City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes

City Council

City Hall

Monday, May 19, 2025

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, May 19, 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 NICK FOSTER, Council Member DON WATERMAN, Council Member

BETSY PETERS, Mayor BARBARA BUFFALOE, Council Member VALERIE CARROLL,

and Council Member JACQUE SAMPLE 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.

Mayor Buffaloe explained the minutes from May 5, 2025 Council Meeting were not yet

complete.

Mayor Buffaloe explained

consent agenda.

a constituent had requested R72-25 be removed from the

The agenda, including the consent agenda with R72-25 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

BC5-25

Board and Commission Applicants.

Upon receiving the majority vote of the Council, the following individuals were appointed to

the following Boards and Commissions.

COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD

Allen, Anthony, Ward 1, Term to expire May 31, 2028

Smith, Steven, Ward 4, Term to expire May 31, 2029

DISABILITIES COMMISSION

Facteau, Joseph, Ward 6, Term to expire June 15, 2028

Perkins, Richard, Ward 4, Term to expire June 15, 2028

Simmerman, Alexis, Ward 5, Term to expire June 15, 2028

Walz, Marlee, Ward 4, Term to expire June 15, 2028

HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

Gilligan, Megan, Ward 5, Term to expire December 31, 2025

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

Henry, Chad, Ward 2, Term to expire May 31, 2028

Morrison, Paul, Ward 3, Term to expire May 31, 2028

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

Darr, Cody, Ward 3, Term to expire May 31, 2029

Gray, Les, Ward 1, Term to expire May 31, 2027

Stockton, Kate, Ward 4, Term to expire May 31, 2029

YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

Kuroki, Kai, Ward 4, Term to expire June 1, 2028

IV. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT

SPC22-25

Jim Windsor - Change water utility property tax (equivalent) calculation and

stop increasing electric utility renewable energy requirement.

Jim Windsor, 200 Manor Drive, commented that since the annexation of the water plant,

the water utility had been paying a significant amount into the general fund, which would

increase upon completion of the water plant upgrades, suggested only the Columbia

portion of the property tax be paid to the general fund and for an increase in the

percentage of gross receipts tax, i.e., a one percent increase, as that would more than

cover the difference and allow for more money to go toward water infrastructure costs.

SPC23-25

Carol Rogers - Ash Street improvement project, the survey, and exploring

other options.

Carol Rogers, 111 Anderson Avenue, provided

handout, stated there had been

confusion related to the public engagement/open house that had been associated with

the Ash Street project a couple of months ago, explained many residents on and around

Ash Street wanted slower and safer traffic and the maintenance of the current street

footprint, which would not require the need to cut down trees or get into people’s yards,

and suggested Public Works staff implement design standards, such as 10-foot lanes

and asphalt art at the intersections, crosswalks, etc. to decrease accidents and injuries.

SPC24-25

Sterling Cage - Missourians' love for the wild.

Sterling Cage indicated he was concerned about the impact of development at the Gans

Creek Recreational Area, suggested a pause on the project and for a task force or

oversight committee to be created to help ensure the local ecosystem was not

endangered and for the opinions and approval of the broader public to be included,

provided a document with over 400 signatures, and pointed out that once the damage was

done to the area they could not get back to how it was before because the same

ecological purity would no longer remain.

V. PUBLIC HEARINGS

PH16-25

Proposed design and construction of sanitary sewers to serve the

Henderson Branch Watershed.

The public hearing was read by the City Clerk.

Interim Utilities Director Erin Keys provided a staff report, and responded to Council

questions and comments.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Joe Bechtold, 4906 Fall Brook Drive, explained he was the owner of the Midway Truck

Stop and believed this sewer extension would allow for more lower cost housing, similar

to what could be found north of I-70 in Columbia.

Tim Ross, 2450 N. Trails West, stated he was the owner of Midway Golf and Games,

which currently hooked up to the sewer with a force main underneath the Perche Creek,

felt this sewer extension would greatly benefit the City in terms of revenues as this area

was likely to develop soon, especially if the outer road was a part of the I-70 project, and

noted there were a lot of septic tanks and lagoons in the area so it was an opportune

time for a sewer extension.

