City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Disabilities Commission  
City Hall  
Thursday, February 13, 2025  
3:00 PM  
Regular  
Council Chambers  
701 East Broadway  
Columbia, Missouri  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Jacque Sample called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.  
(Jonathan Asher, John Bowders, Patrika Brown, Kieta Clay, Vera Elwood, Ann Marie  
Gortmaker appeared virtually)  
Staff Present: Adam Kruse, Stacey Weidemann, Earl Kraus  
No members of the public appeared in person. No members of the public appeared  
virtually  
11 -  
Present:  
Rene Powell, Ann Marie Gortmaker, Jacquelyn Sample, John Bowders, Jonathan  
Asher, Danessa Clay, Patrika Brown, Cathy Dolles, Vera Elwood, Adam Kruse and  
Alexis Simmerman  
1 - Hazel Fields  
Excused:  
1 - Andrea Lisenby  
Unexcused:  
II. INTRODUCTIONS  
Statement by Chair on Virtual Participation  
Jacque Sample makes a statement on virtual participation and reminds participants to  
keep cameras on.  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Rene Powell made a motion to approve the agenda. Patrika Brown seconded the  
motion. All in favor; motion approved.  
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
DRAFT January 9, 2025 Disabilities Commission Meeting Minutes  
John Bowders made a motion to approve the minutes. Vera Elwood seconded  
the motion. Motion approved. Ann Marie Gortmaker abstains from voting.  
V. SPECIAL ITEMS  
Presentation by Stacey Weideman, Constituent Services & Legislative  
Affairs Administrator in the City Manager's Office, with an overview and  
update on the City's Strategic Plan  
Stacey Weidemann presents on the current strategic plan and discusses updates with  
the Commission members. The Commission discusses several items and requests  
follow-ups on questions related to ASL services, blended versus directional curb ramps,  
performance measures for facility accessibility, and questions about the employee  
engagement survey. Stacey will look into the questions and provide a response to  
members.  
Presentation by Earl Kraus, Assistant City Counselor with the City's Law  
Department, on the Missouri Sunshine Law  
Earl Kraus provides a presentation to members on the Missouri Sunshine Law. Earl  
presents and discusses with Commission members the authority for the sunshine law,  
public meetings, agendas, closed meeting exceptions, public records and emails and  
subcommittees.  
VI. OLD BUSINESS  
Discussion on an award-based program for accessible public businesses  
in the community  
The Commission discussed the Dawn Z program to acknowledge accessible businesses.  
Adam Kruse said that he was not able to coordinate a subcommittee meeting last month.  
Commission members discussed that this item might be better suited if the Commission  
dedicates time at the next meeting to set the terms of a program. Ann Marie Gortmaker  
brought up the issue of whether the Commission is going to involve other groups in the  
program. Jonathan Asher spoke about the program in Springfield, Missouri and having a  
quick training program for volunteers willing to participate in the program. Vera Elwood  
believes that the training program in Springfield takes 30 minutes or so. Jacque Sample  
said another idea is to produce a video to help train volunteers. Jacque Sample says that  
the Commission will set time for next month’s agenda so some of the specifics of the  
program can be determined.  
VII. NEW BUSINESS  
Discussion on Commission Budget and New Decision Items  
The Commission discussed the current Commission budget, the ADA Symposium and  
what to submit in the next year’s budget request. One of the items discussed was that  
the current travel training budget allows for 2 of the 12 members to attend the ADA  
Symposium, and that an increase in $3,000 would allow for 3 members to attend. Adam  
Kruse says he will submit the budget request.  
Vera Elwood made a motion to request to increase the Commission’s travel  
training budget by $3,000. Rene Powell seconded the motion. All in favor; motion  
approved.  
Discussion on Pedestrians and Detectable Noise from Electric Buses  
Rene Powell says that Rene has received concerns from members of the public about  
electric buses in the community and not hearing their approach because the buses do  
not make enough noise for pedestrians. The Commission discussed this concern for all,  
but also specifically for people with low vision. Vera Elwood says that this seems to be a  
widespread concern. Jonathan Asher says that one idea is that it could be a noise that  
changes with the speed of the bus. Jacque Sample says that it does not necessarily  
have to be the Disabilities Commission to identify the best method to resolve the issue.  
The Commission discussed collaborating with other agencies.  
Rene Powell made a motion to send a letter to the Public Transit Advisory  
Commission to identify the concern and request to collaborate. Alexis  
Simmerman seconded the motion. All in favor; motion approved.  
Discussion on Texas v. Becerra, a federal lawsuit that involves accessibility  
law Section 504  
Jacque Sample provides an update about this pending lawsuit, joined by several states  
including Missouri, which challenges to revoke Section 504. Members discuss the  
lawsuit and concerns of the impact to the community if Section 504 were revoked. The  
Commission discussed what, if any, options the City has regarding this lawsuit.  
Jonathan Asher makes a motion to submit a letter to City Council to request  
opposition of the Missouri Attorney General Office’s participation in the Texas v.  
Becerra lawsuit. Patrika Brown seconded. All in favor; motion approved.  
VIII. REPORTS  
Future Agenda Items  
Comission discussed that for next month’s agenda to include a discussion on the DawnZ  
program and selecting members to attend the National ADA Symposium.  
Chair  
Jacque Sample says that the annual report to Council on the Commission is finalized and  
will be on for Monday, March 3.  
Staff Report  
No report.  
Public Transit Advisory Commission  
No report.  
MU Chancellor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities  
Ann Marie Gortmaker says that there was no meeting.  
Safe Streets for All Working Group  
John Bowders reports that the group met last week and talked about concerns with  
funding.  
Airport Steering Committee  
John Bowders reports that there is no update.  
IX. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF  
Cathy Dolles comments that Cathy’s emotional support cat passed away and its  
upsetting because Cathy is having difficulty getting a new cat through second chance.  
Cathy comments that the organization is declining because it says she does not have  
the means to care for a cat. The Commission discussed the issue. Cathy also comments  
that she is on the Governor’s Commission for Exercise.  
X. NEXT MEETING DATE  
March 13, 2025  
XI. ADJOURNMENT  
Rene Powell made a motion to adjourn. John Bowders seconded the motion.  
Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:55 PM.