City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
City Hall  
Tuesday, September 2, 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 Tuesday, September 2, 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 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 August 18, 2025 were approved unanimously by  
voice vote on a motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by Council Member Foster.  
Council Member Elwood asked that B218-25 be moved from the consent agenda to old  
business.  
Mayor Buffaloe understood R128-25 needed to be moved from the consent agenda to new  
business at the request of staff due to a needed amendment.  
The agenda, including the consent agenda with B218-25 being moved to old business and  
R128-25 being moved to new business, was approved unanimously by voice vote on a  
motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by Council Member Elwood.  
II. SPECIAL ITEMS  
SI16-25  
Recognition of Youth Delegation to Our Sister City, Hakusan, Japan.  
Mayor Buffaloe recognized the five Columbia Public Schools (CPS) high school students,  
Jack McRae, Josie Ross, Isaac Beary, Cole Donigian, and Caitlin Collins, who had  
participated in an educational and cultural trip to Hakusan, Japan this past summer with  
the Columbia STEM Alliance. The students presented Mayor Buffaloe with two decorative  
items that were sent from the Mayor’s Office in Hakusan, Japan and were made from  
Ushikubi Tsumugi, which was a traditional silk textile from that same region of Japan.  
SI17-25  
Recognizing the City of Columbia Convention & Visitors Bureau's  
reaccreditation in the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program  
(DMAP) administered by Destinations International (DI).  
Mayor Buffaloe recognized the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau for obtaining  
reaccreditation through December 2030 from Destinations International for meeting the  
rigorous standards for industry excellence, accountability, and performance.  
Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Amy Schneider pointed out Megan McConachie,  
who was also with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, had been instrumental in ensuring  
they received this recognition.  
III. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS  
None.  
IV. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT  
SPC37-25  
Carrie Gartner - The Loop Community Improvement District's 2025 Annual  
Report.  
Carrie Gartner, Executive Director of the Business Loop CID, provided a copy of their  
annual report and highlighted a few things that were happening within the CID, such as  
partnering with the City in advocating for a $2 million planning grant, hiring an engineer to  
create detailed engineering plans to allow them to have shovel-ready projects in the  
future, conducting a road safety audit of the area, a small uptick in sales tax, the CoMo  
Cook Shared Kitchen, which was partially funded with ARPA funds and had 51 clients  
this past year, the new educational robotics foundation, and giving scholarships to two  
great businesses.  
SPC38-25  
SPC39-25  
Travis P. Miller - Requesting council consideration and/or support of a  
disabled veteran, carried out by other veterans and lawyers using the court  
system.  
Travis Miller did not come forward to speak.  
Dr. Les Gray - Concerns regarding the FLOCK system's implementation  
and follow-through with policy.  
Les Gray, a First Ward resident, expressed concerns with the Flock system, including  
having to trust that those utilizing it were only using it for authorized reasons, wondering  
how the City could control its use when they did not own the server in which the data was  
stored or processed, the lack of clarity with regard to partner agencies and the reasons  
for partnering, the general search terms, such as “daytime search for best result,” the  
policy contradicting the information as the policy said search reasons could not be one  
word or used for traffic enforcement but the data showed something different, the  
“reasons” data from the Flock community transparency portal missing between July and  
August of 2025, there being so few public checks to the Flock system’s power, the  
capability for abuse of searches, and the best case scenario being that the police to tell  
on each other, which was not good policy, stated that being constantly surveilled did not  
make her feel safer, but instead reminded her of how increasing less safe she was,  
wondered if the City Council and City Manager were aware of the “reasons” disappearing  
in the portal, if it aligned with their expectations about the spirit and letter of the policy  
drafted, and whether policy or practice could be amended to address these concerns,  
pointed out they did not have the luxury of moving forward as if surveillance did not  
facilitate seamless user experiences that were historically and presently characterized by  
kidnapping, murder, and prosecution of people whose only crimes or suspicious patterns  
might be to be poor, pregnant, or not white, and felt they would not be safe until everyone  
was safe.  
SPC40-25  
Rev. Marcus Richardson - Community trends manual as it relates to blacks  
in Columbia.  
