City Council makes effort to meet with advisory boards

COLUMBIA — The City Council is beginning a concerted effort to improve communications with the city’s advisory boards and commissions.

The effort begins with a work session at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Walton Building, 300 S. Providence Road. Sixth Ward Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe said this direct, in-person communication will show the council’s support for each of the groups.

Four groups — GetAbout Columbia, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Water and Light Advisory Board and the Environment and Energy Commission — will be included in the Saturday work session. Each will have an opportunity to ask questions and voice its concerns to the council.

While Hoppe acknowleged that every board, commission and task force is important to the council, it will first meet with those whose priorities are important to address during the council’s upcoming retreat, which will be held June 5-7 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks.