Columbia City Engineer Chris Smith’s recap of 2023 projects during the July 1 city council meeting was more about the city’s future than what has already been accomplished.

While he did point to projects either completed or currently in the works – such as work on Valmeyer Road, the GM&O Trail and the first phase of Ghent Road reconstruction – Smith was emphatic about the need for funding if transportation and trail projects were to continue in a timely manner. 

Smith began by saying there were three things he wanted the council to take away from his presentation.

“We need more money, we need more money, and the third thing is that the (comprehensive plan) is super important not only to give someone like me direction on where to go, but it also really helps with (securing) grants,” Smith said.

He advised aldermen to pay particular attention to those items while compiling the as-yet-unfinished comprehensive plan for the city, as having official “codified” mention of specific projects can improve the city’s chances of being awarded state and federal grants.

Smith reported Columbia is the only municipality in the St. Louis metro area to receive three straight years of transportation alternative grants, mainly due to having an official plan.

Smith continued by saying in the past 20 years, of the $25 million of transportation-related projects, 70 percent of construction costs were funded by either grants, bonds or tax increment financing revenue.

“That just shows you that we are über, über dependent on other people’s money” to finance city transportation projects,” Smith noted. “It’s just a reality.”

The Carl Street Bridge replacement project, the second phase of Ghent Road reconstruction, the next phase of Centerville Road reconstruction, the beginning of the Creekside Park project, a roundabout at Old Route 3 and Ghent Road and the first phase of Gall Road improvements are all scheduled to begin in the near future.

Smith estimated it would be at least 15 years until work could realistically begin on “collector” streets and roadways.

He admitted that the city is already facing financial challenges regarding major upcoming projects such as building a new sewage treatment plant and public safety complex.

Smith and Ward II Alderman Lauren Nobbe both mentioned the Old Town section of Columbia as a possible area of focus moving forward.

The Old Town section includes much of the southern part of the city on either side of Main Street from Centerville Road to Cherry Street.

“We’re feeling it,” Nobbe began. “There’s a lot of young families moving into our streets which I love seeing, but as that means more people, more usage on our sewers and our roads, and they’re just not able to keep up with all the extra traffic and everything like that.”

Smith suggested bond issuance as one possible method of financing some projects, adding the city is in a “different place” than it was in 2008 when a bond issue was passed which will be paid off in 2029.  

He also said the amount of grants the city has received since 2018 is unusual, and although they have been very helpful, the city cannot depend solely on grants to fund future projects. 

“It’s going to be super hard to do a five-, 10-, 15-year capital improvement plan because we just don’t have the revenue to support it,” Smith said, saying the projects will be more of a “wish list” to include in the comprehensive plan with projects being completed as funding becomes available.  

The Columbia comprehensive plan project began in August 2021, but was delayed by staff shortages – including the departure of former Columbia Director of Community Development Scott Dunakey.

The city is currently working to update its code of ordinances before finalizing a comprehensive plan.

In other business on July 1, the council approved a community unit plan for a residential development on Columbia Quarry Road south of Bluffside Road.

Ward III Alderman Jeff Huch asked if the plan took karst topography into consideration when laying out streets in the proposed development.

A representative of the development reported that outside professionals were hired and the plan “at all expense” avoids placing structures and streets on karst areas, thereby alleviating any potential future issues which would require repairs by the city.

Aldermen also approved a preliminary plat for the Timber Rock Estates subdivision and approved a development agreement with Immaculate Conception Church which allows the parish an additional five years to pave required areas in association with planned athletic field additions to the grounds.

The council also voted to allow the purchase of two pavilions for Creekside Park in the amount of $62,986 and a playground and playground surface for the park in the amount of $170,852.

The next meeting of the Columbia City Council is July 15 beginning at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting is also livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page, City of Columbia, IL – Government.