City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
City Hall  
Monday, February 17, 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, February 17, 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 LISA  
E.A. MEYER, Council Member ROY LOVELADY, 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 February 3, 2025 were approved unanimously by  
voice vote on a motion by Mayor Buffaloe and a second by Council Member Lovelady.  
The agenda, including the consent agenda, 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  
BC2-25  
Board and Commission Applicants.  
Upon receiving the majority vote of the Council, the following individuals were appointed to  
the following Boards and Commissions.  
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CODES COMMISSION  
Prevo, Paul, Boone County, Term to expire August 1, 2027  
COLUMBIA SPORTS COMMISSION  
Wilkinson, Neal, Ward 5, Term to expire December 31, 2026  
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS  
Lubbering, Paige, Ward 6, Term to expire March 1, 2028  
Sood, Meera, Ward 4, Term to expire March 1, 2028  
FOOD COUNCIL  
Meyer, Anna, Ward 1, Term to expire February 28, 2028  
Molitor, Katie, Ward 1, Term to expire February 28, 2028  
Weir Vera, Gabriela, Ward 2, Term to expire February 28, 2028  
MAYOR’S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTH  
DeSha, Leslie, Ward 6, Term to expire November 30, 2026  
PARKING ADVISORY COMMISSION  
Lowe, Shane, Ward 6, Term to expire February 1, 2026  
PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMISSION  
Brumbaugh, William, Ward 5, Term to expire March 1, 2028  
TAX INCREMENT FINANCING COMMISSION  
Bindbeutel, Duncan, Pittsburgh, PA (now) and Ward 4 (on/after May 5), Term to expire  
September 1, 2028  
IV. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT  
SPC5-25  
Deborah Kness - Gans Creek Park Recreation Area.  
Deborah Kness did not speak.  
SPC6-25  
Ruth Williamson - Supporting Community Health Through Forest Bathing.  
Ruth Williamson provided a handout and suggested that instead of mountain bike trails,  
the City should create a space at the Gans Creek Recreational Area for forest bathing,  
which was the art or practice of slowly walking through the forest with the intention of  
experiencing nature with all of five senses as it would help people reduce stress and  
anxiety while also improving the immune system and increasing anti-cancer cells.  
SPC7-25  
Jim Windsor - What is in the Public Good for critical issues related to the  
water and electric utilities?  
Jim Windsor, 200 Manor Drive, suggested the City move forward with the transmission  
line along Nifong Boulevard as it was the least expensive and best fit the needs of the  
system now and in the future, stated he did not agree with those that felt the City needed  
to move to 100 percent renewables as it was an intermittent resource that could not  
replace fossil fuels and would put the City in a very dangerous place financially, felt the  
Council was lied to in 2019 when it was told annexing the water plant would not have a  
fiscal impact as it caused water utility customers to pay an additional $400,000-plus to  
the general fund, and suggested the tax rate calculation be reviewed, specifically for the  
water utility.  
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS  
PH6-25  
Proposed construction of renovations to the existing structure located at  
1020 S. El Chaparral Avenue to provide office and interim fire crew spaces  
associated with the design and construction of Fire Station #10.  
The public hearing was read by the City Clerk.  
Public Works Director Shane Creech provided a staff report.  
Mayor Buffaloe opened the public hearing.  
Eugene Elkin, 3406 Range Line Street, asked if this was the former Methodist Church  
location.  
Renee Carter, a Second Ward resident, asked if this location was close to a Boone  
County Fire District station and for the reason if that was the case.  
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 construction  
of renovations to the existing building at the site of the future Fire Station #10  
located at 1020 S. El Chaparral Avenue. The motion was seconded by Council  
Member Peters and approved unanimously by voice vote.  
VI. OLD BUSINESS  
None.  
VII. CONSENT AGENDA  
The following bills were given second reading and the resolutions were read by the City  
Clerk.  
B15-25  
B16-25  
Amending Chapter 2 of the City Code as it relates to membership terms  
for the Parking Advisory Commission.  
Approving the Planned Development of “The Cottages at Bristol Lake”  
located on the northwest corner of Bristol Lake Parkway and Gans Road;  
approving a revised statement of intent (Case No. 48-2025).  
