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City Manager De’Carlon Seewood

The City of Columbia hosted the monthly Let’s Talk Local discussion from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, July 14 at the Downtown Optimist Club, 1201 Grand Ave. This month’s discussion featured Ward 1 Council Member Valerie Carroll.

This month’s topic centered on major infrastructure projects, both in Ward 1 and across the city. Staff members from the City’s Utility and Public Works departments presented information on these projects and answered questions from residents. The presentation materials may be found under the Documents tab on the right side of this page.

Future event dates and details will be posted here as they are scheduled. Please click the "Follow Project" tab to receive an email update. Also leave any questions or comments for our Council members below!

Background info:

The City of Columbia, alongside Council members, is hosting “Let’s Talk Local,” a monthly gathering held by one of the City’s Council members in their respective wards. This is a great opportunity for you to engage in meaningful dialogue with your fellow residents and elected council members, share your thoughts and learn about the issues that matter most to you. All residents are welcome to attend any event, regardless of what Ward you live in.

Each month, the hosting Council member will choose a topic important to residents. City staff will give a short presentation and answer questions related to that topic. Following that, we can discuss anything of interest to the group. As events are scheduled, details will be posted here, along with the focus topic for that month.

Your voice is vital to shaping our community’s future, and we encourage you to come, participate and connect with your neighbors. Together, we can address the concerns that matter most and work toward making our community the best it can be.


Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email City@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the posted meeting date as possible.

The City of Columbia hosted the monthly Let’s Talk Local discussion from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, July 14 at the Downtown Optimist Club, 1201 Grand Ave. This month’s discussion featured Ward 1 Council Member Valerie Carroll.

This month’s topic centered on major infrastructure projects, both in Ward 1 and across the city. Staff members from the City’s Utility and Public Works departments presented information on these projects and answered questions from residents. The presentation materials may be found under the Documents tab on the right side of this page.

Future event dates and details will be posted here as they are scheduled. Please click the "Follow Project" tab to receive an email update. Also leave any questions or comments for our Council members below!

Background info:

The City of Columbia, alongside Council members, is hosting “Let’s Talk Local,” a monthly gathering held by one of the City’s Council members in their respective wards. This is a great opportunity for you to engage in meaningful dialogue with your fellow residents and elected council members, share your thoughts and learn about the issues that matter most to you. All residents are welcome to attend any event, regardless of what Ward you live in.

Each month, the hosting Council member will choose a topic important to residents. City staff will give a short presentation and answer questions related to that topic. Following that, we can discuss anything of interest to the group. As events are scheduled, details will be posted here, along with the focus topic for that month.

Your voice is vital to shaping our community’s future, and we encourage you to come, participate and connect with your neighbors. Together, we can address the concerns that matter most and work toward making our community the best it can be.


Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email City@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the posted meeting date as possible.

Questions for City Council

Write any questions for City Council.  If time allows, these will be answered at the Let's Talk Local.  Following that event, answers will be posted here as well.

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  • Share For Nick Foster's presentation: We’re seeing concerning health and safety issues at some extended stay motels where unhoused families reside. What accountability measures are in place to ensure these sites meet basic standards of sanitation and safety? on Facebook Share For Nick Foster's presentation: We’re seeing concerning health and safety issues at some extended stay motels where unhoused families reside. What accountability measures are in place to ensure these sites meet basic standards of sanitation and safety? on Twitter Share For Nick Foster's presentation: We’re seeing concerning health and safety issues at some extended stay motels where unhoused families reside. What accountability measures are in place to ensure these sites meet basic standards of sanitation and safety? on Linkedin Email For Nick Foster's presentation: We’re seeing concerning health and safety issues at some extended stay motels where unhoused families reside. What accountability measures are in place to ensure these sites meet basic standards of sanitation and safety? link

    For Nick Foster's presentation: We’re seeing concerning health and safety issues at some extended stay motels where unhoused families reside. What accountability measures are in place to ensure these sites meet basic standards of sanitation and safety?

    Gay Litteken asked 28 days ago

    All hotels/motels in the City are inspected by our Environmental Health Department. If there is a concern, please call the health dept. and leave a message for our Environmental Health manager:  573.874.7346

    The police department patrols areas around the extended stay motels each night.  If they witness any suspicious behavior, they will respond accordingly.  Please call 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergency police response.

    To clarify, the City doesn't pay for hotel/motel rooms. Some social service agencies do, and some families pay on their own. It is not a long-term solution, but it does provide access to an economical, safe space for families.

