St. Louis Board of Alders Meeting - December 5, 2025

The Board of Alders convened on December 5, 2025, for a meeting characterized by community advocacy, legislative action on housing and election codes, and procedural motions regarding the Sheriff's office vacancy. The session opened with a reflection on World AIDS Day, followed by the unanimous adoption of Resolution 166 affirming food access as a human right. The Board also engaged in significant debate and voting on Board Bill 100 to renew the earnings tax and Board Bill 88 to update the municipal election code. A contentious discussion ensued regarding Resolution 193, which sought the Board's participation in the appointment process for a permanent Sheriff vacancy following a permanent vacancy.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 166 (Affirming the right to food) was introduced and adopted unanimously with 14 ayes after testimony from Food City Co-founders and alder members. The resolution commits the city to coordinating across departments to advance food security.
• The Courtesy Resolutions consent calendar was moved and seconded, then adopted by voice vote.
• The minutes from November 21, 2025, were approved by a voice vote.
• Board Bill 83 (Sales tax reimbursement account) and Board Bill 103 (Airport Wi-Fi amendment) were adopted on the perfection consent calendar with 14 ayes.
• The Board bills for perfection were adopted, with Board Bill 83 and 103 moving forward.
• Board Bill 100 (Earnings tax renewal question for voters) was perfected with 14 ayes and 1 no (Alderwoman Boyd). The motion to perfect was renewed after a roll call vote.
• Board Bill 88 (Election code cleanup) was perfected with 12 ayes, 2 nays (Alderwoman Boyd and Alderman Browning), and 1 President (Green voted aye).
• Board Bill 108 (2026 CDBG/Grant funding) was perfected with 13 ayes and 1 present vote (Alderwoman Boyd, who requested the option to vote present).
• Third reading and final passage of Board Bills 79, 86, 96, and 97 was adopted with 15 ayes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jordan Braxton (Pride St. Louis): Expressed strong support for allocating more city revenue for HIV testing, treatment, and services. Highlighted that 62% of new HIV infections in St. Louis occur in the African American community and advocated for citywide programs specifically for this demographic. Honored the 6,852 people living with HIV in the St. Louis City care region.
• Darren Jackson (Food City Co-founder): Expressed full support for Resolution 166, noting that food insecurity is driven by systemic inequities rather than scarcity. Stated that 1 in 3 children lacks access to food and that the life expectancy gap between Fairground Park and Webster Groves is 27 years. Argued that communities are "needed, not needy" and emphasized the resilience of community farmers in vacant lots.
• Alderwoman Keys (11th Ward): Expressed full support and gratitude for Food City's work, particularly during the tornado response. Noted that other cities maintain dedicated food access offices and encouraged colleagues to engage with the organization.
• Alderwoman Boyd (10th Ward): Expressed support for Food City and the City's first responders. Directed residents needing salt for ice to go directly to the Urban League rather than calling her office.
• Alderwoman Sanye (7th Ward): Expressed full support for the earnings tax renewal, echoing the sponsor's points about its critical role in funding emergency services.
• Alderwoman Boyd (12th Ward): Expressed strong opposition to the current administration of the earnings tax due to perceived unfair exceptions and lack of transparency. Stated that while the tax revenue is needed, the administration is flawed, particularly regarding wealthy developers and the Ralston Purina exception. Announced she would cast a protest vote (no) despite supporting the tax conceptually.
• Alderman Cohn (2nd Ward): Expressed support for the earnings tax, urging the public campaign to focus on police, fire, and infrastructure needs. Noted the tax previously passed by 70-80% margins.
• Alderwoman Boyd (12th Ward - Election Code): Expressed strong opposition to Board Bill 88. Argued that the bill attempts to "backdoor" clean up mistakes made by Proposition D without addressing the root issues. Stated the Board of Elections is "often wrong" and frequently political, citing past legal battles. Expressed that the consolidation to 14 wards has led to a lack of representation and that the bill fails to address the "mess" of previous propositions.
• Alderman Browning (4th Ward): Expressed strong opposition to Board Bill 88. Characterized the bill as a continuation of the error of Proposition D and stated it will make the election process "messier." Noted the Democratic Party and organized labor are opposed. Expressed concern that lowering filing fees (from $700 to a regionally aligned amount) provides a personal financial benefit to aldermen running for re-election.