B17-25  
B18-25  
Authorizing the acquisition of easements associated with the construction  
of a roundabout at the intersection of Veterans United Drive and MU  
Healthcare Drive/Veterans United Middle Drive.  
Authorizing an off-system bridge program agreement with the Missouri  
Highways and Transportation Commission associated with the Old Plank  
Road culvert structure replacement project; amending the FY 2025 Annual  
Budget by appropriating funds.  
B19-25  
B20-25  
Authorizing construction of storm water improvements on Bernadette Drive;  
calling for bids through the Purchasing Division or authorizing a contract for  
the work using a term and supply contractor.  
Accepting a conveyance for underground electric utility purposes;  
accepting a Stormwater Management/BMP Facilities Covenant; directing  
the City Clerk to have the conveyances recorded.  
B21-25  
B22-25  
Authorizing a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior  
Services for high impact HIV prevention and surveillance program services.  
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.  
B23-25  
R19-25  
Authorizing an agreement with Boone County, Missouri for 2025 animal  
control services.  
Setting a public hearing: proposed annexation of property located on the  
north side of Highway KK and west of Villa Wood Court (5961 S. Highway  
KK) (Case No. 96-2025).  
R20-25  
R21-25  
Authorizing submittal of a Recreational Trails Program grant application for  
the replacement or renovation of Bridges #9 and #10 on the MKT Trail.  
Authorizing a sidewalk renovation cost share agreement with Forest Ridge  
Homeowners Association for reconstruction of sidewalk adjacent to  
property located at 4904 and 5200 Aspen Ridge Drive.  
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, MEYER, LOVELADY, FOSTER. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bills  
declared enacted and resolutions declared adopted, reading as follows:  
VIII. NEW BUSINESS  
None.  
IX. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING  
The following bills were introduced by the Mayor unless otherwise indicated, and all were  
given first reading.  
B24-25  
B25-25  
B26-25  
B27-25  
B28-25  
B29-25  
Rezoning property located on the northeast corner of North Cedar Lake  
Drive and John Garry Drive from District M-N (Mixed-use Neighborhood) to  
District R-MF (Multi-family Dwelling) (Case No. 64-2025).  
Granting a design adjustment relating to the proposed Final Plat of  
Tuscany Ridge, Plat No. 4 located west of Ravello Drive and Brown Station  
Road to waive a utility easement dedication (Case No. 198-2024).  
Approving the Final Plat of “Tuscany Ridge, Plat No. 4” located west of  
Ravello Drive and Brown Station Road; authorizing a performance contract  
(Case No. 198-2024).  
Approving the Final Plat of “Lake Broadway, Plat No. 2A” located on the  
southeast corner of Gary Street and Pershing Road; authorizing a  
performance contract (Case No. 156-2024).  
Approving the Final Plat of “Boone Prairie Village, Plat No. 2” located on  
the northeast corner of Brown Station Road and Blue Ridge Road;  
authorizing a performance contract (Case No. 224-2024).  
Approving a major amendment to the “Fresh Karma” PD Plan located on  
the west side of Cinnamon Hill Lane and east of U.S. Highway 63 (1407  
Cinnamon Hill Lane); approving a revised statement of intent (Case No.  
62-2025).  
B30-25  
B31-25  
B32-25  
Authorizing construction of renovations to the existing structure located at  
1020 S. El Chaparral Avenue to provide office and interim fire crew spaces  
associated with the design and construction of Fire Station #10; calling for  
bids through the Purchasing Division.  
Authorizing construction of the Richmond Avenue Private Common  
Collector Elimination (PCCE) #35 sanitary sewer improvement project;  
calling for bids through the Purchasing Division or authorizing a contract for  
the work using a term and supply contractor.  
Authorizing an amendment to the development agreement with Jack and  
Kay Wax to establish public infrastructure obligations relating to the  
extension of a sanitary sewer to property located at 709 Russell Boulevard  
and 1811 Rollins Road and associated future construction of City’s  
Oakwood Court Private Common Collector Elimination (PCCE) #31  
sanitary sewer improvement project; directing the City Clerk to record the  
amendment to the development agreement.  
