OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Columbia City Council Meeting Summary – July 20, 2026

Video Archive — Monday, July 20, 2026
BodyColumbia, Missouri
SessionVideo Archive
DateMonday, July 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:52:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:10

I'm gonna go ahead and uh call us to order for the July 20th, 2026 Columbia City Council meeting.

0:17

Uh, I invite all those who are able to please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

0:39

Sheila, we please call roll.

0:41

Miss Hartman here, Miss Peters, here, Miss Buffalo, here, Miss Carroll, here, Miss Elwood, here, Miss Sample.

0:50

Here.

0:51

All right.

0:52

So welcome back to City Hall to Council Chambers.

0:56

This was recently renovated to improve the audio visual systems.

1:01

Our microphones, I feel like are very sensitive right now.

1:05

And apologies if you guys get banned on that.

1:07

I also do want to note the new podium.

1:09

So for those who are coming up first, go to a public comment or any of public speaking later.

1:13

Um if you need to adjust it, you can either move the microphone, but there's also a way that the podium itself adjust.

1:18

There's a six-second delay.

1:21

And I say that because you will realize it is the longest six seconds of your life if you're trying to adjust it, because but it will start moving if you go up or down.

1:28

Um so quick overview of council agendas.

1:31

Um, you know, items that are listed under consent agenda.

1:34

If there's no adjustment to our agenda, there's not normally a presentation for those items, uh, and there's no normally uh discussion on them.

1:40

They are kind of approved in bulk.

1:42

And if you're looking under intro and first read, those items that have an asterisk would be on consent at that next agenda.

1:49

I say that because people can always request uh to remove things from consent or for intro and first read to not be on consent the next time.

1:56

Um rules for public speaking.

1:58

The public has multiple opportunities to speak at Columbia City Council meetings.

2:03

Uh you can uh speak under old business or during public hearing, old business, new business.

2:08

I do remind people to get keep their remarks to the legislation being discussed at the end of the council meeting.

2:15

You can talk about whatever you want to talk about for the three minutes.

2:17

It can be on something on the agenda or nothing, whatever you want to do.

2:20

Um we do ask the people to state their name and their ward, and that is just so that she likes to make sure she has it correct for the minutes.

2:27

Individuals are allotted three minutes.

2:30

If you're an organization that is impacted by the legislation being discussed, you can request five minutes.

2:35

Please let me know that you're requesting it, and that way I can let Stephen know.

2:39

Because on the podium is a little timer that lets you know how much time you have.

2:43

It will turn green when you can talk, yellow when you're getting towards the end, and red when you've come to the end of your talk.

2:49

Um of the comments that will also encourage people is that we want to avoid demonstrations that might intimidate your neighbors from speaking at city council meetings.

2:58

We can address issues, please don't attack individuals, and that includes uh city staff.

3:03

Uh if we have major disruptions, they would be addressed with a warning, and if necessary, uh removal and recess.

3:09

All right, so moving on for our council agenda.

3:12

Um, up first, uh, we have uh the June 1st and June 15th regular meeting minutes, so I'll make a motion to approve both of those uh packets of minutes.

3:21

Do I have a second?

3:22

Second, second by Vera.

3:23

All those in favor say aye.

3:25

Aye.

3:26

Any opposed?

3:28

All right, thank you.

3:28

Um and then as far as adjustments of the agenda, um, there was a request from the applicant for Bill 1762 that is currently under intro and first read to be removed from the agenda.

3:40

Um there any other changes to the agenda.

3:44

Seeing none, uh, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda with the removal of Bill 1762.

3:50

Do we have a second?

3:51

Second, second and by view.

3:53

Thank you.

3:54

Uh all those in favor of the agenda as amended say aye.

3:57

Aye.

3:58

Any opposed?

3:59

All right.

3:59

And then up first, we have a special item.

4:02

So I'd like to invite Christopher Ave to join the city clerk and the city manager at the podium to take his oath of office as our new communications director.

4:19

Just raise the right hand if you have to meet.

4:22

I state your name.

4:23

I Christopher Ave.

