Local Government

Since 2008, Columbia Water and Light has offered residents air conditioner rebates. The department might extend the rebates to refrigerators as early as 2014.

The Columbia Housing Authority met with the Ridgeway Neighborhood Association and other stakeholders, to discuss the intended construction of affordable housing on land bought in December.

Mayor Bob McDavid and candidate Sid Sullivan fielded questions on downtown infrastructure, zoning and increased airline service. 

Downtown parking meters will be painted according to their maximum parking time, allowing motorists to identify different meters more easily.

The Columbia City Council-approved program seeks to make parking easier for North Village residents.

Laura Nauser emerged the victor by 55 votes in a three-way race for the Fifth Ward seat on the Columbia City Council. She will return to the seat she held for six years from 2005 to 2011.

Susan "Tootie" Burns, Mark Jones and Laura Nauser are competing for a seat on the Columbia City Council. Polls remain open until 7 p.m.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday as voters pick a successor to Councilwoman Helen Anthony.

Development council director says Susan "Tootie" Burns was not asked to attend a Monday reception because she has no relationship with the group. Candidates Mark Jones and Laura Nauser plan to be there.

The Columbia City Council is expected to appropriate $25,000 for projects at Lee, Shepard Boulevard and New Haven elementary schools.

The Columbia City Council will vote on a proposal to install parking meters that will accept credit cards along Ninth Street from Broadway to University Avenue.

The City Council agreed to move forward with easement acquisition for the Scott Boulevard reconstruction project. The council will formally accept the project Monday, opening it up to bids. 

The group announced its support for Laura Nauser over opponents Mark Jones and Susan "Tootie" Burns at its quarterly membership breakfast.

A plan to alleviate traffic on Providence by adding two roads in the Grasslands neighborhood has drawn opposition. An alternate proposal by the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission is also drawing criticism.

A special election for the Fifth Ward seat will be Feb. 5 to fill the vacancy of Helen Anthony, who resigned last year.

The three candidates say the airport is important to the city and its effort to attract business, and offer suggestions as to how to expand the airport.

Friday will mark the end of Fred Boeckmann's lengthy and influential run as Columbia's city attorney.

A plan to knock down eight houses and construct new roads, add new signals and lengthen a turn lane on Providence Road in the Grasslands Neighborhood has the Historic Preservation Commission seeking alternatives and Fifth Ward council candidates debating the issue.

Fourth Ward City Council candidate Bill Weitkemper is crying foul over a city policy of sharing information from candidates' records requests with their opponents. City Manager Mike Matthes, however, says it's a standard policy stemming from a need for neutrality.

The city's Fifth Ward council candidates confront the bus system's ongoing scheduling and budget problems. They say a solution will be customized for Columbia and its residents' needs.