responsibility for the Frank Morris Trust. The motion

was seconded by Council Member Foster and approved unanimously by voice vote.

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

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

II. SPECIAL ITEMS

None.

III. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

None.

IV. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT

SPC1-25

John Conway - Electric Transmission Line/Southwest Water Tank.

John Conway, 4902 Thornbrook Ridge, spoke about concerns with the delay in the 161kV

transmission project and indicated he planned to request that the School Board allow him

to be a citizen volunteer on their project team to work with the City in the development of

the water storage tank project.

Council Member Carroll stepped out of the meeting room.

V. PUBLIC HEARINGS

PH1-25

Proposed increase in the length of the natural surface trail in the Gans

Creek Recreation Area authorized by Ordinance No. 025543; providing for

the design and construction of the proposed project using a design/build

contract.

Discussion shown with B313-24.

B313-24

Approving a revised Gans Creek Recreation Area Master Plan;

determining it is in the public interest to increase the length of the natural

surface trail in the Gans Creek Recreation Area; approving the design and

construction of the natural surface trail.

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk, and the bill was given second reading by

the City Clerk.

Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington provided a staff report, and he and City

Counselor Nancy Thompson responded to Council questions.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Christine Doerr, 2510 Brookside Court, spoke about erosion concerns and suggested the

relocation of sections of the trail adjacent to the creek in forested soil to more stable

ground.

Carolyn Amparan, who was speaking on behalf of the Mid-Missouri Group of the Sierra

Club, asked that the blue trail be removed from the Master Plan until it could be

redesigned to provide more protection for the area’s precious natural resources, which

included the blue herons, and for the opportunity to work with the Parks and Recreation

staff to move the troublesome sections of the trail to allow bicyclists, conservationists,

and the herons to be happy with the outcome. She asked those in support of the

protection of the blue herons and the natural resources of the Gans Creek Recreation

Area to stand, and about 15-20 people stood.

Nate Smith, who was speaking on behalf of the COMO Trail Association (COMOTA),

indicated COMOTA, which was an all volunteer trail association with the mission of

building and maintaining natural surface trails, was looking forward to and was committed

to maintaining the 10.5 miles of multi-use trails at the Gans Creek Recreation Area.

John Stansfield, a Sixth Ward resident and the faculty sponsor to the Mizzou Cycling

Club, encouraged the Council to approve the plan as it was now as he felt it had received

every layer of review and approval a reasonable person could want.

Louise Flenner, 5203 S. Cowan Road, a member of the Columbia Audubon Society and

the Missouri Master Naturalists, stated the rookery was active and doing well, and that

an appropriate buffer zone needed to be put in place to try to protect this gem.

Tanya Heath, a Fourth Ward resident, suggested a 90-day pause to allow the parties to

meet and find a positive coexistence.

Paul Porneluzi, an ornithologist, mountain biker, coach for the NICA team, and trail

runner, asked that the blue trail, which was the gem of the project, to not be delayed and

indicated the blue heron rookery would be protected since it was on the opposite side of

the creek from the trail and its nesting and egg laying stages were in February and March

when the use of the trail by mountain bikers would be at a minimum.

Jason Patrie, Bob-O-Link Drive, stated support for this trail project as he believed this

project would provide a much needed resource and venue for younger and newer riders

allowing them to develop an interest in the natural environment and become the stewards

of tomorrow.

Elle Patrie, Bob-O-Link Drive, stated support for the trail as it would help kids like her

learn to mountain bike.

Elizabeth Kelly, who was speaking on behalf of the Columbia Track Club, indicated this

10.5 mile trail would be a boon for the community and a top choice destination for

beginner runners along with those that were more adventurous. She asked those in

support of this trail system at the Gans Creek Recreation Area to stand, and over 40

people stood.

Dee Dokken, a First Ward resident, stated Columbia needed more greenspace that was

managed with good stewardship, and read a letter from Allison Vaughn, who worked with

the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and was worried about the longevity of

protection for the rookery as the heron had already moved once due to human activity and

felt this whole special ecological area needed better protection.

Kevin Roberson, S. Bennett Drive, who was speaking on behalf of the Friends of Rock

Bridge Memorial State Park, indicated they were against any portion of the trail as they

felt there should be an emphasis on preserving existing natural habitats, especially those

next to parks and conservation areas, and was concerned that a master plan could be

rewritten without much discussion as previous master plans for this area had set aside

the creek and the forested area around the creek as a natural reserve or creek buffer.

Mike Burden, a Fourth Ward resident speaking on behalf of COMO Raptors, stated

support for the project as proposed as it was important to have a trail system that offered

beginner and intermediary options at the same place to allow kids to grow their skills and

make connections with nature in this technologically connected world.

