Columbia City Council to discuss protections when complying with executive orders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council will discuss a resolution to protect city officials when engaging in duties related to federal grants and contracts in Monday night's meeting, addressing key pieces regarding the city's compliance with government-wide requirements.

This resolution would protect the City Manager or designees from liability when it comes to performing their duties related to federal contracts and grants.

According to the meeting agenda, city officials are required to file "assurances and certifications" when a city is a part of a federal grant and contract. This means that the city will need to comply with government-wide requirements, such as Executive Order 14151.

Under this order, the city will reaffirm that it "will not engage in any unlawful discriminatory actions based on race, color, national origin, sex, or religion in its policies, programs, or activities. In addition, there is a reaffirmation that the City will ensure its personnel policies and practices are merit-based and do not discriminate."

This comes after a city council meeting earlier in May, where they were set to discuss the language change to the city's strategic plan regarding diversity, equity and inclusion, was tabled. That discussion will be tabled until June 16.

Monday's city council meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Columbia City Hall.