City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
City Hall  
Monday, January 12, 2026  
6:00 PM  
Work Session  
Council Chamber  
701 E. Broadway  
Columbia, MO  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Buffaloe called to order at 6:00 p.m.  
6 - Buffaloe, Waterman, Peters, Carroll, Sample, and Elwood  
Present:  
Absent:  
1 - Foster  
Pedestrian Safety Ordinance Discussion  
Attachments: Proposed B265-25 Ordinance  
Street and Intersection Pedestrian Safety Study - CBB Presentation  
Pedestrian Safety Study - Final  
November 2025 - CPD Communication to Council  
BeHeard Comments  
Human Rights Commission Feedback  
Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Feedback  
Public Transit Advisory Commission Feedback  
Disabilities Commission Feedback  
The Mayor provided a brief overview of what would be discussed during the meeting. She  
asked Nancy Thompson, City Councilor, for clarification. Brian Rensing, senior  
transportation engineer with CBB provided a brief overview of the study. He noted over the  
last ten years there had been an increase in crashes involving pedestrians, adding the  
32% resulted in a fatality. The study evaluated the locations in Columbia and highlighted  
the locations with injury crashes. He noted there had been 9 injury crashes involving a  
pedestrian in Columbia from 2015-2024. He shared a local example of an injury crash  
involving a pedestrian in an unexpected place on Broadway that led to a severe injury.  
He reviewed efforts to address pedestrian safety, specifically from the State with Show  
Me Zero. He added the City follows national standards and guidelines related to  
pedestrian safety. He highlighted that Columbia was one of the first cities to adopt a  
Vision Zero policy.  
He recommended designated pedestrian areas, temporary traffic control set up as  
needed due to special events or maintenance, designated shared spaces for motorists  
and pedestrians on particular roadways with low speed and low volume.  
One area of concern was related to the speed of the roadway, with increased speed  
leading to riskier circumstances. Another area of concern was related to the volume of  
traffic. Median width was also an area of high concern, noting that a 6 ft width is the  
minimum protected width.  
The recommendations from the study included metrics around those three areas of  
concern.  
He also covered the peer cities with median ordinances, and the specifications included  
in those ordinances.  
Council member Carroll asked about data in the chart featured on slide 2. Brian clarified  
that the 11% on the chart referenced the increase from 2015 and 2024, noting that it was  
a small dataset. The Mayor recommended more detailed information on the slide, and  
asked about incorporating historical data from the City’s police and public works  
departments.  
Council member Elwood asked about safety for pedestrians on the sidewalk without any  
barrier between the street. Brian noted that the concern with the median is that it has  
traffic on both sides, rather than sidewalks which are only adjacent to roadways on one  
side. The Mayor asked about standards with sidewalks in other spaces, noting grassy  
areas separating sidewalks and streets. Carroll asked about any bike lane issues on  
Business Loop 70 due to the narrow lanes. Shane Creech, Public Works Director, noted  
the Business Loop is a MoDOT maintained roadway. The width of bike lanes are what is  
permitted within MoDOT’s guidelines. He added that the City has been working on grants  
that would help improve pedestrian and bike users on Business Loop.  
Council member Elwood asked about the recommendation to use the median as a  
temporary pedestrian refuge. Brian noted that there were medians that could be used as  
pedestrian refuge as they cross the road. He noted that it was generally accepted for the  
pedestrian to wait as long as needed, within reason, to cross the roadway. He added that  
it was generally accepted that it would be within two cycles. He added that they do not  
recommend medians with pedestrian refuge to be less than six feet due to safety  
concerns. The Mayor asked for clarification related to cycle timing. Brian noted that  
engineering standards estimate 3.5 ft per second for an average pedestrian. Elwood  
asked about pedestrians with mobility restrictions being able to get around when the  
individual is moving slower. Shane highlighted existing ordinances that would protect  
individuals in the process of crossing the road. He added that the City utilizes national  
standards on cycle timing.  
