Columbia City Council to address Ward 4 vacancy after Nick Foster announces resignation

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council is heading into its Monday meeting with a major decision on the table following the upcoming resignation of Ward 4 Council Member Nick Foster.

Foster announced Thursday that he plans to step down this summer, citing family matters. His final day in office is set for June 12. Foster was re-elected to the position last year. He has served on the council since 2022.

"My family is moving," Foster said. "My wife has taken a position as dean of the College of Education and Human Development at George State University in Atlanta."

Foster said leaving Columbia was not on his mind during last year’s election, but the possibility of a move became more certain in recent months.

As he prepares to step down, Foster reflected on his years serving a city he has called home for more than a decade.

“We’re sad to leave Columbia. This is home for us,” Foster said. “We’ve lived here for 16 years and that’s the longest period of time I’ve ever lived in one place.”

Former Ward 5 Council Member Don Waterman, who worked alongside Foster for three years, said it was a pleasure to serve with him and praised his dedication to the city.

"His heart, his compassion and his thoughtfulness. You know, he always had great thoughts. Especially in council comments at the end," Waterman said.

With Foster's departure, the council must now determine how and when to fill the vacant seat.

According to the Municipal Code, once the position is officially vacant, council members can nominate one or more candidates during a regular or special meeting. The council will then vote and the candidate who receives a majority vote will be appointed to the role.

However, City Attorney Nancy Thompson said because more than a year remains in Foster’s term, the city is required to hold a special election rather than appoint a replacement.

City staff have prepared a potential memo and draft proposal suggesting a possible election date of August 4. However, the proposal has not yet been formally introduced or placed on the council agenda.

Don Waterman said the process needs to move quickly to meet deadlines.

"She [Mayor Barbara Buffaloe] would need to introduce it there so that they could vote on it. The second meeting in May, which is essentially their deadline for getting it on the August ballot," Waterman said.

Council members will need to decide Monday night whether to amend the agenda to include discussion of the proposed special election.

Once scheduled, voters will elect a replacement to serve the remainder of Foster’s term, which runs through April 2028.

Foster said he hopes the next council member shares a commitment to serving the entire community.

"I hope would share some of the same ideals that I do. That is a concern for all of the city, a concern especially for those who are marginalized still on our city and who are interested in meeting the needs that those folks have," Foster said.

Foster added he hopes to leave the city with a message of perspective and pride.

"I really hope that people in this town will remember how great a place this is to live," Foster said. "It's easy to recognize all the challenges that we have and you want to face those, you want to address those and I think the city is doing that."

Foster added that he plans to stay engaged in issues he cares about, including housing, homelessness and infrastructure.

Monday's meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Columbia City Hall.