Marcus Richardson referred to the economic report discussed at the prior council  
meeting as the numbers were alarming for the black community, particularly with regard  
to the median household income as the income gaps, which were between $34,400 and  
$15,000, were continuing to persist, increasing $11,100 over the measured five year  
period, implying pay inequality, wondered how they had gotten to this point and what  
could be done to address it, provided various statistics suggesting the numbers had only  
been getting worse, recommended they look at this issue from an economic perspective  
because those not making money would become desperate, resulting in a rise in crime,  
drug use, poverty, and government assistance and services, explained the black  
community could not address this issue alone as they needed the City along with those  
within the City as well as the community of support to come together to help close the  
gap, suggested proper job training for a livable wage and identifying job fairs and  
programs that provided a livable wage paying job, and stated the Southern Christian  
Leadership Council (SCLC) wanted to be a part of the solution, welcoming others to join  
them in addressing this economic gap, which also impacted housing, education, public  
safety, healthcare, etc.  
SPC41-25  
Jen Bryan & Terry Haupt - Brief remarks regarding the proposed Ashford  
Place development.  
Jen Bryan, a resident of the Brooks Subdivision, expressed concerns regarding the  
Ashford Place development scheduled to come before the Planning and Zoning  
Commission on September 4, as it would include dense multi-unit apartments accessible  
by only local streets, cause traffic and safety issues by adding hundreds of trips without  
improvements to area roadways, and allow for a plan with many variances for small  
postage stamp style lots, inadequate parking, and undeveloped floodplain as greenspace,  
and asked that the development be given careful scrutiny when it came before the City  
Council.  
Terry Haupt, 1224 Shore Acres Loop, believed the Ashford Place development could have  
significant land use consequences and could set a precedent that would directly affect  
their neighborhood as well as future neighborhoods citywide, explained the development  
was being presented as single-family attached dwellings with three units per structure,  
but would only be triplex apartments, noted this development would not allow for  
homeownership as the developer planned to retain ownership of all of the land and units,  
and pointed out the design would only meet the minimum standards, which he felt was  
not acceptable.  
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS  
PH26-25  
FY 2026 Annual Budget for the City of Columbia.  
Discussion shown with B183-25.  
B183-25  
Adopting a budget for the City of Columbia, Missouri for the fiscal year  
October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026 (FY 2026); providing that  
certain amounts shown in the budget document are appropriated for the  
various departments specified in said budget.  
The public hearing was read by the City Clerk, and the bill was given third reading by the  
City Clerk.  
Finance Director Matthew Lue and Budget Analyst II Meganne Montesinos provided a  
staff report, and they along with City Manager De’Carlon Seewood and Assistant IT  
Director Randy Wyatt responded to Council questions and comments.  
Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.  
Traci Wilson-Kleekamp, Race Matters, Friends, commented that she liked the fact the  
City was responding to the capital projects audit, stated she found this a very onerous  
process, suggested a narrative be provided in the future, expressed concern that capital  
improvement projects included a huge debt service, which meant not all of the money  
was going toward projects, suggested demographic and poverty data be provided by each  
zip code, ward, and police beat, and asked for consistency in language, using affordable  
housing versus attainable housing as an example.  
Tanya Heath, a Fourth Ward resident, suggested council members that had received  
union endorsements recuse themselves with regard to the budget in order to maintain  
public trust since the City was dipping into its reserves to fund the budget, wondered  
what would happen if they continued utilizing reserves to pay for raises because that was  
not sustainable, and pointed it was important to focus on the core mission of the City,  
which included quality of life items and basic necessities, such as potholes, safety,  
electricity, and water.  
Ken Rice, a Second Ward resident, agreed with the comments of Tanya Heath, felt  
unions should not be able to endorse or support candidates as it created a conflict of  
interest and kept them from their main duty of supporting the taxpayers who elected  
them, thought a charter change was needed as he understood council members could  
not currently recuse themselves without council or city attorney approval, suggested  
better transparency with regard to the budget so it was understandable, and expressed  
concern with deficit spending because it was not sustainable.  
Eugene Elkin, 3406 Range Line Street, suggested they scrap this and start over if they  
did not understand it and expressed concerns with Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist  
Church closing as it would impact him, the homeless, and others.  
There being no further comment, Mayor Buffaloe closed the public hearing, and explained  
B183-25 would be continued to the September 15, 2025 Council Meeting.  
The Council asked questions and made comments.  
