Columbia City Council approves ARPA stormwater amendment, First Thursdays beer-and-wine, directs CDBG NOFA; enters executive session

The Columbia City Council on Jan. 7 approved a second amendment to an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subrecipient agreement to fund a stormwater infrastructure improvement project, authorized consumption of beer and wine at First Thursdays on Main Street, directed staff to issue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) notice of funding availability, approved its consent agenda including professional services for parking-deck maintenance, and voted to enter an executive session to discuss contracts, economic development and personnel matters.

The actions were carried by roll call votes with all council members voting in favor. The council adopted the agenda amendment that added receipt of legal advice to the executive session (item listed as Phillips Street) before proceeding to votes.

Why it matters: the ARPA amendment allocates federal recovery funds to a stormwater project intended to mitigate future disaster impacts; the CDBG NOFA will open federal-community development funds to public and nonprofit applicants; and the executive session covers confidential negotiations and personnel matters that could affect the city's contracts and economic-development plans.

What the council approved

- ARPA stormwater amendment: The council approved Resolution R-2025-002, described in the meeting as a "second amendment to a resolution authorizing the mayor and city…