Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Columbia City Council held a work session on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, beginning at 2:06 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room). The meeting was called to order by Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, with all seven council members present. Council unanimously adopted the agenda, which included adding an executive session item for discussion of the Convention Center Hotel. The primary discussion centered on the kickoff of a homelessness consulting services project with Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA), followed by an executive session for contractual negotiations and economic development matters. The public portion adjourned to executive session at 3:18 p.m. and the meeting concluded at 4:15 p.m.
Columbia Homelessness Consulting Services Project Kickoff – City Manager Teresa Wilson introduced the next phase of the city's homelessness initiatives, following the work of the Homeless Services Ad Hoc Committee. The committee developed a strategic blueprint and selected Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA) as the consulting partner. HMA team members (Trish Marsik, Charles Robbins, Zipatly Mendoza, and others) presented their firm's 40 years of national experience and outlined a four-phase, eight-month project to assess existing programs, identify service gaps, and provide actionable recommendations. The process includes stakeholder interviews, focus groups, a community survey, and a town hall, with emphasis on community input and data-driven analysis.
Councilor Perspectives and Expectations – Council members expressed strong support for a third‑party, independent evaluation to align resources and improve service coordination. Councilor Will Brennan (Ad Hoc Committee chair) emphasized the value of a regional blueprint that could attract state and federal support. Councilors Peter Brown, Tyler Bailey, Ed McDowell, Sam Johnson, and Tina Herbert shared a common interest in better aligning services, developing a holistic and long-term approach, and addressing mental health and addiction issues. Mayor Rickenmann stated the goal is a structured, results-driven process leading to measurable reductions in homelessness, without overburdening residents.
National Best Practices and Local Context – HMA presented examples from Santa Clara County (prevention with $2.50 savings per $1 invested), Denver (45% reduction in street homelessness in two years with focused outreach and shelter investments), and Dallas (24% reduction in unsheltered homelessness through landlord incentives and flex funds). Council members pressed for a plan that integrates national best practices with a deep understanding of local conditions, including the city's limitations due to state laws, the concentration of shelters in a five-county area, and the need to address the “unsheltered who refuse services” and systemic gaps beyond the city's control.
Discussion on Scope and Approach – Councilors stressed the importance of avoiding redundant community engagement and moving quickly to gap analysis and actionable recommendations. They urged HMA to build on existing data and lessons learned from prior panels, to clearly identify what is working and what is not, and to recognize the constraints of local government. Councilwoman Herbert highlighted the need for visible, tangible change to rebuild public trust. Director of Homeless Services Kameisha Heppard asked that the consultants educate the public about the real challenges of working with long-term homeless individuals with complex needs.
Project Timeline and Next Steps – The project will run approximately eight months: data collection and community engagement (February–May 2026), program mapping and gap analysis (April–June), development of recommendations (July), draft plan (August), and final plan and council presentation (September 2026). HMA will send a data request to the city and begin scheduling interviews and focus groups in March.
We are doing that. Call the role, please. Absolutely. Good afternoon. Recording in progress. And before I call the role, I will state that they will be recording the open session, but once you all enter into executive session, the recording will end. So this time we will call the role. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Brown, Ms. Herbert. Here. Mr. Brennan. Mr. McDowell. Yes. May I recommend? Here. Thank you, Mr. Reverend Down, maybe we say a word, please. Well, we thank you for this day and for all the opportunities you've allowed us to share in. We thank you for this pleasant day of weather. We thank you for those who had issues and we were able to resolve those issues. Bless us and keep us. We ask it in your name. Amen. Amen. Mr. Mayor, there's one additional item for the agenda adoption to add discussion of matters relating to the proposed location expansion or provision of services, encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body pursuant to SE code section 3470 A5, the convention center hotel. And we would ask if council would consider adding this to the executive session agenda. Um to the agenda. Motion and a second, those um Rattle Clerk, can you read the role? Mr. Johnson, uh Mr. Bailey, yes, Ms. Herbert. Aye, Mr. Brennan, yes, Mr. McDowell. Yes. Thank you. Mr. Brown, how can we thank you? Are