OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Columbia City Council Regular Meeting on March 16, 2026

Video Archive — Monday, March 16, 2026
BodyColumbia, Missouri
SessionVideo Archive
DateMonday, March 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:13:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Good evening.

0:06

I'll go ahead and call our March 16th, 2026 Columbia City Council meeting to order on by all those who are able to please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:24

And to the Republican, one nation.

0:35

All right, Holly, will you please call roll?

0:37

Mr.

0:38

Foster.

0:39

Here.

0:39

Mr.

0:39

Waterman.

0:40

Here.

0:41

Ms.

0:41

Peters.

0:42

Ms.

0:42

Buffalo.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Miss Carroll.

0:45

Here.

0:45

Miss Elwood.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Miss Sample.

0:47

Here.

0:49

All right, moving on.

0:50

Well, good evening for all those who are here to join us for our regular city council meeting.

0:55

Just a quick overview, especially if this is your first time for our council meeting agendas.

1:00

I'll just make a quick note of overviews of things that are on council agendas.

1:04

So the first is an items listed under consent agenda.

1:07

If council doesn't pull them from the consent agenda this evening, there's not normally a presentation on them.

1:12

And there's not usually opportunity for public comment.

1:15

For items listed under introduction and first read, if there's an asterisk, that means it would be on the consent agenda at the next council meeting.

1:22

Items that items that do not have an asterisk on it would either be a public hearing or they would go to old business at the next council meeting.

1:30

There are multiple opportunities to speak at City Columbia meeting or council meetings.

1:35

You can talk during public hearing, old business, new business.

1:38

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

1:45

I do ask that people uh respect the time limits we have, three minutes for individuals.

1:50

You can request five minutes if you're an organization affected by the legislation.

1:54

I do ask that you help me acknowledge that so I can let Peyton know to change the shot clock so you know how much time you have left on that.

2:00

Um we ask that people also avoid demonstrations that might intimidate a neighbor from speaking.

2:05

Uh we want to make sure that we're addressing issues, not individuals, and refraining from personal attacks, and that includes on city staff.

2:12

Uh disruptions would be addressed with a warning and if necessary, um, removal and recess.

2:18

So moving on, the first thing we have on our city council agenda this evening is approval of the minutes.

2:23

So I'll make a motion to approve the March 2nd, 2026 City Council meeting minutes.

2:29

Do I have a second?

2:30

Second.

2:30

Second for Vero.

2:32

All those in favor say aye.

2:33

Aye.

2:33

Aye.

2:34

Any opposed?

2:35

All right.

2:35

Moving on, we've had a couple of adjustments to our agenda.

2:38

So up first, um, the event organizer associated with um resolution 5326 has requested that this item uh not move forward.

2:47

So we're gonna remove resolution 50, or I will propose to remove resolution 5326 from the agenda.

2:53

I believe also council member Peters had a constituent ask um to that bill 5826 be moved from consent agenda to old business.

3:03

Um and then also resolution 4326.

3:06

Um, we'll need to move from consent agenda to new business because we have an amendment related to the cost of that.

3:13

Are there any other proposed agenda adjustments?

3:17

Okay, so I will make a motion uh to approve the agenda with Bill 5826 being moved to old business and resolution 4326 being moved to new business and resolution 5326 being removed completely from the agenda.

3:30

Do I have a second?

3:31

Second.

3:31

Second by Nick Foster.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████████24%
Airport Operations███████████████15%
Community Engagement█████████████13%
Procedural████████8%
Procurement███████7%
Community Development██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - March 16, 2026

The Columbia City Council met on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber of City Hall. The meeting covered board appointments, public comments, a public hearing on the 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER), updates to purchasing ordinances, approval of an air service revenue guarantee with American Airlines for daily Charlotte flights, adjustment of council stipends, and multiple consent agenda items. All votes were unanimous (7-0) on items that were decided.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved unanimously, including:

