Council action summary (Jan. 6, 2025):

- Council Bill 31324 (Gans Creek Recreation Area master-plan amendment) — APPROVED AS AMENDED. Council adopted an amendment to authorize construction of the green and yellow natural-surface trails and to require a future master-plan amendment and council approval before constructing the blue trail. Roll-call approval recorded: Meyer: yes; Lovelady: yes; Foster: yes; Waterman: yes; Buffalo: yes.

- Council Bill 30224 (business-license fee pause) — APPROVED. Council voted to pause the implementation of the recently raised maximum business-license fee ceiling and directed staff to work with the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and business stakeholders to develop a recommended schedule for FY26. Roll-call approval recorded.

- Council Bill 31724 (Juneteenth grant subaward process) — APPROVED. The council ratified a memorandum of understanding with the Missouri Arts Council to distribute FY25 funds for Juneteenth events; staff said the city will open an application process for local organizers and that $29,800 was allocated this year (FY25) compared with $38,820 the previous fiscal year. Roll-call approval recorded.

- Council Bill 32024 (physician services with University of Missouri School of Medicine) — APPROVED. Council authorized a revised agreement for physician services (medical director), noting an overall proposed increase of $115,000 phased over three years with a first-year increase of approximately $27,000; staff said the rates were comparable to peer departments and a third-quarter budget amendment will be requested. Roll-call approval recorded.

- Consent agenda and multiple routine bills and resolutions — APPROVED. Council approved a number of consent items (bills and resolutions listed on the meeting agenda) by roll call.

Votes and next steps: Staff were assigned follow-up work connected to multiple approved items — implementing the green and yellow trails at Gans Creek, convening the Chamber-business working group on licensing, opening the Juneteenth application process, and preparing a budget amendment for physician services. Several items will return to council for subsequent approvals or implementation details.