Columbia City Council Regular Meeting – September 8, 2026
Columbia City Council Regular Meeting – September 8, 2026
The Columbia City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included public hearings on the FY2027 budget, sewer rates, an annexation, and community improvement district; old business items on taxi stands, parking permits, special event permits, and a fourth-quarter budget amendment; and new business resolutions for downtown events. Council also heard scheduled public comments on policing, urban camping, and public safety, and debated future actions on social media moderation, street barriers, and the Flock camera system.
Consent Calendar
- Approved by unanimous vote (6‑0) a consent agenda containing: B226‑26 (one‑percent public safety sales tax), B227‑26 (voluntary annexation at I‑70 Drive SE), B228‑26 (rezoning 3000 N. Providence Road to R‑MF), B229‑26 (rezoning 4200 Rock Quarry Road to R‑1), B230‑26 (final plat Legacy RAB), B231‑26 (final plat The Gates), B232‑26 (final plat Cambridge Place), B233‑26 (transportation planning grant with MoDOT), B234‑26 (parking restrictions on Heather Lane), B237‑26 (streamgage agreement with USGS), B238‑26 (attendance rules for Finance Advisory and Audit Committee), R165‑26 (public hearing for annexation at 6000 Scott Boulevard), R166‑26 (engineering services for sewer flow monitoring), R167‑26 (sidewalk renovation agreement with Broadway Lodging LLC), R168‑26 (agreement with Mid‑Missouri Sports Park for Phase 2 expansion), R169‑26 (amendment to Vidwest cultural affairs grant), and R170‑26 (salary adjustments with Water and Light Association).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Thomas Norton Jr. (SPC45‑26) expressed that police are harassing individuals for “unlawful camping” in parks, stating he is not homeless and that people are being forced onto streets and hit by vehicles. He opposed the enforcement approach.
- Russell Boyt (SPC46‑26) called for a clear, narrow public‑space camping ordinance that defines where temporary living arrangements may or may not be maintained, with compassionate tiered enforcement (outreach, warnings, services) and citations only for repeated refusals. He cited a petition signed by 70+ downtown businesses.
- Susan Maze (SPC47‑26) highlighted that increased police staffing has led to more traffic stops (200% increase in 2024) but argued that many bookings are for low‑level traffic and license issues rather than safety. She noted a 67% increase in trespass‑related bailouts from 2025 to 2026 and urged council to distinguish between enforcement and public safety.
- John Shin (on FY2027 budget) asked that the Proposition 1 sales tax revenue ($38 million annually) be added on top of the base $66 million police/fire appropriation, not diverted to other funds.
- Matthew Schacht (on FY2027 budget) reported productive dialogue on preserving community media and urged council to consider “stability criteria” in decision‑making.
- Janice Erickson (on FY2027 budget) requested HVAC improvements at the ARC fitness center and possible refunds for membership days when facilities are unusable.
- Carolyn Matthews (on Rock Quarry annexation) supported annexation of her property to facilitate sale.
- Nikki Davis (downtown CID) supported the taxi‑stand ordinance and expressed caution on special‑event limits.
- Dan Rader (business owner) spoke against the special‑event permit limit, noting he had withdrawn seven applications and suggesting a tiered fee instead.
- Eugene Elkin (public comment) raised concerns about fluoridation costs and ADA compliance on Rolling Hills Road.
- John Shien (public comment) requested ADA ramp at Hoy Lake Drive and criticized the 235‑26 amendments for reserving public spaces for ride‑share businesses.
Discussion Items
- FY2027 Annual Budget (PH27‑26 / B209‑26): Finance Director Matthew Liu presented a $574 million revenue, $603 million total expenditure budget (including $56.1 million capital). The general fund is balanced with $133.8 million revenue and expenses, leaving $19.2 million above the 20% reserve target. Staff amendments totaling ~$11 million in operating expenditures were presented. Council amendments included: (1) security system reimbursement for council members (failed 2‑4); (2) street barriers withdrawn for further planning; (3) utility assistance amendment passed 6‑0; (4) social service funding restoration passed 6‑0. The budget will continue to the September 21 meeting for final adoption.
- Sanitary Sewer Utility Rates (PH29‑26 / B172‑26A): Proposed rate adjustments are revenue‑neutral for FY2027, with volume charge increasing to $2.68/CCF. Low‑volume users (≤9 CCF) will see lower bills; higher‑volume users will see increases. Connection fees rise, and waste‑hauler fees are updated. Passed 6‑0.
- Creekside Community Improvement District (PH30‑26): Tabled to November 2, 2026, per applicant and staff request.
- Annexation at Rock Quarry Road (PH31‑26): Public hearing held; no action taken. The annexation and permanent zoning will come later (possibly October 5).
- Taxi Stands and Ride‑Share Ordinance (B235‑26): Amended to add 15‑minute time limit, definition of on‑demand delivery driver, and authority for public works to close stands temporarily. The ordinance centralizes ride‑share pickup/drop‑off in approximately 66 spaces (doubled from 30) and extends hours from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Passed 6‑0.
- Monthly Parking Permit Rates (B236‑26): Proposed increase from $35 to $50 for 10‑hour meter zones. Council amended to $40 (vote 4‑2). Passed as amended 6‑0.
- Special Event Permit Limits (B239‑26): Proposed to limit commercial special events to five per calendar year, with council approval for additional events. Failed 3‑3 after debate about crowd control, public space use, and alcohol consumption outside businesses.
