City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes

City Council

City Hall

Monday, April 6, 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, April 6, 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 DON WATERMAN, Council Member BETSY PETERS, Mayor

BARBARA BUFFALOE, Council Member VALERIE CARROLL, Council Member VERA

ELWOOD, Council Member JACQUE SAMPLE, and Council Member NICK FOSTER

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 March 16, 2026 were approved unanimously by

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

Council Member Sample asked that B78-26 be removed from the consent agenda.

Mayor Buffaloe explained R64-26 would be removed from the consent agenda to correct a

typographical error.

The agenda, including the consent agenda with B78-26 being moved to old business and

R64-26 being moved to new business, was approved unanimously by voice vote on a

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

II. SPECIAL ITEMS

None.

III. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

None.

IV. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT

SPC15-26

Alex Gordon - City funding for Vidwest Studios.

Alex Gordon stated she was a photographer, videographer, social media manager, and

very involved in the music community in Columbia, commented that she did not always

have this ability, explained Vidwest provided the resources, equipment, rehearsal space,

workshops, education, mentors, etc. needed for people with aspirations who did not know

the path forward, pointed out she was now in the position to give back to the community

through the Collective Continuum, which she launched as

a collective to hold jam

sessions, provide workshops, and give friends the opportunity to express themselves,

noted Vidwest was a very inclusive environment that helped people find and express

themselves, and asked the Council to consider funding Vidwest as it provided a benefit to

many people.

SPC16-26

Susan Renee Carter - Moving forward: promoting equity.

Susan Renee Carter, provided a copy of the National Civic League 2019 Fourth Edition

Civic Index as a handout, understood many believed Columbia was a progressive city that

cared about its marginalized members, which was not true when reading Cities, Mayors,

and Race Relations: Task Forces as Agents of Race-Based Policy Innovations by

Richard T. Middleton IV as it indicated Columbia maintained the status quo with poverty

rates, wages, racial disparities in ticketing, and high unemployment rates for black

families and other marginalized people not budging much, funding for public

transportation, pedestrian and biking infrastructure, health, and social services being low,

and other infrastructure needing significant replacement or repair while utility rates were

climbing, requests for increases in sales tax were on the table, and trivial laws

maintaining control of certain groups of people existed, pointed out these outcomes

would not change without a plan to raise the quality of life for the most vulnerable,

suggested the Council promote equity in the community by putting equity language in the

city charter, establishing more specific measurable goals that were aligned with money in

the budget and focused on resolving disparities and addressing priorities, getting rid of

ordinances and processes that reinforced disparities, expecting changes in how staff

planned, problem solved issues, and provided customer service, and readjust budgets to

meet the health and psychological needs of people not being fulfilled by other

organizations, recommended the Council make contact with the National Civic League for

next steps toward change, and invited those interested to attend a presentation by Doug

Linkhart, the President of the National Civic League, hosted by Race Matters, Friends, on

the Civic Index on April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbia Public Library as it would help to

analyze community resources and determine how to make changes.

V. PUBLIC HEARINGS

PH8-26

Proposed construction of improvements to the north parking lot at the

Columbia Regional Airport.

Discussion shown with B66-26.

B66-26

Authorizing construction of improvements to the north parking lot at the

Columbia Regional Airport; calling for bids through the Purchasing

Division.

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

the City Clerk.

Airport Manager Mike Parks provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions

and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Renee Carter, a Second Ward resident, commented that she did not have any particular

objection, but would have liked these airport improvement discussions to have occurred

when they were discussing adding airlines and flights so they understood how much it

would really cost when those decisions were being made.

Auston Bevins,

a Third Ward resident, stated his support for all of the proposed

improvements to the airport, explained that as a Chamber of Commerce 2026 Leadership

Columbia participant, he had the opportunity to spend a day learning about the value of a

local airport, noted the previous investments made had allowed them to witness this

exponential growth, indicated he was looking forward to his first flight out of Columbia in

May, and urged the Council to continue with these long-term investments as he believed

it would greatly benefit Columbia over the next 5-20 years.

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

B66-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

SAMPLE, FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

PH9-26

B67-26

Proposed construction of a Terminal Building passenger boarding bridge

project at the Columbia Regional Airport.

Discussion shown with B67-26.

Authorizing construction of a Terminal Building passenger boarding bridge

project at the Columbia Regional Airport; calling for bids through the

Purchasing Division.

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

the City Clerk.

Airport Manager Mike Parks provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions

and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

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

The Council asked questions and made comments.

B67-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

SAMPLE, FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

PH10-26

B68-26

Proposed construction of a deicing pad and containment facility (glycol

recovery system) at the Columbia Regional Airport.

