Columbia’s City Council

Good turnout at downtown Columbia’s Shakespeare’s Pizza bash, despite weather

September 25, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Despite a storm that blew through Saturday evening, more than 1,000 people packed downtown Columbia Saturday afternoon and evening to celebrate Shakespeare’s Pizza’s 50^th anniversary.

Shakespeare’s general manager Kurt Mirtsching tells 939 the Eagle that the bash was aimed at thanking Columbia residents for their support for the past 50 years.

Team CoMO’s Tanya Heath says the storm came through at about 8:30 pm. She notes four bands performed for the crowd. Heath tells 939 the Eagle that they also gave each person a slice of Shakespeare’s pizza and had a standing timeline display where pizza enthusiasts could write their memories.

There were also food trucks and raffles for various Columbia-area nonprofits. Columbia’s city council approved Shakespeare’s request to close South ninth from Locust through the Elm street intersection for the event.

Columbia officials expect 3,000 to 3,500 people downtown for Shakespeare’s Pizza’s 50th anniversary bash

September 22, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Downtown Columbia’s Shakespeare’s Pizza was once voted as America’ best college hangout by ABC’s “Good Morning America”, and it’s been a favorite pizza spot for legendary college football broadcaster Brent Musberger and numerous college football and basketball coaches.

Shakespeare’s is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, and at least 3,000 people are expected to be in downtown Columbia for Saturday’s 50^th anniversary celebration and outdoor concert. Columbia’s city council approved Shakespeare’s May two-page request to close South ninth from Locust through the Elm street intersection for the event.

Shakespeare’s general manager Kurt Mirtsching tells 939 the Eagle that the event is all about thanking Columbia for its support over the years. He says a number of nonprofits will be selling raffle tickets tomorrow and that there will also be food trucks. Mr. Mirtsching also remembers numerous coaches eating at Shakespeare’s over the years, dating back to the Warren Powers era. The late Warren Powers coached at Mizzou from 1978-1984.

Columbia to sell $27-million in bonds for water treatment project on October 26

September 20, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s much-anticipated McBaine water treatment plant improvement project is a step closer to starting, after the city council voted this week to approve the issuance of $27.6 million in revenue bonds.

Columbia voters approved the water ballot initiative at the polls in 2018.

The bonds will be used for “extending, expanding, improving, repairing, replacing and equipping” the city’s municipal water system. The sale and closing of the bonds is scheduled for October 26, according to the Columbia city council’s packet.

The city council’s two-page report from city manager De’Carlon Seewood says residential customers will start seeing a $2 water rate increase on their November utility bill.

Columbia’s city employees will receive pay raises in new fiscal year that begins in October

September 19, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia city manager De’Carlon Seewood (2023 file photo courtesy of city of Columbia website)

Columbia’s approximately 1,500 city employees will receive pay raises under the $533-million budget approved unanimously last night by the city council.

The budget approved by the council includes $10-million in pay raises for city employees. The pay raises and compensation have been a top priority for city manager De’Carlon Seewood, who says increased pay is critical for city staff morale.

The budget includes pay ranges that are about six percent above market and across-the-board increases of two percent for eligible permanent employees, not to exceed the maximum of the new pay ranges.

Mr. Seewood proposed the budget in mid-July. The council held three public hearings on the budget in August and September, before last night’s vote at city hall. The budget also increases the Columbia Water Utility’s budget by $1.1 million.

GoCOMO bus fares to remain free in Columbia for at least another year

September 19, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A GoCOMO bus operates in Columbia on September 7, 2023 (photo courtesy of Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan)

Columbia’s city council has voted to suspend transportation fares for GoCOMO bus riders for the fourth straight year.

GoCOMO has been operating fare-free since the March 2020 COVID emergency declaration. Columbia Public Works officials say current transportation sales tax (TST) funding and a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) operating grant can keep the bus system fare-free for at least another year.

Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan tells 939 the Eagle that the Columbia transit budget is $7.4 million, and that budget includes expected GoCOMO expenditures on fixed routes, Paratransit and the Tiger Line. Mr. Ogan notes Columbia transit receives its funding from state and federal grants, the transportation sales tax and also from Mizzou. The University of Missouri pays the city of Columbia about $839,000 for the operation of the Tiger Line shuttle service for students.

Mr. Ogan notes GoCOMo also receives about $2.5 million in federal grants, about $245,000 in state grants and about $2.5 million in transportation sales tax money.

Columbia used federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and federal CARES Act funding for the past two years to remain fare-free, but those monies have run out. President Joe Biden (D) signed ARPA into law, and former President Donald Trump (R) signed the federal CARES Act into law.

GoCOMO has been a priority for city manager De’Carlon Seewood, who’s encouraged residents to ride the buses.