amendment in SB 221 was stripped out before calling the previous question. If signed into
law, HB 595 would require the City to change its Source of Income ordinance in
response.
Weidemann also shared actions signed by the Governor:
• SB 47 - Amends Supreme Court Rule 52.08 re: Class Actions
• SB 22 - Modifies Provisions Relating to Summary Statements for Statewide Ballot
Measures
• SB 4 - Modifies and Creates New Provisions Relating to Utilities
• SB 1 - Modifies Provisions Relating to County Officials
• HB 495 - Modifies Provisions Relating to Public Safety
Looking ahead to next year, Weidemann reviewed the process that Springfield, Missouri
uses to establish its legislative priorities. Each year, Springfield reviews and updates lists
of both specific and general priorities, typically in September or October. Their Council
then adopts these by resolution in December. The finalized list is then reviewed with their
lobbyist and county delegation prior to the start of the legislative session. Weidemann
noted it may be beneficial for Columbia to adopt a similar, official process. Having such a
process would not prevent the City from monitoring, and when appropriate, advocating for
or against unexpected legislation that appears in the General Assembly.
The Council agreed upon the recommendation to implement a similar process to
Springfield, which would include developing a list of specific and general priorities for the
City of Columbia and adopting those by resolution, then communicating and reviewing
those priorities with the lobbyist and Boone County delegation.
Weidemann then shared a tentative timeline for adopting this process:
• June: Prepare draft of specific and general priorities
• July: Discussion with City Council, City leadership
• August/September: Finalize list of priorities based on feedback, develop handouts
• October/November: Present Resolution at City Council meeting; host meeting with
lobbyist, Boone County delegation to review priorities
Council and staff both expressed strong enthusiasm and support for this strategy. Moving
forward, staff involvement will be important, especially because some other professional
advocacy groups may have varying priorities. Weidemann will begin reaching out to
department directors to begin this process and encouraged them to start thinking about
general and specific items.
Community Summit Report & Strategic Plan
Next, Assistant City Manager Carol Rhodes provided a presentation on the Community
Summit, which was held on March 15. The Summit was a unique engagement
opportunity, during which the Council chambers and lobby were transformed so that
residents could come in and engage with senior leadership. There was steady attendance
throughout the event, with over 300 residents learning about City services, engaging with
staff, and providing feedback.
Brian Adkisson, Creative Services and Marketing Manager, shared a video highlighting
the event. He noted the City far exceeded its original attendance goal of 200. Participants
were provided with $100 in “CoMo Bucks” play money to spend on the priority areas of
the Strategic Plan. In total, $19,580 “bucks” were spent. Reliable and Sustainable
Infrastructure by far received the most emphasis from participants, followed by Inclusive