Discussion shown with B68-26.

Authorizing construction of a deicing pad and containment facility (glycol

recovery system) at the Columbia Regional Airport; calling for bids through

the Purchasing Division.

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

the City Clerk.

Airport Manager Mike Parks provided a staff report, and he and Ryan Lorton, a consultant

with Burns & McDonnell, Inc., responded to Council questions.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Carol Thompson, a Third Ward resident, stated she was confused as to why they would

allow glycol, which was

a contaminant, into the stormwater, understood there were

worries about runoff into the stormwater due to homeless camps, believed this was more

toxic, and reiterated her concern for allowing glycol into the stormwater.

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

The Council asked questions and made comments.

B68-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

SAMPLE, FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

PH11-26

B69-26

Proposed construction of the Terminal Building loop road project at the

Columbia Regional Airport.

Discussion shown with B69-26.

Authorizing construction of the Terminal Building loop road project at the

Columbia Regional Airport; calling for bids through the Purchasing

Division.

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

the City Clerk.

Airport Manager Mike Parks provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions

and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

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

B69-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. ABSENT: PETERS (Council Member Peters

stepped out during the vote on this item). Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

PH12-26

B70-26

Proposed construction of the Terminal Building production kitchen at the

Columbia Regional Airport.

Discussion shown with B70-26.

Authorizing construction of the Terminal Building production kitchen at the

Columbia Regional Airport; calling for bids through the Purchasing

Division.

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

the City Clerk.

Airport Manager Mike Parks provided a staff report, and he and Timothy Temple with

Jackson Brothers, the company providing food services at the airport, responded to

Council questions.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Timothy Temple, a Second Ward resident, explained Jackson Brothers was a locally

owned and veteran and woman owned company, noted they had been given the privilege

of supporting the airport with vending for many years, stated this next step, Tailwinds,

would allow their team to deliver a more complete food and beverage experience, and

asked the Council to approve this project.

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

B70-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

SAMPLE, FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

PH13-26

B71-26

Proposed reconstruction of Airport Drive at the Columbia Regional Airport.

Discussion shown with B71-26.

Authorizing reconstruction of Airport Drive at the Columbia Regional

Airport; calling for bids through the Purchasing Division.

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

the City Clerk.

Airport Manager Mike Parks provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions

and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Renee Carter, a Second Ward resident, asked for clarification as to whether the postal

business was federal or private, and if federal, why the federal government could not help

pay for this improvement.

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

The Council asked questions and made comments.

B71-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

SAMPLE, FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

VI. OLD BUSINESS

B62-26

Amending Chapter 29 of the City Code relating to the definition and zoning

designation of a “data center” use (Case No. 74-2026).

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Community Development Director Clint Smith provided

a staff report, and he, City

Counselor Nancy Thompson, and Economic Development Director Paul Eisenstein

responded to Council questions and comments.

James Gordon,

a representative of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, which was a

statewide member based organization with a four decade record of advocating for policies

that preserved friendly farms and independent livestock production, promoted stewardship

of the land, supported safe, affordable, high quality food supply, and defended justice and

economic opportunity for rural and urban communities, thanked the Council for listening

to their concerns this past fall and directing further research into data centers,

commended the City staff and Planning and Zoning Commission Members for their

diligent follow-through, stated support for this proposal that added a data center as a

defined industrial use and requiring conditional permitting for the new defined use, looked

forward to the next phase of establishing use specific standards for these facilities,

suggested a temporary moratorium for this new type of land use until common sense

safeguards, such as restrictions on the duration, time of day, and fuel type allowed for

onsite power generation, water protections, and protections for taxpayers and utility

customers, were in place, and reiterated his request to place a pause on risky data

center developments until they had the full confidence of a tight permitting process.

Tyler Travers, a representative of Renew Missouri, a non-profit that promoted renewable

energy and energy efficiency across the State, expressed support for implementing this

definition while recognizing specific use standards would be established at a future date,

suggested those use standards include renewable requirements and consumer

protections so the energy usage expenses were not passed on to ratepayers, offered

Renew Missouri as a resource, and stated support for a temporary moratorium until the

use standards were in place, which he believed could be done now per Section 2-58 of

the Columbia Code of Ordinances versus waiting until the end of the meeting.

Kevin Hull stated he owned property within the Third Ward that had been certified by the

State of Missouri as a potential data center site, was unsure if his property would be

grandfathered in terms of this definition or future standards, suggested a meeting between

him and City staff, and agreed with the concerns mentioned but thought some of those

concerns might be moot due a requirement for data centers to provide their own power as

well as power to the grid and because lakes could be built to address water related

issues, depending on the size of the site.

