City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
Old Kinderhook Hotel  
678 Old Kinderhook Dr.  
Camdenton, MO. 65020  
Thursday, May 26, 2022  
8:30 AM  
Retreat - Day 1 of 2  
I. BREAKFAST & NETWORKING (8:30-9:00 a.m.)  
II. CALL TO ORDER  
Meeting was called to order at approximately 9:00 a.m.  
III. WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS  
The City of Columbia City Council held a retreat on May 26-27, 2022, which was  
facilitated by Strategic Government Resources (SGR). The Mayor and each Council  
member attended the retreat. The City Manager and the Department Heads also  
attended.  
IV. DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:  
Tentative Day 1 Topics  
Overview of Council Meeting Rules  
Mayor Buffaloe explained the purpose of the retreat, the expectations of what the retreat  
could accomplish and how important it is to work together to make Columbia a better  
place to live, work, learn and play.  
Ideal Outcomes and/or “Parking Lot Issues”  
Council and Staff discussed outstanding issues and collaborated.  
Highs and Lows Exercise  
Council and Staff participated in the Highs and Lows exercise facilitated by SGR.  
Council Members Sharing About Their Ward  
Council Members were asked to identify some of the entities that are located in their  
Ward.  
Ward 1 - Pappadoo’s, Salvage Barn, Barbara Jefferson/Miss Geraldine  
Ward 2 - Gumby’s, Erica Buford  
Ward 3 - Big Daddy’s, Stephen’s Lake, Jacque Sample  
Ward 4 - Toasty Goat, Bonnie View Nature Area, Angela Carson/CASA  
Ward 5 - Murray’s, “Neighborhood Places”, Robin Wenneker  
Ward 6 - Just Jeff’s, Waters Moss, Gans Creek, David Horner, Doris Lautrell (sp)  
Connections Exercise  
The Mayor, Barbara Buffaloe, led the participants in a Connections Exercise that helped  
people to see how to make connections between ideas, people, issues of concern and  
needs.It focuses on highlighting things and people in each ward that are making a  
difference and considering how they connect with other things happening in the city.  
I-OPT Assessment and Small Group Discussions  
IOPT (Input Output Processing Template) measures how a person perceives and  
processes information which can have a profound impact on what motivates a person,  
how a person sees an issue, and how that person interacts with others on their team.  
Council Members and Staff completed this assessment on their own prior to the retreat.  
During the workshop, time was spent explaining and discussing their IOPT results in  
small groups and allowed participants to interact and engage regarding the outcomes of  
the assessment.  
Equity Definition  
City staff and Council members worked together to define the definition of equity as part  
of the Strategic Plan. They worked to create a definition that we feel reflects the values  
and goals of the City of Columbia. The final definition is below:  
“Equity is being impartial and fair. We achieve equity by implementing practices and  
removing barriers to ensure everyone can succeed.”  
Takeaways, Wrap Up and Other Items Council May Wish To Discuss  
Council and Staff discussed main takeaways from this retreat and steps to move forward  
and make positive changes for the City of Columbia.  
Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:00 p.m.  
Tentative Day 2 Topics  
H.A.R.D Questions  
Communication and Decision-Making  
Top 3 Big Upcoming Items  
5 Bold Steps Toward Columbia's Future  
Takeaways, Wrap Up and Other Items Council May Wish To Discuss  
V. DINNER & NETWORKING  
VI. ADJOURNMENT  
*NOTE: This is a 2-day event. Topics not discussed today, Thursday May 26, 2022 may be discussed  
tomorrow, Friday May 27, 2022.