On the agenda: Columbiatn City Council Meeting — Data Center (Sep 10)

City of Columbia City Council
Agenda
September 10, 2026 - 5:30 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
700 North Garden Street
Columbia, TN 38401
Phone: 931-560-1510
Chaz Molder, Mayor
Randy McBroom, Vice Mayor
Council Member Carl McCullen, Ward 1
Council Member Charlie Huffman, Ward 2
Council Member Cheryl E. Secrest, Ward 3
Council Member Kenny Marshall, Ward 4
Council Member Brian McKelvy, Ward 5
*************
Tony Massey, City Manager
Jake Hubbell, City Attorney
Thad H. Jablonski, City Recorder
Liz Bermudez, Recording Secretary
The City Council of the City of Columbia welcomes your presence and participation
at this meeting. If you wish to address Council, please sign the sign-up sheet
before the meeting begins and indicate a topic or which agenda item you would
like to comment on. You will have the opportunity to comment under Public
Comments or on an item when it comes up on the Agenda and before Council votes
on the item. Once recognized, you may then come to the podium and state your
name and address. Anyone requesting accommodations due to disabilities should
contact the ADA Coordinator, Wanda McClain, at 931-560-1570 prior to the
meeting.

City Council - September 10, 2026

PUBLIC HEARINGS.
REGULAR MEETING
1 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL.
2 INVOCATION BY PASTOR MIKE DAWSON OF FIRST BAPTIST
CHURCH OF COLUMBIA.
3 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY GIRL SCOUT TROOP 1308.
4 APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
5 PRESENTATIONS.
5.1. PRESENTATION OF THE CARNEGIE MEDAL TO SAMUEL
HARDIN ADCOCK.
5.2. PRESENTATION BY KELLI JOHNSON ON THE FRUIT TEASER.
5.3. PRESENTATION
BY
THE
MIRACLE
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE.

LEAGUE

FOR

6 ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS.
6.1. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 13, 2026 CITY
COUNCIL MEETING - CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
ATTACHMENTS: August 13, 2026 City Council Minutes.
6.2. APPROVE THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR JAMES
BLACKWOOD,
JR.,
FIRE
DRIVER/PUMP
OPERATOR,
COLUMBIA FIRE & RESCUE, PRESENTATION OF RETIREMENT
PLAQUE BY MAYOR MOLDER - FINANCE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: James Blackwood Jr. has been an employee of the
City of Columbia for 24 years. His effective retirement date is

City Council - September 10, 2026

September 21, 2026 with pension payments to begin on October 1,
2026.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report James Blackwood.
6.3. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF MILA MARTINICO TO THE
CITY OF COLUMBIA ARTS COUNCIL FOR A TERM BEGINNING
SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 AND ENDING ON JUNE 12, 2028.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
ATTACHMENTS: Mila Martinico Resume Bio 2026.
6.4. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF VANESSA ALDERSON TO
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA ARTS COUNCIL FOR A TERM
BEGINNING ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 AND ENDING ON JUNE
13, 2027.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
ATTACHMENTS: Vanessa English Alderson Resume Bio 2026.
7 CONSENT AGENDA.

7.1. APPROVE DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2026
IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,615,452.19 - FINANCE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
ATTACHMENTS: July 2026 Disbursements.
7.2. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE
AMENDMENT WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES TO ADD THE
PARKS AND RECREATION MODULE TO THE EXISTING
CONTRACT WITH A TOTAL FY27 COST OF $20,665 ($14,260 A
ONE TIME CONVERSION COST AND $6,405 AN ANNUAL
REOCCURING COST) - FINANCE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.

City Council - September 10, 2026

INFORMATION: This amendment would add the Parks and
Recreation module to our existing Tyler contract. The total FY27
cost will be $20,665 of which $14,260 is conversion and $6,405 is a
reoccuring annual cost. This will take the place of their current
system resulting in only an annual increase of $1,680 between the
two systems.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that this is
budgeted in General Fund -Parks and Recreation- Software.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Tyler Technologies, Tyler Technology
Quote Amendment.
7.3. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA AND
CAMPBELL & LOVELL RENTALS FOR STORAGE SPACE IN THE
AMOUNT OF $900 PER MONTH - CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: The City of Columbia is in need of additional
storage space. The lease agreement with Campbell & Lovell Rentals
will provide this necessary storage space for $900 per month. The
contract would begin on October 1, 2026, and expires on June 30,
2029.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that $10,800
is budgeted and unencumbered in Leases.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Campbell & Lovell.
7.4. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA AND JOURNAL
COMMUNICATIONS FOR ADVERTISING IN THE 2027
TENNESSEE VACATION GUIDE IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: Visit Columbia will purchase a one-third page ad in
the 2027 Tennessee Vacation Guide in the amount of $10,000. This