Mayor Buffaloe made  
a
motion to amend Exhibit  
A
of B183-25 by approving  
Amendment Nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 29, 30, 37, 38,  
39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 49, 52, and 53, which were corrections. The motion was  
seconded by Council Member Foster, and approved unanimously by voice vote.  
Mayor Buffaloe made  
a
motion to amend Exhibit  
A
of B183-25 by approving  
Amendment Nos. 16, 22, 31, 32, 33, 34, 43, and 48, which were encumbrances.  
The motion was seconded by Council Member Waterman, and approved  
unanimously by voice vote.  
The Council asked further questions and made additional comments.  
Mayor Buffaloe made  
a
motion to amend Exhibit  
A
of B183-25 by approving  
Amendment Nos. 27 and 55 through 74, which were personnel related. The  
motion was seconded by Council Member Sample, and approved unanimously  
by voice vote.  
The Council asked additional questions.  
Mayor Buffaloe made  
a
motion to amend Exhibit  
A
of B183-25 by approving  
Amendment Nos. 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 15, 18, 24, 25, 28, 35, 36, 45, 47, 50, 51, and 54,  
which were new items. The motion was seconded by Council Member Peters,  
and approved unanimously by voice vote.  
Mayor Buffaloe explained this B183-25, as amended, would be discussed and voted on at  
the September 15, 2025 Council Meeting.  
VI. OLD BUSINESS  
B184-25  
Amending Chapter 27 of the City Code as it relates to electric utility rates.  
The bill was given third reading by the City Clerk.  
Utilities Director Erin Keys provided a staff report, and she and Assistant Utilities Director  
Sarah Talbert responded to Council questions and comments.  
Devlin Wilde, 301 Sondra Avenue, stated the scholarship program was very helpful,  
suggested a set amount be received every month instead of $900 flowing gradually  
throughout the month as it would allow people to budget better and be more aware of  
what they were spending in terms of energy use.  
The Council made comments.  
B184-25 was given fourth 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:  
B205-25  
Amending Chapter 14 of the City Code as it relates to parking meter rates.  
The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.  
Public Works Director Shane Creech and Economic Supervisor Deepayan Debnath  
provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions and comments.  
Nickie Davis with The District, 11. S. Tenth Street, asked that this be postponed as the  
Downtown CID’s Board had not been aware of it and wanted time to discuss it.  
The Council asked questions and made comments.  
Council Member Carroll made a motion to table B205-25 to the September 15,  
2025 Council Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mayor Buffaloe. After  
discussion, the Council approved the motion unanimously by voice vote.  
B206-25  
Amending Chapter 22 of the City Code to suspend transportation fares for  
users of the GoCOMO Public Transit System for the period October 1,  
2025 to September 30, 2026.  
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.  
Nickie Davis with The District, 11. S. Tenth Street, stated they were withdrawing their  
request to table this item since a change was not feasible immediately, and asked that  
City staff meet with the Downtown CID Board regarding this issue.  
Lily White Boyd, Vice President of External Affairs at the Columbia Chamber of  
Commerce, commented that, in response to Council Member Waterman, the  
presentation they had heard during the Leadership Visit this past year was regarding  
Durham, noted she still had the contact information for that person along with the  
transportation person from Chapel Hill, and pointed out the system at Chapel Hill was  
different because they had a contract with the University and had a high student ridership.  
The Council made comments.  
B206-25 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:  
B216-25  
Authorizing a consolidated grant agreement with the Missouri Highways  
and Transportation Commission for FY 2026 transportation planning  
purposes (Case No. 283-2025).  
The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.  
Development Services Manager Pat Zenner provided a staff report.  
Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend B216-25 per the amendment sheet,  
which would replace Exhibit A. The motion was seconded by Council Member  
Foster, and approved unanimously by voice vote.  
B216-25, as amended, 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:  
B224-25  
Authorizing a Software as a Service (SaaS) agreement with Tyler  
Technologies, Inc. for a Records Management System (RMS) for the  
Police Department.  
The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.  
Police Chief Schlude provided a staff report, and responded to Council questions.  
B224-25 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:  
B218-25  
Amending Chapter 2 of the City Code as it relates to closed records.  
The bill was given second reading by the City Clerk.  
City Counselor Nancy Thompson provided a staff report, and responded to Council  
questions and comments.  
Traci Wilson-Kleekamp wondered if this meant she would no longer be provided access  
to videos with minors in it, even with the permission of the parents and when using the  
video for educational purposes, and asked for clarification.  