Carter Lembke, a Junior at Hickman High School, stated support of the trail as it

encouraged kids to be outside, which allowed them to understand issues related to

natural areas, such as invasive species.

Kenny Townsend, a NICA parent, spoke in support of the entire trail as he did not feel

kids on bikes did any harm.

David Diamond, a retired University of Missouri ecologist, stated support for the yellow

and green trails, but felt the current plan for the blue trail should be redesigned as it failed

to balance the need for environmental conservation with the need for environmental

opportunities, and thought a suitable compromise could be reached.

Jan Dye, 2222 Bluff Boulevard, indicated she had heard the map was wrong, the buffer

was less than 200 feet from the rookery, and that the rookery was on both sides of Gans

Creek, and suggested time be taken to examine and correct anything needed along with

redesigning of the blue trail so everyone was able to get what they wanted.

Mark Ort, 2601 Lynnwood Drive, stated he appreciated the fact the Gans Creek Wild

Area was being preserved, suggested a larger buffer zone be incorporated into the plans,

and did not feel many people knew about this project as he had only learned of it during

the past couple of months.

Eli Novinger, Snowy Owl Drive, thought it would be beneficial for a 90-day delay to survey

the area in order to ensure the blue heron would remain safe and thriving.

Tehya Ross, a Second Ward resident, suggested a 90-day pause to survey the property

for other options as she did not feel they should put the blue heron at risk when there

were only two nests and believed the trail could be built elsewhere.

Mark Haim, 1402 Richardson Street, speaking on behalf of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks,

was concerned about the potential erosion and damage to the Gans Creek Wild Area,

which was a special place downstream from the proposed blue trail, and suggested time

be taken to take a closer look at that trail project since construction would likely not

occur until next fall.

Mark Gingrich, 407 S. Glenwood Avenue, encouraged the Council to move forward with

the plan as proposed as he felt many were rehashing what the Council had already

approved, i.e., some trail on the south side of the creek, and most of the trail length was

primarily routed on land that was previously a cow pasture and currently used to produce

hay.

Dan Viets, 15 N. Tenth Street, urged the Council to table this item as he did not feel

there was any downside to allowing further discussion on the topic since construction

would not begin until September and because many had not been aware of the issues

surrounding this project until recently.

Sutu Forte stated she felt deceived as It’s Our Wild Nature had not been allowed to

comment and critique this sensitive trail design prior to its approval by the Parks and

Recreation Commission, asked for

a 90-day hiatus to allow them to gather critical

evidence since the construction of this trail would eliminate a natural experience forever,

and indicated she did not feel a compromise at Gans Creek Recreation Area could be

accommodated.

Dorothy Van Black, a Second Ward resident, agreed kids should be more educated on

nature but trails were not needed in order to learn about nature, felt kids should be taught

to maintain creeks versus trails, believed the birds were irreplaceable, and indicated a

90-day delay would allow more people to be educated on the concerns associated with

this project.

Micki Brittin, a Sixth Ward resident, asked about the number of injuries on bike trails

along with access if someone was injured and believed they should leave the Gans Creek

area alone because they would not be able to get it back once it was lost.

Lawrence Simonson, 411 McBaine Avenue, stated Rhett’s Run was incredibly difficult

and the proposed project would provide an easy access trail for beginners, and believed

the rookery would be more protected with this project than it was now due to signage and

bikes crossing the creek versus vehicles and farm equipment.

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

The Council asked questions and discussed the amendment sheet that had been

distributed this evening.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend B313-24 per the amendment sheet. The

motion was seconded by Council Member Foster. After discussion, the motion

was approved by roll call vote with Council Member Meyer, Council Member

Lovelady, Council Member Foster, Council Member Waterman, and Mayor

Buffaloe voting yes, Council Member Peters being absent, and Council Member

Carroll abstaining.

B313-24, as amended, was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote

recorded as follows: VOTING YES: MEYER, LOVELADY, FOSTER, WATERMAN,

BUFFALOE. VOTING NO: NO ONE. ABSENT: PETERS. ABSTAINING: CARROLL. Bill

declared enacted, reading as follows:

Council Member Carroll returned to the meeting room.

PH2-25

Proposed annexation of property located on the north side of Prathersville

Road and east of Highway 763 (1591 E. Prathersville Road) (Case No.

45-2025).

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk.

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

Council questions.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

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

The Council made comments.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

B302-24

Amending Chapter 13 of the City Code relating to the maximum annual

business license fee.

