City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes - Final

Downtown Columbia Leadership Council

City Hall

701 E. Broadway

Conference Room

1A/1B

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Regular

4:00 PM

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. INTRODUCTIONS

Chair Catlin called the meeting to order at approximately 4:15 p.m.

None.

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion to approve the agenda made by Scott Smith, seconded by Jacob Britt;

motion carried.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The November 29, 2023 meeting minutes were not available for approval.

V. OLD BUSINESS

DLC Name Change & Additional Member - Staff Update

Staff liaison, Kristina Wolf informed the members that Council has requested that Staff

bring back information on all Boards and Commissions so that Council can review and

discuss whether or not some boards can be decommissioned and/or merged with one

another. Timing of when this will happen is unknown at this time. At this time changing

the name and adding a member is on hold.

Downtown Golf Cart Rides - Bernie Andrews

Bernie Andrews presented the group with information about the golf cart service shuttles

in Columbia. He checked with the Business License office and Mac Daddy Lyfts was not

licensed. Andrews reached out to David McDonald (owner) and he indicated that he was

going to fill out forms to get licensed.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

Orr Street Discussion - Gabe Huffington, Pars & Rec Director

Gabe Huffington, Parks and Recreation Director presented a slideshow to members on

the Orr Street Park Property Development. Huffington indicated the goal is to create a

park focused on family friendly access to green space and promotion of the arts.

This is the old Ameren site. At the Mayor’s request, city staff collaborated with a small

committee to create the proposed plans for the park development. The committee also

assisted with the MO DED grant application and will assist with future fundraising efforts

for the park.

There will be six unique art installations within the park. There will also be a playground

area, a large lawn area as well as an area that can be used for bands, dances, etc. This

is a hard surface area.

Huffington went on to discuss plan changes that came from community input such as

parking improvements, park noise, benches, restrooms and 45 to 55 new trees. Rose

Music Hall and the City will work together to ensure they aren’t having events at the same

time.

Looking at the next steps, P&R Commission approved the project to proceed to City

Council approval with the naming recommendation which is North Village Park. This goes

before Council for public hearing and approval on March 4, 2024. The RFQ for the

engineering firm selection closed February 9, 2024.

The total project funding is $1,550,000 and the project is set to be completed by

September 30, 2026.

Members and staff discussed further.

VII. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF

Catlin said she will ask Catherine Armbrust with COMO Mobile Aide to attend the

February meeting.

VIII. NEXT MEETING DATE

February 28, 2024

IX. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:55 pm.