  • B54-26: Amending the FY 2026 Annual Budget by appropriating $9,485,007.67 for second quarter funds.
  • B55-26: Conditional use permit for a spa facility at 1205 University Avenue.
  • B56-26: Vacating a drainage easement at 6409 Crooked Switch Court.
  • B57-26: Supplemental agreement for Broadway sidewalk project (Maplewood Drive to West Boulevard).
  • B59-26: Amendment to contract with Missouri DHSS for disease intervention specialist workforce program.
  • B60-26: Third amendment to affordable housing funding agreement with Housing Authority for Providence Walkway project.
  • B61-26: Second addendum to wind energy purchase agreement with University of Missouri for Crystal Lake III.
  • R39-26 through R42-26, R44-26: Setting public hearings for various Columbia Regional Airport projects (north parking lot, passenger boarding bridge, deicing pad, loop road, Airport Drive reconstruction).
  • R45-26: Fourth amendment with First Last Mile Valet Service for transportation.
  • R46-26: MOU with Creative Communities Alliance for "Sculpture on the Move" rotating public art project.
  • R47-26: First amendment to funding agreement with Burrell, Inc. for a crisis center.
  • R48-26: First amendment with Independent Living Center for home modifications.
  • R49-26: Participation agreement with KC CARE Health Center for HIV prevention (SPEED project).
  • R50-26: Tourism development sponsorship agreement with Columbia Art League for 2026 Art in the Park.
  • R51-26: Authorizing cost share grant application with MoDOT for signalized interchange at Paris Road/Starke Avenue.
  • R52-26: Special event operations agreement with FPC Live, LLC for two outdoor concerts.
  • R54-26: Temporary alley closure and waivers for "Mom’s Weekend" celebrations.
  • R55-26: Cultural Affairs programming grant with Audra Sergel for artist laureate program.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Devin Kareem Goins (Ward 4 resident): Spoke in support of Vidwest Studios, sharing how access to equipment and space enabled him to organize community creative events like "Cozy Sessions." He encouraged continued support for community media centers as infrastructure for creativity.
  • Jim Windsor (200 Manor Drive): Detailed his analysis of intergovernmental fees, claiming over $13.9 million in general administration fees were charged, with utilities paying $9.9 million (71%). He argued that solid waste customers paid $3.5 million, electric $2.5 million, sewer $2.4 million, water $1.3 million, and stormwater $93,000. He called for fee restructuring based on FTEs to reduce utility burdens and stated he would not support a ballot proposal for a dedicated public safety sales tax increase without transparency changes.
  • Elizabeth Miller (Columbia resident): Recounted frightening personal experiences (a man chasing with a crowbar at Stephens Lake Park, witnessing an execution-style shooting on Geyser Road, a car crash threat). She acknowledged the complexity of homelessness and crime but urged the city to ensure public spaces remain safe for families.
  • Matt (resident, general comment): Expressed concern about Missouri’s lack of protection under House Bills 2656 and 2388 (The Clear Skies Act), alleging neurotoxic heavy metals in the atmosphere. He requested the council formally endorse the bills and initiate independent air quality testing in Columbia.

