City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
City Hall  
Conference Room  
1A/1B  
Wednesday, March 11, 2026  
9:00 AM  
Joint Work Session  
County Commission & City Council  
701 E. Broadway  
Columbia, MO  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.  
7 - Buffaloe, Foster, Waterman, Peters, Carroll, Sample, and Elwood  
Present:  
II. WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS  
Representatives from the City and County introduced themselves.  
III. TENTATIVE TOPICS OF DISCUSSION  
December 2025 Meeting  
Attachments: December 11 2025 Joint Work Session Meeting Minutes  
No comments were made on the minutes from the December meeting.  
Columbia Housing Authority and Love Columbia Updates  
Kip Kendrick, Presiding County Commissioner, shared updates from the Columbia  
Housing Authority (CHA) on the Park Ave. project, noting move in was anticipated around  
May or June this year. CHA expressed interest in beginning conversations about the  
vacant lots that are currently staging areas for the project. He indicated an interest in  
what projects could be built there. Clint Smith, City of Columbia Community Development  
Director, reported the CHA was also looking for feedback from the neighborhood.  
Enola White, Boone County Community Services Department Program Coordinator,  
provided an update from Love Columbia. She noted that they are hopeful to have  
individuals moving in as soon as April.  
Boone County Public Hearing Updates  
Public hearings were completed for the Boone County’s Planning & Zoning Commission.  
Bill Florea, Boone County Resource Management, indicated that the board was ready to  
make a recommendation. He shared how the feedback from the public hearings would be  
used. These public hearings included design standards for smaller lots, the definition of  
“family”, and accessory dwelling units (ADU). Council member Carroll asked about how  
the County pursued the definition of family. Florea indicated that they were changing it to  
the maximum occupancy rather than blood relations - 1 resident per 50 sq ft of bedroom.  
Smith shared the current status on the City’s proposed definition of “family.” It has been  
shared on the City’s BeHeard site and received around 25 comments. He shared that the  
definition is proposed to be broadened to include nontraditional families. He said there  
was a hearing planned for the City’s Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) later in March,  
and that it would likely go to Council in April. Carroll shared that she felt this was the  
wrong direction. She expressed concerns about providing certificates of occupancy to  
landlords and confusion over how landlords would interpret the City’s definition. She  
expressed an interest in basing occupancy on living space. Council member Elwood  
agreed with Carroll’s remarks. She expressed an interest in the City and County having  
more aligned definitions.  
Housing Study Recommendations Crosswalk Updates  
Attachments: Master Housing Study Crosswalk - March 5, 2026  
Smith provided an update on 1.1 on small lots. Smith shared that they would review the  
draft with engineering firms. He hoped that these would come to Council later this  
summer. Small lots are allowed now, but they would need to go through a regulatory  
process. Council member Foster felt that this aligns with the City’s housing goals, but  
asked if this would help address housing needs. Smith agreed the ADUs were a small  
tool in the toolbox. Smith said staff were discussing changes that would help reduce the  
cost for these developments.  
Florea shared progress on permitting and land management software, which included  
mapping the work flow process. He stated this should help improve the time it takes for  
projects to go through the process. Kendrick shared that Florea would be retiring next  
month and expressed gratitude for his work. He shared the importance of continuing to  
move forward with small bites of the apple. Joanne Nelson, Director of Boone County  
Community Services Department, reiterated the implementation timeline for this area was  
3-6 years, and Commissioner Janet Thompson shared the importance of making progress  
and that she was proud of the progress made by staff at the City and County.  
Bill Rataj,City of Columbia Housing and Neighborhood Services Director, shared an  
update on 1.2. The City set up an Affordable Housing Trust Fund with some seed  
money. He shared that staff would seek input from residents at the Community Summit.  