City Council - September 10, 2026

popular annual visitor trip-planning guide is available in an online
digital version and 500,000 printed guides.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that $10,000
is budgeted and unencumbered in Tourism Enhancement Professional Services.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report TN Vacation Guide, Journal Comm
Contract TN Vacation Guide.
7.5. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA AND LAMAR
ADVERTISING IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,625 FOR HOLIDAY
DIGITAL
BILLBOARD
ADVERTISING
IN
THE
NASHVILLE/MIDDLE TENNESSEE AREA - CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: Visit Columbia will utilize Lamar's digital rotary
program to place advertising on a variety of billboards designed to
reach thousands of travelers daily along interstates and surface
streets of the Nashville/Middle Tennessee area, encouraging and
inspiring holiday travel to Columbia while building brand awareness.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that $5,625
is budgeted and unencumbered in Tourism Enhancement-General
Fund-Professional Services.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Lamar Advertising, Lamar Contract
Holiday.
7.6. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA AND TUCK
RIVER TOURING IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 FOR LIVE
ENTERTAINMENT AT THE 2027 FRUIT TEA FESTIVAL - CITY
MANAGER'S OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.

City Council - September 10, 2026

INFORMATION: Visit Columbia is producing a new summer festival
called the Fruit Tea Festival scheduled for June 26, 2027 at
Riverwalk Park. Tuck River Touring will provide the headline artist to
perform at the inaugural festival. (The artist's name is contractually
embargoed until November 1, 2026.)
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that $15,000
will be proposed in Appropriation No. 1 in Fruit Tea Festival –
Professional Services.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Tuck River Touring.
7.7. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE
CONTRACT WITH MATRIX CONSULTING GROUP LTD. FOR A
USER FEE STUDY IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: The State of Tennessee passed House Bill 0375,
requiring government agencies and departments to justify fees that
exceed $250 with a publicly available cost analysis for such. This bill
takes effect in 2026 and the City is requesting Matrix Consulting
Group to review and analyze current fee schedules for Development
Services, Fire and Rescue and Wastewater Departments for
compliance. The scope spans an approximate four (4) month
process and includes data collection, review, workshops,
calculations, and the results of all these tasks for $20,000.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that $20,000
will be budgeted and unencumbered in Development Services Professional Services.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Matrix Consulting Contract, Matrix
Contract.
7.8. APPROVE A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES WITH NEEL-SCHAFFER, INC. FOR ON-CALL
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES - DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

City Council - September 10, 2026

RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: The Development Services Department solicited
qualifications for on-call traffic engineering consultant services within
City of Columbia, Tennessee. These services are related to traffic
study review, preparation, and signal timing recommendations.
Thirteen (13) proposals were submitted and reviewed, and T-Square
Engineering, Inc. and Neel-Schaffer, Inc. were chosen to provide
these services.
The scope of services and fees are outlined in the proposals. This
agreement is established for a three-year term.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that funds are
budgeted and unencumbered in Development Services Professional Services (private, development related expenditures
will be reimbursed by the developer during approvals process).
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Neel-Schaffer, Neel-Schaffer On-Call
Agreement.
7.9. APPROVE A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES WITH T-SQUARE ENGINEERING, INC. FOR ON-CALL
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES - DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: The Development Services Department solicited
qualifications for on-call traffic engineering consultant services within
City of Columbia, Tennessee. These services are related to traffic
study review, preparation, and signal timing recommendations.
Thirteen (13) proposals were submitted and reviewed, and T-Square
Engineering , Inc. and Neel-Schaffer, Inc. were chosen to provide
these services.
The scope of services and fees are outlined in the proposals. This
agreement is established for a three-year term.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that funds are
budgeted and unencumbered in Development Services Professional Services (private, development related expenditures
will be reimbursed by the developer during approvals process).
City Council - September 10, 2026

ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report T-Square Engineering, T-Square OnCall Agreement.
7.10. APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF AN XTREME VAC DCL800SM25
LEAF VACUUM TRUCK FROM CMI EQUIPMENT SALES
UTILIZING SOURCEWELL CONTRACT #112624-ODB IN THE
AMOUNT OF $298,880.05 - PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: City Council approved funding in the FY27 budget
for the purchase of a leaf vacuum truck to be utilized in the Public
Works Streets Division. Public Works would like to utilize
Sourcewell Contract # 112624-ODB to purchase this truck from CMI
Equipment Sales, to be utilized in our Streets Division.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that
$298,880.05 is budgeted and unencumbered in Capital - StreetsAdmin-Auto.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report CMI Leaf Vacuum Truck, CMI
Quote, Sourcewell Contract 112624-ODB.
7.11. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA AND WATER
MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC, FOR PUMPKIN CREEK AND
BEAR CREEK PIKE SEWER CAPACITY ANALYSIS AND
DEVELOPMENT OF SEWER CAPACITY FEES IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $45,000 - WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: The City of Columbia's Wastewater Department
requests the Mayor to sign the Contract between the City of
Columbia and Water Management Services, LLC, Consulting
Engineers to assist in the development of a sewer fee structure to
recover costs associated with infrastructure improvements not to
exceed $45,000. The improvements will be within the Pumpkin
Creek and Bear Creek Pike drainage basins previously identified as
required to accommodate the future development within the sewer
service area.
City Council - September 10, 2026

CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that $45,000
is budgeted and unencumbered in Wastewater - Treatment Plant Professional Services.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Sewer Fee Structure, Water
Management Contract.
7.12. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE & INSURANCE,
STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, INITIAL RESCUE SQUAD
RECOGNITION APPLICATION AND ANY OTHER RELATED
DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA, AND
APPROVE THE REQUIRED $50 APPLICATION FEE - FIRE &
RESCUE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: Columbia Fire & Rescue is submitting an
application to the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office for official
Rescue Squad Recognition. As part of the application process, the
State requires certification by the highest-ranking elected official or
approval by the local governing body and includes a $50 application
fee.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that $50 is
budgeted and unencumbered in Fire - Investigations - Other
Services.
ATTACHMENTS:
Application.

Staff

Report

TARS,

TARS

Recognition

7.13. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A NETTN
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
COLUMBIA AND AT&T ENTERPRISES, LLC UTILIZING THE
PRICING OUTLINED WITHIN THE MASTER SERVICE
AGREEMENT - FIRE & RESCUE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: This agreement is pertaining to moving AT&T
Fiber from the Old Reservoir Hill building site to the new building
City Council - September 10, 2026

which links our East Tower to Reservoir Hill. Once the facilitation
agreement is signed and returned to AT&T the order/installation
process will start. The first step of the installation process is a site
walk by an AT&T Engineer. The Engineer will determine where the
fiber will be run to the building. If any special construction cost is
revealed AT&T will present it to the City of Columbia by a letter. Any
additional expenses, such as special construction costs, would be
identified as noted in the attached agreement. No additional work
will be completed without being proposed to City Council in
advance.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies $3,818.28 is
budgeted and unencumbered in Fire - Admin - Other Services.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report AT&T, AT&T Agreement.
7.14. APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF EIGHT(8) 2026 FORD POLICE
INTERCEPTOR AWD VEHICLES FROM TWO RIVERS FORD IN
THE AMOUNT OF $354,272 UTILIZING STATEWIDE CONTRACT
#209 - POLICE DEPARTMENT.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
INFORMATION: The purchase of these eight (8) 2026 Ford Police
Interceptor AWD vehicles will cost the City of Columbia
$354,272.00, utilizing SWC #209, for the purpose of replacing old
fleet vehicles. These new vehicles will be upfitted with proper
equipment to be used in the Patrol Division as marked police units.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that
$354,272 is budgeted and unencumbered in Capital - Police-PatrolAuto.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Ford Interceptor, Two Rivers Ford
Quote, State Contract Dealership Letter.
7.15. APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF EIGHT (8) IN-CAR/BODY
CAMERA SYSTEMS FROM MOTOROLA IN THE AMOUNT OF
$65,332.48 - POLICE DEPARTMENT.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.

