City of Columbia to host office hours discussing possible impacts of federal and state executive orders

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia will host a series of office hours with city staff and council members to discuss the potential impacts of federal and state executive orders, with one happening Monday afternoon.

Members of the community are invited to attend these meetings to learn more about the impacts and provide their thoughts. The office hours will be on the following dates and are open to residents from any ward:

Monday, June 9, 1-3 p.m. with Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and City staff at the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services department, 1005 W. Worley St.

Wednesday, June 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. with Council Member Jacque Sample and City staff at the Columbia Fire Department’s Fire Training Academy, 700 Big Bear Blvd.

Thursday, June 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. with Council Member Don Waterman and City staff in Room C of the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC), 1701 W. Ash St.

Sunday, June 15, 2-4 p.m. with Council Member Valerie Carroll and City staff at the Friends Room of the Daniel Boone Regional Library, 100 W. Broadway

The first session took place over the weekend with council member Nick Foster and city staff inside Columbia City Hall.

The city states that these meetings are in response to its May 5 meeting, where several individuals raised concerns about the city’s proposed changes to its strategic plan resulting from executive orders. Specifically, Executive Order 14151, which targets the language of diversity, equity and inclusion ordered by President Donald Trump. If the city does not comply with the executive orders, it risks losing federal funding.

The City of Columbia is also hosting the second of seven block parties on Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Douglas Park featuring food, music and games. The city says that this is a way to informally connect with community members and learn more about city services.

June 9, Douglass Park

June 17, Albert-Oakland Park (Shelter 2)

June 23, Fairview Park

June 30, Cosmo-Bethel Park (Leech Shelter)

July 10, Indian Hills Park

July 15, Rock Quarry Park

All block parties hosted by the city will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.