Comobuz.com publisher Mike Murphy describes his subscription-based website as working at the intersection of culture and politics. Mr. Murphy, who has more than 40 years of experience in the newspaper business, joined 939 the Eagle host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on the “CEO Roundtable.” Murphy is not pleased with the way current Columbia candidate forums are conducted. He tells listeners he’s organized a March 13 debate for Columbia’s city council candidates and a March 20 debate between Columbia school board candidates. The debates will take place at Mizzou’s Busch auditorium, and details are still being worked out. Mr. Murphy talked in-detail about all of the races, specifically Columbia’s first ward race between incumbent Pat Fowler and challenger Nick Knoth. Fred and Mike Murphy also discussed the controversy over the January drag queen performance at a diversity breakfast and about ARPA funding and a proposed 120-bed homeless shelter near Columbia’s Business Loop:
(AUDIO): Comobuz.com publisher Mike Murphy appears on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable”
Comobuz.com publisher Mike Murphy describes his subscription-based website as working at the intersection of culture and politics. Mr. Murphy, who has more than 40 years of experience in the newspaper business, joined 939 the Eagle host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on the “CEO Roundtable.” Murphy is not pleased with the way current Columbia candidate forums are conducted. He tells listeners he’s organized a March 13 debate for Columbia’s city council candidates and a March 20 debate between Columbia school board candidates. The debates will take place at Mizzou’s Busch auditorium, and details are still being worked out. Mr. Murphy talked in-detail about all of the races, specifically Columbia’s first ward race between incumbent Pat Fowler and challenger Nick Knoth. Fred and Mike Murphy also discussed the controversy over the January drag queen performance at a diversity breakfast and about ARPA funding and a proposed 120-bed homeless shelter near Columbia’s Business Loop:
(AUDIO): Columbia has received all of its $25.2 million allocation from ARPA
While Columbia has only spent $800,000 of the $25-million it’s received under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), many other dollars are committed to key projects.
City manager De’Carlon Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that about $10-million is committed.
“Right now we’re under contract negotiations for a behavioral crisis center. And so we’re running through that process. We have workforce development of $1.6 million that has been approved by council,” Seewood says.
Mr. Seewood also notes the council has approved $3-million for a comprehensive homeless services plan. That’s now pending an application review. ARPA was signed by President Joe Biden (D).
The city council and Boone County commissioners held a rare work session on Tuesday to discuss details of ARPA funding. Mr. Seewood is pleased with how Tuesday’s discussion went. He wanted it to be a conversation, and it was.
“You know one thing that I want to get to is hopefully there is an opportunity for the county and the city to collaborate on some projects. Something that would be really impactful for the overall Boone County. And so I think that’s exciting,” says Seewood.
As for Boone County, presiding commissioner Kip Kendrick tells 939 the Eagle that the county has received about $35-million in ARPA funding. They still have about $18-million and are currently accepting applications for funding.
Columbia’s city council gives green light to permit for construction of homeless shelter
A proposed 120-bed homeless shelter near Columbia’s power plant and former VFW Post 280 building is a step closer to reality.
The city council voted Monday evening to approve a permit that allows for the construction and operation of the proposed shelter near the Business Loop. The Voluntary Action Center (VAC) would operate the shelter, under the proposal.
City manager De’Carlon Seewood believes there are 100 to 200 homeless residents in town. Mr. Seewood’s report says clients at the proposed homeless shelter are to be single men and women experiencing homelessness. The longest they could stay at the shelter would be 90 days, according to Mr. Seewood’s report.
The proposed shelter would also include a commercial, laundry facilities, pet kennels, restrooms and showers. Critics of the proposal say there are inadequate sidewalks in that area and not enough services for the homeless.
The city has also purchased VFW Post 280’s building and parking lots on Ashley street for $865,000. The city used federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars for the purchase. President Joe Biden (D) signed ARPA into law. The VFW property is located just behind Columbia’s municipal power plant.