Columbia City Council Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Columbia City Council convened on November 17, 2025, to address a wide range of items including the approval of minutes, numerous board and commission appointments, special recognitions, and extensive discussion on public safety ordinances, zoning changes, and housing regulations. The meeting was characterized by significant public engagement, particularly regarding the safety and civil liberties implications of proposed pedestrian ordinances and the environmental impacts of rezoning agricultural land for potential data centers.

Consent Calendar

• The Council unanimously approved the meeting minutes for October 6, October 20, and November 3, 2025.
• The agenda was amended to remove Resolution R16025 to allow staff additional time to review a third-party agreement.
• The agenda with the removal was approved unanimously.
• The remainder of the consent calendar (Bills 28025 through 29525, and Resolutions 15925, 16125) was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Reverend Dr. Molly Haush Gordon expressed full support for investing in communal care and opposed any narrative that criminalizes the unhoused. She warned that scapegoating homeless residents aligns with an "authoritarian playbook" and urged the council to distinguish between decisions that criminalize versus those that resource.
• Elizabeth Keach and Douglas Miller (Detect Nerd) expressed full support for community media and VidWest Studios. They requested clarification on the city's statement regarding the loss of cable franchise fee funding, arguing that these fees have historically supported community media for 21 years.
• Jessica McNair (Opportunity Campus) expressed confidence in the Opportunity Campus development project, outlining a capital campaign of $18.6 million with $15.25 million raised, stating the project aims to house seven programs, including a 150-bed low-barrier shelter.
• Christine Dorr expressed strong opposition to the bulldozing of the Gans Bike Trail. She presented statistics on topsoil erosion in Missouri and argued that trail construction has permanently damaged the local water filtration system.
• Denny Perez expressed full support for better infrastructure over policing. He argued the proposed pedestrian ordinance polices people rather than drivers and called for building medians and crosswalks instead.
• Mark I. (Mid-Missouri Peace Works) expressed concern that the pedestrian ordinance threatens First Amendment rights to public discourse and protest, particularly regarding "pork chop" medians used for demonstrations.
• Erica (Second Ward) expressed concern regarding the First Amendment risks for protesters and the vague language regarding mobility restrictions, fearing it could impact police discretion and disabled individuals.
• Matt Shacht expressed strong opposition to the pedestrian ordinance. He argued it is overly broad, threatens panhandling and protest rights, and noted that it could lead to arrest warrants for unhoused individuals who cannot afford fines.
• Joseph Anderson (Disabled Resident) expressed full opposition to Bill 26525, stating it violates laws and precedents regarding disability rights and criminalizes disability.
• Verity (Ward 1) expressed opposition, stating the ordinance moves the city toward over-policing and the school-to-prison pipeline.
• Carissa Richardson (Public Defender) expressed strong opposition, describing the legislation as a "trap" that would criminalize poverty and lead to incarceration for those unable to pay fines.
• Luke Jensen (Ward 4) expressed opposition, arguing that criminalizing panhandling and protests does not improve safety and infringes on First Amendment rights.
• Red (Ward 1) expressed full opposition, calling the ordinance shameful and arguing it criminalizes residents rather than addressing root causes of safety.
• Grace Conrad expressed opposition, citing logistical issues and the lack of answers to council questions as reasons to vote no.
• Samantha (Ward 1) expressed opposition, arguing the ordinance targets the unhoused and fails to address the lack of infrastructure like crosswalks and sidewalks.
• Truman Oakes expressed opposition, noting the ordinance does not address pedestrian safety and would be more trouble than it's worth.
• Reese Holcomb (Mizzou Student) expressed full opposition, stating students' quality of life would be degraded and the ordinance is not a safety measure.
• McKinsey Ortiz (Ward 6) expressed full opposition based on personal experience with homelessness, arguing the bill criminalizes poverty.
• Arch Kimberlin expressed opposition, noting the ordinance is not about pedestrian safety but seems targeted at the unhoused population.
• Tina Marie (Homeless Advocate) expressed opposition, sharing a message from a homeless friend about using panhandling to support the community and arguing the ordinance subverts First Amendment rights.
• Mike Burden (Local Motion) expressed full opposition, arguing the pedestrian study did not find that medians cause crashes and the ordinance fails to provide safety improvements.
• Ken Rice (Disabilities Commission) expressed opposition, reading a letter concerned that the ordinance prohibits pedestrians from entering roadways, which is unsafe for those with mobility impairments.
• Tom Traby (Professional Engineer) expressed support for the pedestrian ordinance, arguing it ensures safety for pedestrians and travelers by regulating unpredictable behavior on narrow medians.
• Kristen (Speaker) expressed opposition, stating the ordinance misuses the city's own study and criminalizes protected speech.
• Paul Land (Business Owner) expressed support for the Hinkson Creek rezoning, arguing the corridor is now industrial and the rezoning is consistent with the area's character.
