St. Louis Board of Aldermen Full Board Meeting – September 12, 2025
St. Louis Board of Aldermen Full Board Meeting – September 12, 2025
This meeting of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, held on September 12, 2025, began with a roll call (14 members present, quorum established) and an opening reflection on Sickle Cell Awareness Month by Rosemary Britz, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Association. The board considered multiple ceremonial resolutions, two substantive board bills, and three policy resolutions. Notable actions included the perfection of Board Bill 33 (clarifying sheriff duties) after extensive debate, adoption of Board Bill 19 (Jefferson Arms Community Improvement District), and passage of resolutions urging utility relief for tornado victims, recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, and condemning the Missouri legislature's extraordinary session on redistricting.
Consent Calendar
- Suspension of Rules for Resolutions 100 and 102: Motion passed 14-0.
- Courtesy Resolution Consent Calendar: After multiple motions to embank various resolutions (e.g., Resolution 77, 80, 81, 78-99 except 92, and all remaining courtesy resolutions), the entire courtesy resolution consent calendar was adopted by voice vote.
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes from July 11, 2025, and August 26, 2025, were approved by voice vote, moved by Alderwoman Clark Hubbard and seconded by Alderman Browning.
- Third Reading Consent Calendar (Board Bill 47): Adopted by a 15-0 roll call vote, moving Board Bill 47 to final passage and signature by the President.
Discussion Items
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Presentation of Resolutions:
- Resolution 100 (recognizing Sickle Cell Association during Sickle Cell Awareness Month) was presented by Alderwoman Clark Hubbard and embanked (all members added as co-sponsors).
- Resolution 77 (celebrating 50th anniversary of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment – SLATE) was presented by Alderwoman Cox Antwi and embanked. Multiple members shared personal testimony about SLATE's impact.
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Board Bill 19 – Jefferson Arms Community Improvement District: Alderman Aldrich introduced a floor substitute that removed references to a Transportation Development District (TDD) and updated blight language to align with state statutes. The floor substitute was adopted by voice vote (Alderwoman Schweitzer voting no), followed by perfection of the floor substitute by voice vote.
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Board Bill 33 – Sheriff Powers and Duties (as amended in committee): Sponsored by Alderman Devoty, this bill sought to clarify sheriff duties and establish financial reporting requirements. Debate focused on whether state law (RSMo § 57.290) mandates prisoner transport and whether the board has authority to impose reporting. Alderwoman Tyus argued the statute does not mandate transport and that the board overstepped, while Alderman Devoty cited case law and historical practice. A proposed amendment by Alderwoman Keys to remove a 12-month sunset on reporting was discussed but not formally offered. The bill was perfected by a roll call vote of 13-1, with Alderwoman Tyus voting no.
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Resolution 92 – Urging Ameren Missouri to Pause Disconnections for Tornado-Impacted Residents: Alderwoman Sanye presented the resolution, noting that Ameren had resumed disconnections despite the May 2025 tornado. Alderman Aldenberg and Alderwoman Clark Hubbard provided context on available utility assistance ($4 million from Ameren). The resolution was adopted after being embanked and then approved by voice vote.
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Resolution 94 – Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month: Alderwoman Velasquez presented; adopted by voice vote after unanimous consent.
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Resolution 101 – Condemning Missouri's Second Extraordinary Session on Redistricting and Initiative Petition Reform: Alderman Aldridge presented, arguing the session aimed to gerrymander congressional districts and weaken citizens' initiative rights. Alderwoman Tyus questioned the board's consistency, citing past local redistricting issues, but ultimately supported the resolution. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after being embanked with multiple co-sponsors.
Key Outcomes
- Board Bill 19 (Jefferson Arms CID): Perfected after adoption of floor substitute; moves to third reading.
- Board Bill 33 (Sheriff Duties): Perfected by a 13-1 vote (Alderwoman Tyus opposed); moves to third reading.
- Board Bill 47: Finally passed and signed by the President.
- Resolutions Adopted:
- Resolution 92 (Ameren disconnections) – adopted unanimously.
- Resolution 94 (Hispanic Heritage Month) – adopted unanimously.
- Resolution 101 (condemning extraordinary session) – adopted on voice vote.
- Courtesy Resolutions: All 20+ ceremonial resolutions were embanked and adopted.
- Next Meeting: Full board meeting scheduled for Friday, September 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the chambers.
Meeting Transcript
The board will now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alder Woman Schweitzer. Alderman Aldenberg. Alderman Cone. Alderman Ryan. Alderman Devoty. Alder Woman Velasquez. Alder Woman Sanye. Alderman Cotz Antwi. Alderman Browning. Alderwoman Clark Hubbard. Alder Woman Keys. Alder Woman Tyus. Alder Woman Boyd. Present. Alderman Aldrich. President Green. Present. Alderman Aldenberg. Alder Woman Keys. Alder Woman Tyes. Present. 14 present. You have Quorum. According being present, we will be led in an opening reflection by the executive director of the Sickle Cell Association, Rosemary Britz, and observation of Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Good morning. My name is Rosemary Britz, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Association. September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. And I want to provide a few reflections for the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. Every day is sickle cell is Saint in St. Louis. Individuals and families face the realities of sickle cell disease, a condition that is often invisible to those who don't live with it. Behind every statistic is a child missing school, a parent balancing work and hospital visits, or an adult fighting for fair treatment in the health care system. Awareness is not simply about knowing the name of the disease. It is about seeing the humanity of those living with it and committing to equity and compassion. Sickle cell disease has historically been overlooked and underfunded, despite being one of the most inherited blood disorders. Here in St. Louis, we are working to change that story through caregiver retreats, listening sessions with our hospital partners, and the new treatment center at Siteman. But progress requires more than programs. Let us continue building a city where no family has to navigate this disease alone, where young people are supported in adulthood, and where stigma and disparities no longer define care. With your leadership and with the work of the sickle cell association, we can make the vision real for St. Louis. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Members of the board. I move that we suspend the rules for the purposes of introducing resolutions 100 and 100. It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the 10th, seconded by the Alderman from the third, that we suspend the rules for the purpose of resolutions 100 and 102. This is a non-debatable motion.
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