B33-25  
B34-25  
B35-25  
Authorizing agreements with Mid-Missouri Radio Control Association and  
Boone County, Missouri relating to licensure and operation of recreational  
remote-control aircraft in designated areas.  
Authorizing a real estate contract with the Columbia Housing Authority for  
the acquisition of property located on Eighth Street to be incorporated into  
the Cullimore Cottages development project.  
Authorizing an agreement with Boone County, Missouri for 2025 public  
health services.  
X. REPORTS  
REP10-25  
REP11-25  
Water and Light Advisory Board FY 2024 – Annual Report.  
Utilities Director David Sorrell responded to Council questions and comments.  
Winter Weather Events Report.  
Public Works Director Shane Creech, City Manager De’Carlon Seewood, and Engineering  
and Operations Manager Richard Stone responded to Council questions and comments.  
REP12-25  
Monthly Finance Report.  
Finance Director Matthew Lue and Assistant Director Jim McDonald provided a staff  
report, and they and City Manager De’Carlon Seewood responded to Council questions  
and comments.  
XI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, COUNCIL AND STAFF  
Eugene Elkin, 3406 Range Line Street, asked why Columbia was supplying electricity to  
Fulton, indicated he was grateful for what the City has done for the homeless, and stated  
cold milled flax seed could provide protein in place of eggs.  
Jacque Sample, a Third Ward resident, asked the Council to consider sending a letter to  
the Missouri Attorney General indicating it was not in the best interest of Columbia  
citizens to be a part of the Texas versus Becerra lawsuit as it would repeal Section 504,  
which would impact children living with disabilities, adults that were in supportive living  
and relied on Section 504 funds, and businesses and employees in businesses who  
might lose the protections of equity and access to work with a disability.  
Sutu Forte thanked the Council for being at tonight’s meeting in light of the weather.  
Demetria Stephens, a Third Ward resident, asked the Council to consider naming the  
Douglass Park basketball courts after Scotty Williams, Tracy Edwards, and Rufus  
Broadus, who were men that had worked countless hours in that park.  
Erika Buford,  
a
Third Ward resident, felt BeHeard and the 2023 Douglass Park  
Juneteenth events were not the appropriate platforms to obtain feedback regarding this  
project as foot traffic, mailings, phone calls, and the Cosmo Park Juneteenth event would  
have been more productive, and suggested the City involve more than one or two  
community members in discussions with Veterans United, Mizzou, etc. regarding this  
project before moving forward.  
Kimberly Jordan stated she was  
a product of the work of Scotty Williams, Tracy  
Edwards, and Rufus Broadus as a member of their basketball teams and appreciated  
what they had done to bring positive energy into the community, and asked the Council  
to reconsider some of the improvements to the Douglass Park basketball courts.  
Traci Wilson-Kleekamp,  
a representative of Race Matters, Friends, stated concerns  
regarding whether the right people had been at the table for the Douglass Park  
improvement project along with concerns about extensive corporate branding in public  
spaces, especially since the University of Missouri had done away with diversity, equity,  
and inclusion (DEI) goals, recruitment, etc., and suggested the need for structural  
investments and interventions that addressed the root causes of inequity. She also  
suggested meeting minutes be posted to the website so the public did not have to watch  
the video for vote results, and for City staff to review the history of the Douglass Park  
area.  
Scotty Williams indicated he had worked for the Parks and Recreation Department for  
over 30 years, felt the basketball court needed to be renovated, appreciated the  
donations, understood if one court had to be named after Mr. Cox even though they did  
not know him, and suggested at least one court be named in homage to Moonlight  
Hoops.  
Rufus “Doc” Broadus stated he had worked for the Parks and Recreation Department for  
a number of years, agreed with Scotty Williams in that it was not about the names on the  
court but rather the program, which had been established in conjunction with the Police  
Department to give kids something to do and to keep a finger on the pulse of the  
community, and the renovations that had been promised 20 years ago along with a  
transparent process for those renovations.  
Anthony Johnson, who was born and raised in Columbia, reiterated a group of men, which  
included Rufus and Scotty, meant a lot to the community, felt this had been a learning  
experience for everyone, and believed they should move forward now with a better  
process that involved everyone.  