  • Share Most services are geared toward individuals, not families. What steps is the city taking to ensure family-centered shelters or transitional housing programs exist and and are trauma-informed and accessible? on Facebook Share Most services are geared toward individuals, not families. What steps is the city taking to ensure family-centered shelters or transitional housing programs exist and and are trauma-informed and accessible? on Twitter Share Most services are geared toward individuals, not families. What steps is the city taking to ensure family-centered shelters or transitional housing programs exist and and are trauma-informed and accessible? on Linkedin Email Most services are geared toward individuals, not families. What steps is the city taking to ensure family-centered shelters or transitional housing programs exist and and are trauma-informed and accessible? link

    Most services are geared toward individuals, not families. What steps is the city taking to ensure family-centered shelters or transitional housing programs exist and and are trauma-informed and accessible?

    Gay Litteken asked 28 days ago

    The majority of the folks experiencing homelessness right now are individual adults. Salvation Army Harbor House provides shelter for families and True North provides shelter for those who have experienced domestic violence.  These environments are a better fit than the low barrier overnight shelter as they allow families to stay together.

  • Share What has the city found to be effective in dealing with the homeless problem , while protecting the private property rights of landowners, the environment and our streams? on Facebook Share What has the city found to be effective in dealing with the homeless problem , while protecting the private property rights of landowners, the environment and our streams? on Twitter Share What has the city found to be effective in dealing with the homeless problem , while protecting the private property rights of landowners, the environment and our streams? on Linkedin Email What has the city found to be effective in dealing with the homeless problem , while protecting the private property rights of landowners, the environment and our streams? link

    What has the city found to be effective in dealing with the homeless problem , while protecting the private property rights of landowners, the environment and our streams?

    Alan Wessler, DVM asked 28 days ago

    While we work with community partners to provide resources for those experiencing homelessness, those resources are still limited. We encourage all unhoused individuals to reach out to our Health Department to get connected to the services and programs they need.  

    We have found that the best strategy for property owners is to be diligent in monitoring their property and marking it clearly with no trespassing signs. Owners have the option to sign a letter of enforcement to allow CPD to assist in arresting trespassers. Cameras can also be a tool to monitor. The CPD Homeless Outreach Team are great resources to help private property owners. 

  • Share could you subscribe us to the Let's Talk Local email list? on Facebook Share could you subscribe us to the Let's Talk Local email list? on Twitter Share could you subscribe us to the Let's Talk Local email list? on Linkedin Email could you subscribe us to the Let's Talk Local email list? link

    could you subscribe us to the Let's Talk Local email list?

    Tracie Vangel asked about 1 month ago

    Absolutely!  Please email Shawna.Johnson@como.gov to confirm the email address you would like us to add.

  • Share Where can I put a request in to get speed bumps on my street? I live on demaret and people are constantly speeding through here. There are a lot of kids on this street and just this morning someone sped past a group (including 2 of my own) of kids waiting for the bus. As well as someone just wrecked right in front of my house not too long ago because they were speeding It's getting ridiculous on Facebook Share Where can I put a request in to get speed bumps on my street? I live on demaret and people are constantly speeding through here. There are a lot of kids on this street and just this morning someone sped past a group (including 2 of my own) of kids waiting for the bus. As well as someone just wrecked right in front of my house not too long ago because they were speeding It's getting ridiculous on Twitter Share Where can I put a request in to get speed bumps on my street? I live on demaret and people are constantly speeding through here. There are a lot of kids on this street and just this morning someone sped past a group (including 2 of my own) of kids waiting for the bus. As well as someone just wrecked right in front of my house not too long ago because they were speeding It's getting ridiculous on Linkedin Email Where can I put a request in to get speed bumps on my street? I live on demaret and people are constantly speeding through here. There are a lot of kids on this street and just this morning someone sped past a group (including 2 of my own) of kids waiting for the bus. As well as someone just wrecked right in front of my house not too long ago because they were speeding It's getting ridiculous link

    Where can I put a request in to get speed bumps on my street? I live on demaret and people are constantly speeding through here. There are a lot of kids on this street and just this morning someone sped past a group (including 2 of my own) of kids waiting for the bus. As well as someone just wrecked right in front of my house not too long ago because they were speeding It's getting ridiculous

    Jessica c asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for alerting us to this concern!  This link will take you to a document that explains our traffic management process: https://www.como.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Neighborhood-Traffic-Management-Program-2016-Revisions.pdf

    To get the ball rolling, print pages 14-17 of that document, which is a petition that you can have signed by at least 10 residents (limit two per household) who would like to see some form of traffic calming on your street. Once you have those 10 signatures, either email the form to PubW@CoMo.gov, bring it to City Hall, or mail it to City of Columbia Public Works, 701 E. Broadway, Columbia MO 65201. Traffic engineers with Public Works will contact you back and perform a traffic study with their recommendations.

