City of Columbia, Missouri
Meeting Minutes - Final
City Council
City Hall
Thursday, August 14, 2025
8:00 AM
Work Session
Conference Rm 1A/1B
701 E. Broadway
Columbia, MO
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Barbara Buffalo called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM.
6 - Buffaloe, Foster, Waterman, Peters, Sample, and Elwood
Present:
Absent:
1 - Carroll
Attachments: DRAFT - 2026 Legislative Priorities
City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said that this meeting is a first and believes it will be
vital for the city to create a list of priorities. Assistant to the City Manager Stacey
Weidemann introduced herself along with Susan Henderson Moore and Cara Alexander
from Polsinelli, the firm who lobbies on behalf of the city of Columbia. Stacey said that
she wanted to work with staff and to prioritize the city’s goals for the upcoming legislative
session. This discussion started at the Council Retreat back in May to strategize
citywide goals at the legislature. She reached out to Department Directors and what their
priorities were for the legislative work session. Stacey said that the city of Springfield
reviews everything after the veto session and creates a list of priorities that is approved by
the council. Stacey said one of the main priorities of the City of Columbia is to retain
local control. The City would like to meet with other stakeholders in the city to discuss
how they would like to proceed with regards to the legislature. Council member Foster
asked about consulting with Boone County to strategize with the Legislature. Stacey
said that there has not been much discussion with the County and that the city is
focusing on stakeholders in the city.
Susan and Cara discussed how they work with the legislature. Council person Donald
Waterman asked about reviewing the issues and discussing its support among various
stakeholders. Stacey said that she hoped that meeting with stakeholders would be
beneficial to help understand how the stakeholders align.
The Vice President of External Affairs from the Chamber of Commerce discussed how
she would like the stakeholders of Columbia to meet with the legislators and strategize
their priorities.
Council person Nick Foster asked about the specificity of priorities and what issue will
come in the legislatures. Nick Foster asked about supporting affordable housing
initiatives and maintaining current city assets. Cara said the low-income tax credit and
voucher programs are under purview of the legislature and that there is so much
legislation regarding affordable housing and that is why the priorities list is vague.
Mayor Buffalo asked about legislation regarding Police Review Boards and Public Safety.
Foster advocated that the city create documents that help refute the debate in the