OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - February 16, 2026

Video Archive — Monday, February 16, 2026
BodyColumbia, Missouri
SessionVideo Archive
DateMonday, February 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:16:15

Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

No microphones working.

0:11

2026 uh Columbia City Council meeting to order.

0:14

I invite all those who are able to please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:25

And to the Republic for what we should say.

0:27

One nation under liberty and justice for we please call roll.

0:37

Miss Elwood.

0:39

Here.

0:39

Ms.

0:40

Sample?

0:40

Here.

0:41

Mr.

0:41

Foster.

0:42

Here.

0:42

Mr.

0:43

Waterman.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Miss Peters.

0:45

Here.

0:45

Miss Buffalo.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Miss Carroll.

0:48

Here.

0:49

All right.

0:50

Well, good evening.

0:51

Just a quick introduction to Columbia City Council meetings.

0:55

Our council agendas, items that are currently listed under consent agenda.

0:59

There's not normally a presentation on those items, and there's not opportunity for public comment.

1:04

For items that are listed under introduction and first read, if they have an asterisk, they would be on consent agenda at the next one unless they are polled.

1:11

Items that do not have a consent or an asterisk on them under intro and first read would be on old business at the next council meeting.

1:18

I ask that because sometimes we've had people sit in the audience until the very end, not knowing that they weren't going to talk on an issue.

1:23

So pay attention to that point now.

1:25

Now the public have multiple opportunities to speak at Columbia City Council meetings.

1:29

You can speak under public hearing, old business, new business portions of the agenda.

1:33

I do remind people to keep their remarks to the legislation being discussed, because at the end of the council meeting, you can talk about whatever you want to talk about within decencies for three minutes.

1:47

So three minutes if you're an individual in the legislation, you can request five minutes if you're a business or organization affected by the legislation.

1:54

I do ask for you to make contact with me so that I can make sure that Lacey and Peyton set the right timer for you to know how long you're left.

2:01

I do ask people that we respect this.

2:04

We respect we ah, sorry, we would do these rules so that as many people can speak that want to speak.

2:10

I ask that people avoid demonstrations that can intimidate your neighbors from speaking at council meetings.

2:15

We can address issues, not individuals, and that includes no attacks on staff or each other.

2:21

Disruptions would be addressed with a warning and if necessary, removal.

2:25

Now, up next on our agenda, we have our minutes.

2:28

So I'll make a motion for um the January 20th, 26 regular meeting minutes to be approved.

2:33

Do I have a second?

2:34

Second.

2:35

I'm gonna say Vera on that one.

2:37

Uh all those in favor say aye.

2:39

Aye.

2:39

All those opposed?

2:41

All right.

2:41

And we're still working on the February 2nd, which was a five-hour meeting.

2:44

So thank you, Sheila, for doing those minutes.

2:47

Um there is a typographical error on our agenda that B 3926 was listed as R 3926 under intro and first read.

2:56

Um, so we are going to correct that.

2:58

So I'll make a motion um to correct the agenda so that R 3926 is changed to B3926.

3:05

Uh, do I have a second?

3:06

Okay.

3:06

Seconded by Betsy.

3:07

All those in favor say aye.

3:09

Aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Safety██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Zoning██████6%
Airport Operations███3%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Community Media██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - February 16, 2026