The Council asked questions and made comments.  
Council Member Elwood made a motion to table B218-25 to the September 15,  
2025 Council Meeting. The motion was seconded by Council Member Sample.  
After discussion, the motion was approved by voice vote with only Council  
Member Peters voting no.  
VII. CONSENT AGENDA  
The following bills were given second reading and the resolutions were read by the City  
Clerk.  
B207-25  
B208-25  
Amending Chapter 29 of the City Code as it relates to planning and zoning  
processing fees (Case No. 282-2025).  
Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Lonao Holdings LLC  
to allow a "mechanical and construction contractors" use on property  
located at 1000 Kennesaw Ridge Road in an M-C (Mixed Use - Corridor)  
zoning district (Case No. 238-2025).  
B209-25  
B210-25  
Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Old School, LLC to  
allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 1406 Pratt  
Street; providing a severability clause (Case No. 249-2025).  
Approving the PD Planned Development of “Alan Creek Estates Plat 1”  
located on the northwest corner of McKee Street and Alan Lane (1805  
McKee Street); approving a revised statement of intent (Case No.  
207-2025).  
B211-25  
B212-25  
Rezoning property located on the north side of Artic Wolf Court and south  
of Smiley Lane (203 Artic Wolf Court) from District R-MF (Multiple-family  
Dwelling) to District PD (Planned Development); approving the PD Plan of  
“Vanderveen Village,” inclusive of requested design exceptions; approving  
the statement of intent (Case No. 184-2025).  
Rezoning property located on the north side of St. Charles Road and east  
of Lakewood Drive (5717 E. St. Charles Road) from District P-D (Planned  
Development) to District M-N (Mixed-use Neighborhood) (Case No.  
197-2025).  
B213-25  
B214-25  
B215-25  
B217-25  
Rezoning property located on the east side of the terminus of Stevendave  
Drive (4215 Stevendave Drive) from District R-1 (One-family Dwelling) to  
District R-2 (Two-family Dwelling) (Case No. 240-2025).  
Granting a waiver and design adjustment associated with the Final Plat of  
Fellows Addition # 8 for sidewalk construction along a portion of the west  
side of Rock Quarry Road (Case No. 246-2025).  
Approving the Final Plat of “Grindstone Commercial Plat 1” located on the  
southeast corner of Grindstone Parkway and State Farm Parkway;  
authorizing a performance contract (Case No. 206-2025).  
Authorizing a second amendment to the PCS antenna co-location  
agreement with T-Mobile Central LLC associated with the lease of property  
on Chapel Hill Road (Fire Station No. 6).  
B219-25  
B220-25  
Amending Chapter 3 of the City Code as it relates to parking at the  
Columbia Regional Airport.  
Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds for  
construction services related to pavement repairs to Runway 2-20 at the  
Columbia Regional Airport.  
B221-25  
B222-25  
Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds to refund an  
overpayment received from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator  
(MISO) to the City’s Electric Utility.  
Authorizing a joint funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey,  
United States Department of the Interior for operation and maintenance of  
a streamgage on Hinkson Creek to provide historical stream flow data and  
flood stage information.  
B223-25  
Accepting conveyances for utility, temporary public turnaround and water  
purposes; accepting Stormwater Management/BMP Facilities Covenants;  
directing the City Clerk to have the conveyances recorded.  
B225-25  
B226-25  
Authorizing a tourism development sponsorship agreement with The  
Curators of University of Missouri for 2025-2026 Concert Series events.  
Authorizing a participation agreement with the Missouri Department of  
Health and Senior Services for site inspection services associated with the  
summer food service program and at-risk afterschool program.  
B227-25  
B228-25  
Authorizing a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior  
Services for public health emergency preparedness program services.  
Authorizing Amendment No. 1 to the contract with the Missouri Department  
of Health and Senior Services for Show Me Healthy Women program  
services.  
B229-25  
Authorizing an environmental child care sanitation inspections participation  
agreement with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.  
B230-25  
R118-25  
Authorizing an air services agreement with United Airlines, Inc.  
Setting a public hearing: proposed construction of a sidewalk improvement  
project along the south side of West Broadway, between Maplewood Drive  
and West Boulevard.  
R119-25  
R120-25  
Setting a public hearing: proposed voluntary annexation of property located  
on the south side of I-70 Drive SE and east of Easter Lane (7098 I-70  
Drive SE) (Case No. 292-2025).  