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

The Council asked questions and made comments.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion authorizing staff to proceed with the final design

for the proposed construction of sanitary sewers to serve Henderson Branch and

to establish a special connection fee to recover the costs from the properties

served by the sewer. The motion was seconded by Council Member Peters, and

approved by voice vote with only Council Member Carroll voting no.

PH17-25

B100-25

Proposed construction of the Strawn Park Phase III improvement project.

Discussion shown with B100-25.

Authorizing construction of the Strawn Park Phase III improvement project;

calling for bids for a portion of the project through the Purchasing Division;

amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds.

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 responded to

Council questions.

Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.

Ken Rice, 209 Reedsport Ridge, asked the Council to consider a connector between the

Bellwood Subdivision and Strawn Park because currently there was not a safe way for

residents to get to the park.

Gabe Wilkerson, 2812 Burrwood Drive, indicated he had spoken to the Council ten years

ago as a representative of the Disc Golf Club when they had initially proposed and

advocated for Strawn Park and Harmony Bends, thanked the Council for the facility

because it was truly awesome, and explained the crossings would allow for the facility to

be used on more days within the year and attract major events along with people from out

of town on a more regular basis.

Adam Morrison, 3812 Oakland Gravel Road, the President of the Disc Golf Club, and

Jonathan Chott, the Vice President of the Disc Golf Club, provided statistics from the

UDisc website indicating Harmony Bend was the 340th most played course in the world,

277th most played course in the United States, and the seventh most played course in

Missouri and that almost 1,600 people had played their first round at this course over the

past year, explained Columbia had hosted the 2021 Selinske Championships, would

soon host the Amateur Disc Golf World Championships, and that these improvements

were essential to acquiring a third bid for a major event.

Justin Jackson, 1525 Timber Creek Drive, commented that the cost of this project should

be covered within the week of the upcoming championship event due to the number of

people participating, staying in hotels, eating at the restaurants, etc., these

improvements would likely bring PBJ events to Columbia annually, and Harmony Bends

was considered one of the best free courses in the world, which brought thousands of

people to Columbia to play.

Jeremy TeBeest, 504 S. Scott Boulevard, stated disc golf gave him purpose, kept him

and others outside in nature, and allowed for community building, and asked the Council

to support these investments.

Doug Hutcherson, 1601 Bold Ruler Court, explained this project would provide for better

accessibility as people with a bum ankle or knee would be able to cross safely, and it

would allow for walkers and strollers to be utilized, which would get more people involved

in Columbia’s disc golf community.

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

The Council asked questions and made comments.

B100-25 was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote recorded as

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

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

VI. OLD BUSINESS

R76-25

Affirming compliance with federal assurances and certifications and

committing to defend, indemnify and hold harmless city officials from any

claim, lawsuit, or demand brought under the false claims act or other

purported legal authority resulting from such employee’s good faith

performance of duties and obligations on behalf of the city related to the

filing of any assurances and certifications.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk.

City Counselor Nancy Thompson provided a staff report.

Alphia Hightower, a Second Ward resident, stated she did not see any rationalization or

justification for this as there was not any information as to the risk of prosecution or the

history of prosecution, wondered how the City Manager was different than most other City

employees in terms of potential risk, asked why this resolution was under old business,

had concerns about the language as it spoke to being in compliance and abiding by the

law but also discussed protecting people from potential prosecution, felt this was

associated with the policy resolution discussed and tabled at the prior meeting in terms

of whether the City was in violation, in compliance, or could be brought into compliance in

a way that was acceptable to the public and the Council, and questioned the need for the

protection, who would be protected, and if this language allowed for that protection

because she was not sure it did.

Ken Rice, 209 Reedsport Ridge, questioned the need for additional protections as he felt

any direction of the Council to the City Manager should be in compliance with the law.

The Council asked questions and made comments.

R76-25 was read by the City Clerk, and the vote was recorded as follows: VOTING

YES: FOSTER, WATERMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, SAMPLE. VOTING

NO: NO ONE. Resolution declared adopted, reading as follows:

B97-25

Authorizing a cost share agreement with the Missouri Highways and

Transportation Commission for additional pedestrian improvements

associated with the I-70 and US 63 interchange reconstruction project;

amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds.

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.

Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend B97-25 per the amendment sheet. The

motion was seconded by Council Member Peters and approved unanimously by

voice vote.

B97-25, as amended, was given third reading by the City Clerk with the vote

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

CARROLL, SAMPLE. 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.

