Tagged: columbia city council

The Executive Director of PedNet plans to run for City Council in April.

In a unanimous decision Monday night, Columbia City Council voted to put a measure that changes how the city can exercise eminent domain on the April ballot.

With the City Council approval of a charter amendment to put the proposal on the ballot, voters will decide whether or not the city may transfer seized property to entities for private purposes. The amendment’s current wording prompted a discussion by city council pertaining to specifics of what does and does not qualify as a private entity.

Columbia residents living around the North Village area have been facing parking issues for some time now, but tonight the City Council will hear out some proposed fixes.

Brookside resident Eleanor Clegg has to pay $80 every three months to park her car in a garage four blocks away from her apartment. She thinks there must be another option.

“I wish there was more free parking in general, like a parking lot that you can just parking for free,” she says. "But I think more meters will help."

Candidates can start filing Tuesday for Columbia City Council’s Fifth Ward seat. Council members approved a special election to replace Helen Anthony, who will resign at the end of the month.

Anthony said the election is important for Fifth Ward residents.

The Columbia City Council voted against the heavily debated roll cart trash pilot program last night. Third Ward Council Member Gary Kespohl said the pilot program failed to show financial benefit and improved customer service.

“There has to be more justification to me to go to this system, (for example) a bigger dollar savings," Kespohl said. "I can’t see where it’s at. Either that or the public has to be overwhelmingly in favor of it. Then I’d be in favor.”