Setting a public hearing: proposed voluntary annexation of property located  
on the northwest corner of Clark Lane and Lakewood Drive (Case No.  
293-2025).  
R121-25  
R122-25  
Authorizing application to the Missouri Division of Tourism for a grant in  
support of 2026 Juneteenth events.  
Authorizing a second amendment to the statement of work under the  
master service agreement with PayIt, LLC to include additional payment  
channels and future services related to online payments associated with  
permitting and citation transactions.  
R123-25  
Authorizing a host and venue agreement with the National Collegiate  
Athletic Association (NCAA) for the 2027 Division I Men’s and Women’s  
Cross Country Regional Championship event.  
R124-25  
R125-25  
Accepting a donation of one (1) canine from the Columbia Police  
Foundation to be used for the Police Department’s K-9 Program.  
Expressing support for the construction of a housing development to be  
known as Spartan Pointe II to be located on the southeast corner of Battle  
Avenue and Spartan Drive and TerraVest Development Corp.’s  
associated application to the Missouri Housing Development Commission  
for low-income housing tax credits.  
R126-25  
R127-25  
Expressing support for the construction of a senior housing development to  
be known as Gentry Estates IV to be located on the south side of Nifong  
Boulevard and east of Bethel Street and JES Dev Co, Inc.’s associated  
application to the Missouri Housing Development Commission for  
low-income housing tax credits.  
Approving the Preliminary Plat of “Totolmajac Villages” located on the east  
side of Oakland Gravel Road and south of Blue Ridge Road (Case No.  
166-2025).  
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  
R128-25  
Authorizing a fifth amendment to the collective bargaining agreement with  
Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 955.  
The resolution was read by the City Clerk.  
Human Resources Director Kathy Baker provided a staff report.  
Mayor Buffaloe made a motion to amend R128-25 per the amendment sheet,  
which would replace Exhibit B to Attachment A. The motion was seconded by  
Council Member Peters, and approved unanimously by voice vote.  
R128-25, as amended, was read by the City Clerk, and the vote was recorded as  
follows: VOTING YES: WATERMAN, PETERS, BUFFALOE, ELWOOD, SAMPLE,  
FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. ABSENT: CARROLL (Council Member Carroll  
stepped out during the vote on this item). 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.  
B231-25  
B232-25  
B233-25  
Amending Chapter 2 of the City Code as it relates to city departments;  
amending Chapter 19 of the City Code as it relates to personnel policies,  
procedures, rules and regulations.  
Adopting the FY 2026 Classification and Pay Plans; establishing  
implementation dates of September 28, 2025 and January 18, 2026;  
providing for salary adjustments for eligible employees.  
Establishing plan year 2026 active employee medical premium rates,  
active employee dental premium rates, and non-Medicare and Medicare  
medical and retiree dental premium rates for the City of Columbia;  
providing for payroll withholdings.  
B234-25  
B235-25  
Granting the issuance of a conditional use permit to Stephen Dupre to  
allow the operation of a short-term rental on property located at 207 W.  
Briarwood Lane; providing a severability clause (Case No. 250-2025).  
Approving the Final Plat of “Bethel Baptist Church Plat 1” located on the  
northeast corner of Old Plank Road and Bethel Church Road; authorizing a  
performance contract (Case No. 219-2025).  
B236-25  
Authorizing an amendment to the financial assistance agreement with the  
Missouri Department of Natural Resources associated with the preparation  
of a new historic preservation plan to establish goals and priorities for the  
identification and registration of historic properties within the city (Case No.  
258-2023).  
B237-25  
B238-25  
B239-25  
B240-25  
B241-25  
Authorizing a transportation alternatives program supplemental agreement  
with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the  
Oakland Gravel Road (Blue Ridge Road to Smiley Lane) sidewalk project.  
Authorizing a cost match letter of commitment to the Missouri Department  
of Natural Resources as it relates to a grid resilience formula funding  
program grant for the replacement of electric transmission poles.  
Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the  
amount of $120,000 for maintenance on Fire Department vehicle  
apparatus.  
Amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating funds in the  
amount of $3,327,800 to provide for end-of-year adjustments in certain  
departmental personnel accounts.  
