Council names applicants to multiple boards and commissions; several appointments by roll call and voice

Columbia City Council on Jan. 21 appointed multiple people to city boards and commissions, filling vacancies on advisory groups that inform policy and program delivery.

Appointments completed or confirmed during the meeting included Samantha Joyner to the Board of Health; Eileen Avery to the Climate and Environment Commission (appointment noted with an objection from a councilmember); Alexis Zimmerman to the Disabilities Commission (selected after multiple roll calls); Steven Jeffrey to the Firefighters Retirement Board; Ryan King to the Housing and Community Development Commission; two appointees to the Parking Advisory Commission (Kenny Kebaum and Steven Jeffrey were recorded as receiving the necessary votes for two vacancies); and three candidates to the Tree Board (Stephen Bybee, Michael Kidd and Patricia Quakenbush) chosen by general consent.

City clerk Sheila called roll for commissions with contested appointments. For the Board of Health vacancy, the clerk recorded that Samantha Joyner received more than four votes and was appointed. For the Climate and Environment Commission, the clerk noted an objection before confirming Eileen Avery by voice; for the Disabilities Commission, the appointment of Alexis Zimmerman was recorded after a series of roll calls that concluded with Zimmerman receiving the four votes required. For parking advisory vacancies, council recorded that Kenny Kebaum received four votes for the first vacancy; Steven Jeffrey received four votes for the second vacancy. Several other appointments were confirmed by council voice vote or by unanimous consent with no recorded objections.

The council encouraged residents to consider serving on boards and commissions and reminded the public that several positions remain open and will be re‑advertised. Terms mentioned for certain commissions run through Feb. 1, 2028, for positions on the Parking Advisory Commission.