James Gray, 1525 Affirm Drive, commented that many people made Douglass Park what  
it was today, including Tracy Edwards who was a First Ward Ambassador and assisted  
with various issues at all times, and suggested Midnight Hoops be started up again with  
a better facility in the future to continue that work.  
Alphia Hightower, a representative of Fun City Youth Academy, indicated that what  
struck her about the Douglass Park basketball court improvements was the feeling of  
disrespect or dismissal by many for not being a part of the process, believed everything  
had been done correctly but the process had still missed a lot of people due to  
communication issues, felt naming things specific to Douglass Park and areas rooted in  
heritage, history, and legacy needed better processes, understood this was not a closed  
deal as the Parks and Recreation Department staff and the donors were open to  
conversations and engagement, and noted she looked forward to seeing this project get  
the engagement it deserved.  
D’Markus Thomas-Brown, a representative of the Columbia Chapter of the Southern  
Christian Leadership Conference, read a statement indicating they understood many in  
the historic black community of Columbia felt unheard and disregarded, feared results  
similar to those that had taken place through urban renewal decades ago, believed the  
University of Missouri had not built an adequate bridge to the historic black community,  
and suggested the Parks and Recreation Department, the University of Missouri, and the  
Veterans United Foundation reach out to those that had put their blood, sweat, and tears  
in the Douglass Park community to remedy this disconnect.  
Ruth Williamson stated her support to the opposition to the 504 lawsuit as it was  
important to her and her friends.  
The Council and staff discussed various topics to include concerns with the process  
associated with the Douglass Park improvement project involving the basketball courts.  
Council Member Carroll made  
a motion for staff to reengage with the project  
donors on the topic of the currently unnamed court and to report back to the  
Council with a plan for reengaging with the public. The motion was seconded by  
Council Member Meyer. After discussion, the motion was approved unanimously  
by roll call vote with Council Member Waterman, Council Member Peters, Mayor  
Buffaloe, Council Member Carroll, Council Member Meyer, Council Member  
Lovelady, and Council Member Foster voting yes.  
The Council and staff continued to discuss various topics including public restrooms in  
the downtown area, appreciation for the comment of Anthony Johnson indicating the  
Douglass Park improvement project had been a learning process for everyone, ensuring  
the renovations to Douglass Park were not delayed, clarifying the pause on the electric  
transmission line project was to obtain updated cost estimates, appreciation for Fire  
Station #10 moving forward, thanking staff for being decisive and notifying the public in  
advance about not picking up recycling due to the cold weather, thanking staff for all that  
they did to help the City run, looking forward to Midnight Hoops returning to Douglass  
Park, congratulations to the Columbia Police Department for making arrests associated  
with shootings on February 12 on Madison Street, thanking those that came to the  
meeting to speak about the Douglass Park improvements, the need for the public to learn  
how City government works, i.e., its processes and procedures, as well as the need for  
the City to develop creative and innovative ways to engage with the public, especially with  
regard to the black and brown communities, appreciation for the investments in  
communications in the past year in terms of outreach and engagement, the need to  
continue with that effort, the fact the City was hosting a budget priorities town hall  
meeting next Tuesday along with a Sixth Ward Let’s Talk Local event next Thursday at 6  
p.m. at New Haven Elementary School, and a request for everyone to be patient during  
this next snow event and to shovel their sidewalks.  
Council Member Foster made  
determine costs, address  
a
motion for staff to identify possible locations,  
maintenance and cleaning, and engage with  
stakeholders for input with regard to public restrooms in the downtown area, and  
report back to the Council. The motion was seconded by Council Member Carroll.  
After discussion, the motion was approved unanimously by roll call vote with  
Council Member Waterman, Council Member Peters, Mayor Buffaloe, Council  
Member Carroll, Council Member Meyer, Council Member Lovelady, and Council  
Member Foster voting yes.  
The Council and staff continued to discuss various topics including the benefits of  
participating in ridealongs with police officers, Council Member Foster encouraging other  
Council Members to visit the police academy, the fact there was training within the policy  
academy regarding how to deal with trauma as a police officer in order to help police  
officers be healthy mentally, and participation at the First Responder Gala, which  
supported first responders in addressing issues related to trauma and the impact it had  
on them.  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting was adjourned without objection at 8:51 p.m.