4:25

Do you solemnly swear?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Environmental Protection███████████████████19%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████15%
Public Engagement████████8%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Capital Improvement Planning██████6%
Community Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Columbia City Council Meeting Summary – July 20, 2026

The Columbia City Council met on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe presided, with Council Members Christina Hartman, Betsy Peters, Valerie Carroll, Vera Elwood, and Jacque Sample present. Council Member Sample left the meeting at approximately 9:16 PM. The meeting included public hearings on the MKT Trail bridge replacement, the 2026 Renewable Energy Plan, and the FY 2027 Capital Improvement Plan, as well as several ordinance votes and introductions of new legislation.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from June 1 and June 15, 2026, unanimously.
  • Approved the agenda with the removal of Bill B176-26 at the applicant's request (unanimous).
  • Appointed multiple individuals to boards and commissions, including: Ann Marie Gortmaker, Tom Heitman, and Frankie Minor to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission; Brian Connell (licensed architect regular member), Jonathan Trunk (alternate), Benjamin Dupre, and Richard Shanker to the Building Construction Codes Commission; Christopher Hawf and Shanna Smith to the Citizens Police Review Board; Jackson Huenefeldt and Martin Hyman to the Climate and Environment Commission; Enola White to the Commission on Cultural Affairs; Michele Curry to the Commission on Cultural Affairs Standing Committee on Public Art; and Oliver Swearngin to the Public Transit Advisory Commission.
  • Passed the consent agenda (B154-26 through B162-26; R122-26 through R141-26) with a 5-0 vote (Sample absent). Items included conditional use permits for short-term rentals, rezoning requests, final plats, various agreements and grants, and expressions of support for housing developments Spartan Pointe II and Gentry Estates IV.

Special Items

  • Christopher Ave was sworn in as the new Communications Director for the City of Columbia.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Luke Jensen and Izn Naqvi (scheduled public comment) expressed concern over the installation of Flock safety cameras, citing privacy violations, data insecurity, potential abuse by police, and sharing of data with ICE. They urged the Council to cancel the contract and redirect the over $1 million in initial costs and $500,000 annual fee to community safety programs. Izn Naqvi noted examples of other cities (Seneca, MO; Coralville, IA; Flagstaff, AZ) that removed or disaffiliated from Flock.
  • Philip Fracica (representing the Water and Light Advisory Board) recommended a freeze on the proposed incremental increase to the PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) charge for the Water Treatment Plant, citing uncertainty about the impact and the board's simultaneous recommendation of a 10% water rate increase and 6% electric rate increase while holding base rates constant and raising the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) cap by 20%.
  • Jim Windsor (200 Manor Drive) argued for a public safety fund that would carry over unspent fire and police funds, suggested freezing the PILOT abatement at its current level (approximately $300,000), and recommended delaying rate changes to allow more citizen input. He also questioned the 2019 annexation of the water treatment plant, claiming it had a fiscal impact contrary to earlier assertions.
  • Traci Wilson-Kleekamp was unable to attend; DJ and Joy Lynch and Tim Thomas withdrew their requests to speak.
  • Renee Carter (Ward 2) expressed support for the MKT Bridge #9 replacement, noting an incident on July 4th when a friend had to be rescued by EMTs. Mark Haim (Ward 3) supported the project but asked to minimize closure time. Peter Schneeberger (Ward 4) supported it but suggested also improving Bridges #2 and #10. Charles Cavanaugh (Ward 6) asked about the bid opening timeline. Shane Lowe (Ward 4) asked about notifications and EMS access.

Public Hearings

MKT Trail Bridge #9 Replacement (PH20-26 / B159-26)

  • Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington presented the project: replacing the 120-year-old bridge with a free-span, HS20-rated (72,000-pound) concrete-deck bridge. Project budget: $640,000 ($575,000 from park sales tax, $65,000 donation from Richard T. Eiler Trust). Construction anticipated December 2026 through March 2027, with the trail closed during that time.
  • Council Member Valerie Carroll noted the lack of a detour and raised transportation equity concerns for cyclists and pedestrians on Stadium Boulevard.
  • The public hearing was closed, and B159-26 passed 6-0.

