Columbia City Council Regular Meeting – June 15, 2026

The City Council of Columbia, Missouri met on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The meeting included appointments, scheduled public comments, old business, a consent agenda, new business, reports, and general comments. Key outcomes included the defeat of a short‑term rental conditional use permit, passage of amendments to accessory dwelling unit regulations, and direction for future work sessions on vehicle stops data and the Water and Light Integrated Resource Plan.

Consent Calendar

• Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem: Council Member Jackie Sample was appointed Mayor Pro Tem without objection.
• First Last Mile ARPA Update: Dr. Lester Woods reported that the program has provided over 7,000 rides since 2024, with 2,317 rides provided through mid‑May 2026. The program operates with 9–11 staff and eight partner organizations. Total public investment was $430,354.65 from Boone County, the City of Columbia, REDI, Veterans United, and an anonymous donor. Transportation remains a barrier due to high costs, limited public transit, and long travel times.
• Board and Commission Appointments: Multiple appointments were made by majority vote or voice vote. Notable: Zachary Cartwright (Citizens Police Review Board, term to Nov. 1, 2028); Shane Lowe (Planning & Zoning, term May 31, 2027); Kate Stockton (Planning & Zoning, term May 31, 2029); Philip Fracica and Emily Piontek (Water & Light Advisory Board). The council also re‑advertised vacancies on the Citizens Police Review Board and the Climate and Environment Commission.
• Consent Agenda Bills and Resolutions: Bills B144‑26 through B152‑26 and Resolutions R114‑26 through R116‑26, R118‑26 through R120‑26 were approved unanimously. These authorized construction of Fire Station #10, budget appropriations for the Municipal Service Center South, CDBG grants, agreements for the Senior Games and Show‑Me Games, an Axon technology contract, 800 MHz radio system agreements for Police, Fire, and Airport, public hearings for Bridge #9 replacement, the Water and Light Renewable Energy Plan, the FY 2027 Capital Improvement Plan, artist commissions for North Village Park benches, the Boone County Fair agreement, and a CDBG grant for Love Columbia.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Water and Light Advisory Board (David Switzer): Representing the board, Switzer noted that in FY 2025 the City’s total revenue was $484 million, with over 40% ($200 million) from water and electric utilities, and over $18 million transferred to the general fund. He urged the Council to allocate more time to utility issues, particularly the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and proposed two 2.5‑hour work sessions with the Council, the Board, and staff.
• Matt Schacht (Vidwest representative): Schacht presented a map of Vidwest members and a petition of over 630 signatures requesting continued City funding for community media. He described community media as a school, gear library, business incubator, and third space. He noted that about one in five members identify as non‑white and that low‑income residents use the services to gain skills and start businesses. He asked the Council not to defund the organization.
• Jeff Stack and Margaret McConnell: Both strongly opposed the median ban ordinance (No. 026217) set to take effect July 1, which would ban panhandling and constitutional protected protests on medians. McConnell argued the City’s $100,000 study did not show a causal link between panhandling and traffic fatalities, and that the ordinance would harm unhoused residents by removing their main income source (approximately $60 on a good day). She and others stated they were willing to risk arrest and provide resources for a legal challenge.

Discussion Items

• B101‑26 – Short‑Term Rental Conditional Use Permit (2002 Valley View Road): The applicant sought a conditional use permit for a short‑term rental on a cul‑de‑sac. Staff reported that all neighboring households (16) opposed the application. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval 6‑2. Public testimony was heavily opposed, citing safety concerns for children playing in the street, lack of sidewalks, and poor communication from the owner and agent. The owner (Laurie Gehrke) and agent (Russell Boyt) said they would manage the property closely and planned to retire in Columbia. The council discussed criteria for short‑term rentals, noting that neighborhood opposition is one factor. Council Member Valerie Carroll expressed concern about the designated agent system and the influence of well‑resourced neighborhoods. The bill was defeated 4‑2 (Carroll and Elwood voted yes).
• B142‑26 – Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance Amendments: Staff presented amendments to Chapter 29 to allow ADUs by right in R‑1 zoning (eliminating the conditional use permit requirement), increase maximum height to 24 feet (if over a garage), standardize the minimum lot size to 5,000 square feet across all zones, increase rear yard setback from 6 feet to 15 feet, reduce corner side yard setback from 25 feet to 12.5 feet, and codify that only one of the two dwellings on the lot may have a short‑term rental license. The amendments were recommended 8‑0 by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Public comment included advocacy for keeping the 3,000 sq. ft. minimum (Adrienne Stolwyk, Scott Claybrook), concerns about equity and infill housing, and requests for a nuanced approach to setbacks. Council discussion focused on the lot size change. Council Member Hartman suggested a conditional use path for lots between 3,000 and 5,000 sq. ft., but no motion was made. The council voted unanimously (6‑0) to approve the ordinance as recommended.
• R121‑26 – North Village Park Sidewalk Closure: The resolution authorized temporary closure of sidewalks and parking lanes around North Village Park from June 26 through November 2026 for construction of new sidewalks and parking improvements. The project will expand sidewalks to 20 feet and increase parking spaces from 25 to 45. The resolution passed unanimously.
• R117‑26 – Parks and Recreation Software Amendment: Moved from the consent agenda for a correction. The title and section one were amended to replace “add” with “remove” for the WebTrac App Workgroup Plus software. The resolution, as amended, passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• B101‑26 Defeated (4‑2): The conditional use permit for a short‑term rental at 2002 Valley View Road was denied.
• B142‑26 Enacted Unanimously: Amendments to ADU regulations were approved, including by‑right ADUs in R‑1, increased height, minimum lot size of 5,000 sq. ft., 15‑foot rear setback, 12.5‑foot corner side yard setback, and a limit of one short‑term rental per lot.
• Consent Agenda and New Business Resolutions Passed Unanimously: All consent items and resolutions R121‑26 and R117‑26 (as amended) were approved.
• Work Session on Vehicle Stops Data: Council Member Hartman’s motion for a work session (preferably in November, coordinated with other scheduling) to discuss the Missouri Attorney General’s Vehicle Stops Report and disparities was approved unanimously.
• Work Sessions on Integrated Resource Plan: Council Member Peters’ motion to schedule two 2.5‑hour work sessions with the Water and Light Advisory Board, beginning in early fall, was approved unanimously.
• Report on First Read Presentations and Public Comment: Mayor Buffaloe’s motion requesting staff to prepare a report on the logistics of allowing presentations and public comments on first‑read items (to be discussed at a future work session) was approved unanimously.
• Release of RPPO Funds: A motion for staff to bring forward legislation releasing funds from the Residential Parking by Permit Only program was approved by voice vote.
• Liaison for Homeless Outreach: Council Member Peters was appointed as the council liaison for homeless outreach, including the Homeless Strategic Plan Steering Committee and the Affordable Housing Coalition.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 11:45 p.m.