Columbia City Council Meeting Summary - September 10, 2026

The Columbia City Council met on September 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a special presentation of the Carnegie Medal, updates on community events, a funding request from the Miracle League, approval of fee waivers for county projects, and the first reading of a temporary moratorium on data center developments.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the consent agenda (Items 7.1-7.15) collectively, which included:
  • July 2026 disbursements ($11,615,452.19).
  • Tyler Technologies Parks and Recreation module ($20,665 total FY27 cost).
  • Storage lease with Campbell & Lovell Rentals ($900/month).
  • Advertising in the 2027 Tennessee Vacation Guide ($10,000).
  • Holiday digital billboard advertising with Lamar Advertising ($5,625).
  • Live entertainment contract with Tuck River Touring for the 2027 Fruit Tea Festival ($15,000).
  • User fee study contract with Matrix Consulting Group ($20,000).
  • Three-year on-call traffic engineering agreements with Neel-Schaffer, Inc. and T-Square Engineering, Inc.
  • Purchase of a leaf vacuum truck from CMI Equipment Sales ($298,880.05).
  • Sewer capacity analysis contract with Water Management Services, LLC ($45,000).
  • Initial Rescue Squad Recognition application ($50 fee). City Attorney noted the attachment provided was incorrect; correct attachments were distributed.
  • AT&T fiber installation participation agreement ($3,818.28 budgeted).
  • Purchase of eight 2026 Ford Police Interceptor vehicles ($354,272).
  • Purchase of eight in-car/body camera systems from Motorola ($65,332.48).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak during the designated public comment period.

Discussion Items

Presentation of the Carnegie Medal:

• Mayor Molder presented the Carnegie Medal to Samuel Harden Adcock for his heroic rescue of a man from the Duck River on May 23, 2025. The Carnegie Medal Fund recognized Adcock as the 10,561st hero in its history. This was a historic presentation, marking the first time the medal has been awarded in the City of Columbia.

Presentation on the Fruit Teaser:

• Kelli Johnson of Columbia Main Street presented the inaugural Fruit Teaser event (September 12, 2026 at the Maury County Public Lot). The event will feature a fruit tea competition with 17 teams, youth bands, and other activities. Two proclamations will be made at the event: declaring Columbia the "Fruit Tea Capital of the World" and fruit tea the "Official Drink of Columbia."

Presentation by the Miracle League:

• Mike Ugla and Julie Beck of the Miracle League requested financial assistance from the city for Phase 2 ("Tay's Place") of the project at Maury County Park. Phase 2 is an all-inclusive playground with a current estimated cost of $750,000. Of this, $230,000 has been raised through county contributions, leaving a $498,000 shortfall. The group expressed urgency as their equipment quote expires on October 31, 2026. Mayor Molder expressed full support for a city contribution, noting the project serves a significant community need, and requested the item be placed on the October 8, 2026 agenda for formal consideration.

Maury County Fee Waivers (8.1 & 8.2):

• The Council discussed requests from Maury County to waive building permit fees.
• Unanimously approved waiving ~$85,000 in fees for renovations at the Maury County Courthouse.
• Unanimously approved waiving ~$66,000 in fees for the Animal Shelter expansion project. Council members praised the partnership with the county and the work of the Animal Shelter director.

Data Center Moratorium (Ordinance 4596):

• The Council unanimously approved the first reading of a temporary, six-month moratorium on accepting and processing applications for data centers and high-density computing facilities. Mayor Molder explained the need for a pause to allow staff and the Planning Commission to study the infrastructure, environmental, acoustic, and utility impacts of such facilities, following similar action by Maury County. A public hearing is set for October 8, 2026.

Other Ordinances and Resolutions:

• The Council approved the first reading of a budget amendment (Ordinance 4594) increasing the FY 2026-2027 budget by $975,821.24 to $85,442,422.
• Approved the first reading of an easement conveyance to Duck River Electric (Ordinance 4595).
• Approved Resolutions 26-58 (Tax Corrections), 26-59 (Delinquent Tax Deletions), 26-60 (Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule), and 26-61 (Sewer Improvements Acceptance).

Key Outcomes

• Presentation and Recognition: Carnegie Medal awarded to Samuel Harden Adcock; James Blackwood Jr. honored for 24 years of service with Columbia Fire & Rescue.
• Approved: Consent Agenda including disbursements, contracts, vehicle/camera purchases, and software agreements.
• Approved: Waiver of building permit fees for Maury County Courthouse (~$85,000) and Animal Shelter expansion (~$66,000).
• Approved: Resolutions related to tax corrections, park fees, sewer improvements, and delinquent tax deletions.
• Approved (1st Reading): FY27 Budget Amendment, Electric Line Easement, and Data Center Moratorium. Public hearings for these items are scheduled for October 8, 2026.
• Referred to Future Agenda: Formal consideration of the Miracle League playground funding request (October 8, 2026).