The Columbia City Council met on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber to conduct a regular meeting. The meeting included special recognition of police officers, appointments to boards and commissions, scheduled public comments, three public hearings, approval of a consent agenda, introduction of new legislation, and reports on community violence, communication strategies, and annual reports. The meeting adjourned at 9:16 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of January 20, 2026.
  • Approved a corrected agenda (changed R39-26 to B39-26).
  • Approved the consent agenda unanimously, including 13 bills (B24-26 through B36-26) and 8 resolutions (R28-26 through R35-26) covering a range of administrative, financial, and operational items. Key items include: amendments to pedestrian definitions, annexation agreements, final plats, MOUs for wastewater surveillance, criminal justice data sharing, counterdrug program, budget amendments for facility modifications, parking garage repairs, airport parking lot improvements, Providence Walkway development, housing revenue bonds, HIV testing, CDBG grant for Access Arts, CHDO agreement, True/False Film Festival sponsorship, HVAC maintenance contract, and animal control contract.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Randa Rawlins (Airport Advisory Board Chair): Reported on 2025 Airport Advisory Board activities, noting the airport's growth, the need for increased staffing, the challenges of working with airlines, and praised Airport Manager Mike Parks for his effectiveness. She emphasized the airport's role as an economic driver and requested continued council flexibility.
  • Jordan Lundy (Vidwest Studios): Described the history and importance of Vidwest Studios, providing training, professional help, and support for small businesses and nonprofits. He highlighted their work during the pandemic, including live streaming events and helping organizations tell their stories. He urged the council not to overlook Vidwest's commitment to the community.
  • Public Hearing on Old Plank Road Culvert: Paul Wagner (Creek Ridge resident) asked about parking, collateral damage, and project duration. Staff responded that a temporary road closure with detour would be implemented, no collateral damage anticipated, and construction would take 4-5 months starting in October 2026.
  • Public Hearing on Douglass Park Basketball Courts: Multiple speakers expressed support for the revised plan. Traci Wilson-Kleekamp thanked staff for listening and using the community engagement process. Kimberly Jordan thanked staff and emphasized the need for security at the park. Anthony Johnson thanked Council Member Carroll and staff for making changes, stating it showed citizens they would be heard. Alphia Hightower thanked Council Member Carroll for prioritizing public interest and highlighted the collaborative process. Debra Wilkerson expressed gratitude for giving the park back to the community and hoped to bring back programs.
  • General Comments:
    • Traci Wilson-Kleekamp (Race Matters, Friends) discussed past notification issues, recommended recognizing all associations, and suggested a neighborhood resource center.
    • Nickie Davis (Downtown CID) praised the SeeClickFix system for faster issue resolution.
    • Eugene Elkin (Second Ward) asked about the electric power line meeting, noted about 5,000 utility customers behind on bills, suggested $1/day parking at the airport, and called for a 5% cap on rent increases for mobile homes.
    • Renee Carter (Second Ward) asked if geofencing technology could be used to regulate speeds for safety.
    • Demetria Stephens (Third Ward) expressed urgency regarding crime, especially car break-ins in the east side, and requested council invest similar time as they did on the median ordinance.