City Council - September 10, 2026

INFORMATION: Today’s law enforcement environment requires
accountability and documentation of all actions taken by officers in
the field. In an effort to fulfill this requirement, the department uses
Motorola Solutions for both in-car(m500) and body camera
systems(V700). It was determined that a system integrating both an
in-car camera system with a body camera into a single video record
of an enforcement event to be the best option for the City. These
eight (8) cameras systems are the same make and model as
purchased previously and they will integrate with our current
hardware and software systems.
CERTIFICATION: The Chief Financial Officer certifies that $10,800
is budgeted and unencumbered in Capital - Police-Patrol-Auto.
ATTACHMENTS: Motorola Staff Report, Motorola Quote Revised
Quantity (8).
8 ADMINISTRATION.
8.1. REQUEST FROM MAURY COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO WAIVE
APPROXIMATELY $85,000 IN BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR THE
RENOVATIONS AT MAURY COUNTY COURTHOUSE.
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Fee Waive Request, Permit Invoice
Courthouse, Email request for waiving of fees.
8.2. REQUEST FROM MAURY COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO WAIVE
APPROXIMATELY $66,000 IN BUILDING PERMIT AND
ASSOCIATED FEES FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER EXPANSION
PROJECT.
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Request to Waive Fee Animal
Shelter, Permit Invoice.
9 RESOLUTIONS.

City Council - September 10, 2026

9.1. RESOLUTION NO. 26-58 – TAX CORRECTIONS - CITY
RECORDER'S OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution No. 26-58.
INFORMATION: The City Recorder is presenting tax corrections
through 8/19/2026 for Council consideration as submitted by Mr.
Bobby Daniels, Maury County Tax Assessor.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Resolution No. 26-58, Resolution No.
26-58, Resolution No. 26-58 Exhibit A.
9.2. RESOLUTION NO. 26-59 – 10 YEAR DELINQUENT
TAX/ASSESSMENT DELETIONS - CITY RECORDER'S OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution No. 26-59.
INFORMATION: The City Recorder is presenting tax and assessment
corrections through 8/13/2026 for Council consideration. The items
include property assessments and personal property assessments. As
the items included are over 10 years old, the applicable statute of
limitations for collections of such amounts has expired and the accounts
are no longer collectible.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Resolution No. 26-59, Resolution No.
26-59, Resolution No. 26-59 Exhibit A.
9.3. RESOLUTION NO. 26-60 – A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
AMENDED FACILITY FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE CITY OF
COLUMBIA PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT - PARKS
& RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution No. 26-60.
INFORMATION: The City of Columbia is committed to providing
affordable recreational facilities, programs and services for the
citizens of the City of Columbia. The listed fees are being updated
to include proposed new fees for court rentals, EA Sports room
rental, large meeting room, small meeting room and lap lane
rentals for the Columbia Aquatics and Recreation Center/Parks
and Recreation Department.

City Council - September 10, 2026

ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Resolution No. 26-60, Resolution No.
26-60, Resolution No. 26-60 Exhibit A.
9.4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-61 - A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE
OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF SEWER IMPROVEMENTS
SERVING THE DRAKE/WOODLAND & EAST 7TH MULTI-FAMILY
- WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution No. 26-61.
INFORMATION: The Drake consists of 229 linear feet of sanitary
sewer main. The Developers met all of the qualifications for
acceptance. The Wastewater Department has performed the
necessary testing and inspections.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Resolution No. 26-61, Resolution No.
26-61, Lien Affidavit Resolution No. 26-61, Dedication Letter
Resolution No. 26-61.
10 ORDINANCES.
10.1. 1ST CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4594 - AN
ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
BUDGET ORDINANCE NO. 4587 PROVIDING FOR REVISIONS
TO THE GENERAL FUND AND ESTABLISH THE DATE OF
OCTOBER 8, 2026 AS THE DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FINANCE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Ordinance No. 4591 on first
consideration and establish the date of October 8, 2026 as the date
of public hearing.
INFORMATION: The proposed ordinance is the first amendment to
the FY 2027 Appropriation Ordinance, impacting several
departments within the General Fund.
Within this budget amendment, the following items are included:
• Establish a budget for the Fruit Tea Festival totaling $65,000,
• Budget prior year funds remaining for FY 2027 Tourism
Enhancement Reserves totaling 494,430.89,
City Council - September 10, 2026