Elwood raised concerns that traffic signals being built for the normal pedestrian would put  
other pedestrians at risk. She raised concerns about some vehicles being too high up to  
see an individual in a wheelchair.  
Shane and Lee White, Assistant Public Works Director, provided a staff presentation.  
Council member Peters asked for clarification on the ordinance, related to individuals  
crossing the roadway. Deputy Police Chief Matthew Stephens noted that Columbia  
Police Department (CPD) staff would not write a ticket for an individual needing extra time  
to talk across the street.  
Shane reviewed the timeline for the ordinance. He covered the feedback received from the  
boards/commissions Council referred it to.  
He also covered the BeHeard comments, with 81 comments in favor of the ordinance and  
66 in opposition. He shared the staff's response to the themes of the opposing  
comments. He shared questions submitted by Council members along with staff  
responses. He covered the purpose of the ordinance.  
Elwood asked CPD how they would determine an individual's ability to cross the street  
within two cycles. Police Chief Jill Schlude provided some examples from CPD’s  
perspective. She emphasized reasonable judgment and voluntary compliance. She added  
that officers are not medical professionals, so they would not ask specific health related  
questions. They would just offer to help cross the street. Council member Sample asked  
about risk of lawsuit if the ordinance was passed as is. Nancy noted that she believed the  
risk was low. Council member Don Waterman noted that Springfield’s ordinance has  
been standing for years. Carroll asked about the risk of losing a lawsuit or risk of being  
sued. Nancy reinforced that anyone could file a lawsuit. Carroll noted that she’s heard  
from residents on both sides, and asked about any analysis.  
The Mayor asked about tying this to annual reporting. While this isn’t something that  
could be tied, Nancy noted that Council could make these decisions with their budget  
recommendations. The Mayor asked about a Vision Zero report.  
Carroll referenced the swiss cheese model for the variety of recommendations to increase  
safety. She asked about a longer term strategic plan for completing pedestrian orientated  
projects as a whole. She added concerns that it is easier to pass an ordinance and not  
make the other safety recommendations. De’Carlon Seewood, City Manager, referenced  
staff’s success at getting grants to support the built environment. Carroll clarified that she  
wanted information on the projects that are outstanding and to ensure other projects  
related to safety would be moved forward. Shane highlighted several specific projects,  
including a Pedestrian Comfort Map, but noted that there is only so much funding  
available for pedestrian safety in the Capital Improvement Sales Tax (CIST). Shane  
clarified the CIST included a 10 year list of projects that voters approved. Shane  
reinforced that all projects would be considered with improving roadways for all road  
users. He noted that much of the discussion on the projects took place with a different  
Council. Carroll emphasized that conversations should be happening for safety now.  
The Mayor requested having the ordinances that were included in the staff presentation  
may be helpful for the February 2 council meeting. She also requested the letters  
received from other agencies in town to be attached to the agenda. She also noted a  
potential educational campaign and what that may look like.  
Sample asked about a public list or map of the major corridors in the city. Nancy clarified  
that, while they wouldn’t be listed specifically in the ordinance, the list could be made  
available on the website. Elwood clarified that it should be clear that the document should  
not be utilized in the zoning process. Sample added some suggested clarifications to the  
ordinance.  
Elwood asked for clarification on which medians on the listed roadways - if it were all  
medians or the ones which are 6 feet or less. Lee clarified that it would have to be any  
one of the three areas of concern (width, speed, or volume). The Mayor confirmed that  
speed and volume were the highest areas of concern. Nancy clarified that it was the  
major corridor roadway or the major corridor intersection that would trigger the ordinance.  
Carroll noted that a map would be helpful, and requested the map provided would have  
better resolution. Sample referenced the section alluding to the two consecutive cycles  
and noted her concern especially related to liability. She raised some additional  
suggested edits and questions. She also requested more clarification on obstructions.  
The Mayor clarified with Nancy that this would go to civil court. Elwood asked for  
additional clarification on when this would be applied.  
The Mayor noted that BeHeard would still be open for two weeks.  
II. ANY OTHER ITEMS COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS  
None.  
III. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:49 p.m.