Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - November 13, 2025

The Columbia City Council met on November 13, 2025, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers for a regular meeting. The council approved routine items on the consent agenda, passed several resolutions and ordinances, and voted to place a controversial development (Waters Edge at Taylor Landing) back on a future agenda. A key zoning request tied 3-3 and failed, leading to the denial of the associated annexation.

Public Hearings

• Resolution No. 25-70 (Annexation and Plan of Services for Lasea Road): No public comments were made. The public hearing was closed by unanimous roll-call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joshua Moore (360 Coleman Court) and Christy Doss (710 Taylor Bend Road), homeowners from Taylor Landing: Expressed concerns about the council's request to reconsider the Waters Edge development. They argued the item was placed on the agenda only 24 hours earlier, contrary to the 48-hour notice requirement under the Tennessee Open Meetings Act. They also questioned the legal authority to reconsider a failed ordinance (first consideration had failed in October) and requested transparency about how the request was initiated. They presented a petition of 166 signatures opposing the project.
• City Attorney Jake Hubbell responded: The item was placed on the agenda on Monday (more than 48 hours before the meeting). The council has authority to “renew” a motion at a later meeting under Robert’s Rules of Order; this is not a motion to reconsider but a request to place the item back on a future agenda. Proper notice and public hearings would be held if the matter proceeds.

Discussion Items

• Presentations:
  • Recognized a Fire & Rescue employee who recently returned from a yearlong overseas deployment.
  • Proclaimed November 2025 as “No Trash November” and November 15, 2025, as “Parks Cleanup and Beautification Day.”
  • Quarterly economic development presentation by Wil Evans, President of Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance. He reported 20 active projects with 400 potential jobs and $373 million in capital investment, a 22% increase in funding, and launched industry councils. The cost of living in Maury County remains below the national average.
• Resolutions:
  • 9.1: Approved the termination of the 1994 MOU with Saturn/GM for fire protection. No response had been received from GM. Passed unanimously.
  • 9.2: Approved tax corrections. Passed unanimously.
  • 9.3 & 9.4: Authorized the issuance and extension of water system revenue anticipation notes totaling $70 million for CPWS. Passed unanimously.
  • 9.5: Ratified the application and authorized acceptance of the Violent Crime Intervention Fund (VCIF) grant up to $1.3 million (increased from $1 million). Police Chief indicated the grant award is likely. Passed unanimously.
• Ordinances:
  • 10.1 (Second Consideration): Converted a portion of South Garden Street to one-way. Passed unanimously.
  • 10.2 (Second Consideration): Zoning for property annexed under Resolution 25-70 (CD-3, Neighborhood Character District, 31 lots). The vote tied 3-3 (Councilman Huffman voted no; roll call showed tie). Motion failed, so the zoning request was denied. The default zoning would be CD-3L (lower density, ~24 lots).
  • 10.3 (Second Consideration): Adopted 2024 International Building Codes, effective January 1, 2026. Passed unanimously.
  • 10.4 (First Consideration): Adopted 2024 International Fire Code with amendments, including tanker shuttle operations for water supply. Set December 11, 2025, as public hearing date. Council discussed the need to update codes to maintain exempt jurisdiction status and to provide flexibility for projects like the one on Robinson Drive. Passed unanimously.
  • 10.5 & 10.6 (First Consideration): Authorized collection of 2024 delinquent property taxes and special assessments. Passed unanimously.
  • 10.7 (First Consideration): Amended FY2025-2026 budget (second amendment) to carry forward street paving funds, add Fire Station No. 1 expenses, and include THSO grant funds, increasing total budget to $182,408,626. Set December 11, 2025, as public hearing date. Passed unanimously.
  • 10.8 (First Consideration): Extended post-65 supplemental healthcare insurance benefits to all employees (previously only for those under the old retirement plan). No cost impact expected. Passed unanimously.
• Other Business:
  • 11.1 (Resolution No. 25-70 Annexation): The council voted to deny the annexation because the applicant did not wish to proceed without the requested CD-3 zoning (which had failed). The motion to deny passed.
  • 11.2: Council Members McCullen and Secrest requested that the Waters Edge at Taylor Landing development be reconsidered at the December or January city council meeting. After public comments and legal clarification, the council voted 5-1 (Councilman Huffman opposed) to place the item back on a future agenda. Proper notice will be provided, and all procedural requirements will be followed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved (10 items): Including $10,818,033.19 in disbursements, medical services agreement with Maury Regional Hospital, pool renovations ($524,497), landfill services ($54.73/ton), and several other contracts.
• Resolution to Terminate GM MOU: Approved.
• VCIF Grant Application Ratified: Up to $1.3 million in state funds, no local match required.
• Zoning Request for Lasea Road (10.2): Tied 3-3 and failed. The associated annexation (11.1) was subsequently denied.
• Building and Fire Code Updates Approved: Effective early 2026.
• Budget Amendment Approved: Total FY2026 budget increased to $182,408,626.
• Post-65 Healthcare Benefit Extended: Now available to all eligible employees hired after June 30, 2012.
• Waters Edge Development: Placed on a future agenda (December or January); proper public notice will be given.