• Budget prior year funds remaining for FY 2027 Firefighters
Park Reserves totaling 24,776.34,
• Budget $138,411.20 for Equitable Sharing "Justice"
proceeds, $19,261 for Equitable Sharing "Treasury"
proceeds, $73,814.61 for sales of seized weapons, and
$160,127.20 for Sexual Offender Registry fees in Police,
A detailed schedule of items included within this budget amendment
is attached. This amendment increases the City's total budget for
FY 2027 by $975,821.24 to $85,442,422.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Ordinance No. 4594, Ordinance No.
4594.
10.2. 1ST CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4595 - AN
ORDINANCE CONVEYING A FORTY-FOOT-WIDE ELECTRIC
LINE EASEMENT TO DUCK RIVER ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP
CORPORATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON HAMPSHIRE
PIKE BEING TAX MAP 104, PARCEL 16.00 - CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Ordinance No. 4595 on first
consideration.
INFORMATION: Columbia Power and Water Systems will be
constructing a new Hampshire Pike Pump Station. While the
property the pump station will be located on is owned by CPWS,
the parcel is within the Duck River Electric Membership Corporation
service territory and, as such the power for the pump station must
be supplied by DREMC. CPWS has requested the City convey a
forty-foot-wide electric line easement to DREMC for the purpose of
bringing power to the new pump station.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Ordinance No. 4595, Ordinance No.
4595, Electric Line Easement Document, Ordinance No. 4595
Exhibit A, Ordinance No. 4595 Exhibit B.
10.3. 1ST CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4596 - AN
ORDINANCE IMPOSING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON
City Council - September 10, 2026

THE ACCEPTANCE, PROCESSING, AND APPROVAL OF
APPLICATIONS FOR LAND USE, ZONING, BUILDING, SITE
PLAN, OR CONDITIONAL FACILITIES; REQUIRING A STUDY
OR INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, ACOUSTIC, AND
UTILITY
IMPACTS;
PROVIDING
FOR
EXEMPTIONS;PROVIDING
FOR
SEVERABILITY;
AND
ESTABLISHING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND
ESTABLISH THE DATE OF OCTOBER 8, 2026 AS THE DATE OF
PUBLIC HEARING - CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Ordinance No. 4596 on first
consideration and establish the date of October 8, 2026 as the date
of Public Hearing.
INFORMATION: There has been a significant surge in interest, site
inquiries, and development applications for "Data Centers" and
"High-Density Computing Facilities" across the State of Tennessee,
driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud storage and
cryptographic mining operations. These facilities consume
exceptionally high amounts of electrical energy and water,
potentially straining public utility grids, driving up infrastructure
costs for local ratepayers and impacting local aquifers and public
water supplies. The City's current zoning ordinances and land use
plans do not adequately address the unique infrastructure,
environmental, acoustic and community utility impacts specific to
large-scale data centers. The City has a substantial public interest
in ensuring that data centers and high-density computing facilities
are not permitted or vested under land-use classifications that do
not accurately describe the principal use or address the use's
operational impacts. A temporary pause on these specific
developments is necessary to allow the Planning Commission and
staff sufficient time to study these impacts, coordinate with local
utility providers and draft comprehensive, permanent zoning text
amendments.
ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Ordinance No. 4596, Ordinance No.
4596.
11 PUBLIC COMMENTS.

City Council - September 10, 2026

12 OTHER BUSINESS.
13 EXECUTIVE SESSION.
14 ADJOURNMENT.
15 UPCOMING EVENTS.
15.1. 2ND ANNUAL COLUMBIA HEROES BREAKFAST - FRIDAY,
SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 - REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 7:00 A.M.
- PROGRAM STARTS AT 8:00 A.M. - THE MULEHOUSE.
15.2. FRUIT TEASER - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 - 3:00-8:00
P.M. - MAURY COUNTY PUBLIC LOT.
15.3. COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY EVENT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 - 5:00-7:00 P.M. RIVERWALK PARK.

City Council - September 10, 2026