Discussion Items

  • Special Items (SI2-26): Police Chief Jill Schlude recognized officers for the December 4, 2025 search for a missing 4-year-old boy in Sturgeon, Missouri. Officer Tristan Alvarado received the Life Saving Award for finding the boy in a stroller. Other officers received Commendable Performance Ribbons.
  • Appointments to Boards and Commissions: Appointments made to Building Construction Codes Commission, Commission on Cultural Affairs, Human Rights Commission, Food Council, Parking Advisory Commission, and Public Transit Advisory Commission.
  • Public Hearing PH2-26 – Old Plank Road Culvert: Staff presented the project to replace three 66-inch corrugated metal culverts (90% rusted) with a 24-foot by 6-foot arch structure. Total cost $620,000, with $280,000 from MODOT grant and $337,000 from capital improvement sales tax. Council approved the project unanimously.
  • Public Hearing PH3-26 and B35-26 – Douglass Park Basketball Courts: Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington presented a revised plan after community input. The plan features blue courts, one representing Douglas Bulldogs and the other Moonlight Hoops, plus a water fountain. Future engagement planned for public art, recreational programming, and park infrastructure. Council voted 7-0 to approve the ordinance.
  • Public Hearing PH4-26 – Annexation of 1020 S. El Chaparral Avenue: The city-owned property (4.5 acres) is proposed for a fire station administrative offices and future fire station. Staff recommended R-1 zoning. Council Member Carroll questioned the "lowest common denominator" zoning approach, but staff noted the use would not change. The public hearing was held; vote on the annexation ordinance will occur on March 2, 2026.
  • Reports:
    • REP5-26 – Mayor's Task Force on Community Violence (2014): Council Member Sample noted the recommendations led to the strategic plan and Office of Violence Prevention. She emphasized the need for measurable deliverables and evidence-based approaches.
    • REP6-26 – Communication Strategies: Extensive discussion on notification procedures for public works, community development, and utilities. Staff reported on plans for a geofencing text alert system (vendor identified, implementation within two months). Public Works Director Creech explained challenges with mill and overlay scheduling. Community Development Director Smith detailed notification processes (postcards, early notification, concept meetings). Comments from public on neighborhood association recognition.
    • REP13-26 – Disabilities Commission Annual Report: Received for information.
    • REP14-26 – Airport Advisory Board Annual Report: Already covered during scheduled public comment; a correction to a board member name was noted.
  • Introduction and First Reading: Several bills introduced, including B37-26 (electronic gaming machines), B38-26 (animals and fowl), B39-26 (FIFA World Cup liquor hours), B40-26 (annexation of El Chaparral property), B41-26 (short-term rental conditional use permit), B42-26 (Boone Industrial Park final plat), B43-26 (stormwater covenants), B44-26 (MULES/NCIC agreement), B45-26 (Rothwell Park improvements), B46-26 (airport passenger boarding bridge), B47-26 (HIV case management), B48-26 (teen connection project), B49-26 (public health services), B50-26 (animal control services), B51-26 (Love Your Block program), and B52-26 (creating Communications Department). City Manager Seewood explained the hybrid approach for the new Communications Department, comprising 25 FTEs and 4 part-time connectors, with a goal to enhance internal and external communications, crisis management, and branding.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Old Plank Road culvert construction (unanimous).
  • Approved: Revised plan for Douglass Park basketball courts (B35-26, vote 7-0).
  • Consent Agenda: All 13 bills and 8 resolutions approved unanimously.
  • Directed Staff: To proceed with the public improvement process for the Vawter School Road transmission line route, including multiple public meetings and a public hearing.
  • Upcoming: The annexation and zoning for 1020 S. El Chaparral Avenue will be voted on at the March 2, 2026 council meeting. The Community Summit is scheduled for March 14, 2026, where input for the strategic plan will be gathered.
  • Next Steps: The geofencing text alert system is expected to be implemented within two months. The communication plan for the transmission line will be developed with citywide notice.

Meeting Transcript

No microphones working. 2026 uh Columbia City Council meeting to order. I invite all those who are able to please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for what we should say. One nation under liberty and justice for we please call roll. Miss Elwood. Here. Ms. Sample? Here. Mr. Foster. Here. Mr. Waterman. Here. Miss Peters. Here. Miss Buffalo. Here. Miss Carroll. Here. All right. Well, good evening. Just a quick introduction to Columbia City Council meetings. Our council agendas, items that are currently listed under consent agenda. There's not normally a presentation on those items, and there's not opportunity for public comment. For items that are listed under introduction and first read, if they have an asterisk, they would be on consent agenda at the next one unless they are polled. Items that do not have a consent or an asterisk on them under intro and first read would be on old business at the next council meeting. I ask that because sometimes we've had people sit in the audience until the very end, not knowing that they weren't going to talk on an issue. So pay attention to that point now. Now the public have multiple opportunities to speak at Columbia City Council meetings. You can speak under public hearing, old business, new business portions of the agenda. I do remind people to keep their remarks to the legislation being discussed, because at the end of the council meeting, you can talk about whatever you want to talk about within decencies for three minutes. So three minutes if you're an individual in the legislation, you can request five minutes if you're a business or organization affected by the legislation. I do ask for you to make contact with me so that I can make sure that Lacey and Peyton set the right timer for you to know how long you're left. I do ask people that we respect this. We respect we ah, sorry, we would do these rules so that as many people can speak that want to speak. I ask that people avoid demonstrations that can intimidate your neighbors from speaking at council meetings. We can address issues, not individuals, and that includes no attacks on staff or each other. Disruptions would be addressed with a warning and if necessary, removal. Now, up next on our agenda, we have our minutes. So I'll make a motion for um the January 20th, 26 regular meeting minutes to be approved. Do I have a second? Second. I'm gonna say Vera on that one. Uh all those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed? All right.

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