Water and Light 2026 Renewable Energy Plan (PH21-26)

  • Utilities Director Erin Keys and Services Manager Todd McVicker presented the plan. In 2025, renewable energy supplied 22.57% of total electric usage (wind 17.63%, landfill gas 2.68%, solar 2.25%), below the 25% standard. The cost of renewables was approximately $450,000 higher than 2024, and the rate impact was $3,463,900 (72% of the 3% cap). For 2026, renewables are forecast at 23.5% (still below the 25% standard), with the Iron Star wind contract delayed until 2029. A solar PPA is being negotiated.
  • Speakers:
    • Abby Dickinson (Chair, Climate and Environment Commission) read a memo praising the plan, citing projected diversion of 248,016 metric tons of carbon, equivalent to taking 57,851 gasoline-powered cars off the road for a year.
    • Amanda Bender (Ward 4) urged more aggressive action, stating that without change, Missouri's average annual temperature could rise by over 13°F by the end of the century.
    • Carolyn Amparan (Sierra Club Mid-Missouri) called for replacing all retiring fossil fuel resources with renewable energy and storage, and opposed nuclear energy.
    • Mark Haim (Mid-Missouri Peaceworks) demanded emergency-scale mobilization and no further investments in fossil fuels or nuclear.
    • Jack Meinzenbach (Ward 6) criticized the slow progress (average 1% per year since 2004) and proposed departmental energy reduction goals, implementation of 2024 IECC codes (projected $31,000 savings per household over 10-15 years), and public-private solar microgrids.
    • Adam Archibold (Ward 4) shared experiences with wildfires and urged faster transition.
  • The Council accepted the 2026 Renewable Energy Plan unanimously.

FY 2027 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Plan (PH22-26)

  • Finance Director Matthew Lue and Budget Officer Megan Montesinos presented the plan. Total funding: about $48 million (approximately $28 million from enterprise revenue, $10 million from capital improvement sales tax). Projects include airport terminal expansion, Perche Creek Trail Phase 2, landfill cell #7, Sinclair Road improvements, water treatment plant upgrades, and more.
  • Speakers:
    • Carolyn Amparan suggested incorporating solar panels into parks and other facilities to support renewable energy goals.
    • Mark Haim criticized airport expansion due to air travel's high carbon emissions.
    • Shane Lowe argued maintenance costs should be highlighted in the CIP.
  • The Council approved the CIP document unanimously.

Old Business

Stormwater Waste Disposal Prohibitions (B153-26)

  • Utilities Director Erin Keys explained the ordinance updates Chapter 12A to comply with Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requirements for the MS4 stormwater permit. The ordinance specifically prohibits human waste and litter from encampment activities.
  • Bill Dijak (COMO Mobile Aid Collective) questioned the lack of water quality samples and the targeting of homeless encampments. Renee Carter (Race Matters, Friends) argued the ordinance criminalizes homelessness instead of providing resources.
  • Council discussion: Council Members Hartman and Carroll voted 'No', expressing concerns about targeting the homeless; others voted 'Yes' to avoid risking the permit. The ordinance passed 4-2 (Hartman and Carroll opposing).

Land Acquisition for Perche Creek Trail (B158-26)

  • Parks Director Gabe Huffington presented the acquisition of 29.9 acres from Make Holdings LLC for $194,000 (matching an appraisal) to facilitate Phases 1 and 2 of the Perche Creek Trail, including a future trailhead and underpass. The purchase would be funded by the 2021 park sales tax land acquisition fund.
  • Shane Lowe expressed support for the acquisition. Dee Dokken (804 Again Street) initially felt $60,000 per acre was high but later corrected to about $6,000 per acre in general comments.
  • The ordinance passed 5-0 (Sample absent).

Key Outcomes

  • B159-26 (MKT Bridge #9 replacement) passed 6-0.
  • B153-26 (Stormwater waste prohibitions) passed 4-2.
  • B158-26 (Land acquisition) passed 5-0 (Sample absent).
  • Consent agenda passed 5-0 (Sample absent).
  • 2026 Renewable Energy Plan accepted unanimously.
  • FY 2027 CIP Plan approved unanimously.
  • REP39-26 (PILOT abatement schedule) – Council approved staff's phased approach for the PILOT increase, with Council Member Peters voting against the motion and Sample absent.

Reports

  • REP39-26: Finance Director Matthew Lue presented a phased PILOT increase over 10 years to manage the $870,000 annual cost triggered by the $40 million water treatment plant upgrade. Council approved the phased approach.
  • REP40-26: The Business Loop Community Improvement District's FY 2027 annual budget was presented as an informational item per state statute.