- FY2026 Fourth Quarter Budget Amendment (B240‑26): Appropriated $18,090,619.45, mainly for capital improvements, fire station air‑handling unit ($500,000), power purchase costs, and vehicle replacement. Passed 6‑0.
- Downtown Alley Closure Resolution (R171‑26): Authorized temporary closure of alley north of Locust Street between 6th and 7th Street for a watch‑party event on September 19, 3 p.m.–1:30 a.m., with alcohol and noise waivers. Amended for spelling correction; passed 4‑2.
- Special Event Operations Agreement (R172‑26): Authorized street closure of 9th Street from Broadway to Walnut for an outdoor concert (Central Bank Downtown Live) on September 30, with alcohol and noise waivers. Passed 6‑0.
Key Outcomes
- FY2027 Budget: Staff and council amendments approved; final adoption scheduled for September 21, 2026. Council directed staff to bring final clean document.
- Sewer Rates (B172‑26A): Adopted 6‑0; effective October 1, 2026.
- Taxi Stand Ordinance (B235‑26): Adopted 6‑0 as amended.
- Parking Permit Rates (B236‑26): Adopted 6‑0 as amended ($40/month).
- Special Event Limits (B239‑26): Failed 3‑3; no further action.
- FY2026 Q4 Appropriation (B240‑26): Adopted 6‑0.
- Alley Closure (R171‑26): Adopted 4‑2 as amended.
- Concert Event (R172‑26): Adopted 6‑0.
- Consent Agenda: All items adopted 6‑0.
- Council Motion on Social Media: Passed to request a report with draft ordinance options for a limited forum with content‑neutral community standards on the city’s main social media page.
- Council Motion on Street Barriers: Passed to request a report on interdepartmental collaboration for street‑closure barriers, including purchase, storage, and budget amendment.
- Council Motion on Flock Cameras: Passed (6‑0) to schedule a public hearing on the Flock camera contract. Council also directed staff to schedule a closed‑session briefing and a broader public engagement plan, aiming for completion before the holidays.
- Public Hearing Dates: Creekside CID tabled to November 2; Rock Quarry annexation to return by October 5.
- General Fund Reserve: Ending balance of $46 million, with $19.2 million above the 20% reserve target, applicable for one‑time expenditures.
Meeting Transcript
The parch now. A mother, somebody has has a bag, can't go enjoy the parch. Just because you know they're deemed homeless by individuals that are saying that by just driving by looking at us saying that we're homeless. I'm not homeless. I have a home. I have a place where I can go. This is ridiculous. This is tying up the court system and making criminals out of good citizens and leaving them to stay on your streets out here. Matter of fact, I was hit by a vehicle at 30 miles an hour when normally I would have been in a park. I'm not the only one. By pushing people out of these parks like this when they are told to leave the shelter at 6 o'clock in the morning and forced to go out here or not allowed into the day room because they're not new clients accepted. And then they can't go to the parks. I've counted numerous homeless people without homes that have been hit, struck by vehicles because they don't have anywhere else to go, and they're being put into danger. Not only kick it, but danger. Thank you. Thank you, Thomas. Uh now I'd like to ask Russell Boyd to come forward to speak. Good evening. I'm Russell Boyd. And spoke before you guys a few times. Let me put my glasses on because I got old this year. Columbia has made a significant commitment to addressing homelessness with a comp with compassion and resources. Recently, the new Opportunity Campus opened this summer with over 150 shelter beds with access to meals, showers, laundry, case management, and other services. At the same time, compassion and reasonable standards for public spaces are not competing ideas. These are two halves of a responsible policy. Columbia already recognizes this principle. We just heard Section 17-95 prohibits overnight camping and sleeping in the city parks outside of designated areas. The city states that this policy is to legally and compassionately prevent and disband unsanctioned encampments when they interfere with public use and property. The pop problem downtown is that the rules affecting sidewalks, alleys, right of way, building and business entrances, and other public spaces remain scattered and unclear. That uncertainty creates extreme frustration frustration from businesses, residents, law enforcement, outreach outreach workers, and the people experiencing unhoused situations themselves. Over 70 businesses and organizations downtown to the CID recently supported and signed a petition addressing this. There are more businesses but are fearful to speak and sign on. Specifically, businesses had employees resign and quit over their participation by simply asking for a more concise ordinance. Downtown businesses and residents are encountering individuals sleeping on public sidewalks between dumpsters and in the downtown alleys, in their entryways during the day and and night hours. The answer should not be to criminalize homelessness. The answer should be a clear, narrow, written public space camping ordinance that defines what constitutes camping, establishes where temporary living arrangements may or may not be maintained, protects protects the ADA standards, access entrances, and creates a compassionate tiered enforcement process. That process should begin with outreach, a warning, and other available services that can be provided through the opportunity campus. Citations and other law enforcement options should be reserved for only repeated violations that refuse to comply. Columbia has invested in providing people with a safer place to go. We should now establish a clear, consistent rule about public spaces where people can and cannot establish a campsite. This is not about choosing compassion or accountability. A well-run city should be able to do both. Thank you. Thank you, Russell. Our last uh public comment this evening for scheduled public comment is Susan Mace. Sorry. Well, here. I have handouts. Hi there. I don't see the clock.
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