    Please reach out directly to our Public Works staff if you have additional questions or need more information. Contact John Ogan at John.Ogan@como.gov or 573.239.1837.

  • Share Has noise/sound reduction been included in the budget for the widening of I70 through Columbia? Both sides of the interstate should have this from the I70-63 interchange to Sorrels overpass. This would improve the quality of life especially for the homes and businesses along this corridor. You can hear the interstate noise a half mile away. Ken Meyer on Facebook Share Has noise/sound reduction been included in the budget for the widening of I70 through Columbia? Both sides of the interstate should have this from the I70-63 interchange to Sorrels overpass. This would improve the quality of life especially for the homes and businesses along this corridor. You can hear the interstate noise a half mile away. Ken Meyer on Twitter Share Has noise/sound reduction been included in the budget for the widening of I70 through Columbia? Both sides of the interstate should have this from the I70-63 interchange to Sorrels overpass. This would improve the quality of life especially for the homes and businesses along this corridor. You can hear the interstate noise a half mile away. Ken Meyer on Linkedin Email Has noise/sound reduction been included in the budget for the widening of I70 through Columbia? Both sides of the interstate should have this from the I70-63 interchange to Sorrels overpass. This would improve the quality of life especially for the homes and businesses along this corridor. You can hear the interstate noise a half mile away. Ken Meyer link

    Has noise/sound reduction been included in the budget for the widening of I70 through Columbia? Both sides of the interstate should have this from the I70-63 interchange to Sorrels overpass. This would improve the quality of life especially for the homes and businesses along this corridor. You can hear the interstate noise a half mile away. Ken Meyer

    PILOT asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your question!  

    We unfortunately do not have any specific details about this.  The I-70 project is overseen by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODoT), not the City of Columbia.  Their Communications Manager is Marcia Johnson.  I'm sure Marcia would be able to help answer any questions you have about this project as it moves forward. Her email is Marcia.Johnson@modot.mo.gov.


  • Share Why do you allow panhandling near schools? Prohibit panhandling near schools to protect our children and our teen drivers. Why do you not enforce laws on vagrancy? Loitering? Public drug use and intoxication? Indecent exposure? You should be protecting your law abiding, tax paying, citizens and business owners by enforcing laws against the vagrants committing crimes. on Facebook Share Why do you allow panhandling near schools? Prohibit panhandling near schools to protect our children and our teen drivers. Why do you not enforce laws on vagrancy? Loitering? Public drug use and intoxication? Indecent exposure? You should be protecting your law abiding, tax paying, citizens and business owners by enforcing laws against the vagrants committing crimes. on Twitter Share Why do you allow panhandling near schools? Prohibit panhandling near schools to protect our children and our teen drivers. Why do you not enforce laws on vagrancy? Loitering? Public drug use and intoxication? Indecent exposure? You should be protecting your law abiding, tax paying, citizens and business owners by enforcing laws against the vagrants committing crimes. on Linkedin Email Why do you allow panhandling near schools? Prohibit panhandling near schools to protect our children and our teen drivers. Why do you not enforce laws on vagrancy? Loitering? Public drug use and intoxication? Indecent exposure? You should be protecting your law abiding, tax paying, citizens and business owners by enforcing laws against the vagrants committing crimes. link

    Why do you allow panhandling near schools? Prohibit panhandling near schools to protect our children and our teen drivers. Why do you not enforce laws on vagrancy? Loitering? Public drug use and intoxication? Indecent exposure? You should be protecting your law abiding, tax paying, citizens and business owners by enforcing laws against the vagrants committing crimes.

    J45 asked 2 months ago

    Panhandling is not against the law, if it is done safely.  Panhandling is considered a form of free speech and is protected under the First Amendment.  Panhandling that is threatening or obstructs traffic is illegal.  If you witness either of these instances, please report it immediately and our staff will respond.   If you witness something that seems dangerous or suspicious, please call 911.  For issues that are non-emergency, dial 311.  

    We rely on residents to report issues.  You also can use our online reporting tool to report issues like code violations, potholes, and encampments:  https://www.como.gov/city-managers-office/report-an-issue/

Page last updated: 15 Jul 2025, 08:51 AM