New mask mandate in Columbia could go to vote as soon as Monday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council voted to hold a special meeting to discuss a new mask ordinance.

The council came to the vote during its Aug. 2 meeting and plans to hold the special meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 9.

It comes as the delta variant powers a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the state.

However, there was some push back on the idea of another mask mandate. Ward 6 council member Betsy Peters voiced her concerns over enforcement of the ordinance.

"If we have a mask ordinance, if we go back to this, then we're going to have a big fight again with the bars and the restaurants," Peters said. "The health department cant enforce it, the police cant enforce it and if people aren't going to do it, they're not gonna do it and that was the problem we ran into last year."

The Boone County Commission reinstated masks at it's county buildings in July and Monday night, City Manager John Glascock said he would move forward with requiring masks inside city facilities.

However, a city attorney said it would take time to draft the ordinance.

"We have to come up with all the findings that form the legal basis for that and then we have to find all new factual findings because this is an entirely different situation than the last time," said Nancy Thompson, a City of Columbia attorney.

Peters also warned about the backlash from businesses, to which fellow council member Matt Pitzer agreed.

Nickie Davis, with The District Downtown CID, said in a study of over 80 downtown Columbia businesses, just over 50% don't want a new mask mandate under the current circumstances.

"We're at a 53%, no, our businesses don't want to see yet another mask mandate," Davis said.

Mayor Brian Treece said council could introduce and pass the emergency ordinance in one special meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m.