Introduction and First Reading

  • The following items were introduced for first reading: PR142-26 (Climate Action and Adaptation Plan update), B163-26 through B172-26 (various fee and rate ordinances), B173-26 and B174-26 (board membership changes), B175-26 (Broadway Hotel redevelopment agreement), B177-26 through B181-26 (rezonings and plats), B182-26 through B184-26 (short-term rental conditional use permits), B185-26 (annexation agreement), B186-26 through B188-26 (sidewalk and transit agreements), B189-26 through B205-26 (various contracts, budget appropriations, and agreements).
  • Note: B176-26 (The Retreat at Columbia) was removed from the agenda at the applicant's request.

General Comments by Public, Council, and Staff

  • Dee Dokken corrected her earlier math on the land acquisition price.
  • Eugene Elkin (Ward 2) spoke about cash usage and AI, advocating for caution regarding data centers.
  • Matthew Schacht (representing Vidwest) expressed concern about the future of community media, suggesting a town hall discussion rather than a decision by a single staff member.
  • Shane Lowe suggested considering rules to deter requests for standing ovations during public comment, which he felt could lead to less decorum.
  • Staff updates: An update on the cyclosporiasis outbreak (36 local cases), the CoMo to Zero initiative in August, and the FY 2027 budget presentation on August 3, 2026. Both August Council meetings will begin at 6:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I'm gonna go ahead and uh call us to order for the July 20th, 2026 Columbia City Council meeting. Uh, I invite all those who are able to please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Sheila, we please call roll. Miss Hartman here, Miss Peters, here, Miss Buffalo, here, Miss Carroll, here, Miss Elwood, here, Miss Sample. Here. All right. So welcome back to City Hall to Council Chambers. This was recently renovated to improve the audio visual systems. Our microphones, I feel like are very sensitive right now. And apologies if you guys get banned on that. I also do want to note the new podium. So for those who are coming up first, go to a public comment or any of public speaking later. Um if you need to adjust it, you can either move the microphone, but there's also a way that the podium itself adjust. There's a six-second delay. And I say that because you will realize it is the longest six seconds of your life if you're trying to adjust it, because but it will start moving if you go up or down. Um so quick overview of council agendas. Um, you know, items that are listed under consent agenda. If there's no adjustment to our agenda, there's not normally a presentation for those items, uh, and there's no normally uh discussion on them. They are kind of approved in bulk. And if you're looking under intro and first read, those items that have an asterisk would be on consent at that next agenda. I say that because people can always request uh to remove things from consent or for intro and first read to not be on consent the next time. Um rules for public speaking. The public has multiple opportunities to speak at Columbia City Council meetings. Uh you can uh speak under old business or during public hearing, old business, new business. I do remind people to get keep their remarks to the legislation being discussed at the end of the council meeting. You can talk about whatever you want to talk about for the three minutes. It can be on something on the agenda or nothing, whatever you want to do. Um we do ask the people to state their name and their ward, and that is just so that she likes to make sure she has it correct for the minutes. Individuals are allotted three minutes. If you're an organization that is impacted by the legislation being discussed, you can request five minutes. Please let me know that you're requesting it, and that way I can let Stephen know. Because on the podium is a little timer that lets you know how much time you have. It will turn green when you can talk, yellow when you're getting towards the end, and red when you've come to the end of your talk. Um of the comments that will also encourage people is that we want to avoid demonstrations that might intimidate your neighbors from speaking at city council meetings. We can address issues, please don't attack individuals, and that includes uh city staff. Uh if we have major disruptions, they would be addressed with a warning, and if necessary, uh removal and recess. All right, so moving on for our council agenda. Um, up first, uh, we have uh the June 1st and June 15th regular meeting minutes, so I'll make a motion to approve both of those uh packets of minutes. Do I have a second? Second, second by Vera. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right, thank you. Um and then as far as adjustments of the agenda, um, there was a request from the applicant for Bill 1762 that is currently under intro and first read to be removed from the agenda. Um there any other changes to the agenda. Seeing none, uh, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda with the removal of Bill 1762. Do we have a second? Second, second and by view. Thank you.

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