Columbia City Council certifies April election, swears in mayor and two councilmembers; outgoing member gives farewell

The Columbia City Council on April 17, 2025, adopted Resolution 42-25 as amended to declare the results of the April 8 municipal election and administered oaths of office to Barbara Buffalo as mayor and to Nick Foster and Jackie Sample as councilmembers.

The action formalized certified election returns that the council received before the meeting. Mayor Barbara Buffalo moved to amend Resolution 42-25 “per the amendment sheet”; the motion was seconded by Nick Foster and, in a roll call, members Roy Lovelady, Nick Foster, Betsy Peters, Barbara Buffalo and Valerie Carroll voted yes. The resolution was adopted as amended.

The meeting also included a ceremonial recognition of outgoing Third Ward Councilmember Roy Lovelady and presentation of staff gifts. Lovelady delivered a lengthy farewell address reflecting on his time on the council and urging persistence and community engagement; he closed his remarks by saying, “Together, we can be the difference,” and identified himself at the end as “former third ward councilperson, Roy Love Lady.” Staff presented Lovelady with a resolution of appreciation and a heritage-tree certificate for planting a tree in a park of his choice, and a custom stained-glass retirement tile created by Ashley Fishback.

Jackie Sample, sworn in as Ward 3 councilmember, spoke about public service and inclusion, invoking long-term involvement with the city’s Disabilities Commission and saying, “Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, accessibility, and belonging. These are not slogans. They are not buzzwords.” Nick Foster, sworn in as Ward 4 councilmember, thanked supporters and pledged to “do my very best to be true to that” in serving constituents.

Council handled a set of appointments and committee assignments without formal roll-call votes where members voiced no objection: the mayor indicated she would continue representing the city on the New Century Fund board; Betsy Peters agreed to continue on the CAM Stakeholder Committee; and Jackie Sample was asked and agreed to serve on the Youth Advisory Council, filling the seat left by Lovelady. A separate proposed continuation of Nick Foster as mayor pro tem prompted an objection on the floor before Foster’s acceptance was recorded; the record does not show a final, explicit acceptance of that nomination.

The council adjourned after announcing a post-meeting reception. No further formal policy debate or ordinance readings were part of this special meeting.

Notes: Resolution cited in meeting materials as “Resolution 42-25, declaring the results of the municipal election held in the City of Columbia on 04/08/2025.” The meeting packet referenced a certification/amendment sheet received prior to the session; the exact timing was described only as received "yesterday or earlier today."