B79-25

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

of Health and Human Services for HIV case management program

services; amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds;

amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by adding positions in the Public

Health and Human Services Department; amending the FY 2025 Annual

Budget Appendix - Authorized Full Time Equivalent (FTE) position

identification summary.

B80-25

B81-25

Authorizing a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior

Services for disease intervention specialist workforce program services.

Authorizing a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior

Services for local public health agency accreditation assistance program

services.

B82-25

Authorizing a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior

Services for sexual violence prevention and response program services;

amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds.

B83-25

B84-25

Authorizing Amendment No. 1 to the contract with the Missouri Department

of Health and Senior Services for rural PrEP clinic program services.

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

of Health and Senior Services for overdose data to action program

services.

B85-25

B86-25

Authorizing Amendment No. 1 to the contract with the Missouri Department

of Health and Senior Services for high impact HIV prevention and

surveillance program services.

Authorizing acceptance of a notice of award from the Department of Health

and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration - Center for Substance Abuse Treatment for the Boone

County community paramedic program; amending the FY 2025 Annual

Budget by appropriating funds.

B87-25

Authorizing a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior

Services for fetal and infant mortality review program services; amending

the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds; amending the FY 2025

Annual Budget adding a position in the Public Health and Human Services

Department; amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget Appendix - Authorized

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) position identification summary; amending the

FY 2025 Classification and Pay Plan by adding a classification.

B89-25

B90-25

Rezoning property located on the west side of Merideth Drive and north of

Chapel Hill Road from District R-2 (Two-family Dwelling) to District R-MF

(Multi-family Dwelling) (Case No. 131-2025).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Family First Rentals

and Investments, LLC to allow the operation of a short-term rental on

property located at 3411 Goldenwood Drive; providing a severability

clause (Case No. 84-2025).

B91-25

B92-25

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Nelson Property

Investments, LLC to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property

located at 608 N. West Boulevard; providing a severability clause (Case

No. 132-2025).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Byron and Beth

Critchfield and Caroline and Timothy Fox to allow the operation of a

short-term rental on property located at 310 Sanford Avenue; providing a

severability clause (Case No. 133-2025).

B93-25

B94-25

B95-25

B96-25

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Francee Gordon to

allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 9 McBaine

Avenue; providing a severability clause (Case No. 135-2025).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Tia Brown to allow the

operation of a short-term rental on property located at 5 McBaine Avenue;

providing a severability clause (Case No. 136-2025).

Approving the Final Plat of “Legacy Woods, Plat No. 1” located on the north

side of Crabapple Lane and west of Sinclair Road; authorizing a

performance contract (Case No. 101-2025).

Authorizing Phase 1 and Phase 2 construction of the Municipal Services

Center - South facility and salt storage building located on the west side of

Sinclair Road and south of Nifong Boulevard; calling for bids through the

Purchasing Division.

B98-25

B99-25

B101-25

B102-25

Authorizing and ratifying a data link agreement with the Sikeston Board of

Municipal Utilities for the exchange of digital information regarding power

and energy transfers.

Authorizing a mutual termination, release and quit claim of easement for

electric transmission line purposes to Boone Stephens Solar I, LLC;

directing the City Clerk to have the conveyance recorded.

Authorizing an airport aid agreement with the Missouri Highways and

Transportation Commission for air service promotion; amending the FY

2025 annual budget by appropriating funds.

Authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc.

for the Columbia Financial Enterprise Resource System (COFERS) project

to remove software maintenance and support for the Content Manager,

Incident Management, and Citizen Self Service modules and add the

Enterprise Permitting & Licensing Credit Card Payment API (PayIt) and

ERP (Munis) API Toolkit Bundle modules.

B103-25

B104-25

Authorizing an agreement with the City of Jefferson, Missouri for utilization

of the Hyde Park Road fire training facility.

Authorizing a user agency agreement with the Missouri State Highway

Patrol for access to the Volunteer and Employee Criminal History Service

for background checks of Public Health and Human Services Department

employees who have direct interaction with clients and children associated

with home visiting program services.

B105-25

Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by eliminating a position in the

Economic Development Department; amending the FY 2025 Annual

Budget Appendix - Authorized Full Time Equivalent (FTE) position

identification summary; amending the FY 2025 Classification and Pay Plan

by closing, consolidating, adding, and reassigning classifications.

