St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting - September 8, 2025

Note: The transcript of this meeting repeatedly references a date of September 12, 2025 (e.g., resolution introductions). The provided date for this summary is September 8, 2025. This discrepancy is noted.

The Board of Aldermen convened for a full regular session. The meeting opened with a reflection by Rosemary Britz, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Association, in recognition of Sickle Cell Awareness Month. The board then proceeded through a lengthy agenda including adoption of numerous courtesy resolutions (many embanked as co-sponsorships), introduction of honored guests, approval of minutes, and consideration of several board bills and resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• The courtesy resolution consent calendar was adopted unanimously after a series of motions to embank (add all aldermen as co-sponsors) resolutions 78–99, 65, 66–67, and others. All remaining courtesy resolutions were embanked by a single vote.
• Minutes from July 11, 2025 and August 26, 2025 were approved unanimously.
• Board Bill 47 was moved from the informal calendar to the third reading consent calendar and received final passage with 15 aye votes.

Discussion Items

Board Bill 19 – Jefferson Arms Community Improvement District

• Sponsor Alderman Aldridge introduced a floor substitute to update blight language and remove references to a Transportation Development District (TDD), making it a standalone SID. The floor substitute was adopted (with Alderman Sweitzer as the only dissenting vote), and then the bill was perfected on a voice vote.

Board Bill 33 – Sheriff Powers and Reporting Requirements

• Sponsor Alderman Devotey presented the bill as amended in committee, which clarifies sheriff duties and requires monthly financial reporting to the Comptroller and budget committees. Alderwoman Keys questioned a 12-month sunset on reporting requirements; the sponsor stated he would not support removing it. Alderwoman Tyus delivered a lengthy critique, arguing that the bill misstates state statute 57.290, which she said does not mandate prisoner transport. She called the bill “incorrect” and “unfair.” The bill was perfected on a roll call vote of 13 aye, 1 no (Tyus).

Resolution 92 – Urging Ameren Missouri to Pause Disconnections for Tornado-Impacted Residents

• Sponsor Alderwoman Sanyer requested unanimous consent; an objection was raised, so the board suspended rules and adopted the resolution. The resolution calls on Ameren to pause disconnections through at least December 31, 2025 and forgive utility debt for households affected by the May 16, 2025 tornado. Aldermen noted that Ameren had already placed $4 million in utility assistance and that other providers (MSD, Water, Spire) had paused disconnections. The resolution was adopted and then embanked.

Resolution 94 – Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month

• Sponsor Alderwoman Velazquez requested unanimous consent; no objection. The resolution recognizing September 15–October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month and authorizing the flying of the Hispanic Heritage flag was adopted.

Resolution 101 – Condemning Missouri’s Second Extraordinary Session

• Sponsor Alderman Aldridge condemned the Missouri legislature’s extraordinary session which he characterized as a partisan attempt to gerrymander congressional districts (targeting Rep. Cleaver) and restrict initiative petition rights. He noted the session was called by the governor and is being filibustered by Senate Democrats. Alderwoman Tyus challenged the board’s hypocrisy, citing past gerrymandering and rule changes by the Board of Aldermen, but ultimately voted in favor. The resolution was adopted on a voice vote.

First Reading of Board Bills

• Board Bills 61–66 were introduced and referred to committees. Notably, Board Bill 66 (sponsored by Alderman Cohn and President Green) would add equity impact assessment requirements for redevelopment projects. It was referred to the HUD committee.

Key Outcomes

• Board Bill 19 perfected (floor substitute adopted, voice vote, with one dissenting roll call on substitute).
• Board Bill 33 perfected (13 aye, 1 no).
• Board Bill 47 granted final passage (15 aye).
• Resolution 92 adopted and embanked.
• Resolution 94 adopted via unanimous consent.
• Resolution 101 adopted.
• All courtesy resolutions on the consent calendar were embanked and adopted.
• The board will next meet on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 10 a.m.