• James Gordon expressed full opposition to the Hinkson Creek rezoning, arguing it gambles with agricultural land and the environmental/energy risks of potential data centers without full transparency.
• Isaac Ellis expressed full opposition, fearing the abuse of property and the inability to raise cattle without pollutants if industrial development proceeds.
• Josh Patterson expressed full opposition, noting the presence of active cows and farmland, arguing it is the last remaining farmland in the city.
• Esther Ellis expressed full opposition, citing the Comprehensive Plan's goals to protect farmland and natural resources.
• Eugene Alkin expressed opposition, concerned about high utility usage (electricity and water) from potential data centers and the reliability of Columbia's electrical grid.
• Jamie Blair expressed opposition on behalf of residents, emphasizing the need to protect farmland and the local way of life.
• Mary Kay Doyle (Neighbor) expressed strong opposition to the Short-Term Rental application, citing noise, parking issues, and prior code violations.
• Edward Doyle (Son of Mary Kay Doyle) expressed strong opposition, reporting police reports and excessive car congestion on St. Michael Drive.
• Marilyn Brown expressed opposition regarding safety for children playing in the street without sidewalks.
• Colton (Neighbor) expressed opposition regarding safety concerns for children and traffic on the dead-end street.
• Logan Kirkendall (Missouri Students Association) expressed full support for the Collegiate Advisory Council, stating students can bring positive change.
• Claire Grossman expressed full support, stating the council will encourage civil engagement and provide critical student input.
• Jackson Jacobson expressed full support, citing the high student population and the desire to advocate for the community.
• Jackie (Council Member) requested a report on data center impacts, specifically looking at community and environmental impacts and best practices from other jurisdictions.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 26525 (Pedestrian Safety): Public Works Director Shane Creech presented the study, stating the ordinance aims to enhance safety on major corridors by prohibiting lingering on narrow medians and exchanging items with drivers. Council members (Jackie, Vera, Nick, Don, Nancy) raised significant concerns regarding the ambiguity of the definition of a median, the lack of data linking median loitering to crashes, First Amendment implications for protesters and panhandlers, and the ability of police to enforce exceptions for mobility-restricted individuals without visual cues. Staff agreed to clarify language regarding pedestrians without sidewalks and to table the vote to February 2nd to gather feedback from boards and commissions.
• Rezoning 28125 (Hinkson Creek Road): Community Development Director Clint Smith recommended rezoning 63 acres from Agricultural to IG Industrial. Staff noted the property is zoned IG in the surrounding corridor and retains agricultural zoning for the floodplain. However, public testimony regarding the environmental impact of potential data centers, the loss of active farmland, and the speculative nature of the development was overwhelming in opposition. Council members (Nancy, Valerie, Don, Jackie, Vera) expressed concern over the lack of specific use definitions, the potential for high energy consumption, and the loss of agricultural heritage. The motion to approve was defeated on a 3-3 tie (3 Nays, 3 Yays).
• Conditional Use 2825 (Short-Term Rental): Staff recommended denial due to a history of 9 code violations (including prior illegal STR use), lack of sufficient off-street parking for the requested 8 guests, and concerns from neighbors. The Council unanimously defeated the request (6 Nays, 0 Yays).
• Ordinance 29425 (Collegiate Advisory Council): The Council approved the creation of a collegiate advisory council to include student leaders from local universities. The goal is to provide a voice for students on issues of safety, transportation, and housing. The motion passed unanimously (6 Yays, 0 Nays).
• Rental Inspection Frequency: Staff reported on inspection frequencies, noting that increasing frequency for all units would require additional staff. A motion was passed directing staff to begin public engagement and education on a tiered inspection schedule based on the health and safety of dwelling units.
• General Comments: Council members commended first responders for a recent child rescue and a Silver Alert. Staff provided updates on the recycling center (MERF), noting the bailer is operational but weather-dependent.

Key Outcomes

• Pedestrian Safety Ordinance (Bill 26525): Motion to table the vote on Bill 26525 until the February 2nd meeting to allow time for feedback from four boards and commissions and further staff clarification. (Voted Nay on table motion, but motion passed to table due to subsequent discussion and procedural handling, resulting in no vote on the ordinance itself tonight).
• Hinkson Creek Rezoning (Bill 28125): The rezoning from Agricultural to IG Industrial was defeated 3-3 (3 Nays: Ms. Sample, Ms. Carroll, Ms. Elwood; 3 Yays: Mr. Foster, Mr. Waterman, Ms. Buffalo).
• Short-Term Rental (Bill 2825): The conditional use permit to operate a short-term rental at 1306 St. Michael Drive was defeated 6-0.
• Collegiate Advisory Council (Bill 29425): The ordinance to establish a collegiate advisory council was passed 6-0.
• Inspection Tiering: Council directed staff to begin public engagement and education on a tiered rental inspection schedule. (Motion passed 6-0).
• Data Center Study: Council requested a report from staff on the community and environmental impacts of data centers, including best practices for regulation. (Requested by Jackie; discussion to occur with staff on scope).