City of Columbia, Missouri
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Conference Room
1A/1B
Monday, March 7, 2022
6:00 PM
Pre-Council
Columbia City Hall
701 E. Broadway
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Treece Called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00pm.
7 - Thomas, Peters, Treece, Skala, PItzer, Fowler, and Waner
Present:
Sanctioned Homeless Encampment on City-owned property
City Manager, De’Carlon Seewood invited Director Browning to share her presentation of
“Sanctioned Homeless Encampment on City-Owned Property”. Mr. Seewood also
highlighted the report titled “It takes a Village” requested by council member Fowler at the
February 21, Council meeting.
Director Browning highlighted the agenda referring to the interdepartmental agreement
(Health, Parks and Recreation, Police, Utilities, and Community Development
departments) on how to move forward on Sanctioned Homeless Encampment on
City-Owned Property and what resources are needed to operate one. Director Browning
discussed Identifying Homeless Shelters for people experiencing homelessness,
temporary solutions to homelessness, and planning considerations such as reliable
transportation, infractures needed, sanitation, water, power, etc.
Director Griggs presented a list of potential city-owned properties that could be used for
an encampment. Director Griggs showed GIS maps with detailed locations of possible
sites that could be used.
Council member Fowler asked what does the City propose for individuals who don't have
a place to live when Room at the Inn closes next Saturday.
City Manager Seewood indicated that the City’s partnership with those who have
already been assisting the homeless population will be key for this to be successful. Mr.
Seewood added that right now the city has a planned proposal developed by the housing
authority, turning point, and the agencies that provide these critical services. There are
concerns and the City has to have the defined goals of what we need in order to be
successful. If the plan is to do a certain type of encampment, the city may not be ready
to achieve maintenance in the near future.
Council member Fowler asked if the City is willing to offer incremental services while we
wait for stable services in the future.
Human Services Manager, Steve Hollis responded that is a complex situation that
requires combined efforts to address. Hollis indicated that a major issue is those who are
not ready or simply refuse the housing offered. There are about 50 people who are
critically homeless and there are approximately over 50 of them who immigrated to