Council tables update to city—s closed-records code after questions on juvenile and security-related language
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Summary
Councilists deferred a proposed rewrite of Chapter 2 (closed records) after several members asked for more time to review newly added language addressing security, tip lines and juvenile-identifiable information.
Columbia City Council on Sept. 2 tabled an amendment to city code (Council Bill 2-18-25) that would update the local closed-record provisions to mirror recent state changes and add clarifications around security and juvenile records. Staff described several additions that narrow or clarify when records may be closed — including information about public-safety security measures, GPS and other law-enforcement operational data, tips submitted to school or safety hotlines and the location of protected species in city parks.
Why council tabled: Councilmembers raised questions about the practical effect and phrasing of the proposed language, particularly the interplay between mandatory and permissive closures for juvenile-identifying information and whether the city should mirror state law verbatim or craft a locally tailored policy. Several members asked for more time to compare other Missouri municipalities and to ensure the approach preserves routine records sharing that parents authorize (for example, photos of minors for recreational program publicity) while protecting genuinely sensitive material.
Staff explanation: City attorneys and police representatives said the new language reflects recent state statutory changes and aims to protect tactical and security information (including investigative techniques and GPS data) and sensitive tip-line content from public release where disclosure would endanger safety. Staff also said juvenile-related closures were intentionally framed as permissive so the city retains discretion to release material with parental consent.
Public comment: A public commenter asked whether parents could view video involving minors and whether parental consent could allow limited access without making records broadly public. Staff said parental consent remains a pathway to provide records to guardians while the permissive language preserves discretion to protect minors and security-sensitive information.
Outcome: The council voted to table the ordinance for further review and directed staff to return with comparative examples and clarifying language that preserves necessary public transparency while protecting safety and minors— privacy.