Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - August 4, 2025
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Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - August 4, 2025
The Columbia City Council met at 7:00 PM on Monday, August 4, 2025, in the Council Chamber, adjourning at 10:26 PM. All six council members were present. The minutes of the July 21, 2025 meeting were approved, and the agenda was adopted as posted.
Special Items
- Senator Chuck Graham Award: Presented to Daniel Boone Regional Library and Jeff Johnson by the Disabilities Commission for accessibility and inclusion efforts.
- Youth Civic Academy: Recognition of pilot program participants (20 youth, ages 8–18) who completed a six-week program on local government.
- Opportunity Campus Project Update: Ed Stansberry (Voluntary Action Center) reported the total project cost is $18.6 million, with $15.1 million raised (81%). Of the $3.1 million in City ARPA funds, $921,000 remains, expected to be spent within 60–90 days. Construction is underway with a 125-bed shelter, day center, commercial kitchen, medical clinic, and kennels.
- FY 2026 Budget Presentation: Finance Director Matthew Lue presented a proposed budget with $558 million in revenue and $598 million in expenditures (including $59 million capital). The general fund shows a $3.5 million deficit. Key challenges include slowing sales tax growth and rising service costs.
Scheduled Public Comment
- Travis Miller did not appear.
Public Hearings
- PH23-25 – 2025 Renewable Energy Plan: Utilities Director Erin Keys presented the plan, noting 22.82% renewable energy in 2024 (up from 21.84%). Public comments included:
- Carolyn Amparan (Sierra Club/Columbia 100% Renewable Energy Coalition) urged a more aggressive goal than 40% by 2035, citing the Climate Action Plan and community willingness to pay 5% more.
- Jack Meinzenbach emphasized local renewable projects due to grid constraints.
- Kevin Sievert opposed increases, citing affordability concerns.
- Jim Windsor argued renewables are unreliable and suggested energy efficiency.
- Kyle Owen Sullivan noted the UM System’s $120 million energy research center.
- Eugene Elkin suggested water turbines and recycling. The Council approved the plan unanimously by roll call (6-0).
- PH24-25 & B177-25 – Cosmo-Bethel Park Tennis Court Resurfacing: Parks Director Gabe Huffington presented a $155,000 project (with Columbia Public Schools covering one-third) to resurface 12 courts, replace lights on 4 courts, and add LED lighting. Public comment: Debbie Robison urged approval, noting the poor condition of courts. The ordinance was approved unanimously (6-0).
Old Business
- B169-25 – Parks and Recreation Fees: Staff proposed increases generating $200,000–$250,000 annually to cover rising labor costs (minimum wage to $15/hr) and materials. Fees included Camp Como ($135 to $150/$155), ARC daily admission (+$0.25), golf fees (+$2 for 18 holes), and new pickleball court rental fees. Public comment: Jim Windsor suggested a no-show fee for golf tee times. Council approved unanimously (6-0).
- B170-25 – Water Services and Rates: Staff presented a 12% revenue increase ($3.6 million) based on a Stantec cost-of-service study, moving to year-round tiered rates. The proposal would lower bills for 65% of consistent users but increase for heavy summer users. Public comments included:
- David Switzer (endorsing WLAB recommendation) supported the plan for fiscal health, equity, and affordability.
- Rhonda Carlson (Spencer’s Crest Condominium Association) requested a carve-out for multi-unit residential irrigation meters, citing a 51% increase in sprinkler costs.
- Julie Ryan (COMO Safe Water Coalition) criticized the 2018 water bond implementation, noting no projects completed.
- Bill Moyes questioned accountability for uncompleted bond projects.
- John Conway raised seven points including base charge fairness and fire protection fee.
- Eugene Elkin questioned fluoride safety.
- Jim Windsor noted transparency concerns and potential revenue shortfalls from price elasticity. The item was held over to the August 18, 2025 meeting for further discussion and public comment.