Eugene Elkin, a Second Ward resident, suggested the Council ban data centers as they

did not create jobs and because exposure to its byproducts could cause cancer.

The Council asked questions and made comments.

B62-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

SAMPLE, FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion for staff to bring back to Council an ordinance

imposing an administrative delay on the processing of any applications for the

issuance of conditional use permit and/or building permit for construction or

operation of a data center for a six-month period in order to maintain the status

quo while specific use standards were being developed. The motion was

seconded by Council Member Elwood. After discussion, the motion was approved

unanimously by voice vote.

B77-26

Authorizing a memorandum of understanding with The Curators of the

University of Missouri, on behalf of University of Missouri Columbia, and

Downtown Community Improvement District associated with the Block by

Block Ambassador program; amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by

appropriating funds in the amount of $168,130.01.

The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.

Police Chief Jill Schlude provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions and

comments.

Lara Piper, Chair of the Downtown CID Board, commented that the downtown had grown

and with that growth came the responsibility of how they would support safety with

residents, businesses, and visitors, stated this was

a shared investment with each

partner contributing a third of the cost, explained this program would include six trained

safety ambassadors during the busiest hours of Thursday through Sunday from 5:00 p.m.

to 3:00 a.m. to assist with safe rides home, report lighting issues, help with permanent

activities, such as food trucks, and address the small issues before they became larger

ones as well as a full-time outreach ambassador to support individuals experiencing

homelessness and mental health crises with compassion and consistency, noted this

would allow police officers to focus on enforcement and emergencies while the

ambassadors handled everyday issues that sometimes became bigger problems, pointed

out this program worked as it operated in over 170 communities, including Columbia,

South Carolina and New Orleans during major events, such as Mardi Gras, believed this

partnership between the City, the University, and the Downtown CID would result in a

stronger Columbia, and indicated the program would be ready to launch within six weeks

of approval.

Mat Gass, representing the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, explained the Columbia,

Missouri Chamber of Commerce had chosen Columbia, South Carolina for a visit to

understand how another community approached public safety and crime prevention in a

coordinated manner, noted the group of 70 had the opportunity to see firsthand the

success of the Block by Block program in terms of how it supported law enforcement and

the social service community while also increasing the perception of safety in a unified

manner, and expressed support for this program as a best practice as well as for the

downtown and business community.

The Council asked questions and made comments.

B77-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

SAMPLE, FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as

follows:

B78-26

Approving a First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement with

Broadway Lodging Two, LLC and Columbia TIF Corporation Two relating

to the Broadway Hotel Phase Two Redevelopment Plan and Project;

authorizing the issuance of tax increment revenue notes to provide funds to

finance and refinance certain redevelopment project costs.

Assistant Finance Director Jim McDonald provided a staff report, and he, City Counselor

Nancy Thompson, and City Manager De’Carlon Seewood responded to Council questions

and comments.

B78-26 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

SAMPLE, FOSTER. 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.

B63-26

B64-26

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Elena Sass to allow

the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 1707 Nelwood

Drive; providing a severability clause (Case No.70-2026).

Approving a major amendment to the “Lake Broadway PD Plan” located on

the southeast corner of Gary Street and Pershing Road; approving a

revised statement of intent (Case No. 68-2026).

B65-26

B72-26

B73-26

Changing the name of “State Farm Parkway” to “E. Green Meadows

Road”; directing the City Clerk to record a certified copy of the ordinance

(Case No. 329-2025).

Authorizing construction of roadway, intersection, sidewalk, and bridge

improvements along Forum Boulevard between Chapel Hill Road and

Woodrail Avenue; calling for bids through the Purchasing Division.

Authorizing the acquisition of easements associated with the construction

of roadway, intersection, sidewalk, and bridge improvements along Forum

Boulevard between Chapel Hill Road and Woodrail Avenue.

B74-26

B75-26

B76-26

Authorizing the acquisition of easements associated with the construction

of the Capri Estates Subdivision stormwater improvement project.

Authorizing expanded HIV testing program services and business

associate agreements with Saline County Health Department.

Authorizing Amendment No. 2 to the contract with the Missouri Department

of Health and Senior Services for fetal and infant mortality review program

services.

B79-26

Authorizing submission of a tennis venue services grant application with

the United States Tennis Association Incorporated for the Cosmo-Bethel

Park tennis court resurfacing project; amending the FY 2026 Annual

Budget by appropriating funds in the amount of $212,235.00.

R58-26

R59-26

Setting a public hearing: proposed replacement and improvement of storm

drainage infrastructure along portions of Braemore Road, Highland Drive,

Summit Road, and Fairview Road.