R65-25

Setting a public hearing: proposed construction of improvements at Twin

Lakes Recreation Area.

R66-25

R67-25

Authorizing an adopt a spot agreement.

Authorizing a special event operations agreement with Columbia Art

League for the 2025 Art in the Park event.

R68-25

R69-25

R70-25

Authorizing a special event operations agreement with FPC LIVE, LLC for

a Central Bank Downtown Live outdoor concert event on Ninth Street.

Authorizing an agreement with Columbia Mall L.L.C. for the 2025 “Tons of

Trucks” event.

Authorizing an agreement with CUES, Inc. for licensing, support and

maintenance of the GraniteNet stormwater and sewer inspection software

system.

R71-25

R73-25

R74-25

Authorizing an amendment to the agreement for professional engineering

services with Own, Inc, formerly Anderson Engineering, Inc., relating to the

Crestridge Drive culvert replacement project.

Authorizing a contract with Great River Associates, Inc., d/b/a Great River

Engineering, for design services associated with the Business Loop 70

corridor study.

Authorizing consent to assignment of a long-term parking lot lease

agreement with 10th and Locust, L.L.C. and GPL Brookside PropCo, LLC

associated with spaces located in the Locust Street surface parking lot.

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

Clerk with the vote recorded as follows: VOTING YES: FOSTER, WATERMAN,

PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, SAMPLE. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bills declared

enacted and resolutions declared adopted, reading as follows:

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

R75-25

Expressing support for policies and initiatives that enhance public safety

and reduce violent crime.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk.

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

comments.

R75-25 was read by the City Clerk, and the vote was recorded as follows: VOTING

YES: FOSTER, WATERMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, SAMPLE. VOTING

NO: NO ONE. Resolution declared adopted, reading as follows:

R72-25

Authorizing an agreement for professional engineering services with Black

& Veatch Corporation for the preparation of revised cost estimates

associated with construction of a 161 kV overhead transmission line from

the Grindstone Substation to the Perche Creek Substation.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk.

Interim Utilities Director Erin Keys provided a staff report, and she and Engineering

Manager David Storvick responded to Council questions and comments.

R72-25 was read by the City Clerk, and the vote was recorded as follows: VOTING

YES: FOSTER, WATERMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE, CARROLL, SAMPLE. 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.

B106-25

B107-25

B108-25

Vacating a portion of the Artemis Drive right-of-way located south of

Endeavor Avenue; directing the City Clerk to record the ordinance (Case

No. 118-2025).

Vacating utility and drainage easements within Discovery Park Subdivision

located at the terminus of Artemis Drive and south of Endeavor Avenue;

directing the City Clerk to record the ordinance (Case No. 113-2025).

Approving a major amendment to the PD Planned Development and

Preliminary Plat of “Discovery Apartments” located at the terminus of

Artemis Drive and south of Endeavor Avenue; approving a statement of

intent; amending Ordinance No. 018043 to approve an increase in the

maximum gross square footage of buildable floor area set forth in Exhibit

21 - Table A established for Tracts 4, 5, and 9 (Case No. 92-2025).

B109-25

B110-25

B111-25

B112-25

Granting a design adjustment relating to the proposed Final Plat of Oscar

Plat 1 to allow direct driveway connections to Vandiver Drive and Range

Line Street (Case No. 90-2025).

Approving the Final Plat of “Oscar Plat 1” located on the northwest corner

of Range Line Street and Vandiver Drive (1901 Range Line Street);

authorizing a performance contract (Case No. 90-2025).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Claire Altman to allow

the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 115 Clinton

Drive; providing a severability clause (Case No. 130-2025).

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Stealth Rental

Properties LLC to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property

located at 1010 W. Broadway; providing a severability clause (Case No.

161-2025).

B113-25

B114-25

Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Signature Collections

LLC to allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 221

Brenda Lane; providing a severability clause (Case No. 162-2025).

Authorizing an annexation agreement with D & D Investments of Columbia,

LLC for property located on the north side of St. Charles Road and west of

Route Z; directing the City Clerk to have the agreement recorded (Case

No. 61-2025).

B115-25

Authorizing an agreement for professional engineering services with

George L. Crawford & Associates, Inc., d/b/a CBB, for a road audit of the

Business Loop 70 corridor; amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by

appropriating funds.