Authorizing an agreement for professional services with TMT Consulting,  
LLC for trauma informed and community mental health trainings and  
presentations; amending the FY 2025 Annual Budget by appropriating  
funds in the amount of $21,000.  
X. REPORTS  
REP46-25  
Proposed 2026 Legislative Priorities.  
Assistant to the City Manager Stacey Weidemann provided a staff report, and responded  
to Council questions and comments.  
XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF  
Harry Castilow,  
a Fifth Ward resident, expressed disagreement with prior speakers  
alluding to a possible lack of integrity with regard to decision-making on the budget due  
to being endorsed by unions, stated that unionization had a huge positive impact on the  
income inequality gap of the minorities mentioned by Reverend Richardson, which was  
something that should be a priority for this Council, felt implying a lack of integrity for  
communicating solidarity with union workers was off-base, and pointed out the Council  
gave their time to the service of the City, which was more than most citizens had done,  
and that the other 98 percent did not agree with those comments or concerns.  
Traci Wilson-Kleekamp, Race Matters, Friends, pointed out many people were able to  
make it to the middle class because of unions, believed better data was needed on  
poverty and demographics to allow for more precision-oriented choices, suggested a  
better inventory of the housing stock in terms of location, year built, type of structure,  
whether it had electric or gas service, etc., felt better data would help address the  
structural barriers and income inequality, noted the City did not chart or plan for growth or  
determine the cost of growth, explained income equality was the byproduct of not  
seriously taking stock in the multitude of structural problems that had produced disparate  
outcomes for years, and stated a serious and honest discussion about housing, violence,  
etc. in the now was needed.  
Eugene Elkin, 3406 Range Line Street, stated the homeless were people and should be  
treated as such, felt the success of the homeless was beneficial as they could then  
contribute more as taxpayers, expressed his shock with the closing of Wilkes United  
Methodist Church along with concern for Turning Point and the homeless, and suggested  
the City become knowledgeable about the ownership of mobile home parks, even when  
ownership was within layers of limited liability companies.  
The Council and staff discussed various topics to include the August 15, 2025 Columbia  
Police Department (CPD) academy graduation, the fact a new academy with 16  
prospective officers would start tomorrow, looking forward to that academy graduation,  
thanking the Finance Department staff for their work on the budget even though they had  
expressed frustrations with it as they understood it was time and labor intensive, the  
hope that the Finance Department appreciated their comments regarding the budget as  
ways for improvement, appreciation for the Police Department for assisting with safety  
issues in the East Campus area at the start of the school year, thanking staff for  
providing detailed information as to the portion of the budget that helped to alleviate  
disparities in poverty rates along with a desire for a way to share that information with the  
public as it was not all in one location or easy to disseminate, appreciation for the  
comments of the Tenants Union at the prior council meeting, which included students, as  
first time tenants, not knowing their rights as tenants, violations being underreported, and  
the need to increase the frequency of inspections, the desire to address this and other  
staffing needs by January, items on the consent agenda, particularly the affordable and  
senior housing projects, sidewalk improvements and expansions, the adoption of a dog,  
and the union contract, the importance of public outreach, upcoming events this month,  
such as One Read events at the Daniel Boone Regional Library, including Mayor Buffaloe  
leading a discussion on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., a Lunch and Learn about Solarize  
Columbia at the library on September 10, and participation in the Week Without Driving,  
Council Member Elwood holding office hours on the Saturdays prior to the council  
meetings with the first one being held virtually on September 13 at 10:00 a.m., concerns  
regarding the poverty rate for minority groups and the need for that to stay at the front of  
their minds as something that needed to be addressed, staffing for the Office of Violence  
Prevention, the fact the Violence Prevention Administrator D’Markus Thomas-Brown  
would provide a memo to the Council regarding the work of that Office and its potential  
needs, appreciation from Council Member Foster for the support of the Council while he  
was out of town as he had missed the last council meeting, seeing the newly paved  
roads downtown as it was another indication that work was happening on a regular basis  
in Columbia, explaining that the issue with the Flock transparency portal not showing the  
reasons or searches was due to a program update requiring the site to be refreshed and  
that staff would look at the portal from the public side on a regular basis to try to address  
issues with the portal in a more timely manner, and requesting that the needed changes  
to the personnel index associated with the budget be included in the new Exhibit A to  
B183-25A, which was the ordinance adopting the budget.  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting was adjourned without objection at 11:25 p.m.