Discussion Items

  • Public Hearing – 2025 CAPER (PH7-26 / R57-26): Housing Director Bill Rataj presented the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report for HUD funds. Key accomplishments included assisting 8 first-time homebuyers, 5 households with rental assistance, completion of Kinney Point (34 affordable units), and meeting HUD timeliness goals (only one-third of grantees achieve this). Expenditures: $1.8M CDBG, $1.1M HOME, $2M HOME-ARP. No public comment; the resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • B53-26 – Purchasing Code Updates: Purchasing Agent Cale Turner presented changes to Article X, including raising formal bidding thresholds from $15,000 to $25,000, updating utility infrastructure thresholds ($750,000 for electric, $150,000 for water), formalizing electronic bidding and RFP/RFQ processes, capping change orders at 15% of original contract (exceeding requires city manager approval), and creating a surplus technology sales program with a 24-month resale restriction. Council discussion focused on enforcement and donation opportunities. The ordinance passed unanimously.
  • B58-26 – American Airlines Revenue Guarantee (moved from consent): Airport Manager Mike Parks reported a 1-year, up to $1.5 million revenue guarantee for daily roundtrip service between Columbia Regional Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The city’s share is $750,000, matched by private partners (Central Missouri Air Service Group). Parks highlighted that Columbia Regional Airport is the fastest-growing U.S. airport (101% increase in seats). Six public speakers expressed support, including Airport Advisory Board Chair Randa Rawlins, resident Les Gray, Susan Hart, restaurateur Matt Jenne, and REDI Board Chair Mike Grellner. They emphasized economic development benefits and high community demand. The bill passed unanimously.
  • R56-26 – Council Stipend Adjustment: Finance Director Matthew Lue presented a charter-mandated adjustment based on 2% (2024), 3.5% (2025), and 3.5% (2026) increases, to take effect May 1, 2029 (after the next election). No public comment. The resolution passed unanimously.
  • R43-26 – Airport Production Kitchen Cost Update (moved from consent): Resolution to set a public hearing for the terminal building production kitchen was amended to correct the estimated cost from $413,100 to $828,176 (including design). The amendment passed, then the resolution as amended was adopted unanimously.
  • Housing and Development Feedback: Council discussed gathering input from the development community on barriers and solutions for affordable housing. City Manager De’Carlon Seewood and Planning Director Clint Smith suggested staff could bring back a prioritized list of housing initiatives for council direction. Council members supported a joint work session or interested parties meeting rather than a new permanent commission.
  • Demolition Permit Oversight: Council Member Valerie Elwood requested a report on tools to preserve housing, such as additional oversight on demolition permits and rehabilitation programs, especially after multiple demolitions on North 8th Street. Staff will confirm the request and bring back options.

Key Outcomes

  • All voting items (R57-26, B53-26, B58-26, R56-26, R43-26, and the entire consent agenda) passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Board appointments: Reese Holcomb to Commission on Human Rights; Gabi Jacobs and Connor Pinkley to Public Transit Advisory Commission.
  • Board of Equalization representatives: Finance Director (or designee Jim McDonald) and Council Member Betsy Peters were reappointed.
  • Staff was directed to: (1) Develop a prioritized list of housing initiatives from the housing study for council consideration; (2) Bring back a report on tools to preserve housing, including demolition permit oversight and rehabilitation program options.
  • The council will continue discussions on allowing public comment during first-read items at the upcoming council retreat.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'll go ahead and call our March 16th, 2026 Columbia City Council meeting to order on by all those who are able to please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republican, one nation. All right, Holly, will you please call roll? Mr. Foster. Here. Mr. Waterman. Here. Ms. Peters. Ms. Buffalo. Here. Miss Carroll. Here. Miss Elwood. Here. Miss Sample. Here. All right, moving on. Well, good evening for all those who are here to join us for our regular city council meeting. Just a quick overview, especially if this is your first time for our council meeting agendas. I'll just make a quick note of overviews of things that are on council agendas. So the first is an items listed under consent agenda. If council doesn't pull them from the consent agenda this evening, there's not normally a presentation on them. And there's not usually opportunity for public comment. For items listed under introduction and first read, if there's an asterisk, that means it would be on the consent agenda at the next council meeting. Items that items that do not have an asterisk on it would either be a public hearing or they would go to old business at the next council meeting. There are multiple opportunities to speak at City Columbia meeting or council meetings. You can talk during public hearing, old business, new business. I do remind people to keep their remarks to the legislation being discussed because at the end of the meeting, you can talk about anything you want to talk about for three minutes. I do ask that people uh respect the time limits we have, three minutes for individuals. You can request five minutes if you're an organization affected by the legislation. I do ask that you help me acknowledge that so I can let Peyton know to change the shot clock so you know how much time you have left on that. Um we ask that people also avoid demonstrations that might intimidate a neighbor from speaking. Uh we want to make sure that we're addressing issues, not individuals, and refraining from personal attacks, and that includes on city staff. Uh disruptions would be addressed with a warning and if necessary, um, removal and recess. So moving on, the first thing we have on our city council agenda this evening is approval of the minutes. So I'll make a motion to approve the March 2nd, 2026 City Council meeting minutes. Do I have a second? Second. Second for Vero. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right. Moving on, we've had a couple of adjustments to our agenda.

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