B116-25

B117-25

Accepting conveyances for sewer purposes; accepting a Stormwater

Management/BMP Facilities Covenant; directing the City Clerk to have the

conveyances recorded.

Approving a revised Twin Lakes Recreation Area Master Plan; authorizing

construction of improvements at Twin Lakes Recreation Area; calling for

bids for a portion of the project through the Purchasing Division.

B118-25

B119-25

Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by adding a position in the Public

Health and Human Services Department; amending the FY 2025 Annual

Budget Appendix - Authorized Full Time Equivalent (FTE) position

identification summary; amending the FY 2025 Classification and Pay Plan

by reassigning a classification.

Authorizing a tourism development sponsorship agreement with The

Curators of the University of Missouri for the 2025 Missouri State Senior

Games and Show-Me State Games.

B120-25

B121-25

Authorizing an agreement with The Curators of the University of Missouri

for the 2025 Missouri State Senior Games and Show-Me State Games.

Amending Chapter 24 of the City Code to establish requirements relating

to trenchless excavation associated with the installation of utilities in public

rights-of-way.

X. REPORTS

REP25-25

Monthly Finance Report.

Finance Director Matthew Lue provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions

and comments.

XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF

Eugene Elkin, 3406 Range Line Street, explained the Pastor at Wilkes Boulevard United

Methodist Church had invited other churches to their 10:45 a.m. Sunday service as the

homeless have breakfast and participate in that service, noted this allowed people to see

what the homeless had to go through, invited the Council to participate as well, and

thanked everyone for the good work toward the effort to help the homeless.

Anthony Johnson, a Second Ward resident, stated his concern that some the questions

asked by the public and the Council earlier did not receive a response, and felt it was

reasonable to expect answers to questions without an attitude.

Tanya Heath, a Fourth Ward resident, commented that she understood a lot of people

would gladly serve on a committee to assist with successful outcomes for people that

were homeless, provided donation meters similar to parking meters as an example so

people were not in medians or approaching others with that money going to the groups

that were most informed to help and relocate the homeless with their support systems,

thanked the police and fire personnel for their services, and noted many wanted to have

conversations and help make a difference for better outcomes for their children and

grandchildren.

The Council and staff discussed various topics to include encouraging interested people

to participate in the adopt-a-spot program as it was nice to see beautification via flowers

at certain intersections throughout the community, recognizing the fact that there were

various reasons people had short-term rentals, such as enjoying hospitality or due to

financial realities, acknowledging the end to the agreement with Boone Stephens for solar

array and hoping someone else with a similar idea would come forward as it was a

shame to lose that power supply possibility, thanking everyone involved with the City

Council Retreat for the event as it was helpful to build relationships to more effectively

work together with staff and fellow council members, have in-depth conversations

regarding upcoming issues, and continue with process improvements, appreciation for

communication with the unions during the pre-council meeting, continuing to support the

City Manager, especially with regard to actions on behalf of the City Council, as it was

deserved, thanking the CoMo Connectors as well as D’Markus Thomas-Brown for

successful Third Ward Let’s Talk Local event, noting the Let’s Talk Local event was a

beautiful way to reach citizens, encouraging citizens to participate in future Let ’s Talk

Local events as it was a great opportunity to speak to the City Council and staff about

priorities and concerns, reminding everyone to attend the Gold Star Memorial Day

Parade, which would be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday for the first time in six years, and

campaign contribution reform.

Council Member Sample made

motion for

report regarding municipal

campaign contribution reform, which would include metrics from other cities

along with potential enforcement mechanisms. The motion was seconded by

Council Member Carroll and approved by voice vote with only Council Member

Waterman and Council Member Peters voting no.

The Council and staff continued to discuss various topics to include PR56-25, which was

related to the City’s strategic plan and had been discussed and tabled at the May 5,

2025 Council Meeting.

Mayor Buffaloe made

motion for staff to bring forward an amendment to

PR56-25 that would remove the proposed changes to the core value of equity.

The motion was seconded by Council Member Foster and approved unanimously

by voice vote.

The Council and staff continued to discuss various topics to include assistance needed

from staff with regard to what potential engagement associated with PR56-25 would look

like as well as identifying the impacts of federal funding on local programs and

processes.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned without objection at 9:12 p.m.