Consent Agenda
All 13 items (PR105-25, B171-25 through B180-25, R106-25 through R112-25) were approved unanimously by roll call (6-0). Items included a pension investment policy, final plats, budget appropriations, and various agreements.
New Business
- R113-25 – Ride Home Program Pilot: Public Health Director Rebecca Roesslet presented a third amendment with First Last Mile Valet Service, restructuring funds for startup costs with no additional cost. The program will initially target persons experiencing homelessness, launching by end of August. Approved unanimously (6-0).
Reports
- REP41-25 – Dawn Z Business Accessibility Award: The Disabilities Commission requested creation of a voluntary award for businesses meeting accessibility criteria. Council approved establishing the award.
- REP42-25 – National ADA Symposium Experience: Informational report from Disabilities Commission members.
- REP43-25 – ARPA Update: Staff provided an annual progress report on ARPA-funded projects, including success stories. Council noted appreciation.
General Comments by Public, Council, and Staff
- Eugene Elkin spoke about cell phone dangers and urged use of speaker phones.
- Council discussed the August 5 Ward 2 election, a property tax freeze ballot issue, and the need for a centralized community events calendar (staff to provide update within six months).
- Council Member Nick Foster advocated for an aggressive renewable energy approach.
- Council Member Don Waterman favored a measured approach, citing affordability concerns.
- Council Member Betsy Peters complimented street resurfacing and announced the next Let’s Talk Local on recycling (August 25, 5:30 PM at Sports Fieldhouse).
- Council Member Valerie Carroll discussed the Black & White Ball permitting process and jaywalking tickets, requesting a comprehensive pedestrian safety report (expected October 20 or November 3).
- Council Member Jacque Sample reminded about virtual office hours and board vacancies (deadline August 8).
- City Manager De’Carlon Seewood highlighted the youth civic academy’s enthusiasm.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the 2025 Renewable Energy Plan (unanimous).
- Approved the Cosmo-Bethel Park tennis court resurfacing project (unanimous).
- Approved the Parks and Recreation fee increases (unanimous).
- Held the water rates amendment to the August 18, 2025 meeting for further discussion and public comment.
- Approved the consent agenda items (unanimous).
- Approved the Ride Home program amendment (unanimous).
- Established the Dawn Z Business Accessibility Award.
- Directed staff to provide a status update on 2018 water bond projects at the next meeting.
- Directed staff to explore a centralized community events calendar with a six-month timeline.
- Scheduled the pedestrian safety report for October 20 or November 3, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening. Good evening. I'm gonna go ahead and I'm gonna go ahead and call our City of Columbia Monday, August 4th, 2025, Columbia City Council meeting to order. Sheila, will you please call roll? Miss Sample? Here. Mr. Foster. Here. Mr. Waterman. Here. Miss Peters. Here. Miss Buffalo? Here. Miss Carroll. Here. All right. Well, good evening, Packed House. Members of the community have multiple opportunities to speak at Columbia City Council meetings. You can speak on agenda items, public hearings, old business, new business. We do ask that you keep your remarks to the legislation that is being proposed and adopted. And then at the end of the council meeting, you can talk about anything you want for three minutes, just orderly. During the council meeting when we're voting on legislation, if you're a business or organization or community group that is affected by the by the legislation, you can request five minutes. Also to avoid demonstrations that might intimidate your neighbors from speaking at a public meeting. So first up on our agenda is the approval of our previous minutes. So I'll make a motion to approve the July 21st, 2025 minutes. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Nick Foster. All those in favor of approval of the minute say aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right. Moving on. Does anyone have any changes to the agenda? Seeing none, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda as posted. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Betsy Peters. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right. All right. So we have a few number of special items in our council meetings today. So up first, um, I'll read this first one and then I'll come down there. So up first is the presentation of our Senator Chuck Graham uh award, and I'll first read our first recipient and then come down there.
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