Foster asked about current ideas on a sustainable funding source. Rataj suggested  
increasing fees, including at the recorder’s office. He noted that the average citizen  
wouldn’t necessarily see. He added a tax on short-term rentals, De’Carlon Seewood, City  
Manager, clarified this would be reallocating an existing tax. Kendrick clarified that any  
additional fee from the recorder’s office would require state action and approval. Carroll  
shared an interest in seeking how the City could waive or reduce building fees for  
affordable housing developments. Council member Waterman shared that increases to a  
business would get passed down to the consumer. He shared that this would also apply  
to any waivers that are provided. White shared that a research group for the affordable  
housing coalition was researching how other cities and counties have funded affordable  
housing trusts.  
Smith provided an update on 1.5 - he shared some updates on the central city design  
overlay. He discussed a proposal to remove the requirement for conditional review on  
ADUs in R-1 districts. Carroll spoke on the community feedback on the central overlay,  
noting concerns related to redevelopment in areas that are more affordable. Foster asked  
about the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Columbia Imagined - Smith shared that was  
one of the goals for the year.  
Smith provided an update on 1.8, noting the City has exceeded targets in all areas for FY  
25. He shared updates on progress towards targets in FY 26, reflecting the City was on  
track to meet those goals outlined in the study. Foster asked about how these numbers  
were measured. Smith indicated that tracking permits issued was the standard. He  
indicated that absorption rates were more on the real estate side. The Mayor asked about  
reporting on occupancy permits, due to occasional permits being picked up but not built  
out. Seewood suggested tracking with utility connects, adding that there are multiple  
ways to track. Smith indicated that staff has laid the groundwork for making the City a  
good facilitator for development. Florea shared updates on development in the County -  
noting that the numbers do not include Ashland as they process their own permits.  
Rataj shared an update on 1.9, related to a HUD grant that was eliminated in 2025, but  
added back in 2026. He indicated that the City would apply, but noted that it would be  
very competitive.  
Rataj shared an update on 2.1 on creating a housing preservation inventory. A survey was  
done in 2024 and he reported around 90% of homes in the area were in good to excellent  
condition. He shared that staff would be surveying additional areas in 2026. Carroll asked  
about resources for homes that were not in good repair - Rataj indicated many assistance  
programs were income-based.  
Rataj also updated on 2.3 on home rehab and energy efficiency programs. He noted that  
it was currently funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), but staff would apply for  
additional grants to fund the program. The Mayor noted that rental units were eligible for  
the City’s Water & Light rebate programs, but property owners would need to initiate.  
Smith shared an update on 3.5 related to the transit system. Smith referred to a  
conversation with the Public Works Director, noting a driver shortage. Kendrick asked  
about state funding cuts.  
Smith provided an update on 4.4 on regulations impacting housing. The City currently  
uses the 2018 IECC codes. He shared feedback staff received on the 2024 IECC energy  
codes was related to costs. He also noted current state legislation that may impact  
energy codes, if passed.  
Rataj provided an update on 4.5 on public-private partnerships. He shared information on  
current partnerships, as well as grant requirements for certain partnerships with banks.  
Foster requested an update on 4.3 on landbanks. He asked if there was an interest in  
incentivizing development on vacant properties. Carroll asked if there was a mechanism  
to assist with titles on properties. Seewood shared that this was something staff was  
working on and Smith shared that staff have been open to working on this.  
Cross Jurisdiction Collaboration  
-Homelessness Strategic Plan  
Rebecca Roesslet, Public Health & Human Services Director, outlined the process on the  
homelessness strategic plan. She differentiated between the core committee and the  
steering committee. She indicated an external entity would be assisting with the  
development of the plan, adding that work would be done in-house as much as possible.  
Their goal was to have a final report to Council by the end of the 2026 calendar year.  
Waterman asked about staff getting feedback during the Summit, Roesslet noted that  
there would be questions related to homelessness and the consultant on the City’s  
strategic plan update would be present to get feedback. Rebecca also provided an  
update on the ARPA spend down for the City.  
IV. NEXT MEETING DATE  
June 24, 2026  
V. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:30 a.m.