Authorizing a community development block grant (CDBG) subrecipient

agreement with Woodhaven Learning Center (d/b/a Woodhaven) for the

renovation of certain residential properties for low-income disabled

individuals.

R60-26

Authorizing a first amendment to the HOME investment partnership

program developer agreement with Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity

for the construction of an owner-occupied affordable housing unit at 3017

Milkweed Loop.

R61-26

R62-26

Authorizing an interconnection and net metering agreement with the

Diocese of Jefferson City Real Estate Corporation for a solar power

electric generating system on property located at 602 Turner Avenue.

Authorizing an agreement for professional engineering services with

Engineering Surveys & Services related to the design of the State Farm

Parkway and Nifong Boulevard roundabout and associated pavement

maintenance and sidewalk repairs.

R63-26

R65-26

Authorizing a tourism development sponsorship agreement with Supreme

Tournaments, LLC for the 2026 NXTPRO Hoops Basketball Tournament

event.

Authorizing an agreement with Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption

Association associated with respite events offered at the Activity &

Recreation Center (ARC).

R66-26

R67-26

Authorizing an agreement with Columbia Youth Basketball Association

associated with the promotion and use of parks and recreational facilities

for games and tournaments.

Reappointing Andrew Briscoe as an associate municipal judge.

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

vote recorded as follows: VOTING YES: WATERMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE,

CARROLL, ELWOOD, SAMPLE, FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bills declared

enacted and resolutions declared adopted, reading as follows:

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

R64-26

Authorizing a special event operations agreement with Mid-Missouri

Peaceworks for the 2026 Columbia Area Earth Day Festival event

inclusive of temporary street and parking lane closures.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk.

City Counselor Nancy Thompson provided

questions and comments.

a staff report, and responded to Council

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend R64-26 by replacing “FPC Live, LLC” in

Section 2 with “Mid-Missouri Peaceworks.” The motion was seconded by Council

Member Foster, and approved unanimously by voice vote.

R64-26, as amended, was read by the City Clerk, and the vote was recorded as

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

SAMPLE, FOSTER. 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.

B80-26

B81-26

Amending Chapter 5 of the City Code relating to animals and fowl.

Amending Chapter 13 of the City Code relating to fees for temporary

business licenses.

B82-26

Approving the PD Planned Development Plan and Preliminary Plat of “The

Vantage” located on the east and west sides of Rolling Hills Road and

south of Richland Road; approving a revised statement of intent; approving

a development agreement; directing the City Clerk to record the

development agreement (Case No. 49-2026).

B83-26

B84-26

B85-26

B86-26

B87-26

Rezoning property located on the northeast corner of Hanover Boulevard

and Olympic Boulevard from District R-1 (One-family Dwelling) to District

R-2 (Two-family Dwelling) (1801 Hanover Boulevard) (Case No. 78-2026).

Rezoning property located on the south side of Vandiver Drive and the

north side of Bass Pro Drive from District PD (Planned Development) to

District M-C (Mixed-use Corridor) (Case No. 76-2026).

Approving the Final Plat of “Centerstate Plat 7B” located on the south side

of Vandiver Drive and the north side of Bass Pro Drive; authorizing a

performance contract (Case No. 77-2026).

Approving the Final Plat of “Totolmajac Villages” located on the east side

of Oakland Gravel Road and south of Blue Ridge Road; authorizing a

performance contract (Case No. 54-2026).

Approving the Final Plat of “Crosscreek Center Plat 2” located on the west

side of Cinnamon Hill Lane and east of U.S. Highway 63; authorizing a

performance contract (Case No. 181-2025).

B88-26

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Dominick and

Stephanie Lee to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property

located at 202 Old Highway 63 North; providing a severability clause (Case

No.84-2026).

B89-26

B90-26

B91-26

B92-26

B93-26

Vacating a sewer easement adjacent to Lots 2, 3, and 6 within Grindstone

Commercial Plat 1 located at 1101 E. Nifong Boulevard; directing the City

Clerk to have the ordinance recorded (Case No. 87-2026).

Authorizing a financial assistance agreement with the Missouri Department

of Natural Resources for the Benton-Stephens Neighborhood Historic

Survey - Phase II.

Authorizing construction of a sidewalk improvement project along the south

side of West Broadway, between Maplewood Drive and West Boulevard;

calling for bids through the Purchasing Division.

Authorizing the acquisition of easements associated with the construction

of a sidewalk improvement project along the south side of West Broadway,

between Maplewood Drive and West Boulevard.

Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the

amount of $42,800.00; authorizing Amendment No. 1 to the agreement for

professional engineering services with Weaver Consultants Group, LLC for

the Columbia Sanitary Landfill Horizontal Expansion Permitting Project -

Phase III.

B94-26

B95-26

B96-26

Authorizing the acquisition of easements associated with construction of

storm water improvements on Chadwick Drive, between Royal Lytham

Drive and Fallwood Court.

Accepting conveyances for underground electric and utility purposes;

accepting Stormwater Management/BMP Facilities Covenants; directing

the City Clerk to have the conveyances recorded.

Authorizing a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior

Services for local public health agency accreditation assistance program

services.

X. REPORTS

REP18-26

Business Loop Community Improvement District (CID) - Annual

Membership.

Mayor Buffaloe asked for the consent of the Council to appoint Daryle Bascom, Michele

Batye, and Mary Grupe to the Business Loop CID Board of Directors for terms beginning

April 20, 2026 and ending April 19, 2029, and the Council consented without objection.

REP19-26

Rental Inspection Frequency: Community Feedback and Next Steps.

Housing and Neighborhood Services Director Bill Rataj provided a staff report, and he and

Neighborhood Services Manager Leigh Kottwitz responded to Council questions and

comments.

Council Member Carroll made

a motion for staff to proceed with drafting ordinance

changes to the Rental Conservation Law found in Chapter 22. The motion was seconded

by Council Member Elwood and was approved by voice vote with only Council Member

Waterman voting no.

REP20-26

REP21-26

City Council Requested FY24/FY25 Outsourcing Comparison.

Deputy City Manager Matt Unrein, Utilities Director Erin Keys, and City Manager

De’Carlon Seewood responded to Council questions and comments.

Monthly Finance Report.

Assistant Finance Director Jim McDonald provided

Council comments.

a staff report, and responded to

XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF

Eugene Elkin, a Second Ward resident, hoped someone could look into the old Oats bus

as it did not have air conditioning or heat and had mechanical leaks, stated he recently

witnessed a baptism of a baby at Wilkes Boulevard Church being raised in a homeless

setting, expressed concern with the potential for losing the Wilkes Boulevard Church as

he understood there were not any future plans for it, suggested Columbia Transit provide

transportation to and from the bus station and the airport, and pointed out poor people

were continuing to suffer with rising costs in rent, gas, etc.

Shannon Glasgow explained he had been wrongfully arrested in Boone County and was

suing the State of Missouri, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, and others involved

as his name had been in the news for having numerous drugs and a firearm, he had spent

21 months incarcerated, false statements had been made, and evidence had been

planted, pointed out the charges were dismissed as the driver had told multiple different

lies that night, noted he was representing himself and had filed various motions, and

stated he wanted to tell his story since he had been wrongfully arrested so he could move

on with his life.

The Council and staff discussed various topics to include the importance in voting in the

local election being held tomorrow, the approval of the Lake Broadway PD plan, which

moved from a C-P zoned property to a newer PD zoning under the current Code and had

less impervious pavement along with the opportunity for more housing, the interest in

traffic calming on Pershing Road by some constituents, the upcoming, incredible

Unbound Book festival, which was a free event, the potential and timing of sidewalks on

the Business Loop due to the anticipated increase in pedestrian activity with the opening

of the Opportunity Campus, the desire for the Finance Advisory and Audit Committee to

be included in the budget process for their thoughts before it came to the City Council, a

request for the Disabilities Commission, the Commission on Human Rights, the Board of

Health, and the Substance Use Prevention Advisory Commission to consider the need

and role of a mental health commission that would include providers, loved ones, and

people living with mental health along with whether it could be incorporated into an

existing board or commission, the MERS Goodwill Excel Career Center, which provided

adults with the opportunity to obtain high school diplomas, the Chamber of Commerce

Quarterly Membership Breakfast held this past Friday as it included an excellent panel

that talked to business leaders about the challenges associated with housing, the

Voluntary Action Center resource center relocating from Vandiver Drive to the Business

Loop next door to the Opportunity Campus, the Fair Housing event that would be held in

the Council Chamber at 11:00 a.m. on April 15, the passing of Leigh Lockhart, who had

started the icon restaurant, Main Squeeze, the request for staff to reach out to the Earth

Day festival organizers regarding the change in temporary business license fees,

application fees, etc., the request for B81-26 to be an old business item at the next

council meeting to further discuss the history of temporary business license fees, what

the City was trying to accomplish, how this would impact institutional festivals, etc., and

the completion and approval by the FAA of the Airport Master Plan, which would be

further discussed at the April 13 work session.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned without objection at 10:40 p.m.