Business
(2009-08-18)
Listen Now:
COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
BUDGET & SOCIAL SERVICES
null
Many groups came forward speaking on behalf of social service groups at last night's City Council meeting. It was the first night of public comment relating to next fiscal year's budget. The overwhelming message from speakers was that social services cannot afford any cuts and funding needs to be kept at its current level. About 25 people spoke on behalf of organizations, such as Urban Empowerment, Boone County Center on Aging, and Voluntary Action Center. Most the groups receive some amount of city funding. Many said they cannot afford any cuts because more people than ever are using social services and many are seeing families come forward for the first time.
Beth Bailey is co-chair of Lutheran Family and Children Services. Her organization has not lost any funding through this year. She says they've had to turn away 40 indviduals and familes from services this year because the funding they do receive goes to help families they're already serving.
"If our agency has a waiting list or were turning people away, there are just as many agencies that have a waiting list and are being turned away from services. And I really think the Columbia community or the Boone County community does a really great job collaborating efforts. We don't want to duplicate services."
Bailey and others say they support funding for all social agencies because they rely on one another for community betterment. The two other budget public hearing will be held at the following City Council meetings. City Manager Bill Watkins says he'd like to adopt a budget by the second week of September.
BIKE HARRASSMENT POLICY
Columbia's bicycle harassment policy will continue to be in effect, but is not yet expanding to include pedestrians and people in wheelchairs. Both issues were addressed at last night's city council meeting. Many residents turned out to speak up on the issues, and all who spoke supported the inclusion amendment and opposed the ordinance suspension. The majority of coucilmembers decided to wait until the upcoming bike ordinance task force is established to examine the inclusion of pedestrians and wheelchairs. Mayor Darwin Hindman and Councilmember Karl Skala did support the inclusion amendment. Councilmember Jerry Wade says the task force will recommend how the city can best develop the inclusion amendment in the bike ordinance.
"They will deal with wording so we get the most effective, enforceable, and unambiguous ordinance. They may recommend changes to existing ordinances."
The council voted to not suspend the bike ordinance, with only Councilmembers Wade and Jason Thornhill in favor of the suspension. PedNet Executive Director Ian Thomas spoke on behalf of the issues. Although he says he wishes the inclusion amendment was added, but he is pleased that the ordinance was not suspended.
"There really is a small minority of motorists that engage in this activity, but it's a real activity, I've experienced it and I know lots of people who have, and you heard lots of testimony tonight from people who have. You heard lots of testimony from people who have noticed a reduction in the amount of these unacceptable behaviors, so it's working."
Wade says the bicycle harassment task force should be coordinated and have a inclusion decision within 4-6 weeks. Many questioned whether that was enough time to accomplish their goal.
SPEED LIMIT
The speed limit in Columbia isn't changing just yet. Lowering the city's speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 in most residential areas was discussed at last night's City Council meeting. The changes will be phased in over two years. Councilmember Jerry Wade proposed this after the initial plan was to make changes over seven years. Next year, 500 smaller signs will be placed throughout the city. In 2011, 100 large signs will be placed in "kid-friendly" neighborhoods. The idea is that the speeds won't actually change until the signs are put up, and some argued this had to happen soon. Some council members expressed conerns that a two-year plan will require funding that wasn't initially put aside. Each sign is estimated to cost more than $77. Next council meeting a budget amendment will be looked at to discuss where the additional funding will come from.
© Copyright 2012, KBIA