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Finance Director Matthew Lue provided a staff report, and he and City Manager De’Carlon

Seewood responded to Council questions and comments.

Lily White-Boyd, speaking on behalf of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, stated

support for the pause to the increase in the business license fee ceiling in order to allow

time for the City, the Chamber of Commerce, and business community to work together

in finding a suitable licensing process.

Matt Williams, Regional President of Simmons Bank and

a Chamber of Commerce

member, stated support for the pause to allow the parties involved to work collaboratively

and thoughtfully going forward to craft a proposal that would work well for all.

Brian Waller, Vice President of Shelter Insurance, stated support for the pause and

indicated they looked forward to working with everyone to find an appropriate schedule

moving forward.

The Council made comments.

B302-24 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

follows: VOTING YES: MEYER, LOVELADY, FOSTER, WATERMAN, BUFFALOE,

CARROLL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. ABSENT: PETERS. Bill declared enacted,

reading as follows:

B317-24

Approving and ratifying a memorandum of understanding with the Missouri

State Council on the Arts in support of 2025 Juneteenth events; authorizing

the City Manager, or the Manager’s designee, to enter into agreements for

sponsorship of Juneteenth community events.

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Convention and Visitors Director Amy Schneider provided a staff report, and she and City

Manager De’Carlon Seewood responded to Council questions and comments.

B317-24 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

follows: VOTING YES: MEYER, LOVELADY, FOSTER, WATERMAN, BUFFALOE,

CARROLL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. ABSENT: PETERS. Bill declared enacted,

reading as follows:

B320-24

Authorizing physician services and business associate agreements with

The Curators of the University of Missouri, on behalf of the School of

Medicine.

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Public Health and Human Services Assistant Director Michelle Shikles provided a staff

report, and responded to Council questions and comments.

B320-24 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

follows: VOTING YES: MEYER, LOVELADY, FOSTER, WATERMAN, BUFFALOE,

CARROLL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. ABSENT: PETERS. 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.

B301-24

B303-24

Amending Chapter 2 of the City Code as it relates to membership

requirements for the Parking Advisory Commission.

Granting design adjustments relating to the proposed PD Plan for Legacy

Woods located on the north side of Crabapple Lane and west of Sinclair

Road relating to block length and street segment connections; granting a

waiver and design adjustment for sidewalk construction along the west side

of Athena Drive (Case No. 262-2024).

B304-24

Rezoning property located on the north side of Crabapple Lane and west of

Sinclair Road from District R-MF (Multiple-family Dwelling) to District PD

(Planned Development); approving a statement of intent; approving the PD

Plan for “Legacy Woods” (Case No. 262-2024).

B305-24

B306-24

B307-24

B308-24

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Massie Holdings LLC

to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 806

Boulder Drive; providing a severability clause (Case No. 16-2025).

Approving the Final Plat of Keene Estates - Plat 19 located on the south

side of Berrywood Drive and the east side of Portland Street; authorizing a

performance contract (Case No. 27-2025).

Authorizing construction of a sidewalk along the north side of St. Charles

Road, between Clark Lane and Demaret Drive; calling for bids through the

Purchasing Division.

Authorizing the acquisition of easements associated with construction of a

sidewalk along the north side of St. Charles Road, between Clark Lane

and Demaret Drive.

B309-24

B310-24

Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds for capital

improvement projects relating to the design/build plan review for the I-70

and US 63 interchange reconstruction project and the I-70 Business Loop

corridor study.

Authorizing Amendment No. 3 to the agreement for professional

engineering services with Weaver Consultants Group, LLC for the

Columbia Sanitary Landfill Horizontal Expansion Permitting Project -

Phase II; amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds.

B311-24

B312-24

Authorizing the acquisition of easements associated with a sewer

extension project to serve properties along the North Fork of Grindstone

Creek located on the east side of Route Z and north of I-70.

Accepting a conveyance for underground electric purposes; accepting

Stormwater Management/BMP Facilities Covenants; directing the City

Clerk to record the conveyances.

B314-24

B315-24

B316-24

B318-24

B319-24

Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds for exterior

improvements to the John William “Blind” Boone Home.

Authorizing a cooperative agreement with Boone County, Missouri for

mutual aid law enforcement services.

Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds for a parking

lot resurfacing project at Columbia Regional Airport.

Authorizing a Tourism Development Sponsorship Agreement with The

Curators of University of Missouri for 2024-2025 Concert Series events.

Authorizing a subrecipient award grant agreement with the State of

Missouri Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for the Medical

Reserve Corps program.

R1-25

R2-25

Setting a public hearing: proposed construction of a sidewalk along the

south side of Vandiver Drive between Oakland Gravel Road and Parker

Street.

Setting a public hearing: proposed construction of a sidewalk along the

west side of Oakland Gravel Road between Blue Ridge Road and Smiley

Lane.

R3-25

R4-25

Setting a public hearing: proposed construction of the Clear Creek force

main and pump station sewer improvement project.

Authorizing an agreement with McClure Engineering Co. for design and

engineering services related to Bridge #9 and Bridge #10 on the MKT

Trail.

R5-25

Authorizing an agreement with Crockett Geotechnical - Testing Lab, LLC

for special inspections and construction materials testing services

associated with Phase II construction of the Columbia Sports Fieldhouse

project in A. Perry Philips Park.

R6-25

R7-25

Authorizing a first amendment to the CDBG grant agreement with

Woodhaven Learning Center (d/b/a Woodhaven) for renovation of certain

residential properties.

Authorizing an agreement with Intuition and Logic Engineering, Inc. for

professional engineering services to evaluate stormwater flooding and

culvert replacement alternatives along a portion of Brandon Road.

R8-25

Authorizing an aviation project consultant agreement with Burns and

McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. associated with the west parking lot

resurfacing project at the Columbia Regional Airport.

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

Clerk with the vote recorded as follows: VOTING YES: MEYER, LOVELADY,

FOSTER, WATERMAN, BUFFALOE, CARROLL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. ABSENT:

PETERS. 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.

B1-25

B2-25

B3-25

B4-25

Calling the municipal election to be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, to elect

Council Member-at-large (Mayor) and Council Members for Wards 3 and 4

for the City of Columbia.

Voluntary annexation of property located on the north side of Prathersville

Road and east of Highway 763 (1591 E. Prathersville Road); establishing

permanent District IG (Industrial) zoning (Case No. 25-2025).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to John B. Hooker to

allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 208

Redwood Road; providing a severability clause (Case No. 26-2025).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to John and Lauren

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

700 W. Green Meadows Road; providing a severability clause (Case No.

28-2025).

B5-25

Granting a waiver and design adjustment relating to the proposed Final

Plat of LaFond Subdivision for sidewalk construction along portions of

Green Ridge Road and Brown Station Road. (Case No. 21-2025).

B6-25

B7-25

Approving the Final Plat of “LaFond Subdivision” located on the northeast

corner of Green Ridge Road and Brown Station Road (Case No. 21-2025).

Authorizing construction of Sanitary Sewer Project #11 for the rehabilitation

of sewer pipe, sanitary structures and lateral connections in central areas

of Columbia.

B8-25

Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds associated

with the installation of an exterior door security access-control system at the

Thomas G. Walton Building.

X. REPORTS

REP1-25

Downtown Community Improvement District (CID) - Annual Membership.

Mayor Buffaloe suggested Russell Boyt, Tootie Burns, Mike Nolan, Mary Stauffer, and

Zach Wagner be appointed to terms beginning February 7, 2025 and ending February 6,

2028, and asked if anyone objected to those appointments. No one objected.

REP2-25

Downtown Community Improvement District (CID) - End of Year (FY 2024)

Fiscal Report.

Mayor Buffaloe explained this was provided as required by State Law.

REP3-25

Columbia Area Transportation Study Organization (CATSO) 2055

Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) (Case No. 67-2025).

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

Council questions and comments.

REP4-25

REP5-25

Sidewalk Report.

Public Works Director Shane Creech provided a staff report, and he and City Manager

De’Carlon Seewood responded to Council questions and comments.

Strategic Plan Highlight Report.

Constituent Services and Legislative Affairs Administrator Stacey Weidemann provided a

staff report, and responded to Council questions and comments.

XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF

The Council and staff discussed various topics to include thanks to the Public Works

staff along with the first responders and others for their planning, preparation, and

communications over the last few days associated with winter weather coordination, the

impact of the cooperative agreement with Boone County for mutual aid law enforcement

services that was approved as part of the consent agenda, the Juneteenth application

process to include the fact applications could be submitted as early as tomorrow and the

application deadline would be around February 14, today being Epiphany and its broader

definition of new realizations or insights along with the insights gained tonight, this being

a good start to the New Year, the Legacy Woods project that was on the consent

agenda, which had changed from its original concept of cooperative housing due to

various challenges, thanks to the Parks and Recreation staff for their outreach on the

Gans Creek Recreation Area project, the work of staff related to the winter weather from

noon on Saturday as it had involved 1,624 employee hours going into the evening shift

tonight and did not include the time of facilities maintenance, the parking utility, etc ., an

update on the trash and recycling pickup, and thanks to everyone’s for their patience

during this recent weather event.