The Columbia City Council met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday evening, December 1st, 2025.
The Council went into executive session per KRS 61.810 (1) (g).
“Discussions between a public agency and a representative of a business entity and discussions concerning a specific proposal, if open discussions would jeopardize the siting, retention, expansion, or upgrading of the business.”
No action was taken as a result of topics discussed in executive session.
The Council voted to apply for a gas grant pertinent to economic development.
Assistant Chief Drew Conn gave a presentation on a possible qualification range for the Columbia Police Department that would be constructed on land that the city currently owns that is located just outside the city limits. Assistant Chief Conn noted a lot of the items that they would utilize would be donated; and, the city could do a lot of work in-house. The council voted to proceed with the project. They requested that Conn furnish them with the total estimated cost.
Phyllis Payne was reappointed to the Columbia Housing Authority.
The Council authorized an "invitation to bid" for a dump truck that will be assigned to the Columbia Gas Department.
The Mayor gave an extensive report on the grants and funding that the City currently has in progress, totaling almost twenty million dollars.
The grants include:
- Three applications for the Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) funding. These include projects on Patricia Trail, Burkesville Loop, and South Reed Street.
- Two projects submitted for line items: the drainage issue on Watson Street/Rice Drive, and Trabue-Russell House.
- A gas line project with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.
- Three Community Development Block Grants. (One of these is to be closed by end of year; thus allowing for an additional project). Both projects are relative to Economic Development.
- Two projects with the Appalachian Regional Commission.
- Transportation Alternative Program (sidewalk project).
Several more projects were given explanation on Monday. The City of Columbia hopes to be able to continue to search for funding for improvements to our community.
The Columbia City Council meets on the first Monday evening of each month at 6:00pmCT. Meetings are open to the public.