• Alderwoman Boyd (10th Ward): Expressed support for cleaning up outdated election code language but noted frustration that she was placed on the perfection consent calendar, which prevented her from voting present on Board Bill 108.
• Alderwoman Tyus (13th Ward): Expressed concern regarding the distribution of CDBG funds, noting that organizations and landlords are not receiving money quickly enough to address the tornado recovery and housing crisis. Urged the Board to ensure these funds actually reach the street.
• Alderwoman Sanye (7th Ward): Expressed full support for Board Bill 108 (CDBG funds), emphasizing the critical need for housing initiatives and recovery assistance.
• Alderwoman Sanye (7th Ward - Election Code): Expressed full support for Board Bill 88, arguing that the legislature's duty is to fix flawed codes and that the Board of Elections is the appropriate expert body to consult. Stated that the bill does not change Proposition D but clarifies code inconsistencies.
• Alderman Devotee (5th Ward): Expressed full support for Board Bill 88, acknowledging the complexity of the work and the need to modernize the code. Agreed that the bill is not about Prop D but about making the code readable and consistent for voters.
• Alderman Devotee (14th Ward): Expressed support for Board Bill 88, clarifying that the bill targets general cleanup (85-90%) and does not address Prop D specifics. Stated the goal is to restore faith in democracy by making the code clear.
• Alderwoman Boyd (12th Ward - Sheriff Resolution): Expressed concern regarding the conflict of interest if the City Counselor represents both the Mayor and the Board. Stated that if the City Counselor cannot ethically represent the Board due to the Mayor's representation, the Board should hire its own lawyer. Announced she would vote present on Resolution 193 due to lack of sufficient information and potential legal conflicts.
• Alderman Devotee (3rd Ward - Sheriff Resolution): Expressed concern that the Board was not notified of the Mayor's lawsuit before it was filed. Stated that the Board must be a party to the proceedings to protect its institutional interests. Supported the motion to intervene.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 166 (Right to Food): Discussion centered on the disparity in access to fresh, culturally relevant food. Darren Jackson noted that 1 in 3 children in the city lack reliable access and highlighted the life expectancy gap between neighborhoods. The Board affirmed that food insecurity is a result of systemic distribution inequities rather than scarcity.
• Board Bill 100 (Earnings Tax Renewal): Alderman from the 8th explained that the earnings tax provides 36% of the general revenue fund, crucial for police, fire, and infrastructure. Alderwoman Boyd from the 12th argued against the current tax administration due to exceptions for wealthy developers and lack of transparency, vowing a protest vote despite needing the revenue. Alderman from the 2nd urged continued public advocacy.
• Board Bill 88 (Election Code Cleanup): Alderman from the 9th explained the bill removes outdated references to state statutes, aligns filing fees with regional standards ($700 to ~$500 range), and clarifies tie-breaking procedures. Alderman Browning (4th) and Alderwoman Boyd (12th) argued the bill fails to address the fundamental flaws of Proposition D and represents a "backdoor" fix for a mess created by previous propositions. Alderman Devotee (14th) and others clarified the bill is 85% general cleanup unrelated to Prop D.
• Resolution 193 (Sheriff Vacancy): Alderman from the 4th introduced the resolution to assert the Board's right to be a party in litigation regarding the permanent Sheriff vacancy, citing historical precedent and the State ex rel. Jones case. Alderwoman Boyd (12th) raised concerns about the City Counselor representing both the Mayor and the Board. Alderman Devotee (14th) offered an amendment to explicitly state the Board's intention to intervene in the filed lawsuit and engage independent counsel. The amendment was adopted, and the resolution passed as amended.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 166 was adopted unanimously (14 ayes). The Board committed to advancing food security through inter-departmental coordination and equitable policies.
• Board Bill 100 (Earnings tax renewal question) was perfected and moved to the ballot for the 2026 election. Vote tally: 14 ayes, 1 no (Alderwoman Boyd).
• Board Bill 88 (Election code cleanup) was perfected. Vote tally: 12 ayes, 2 nays (Alderwoman Boyd, Alderman Browning), 1 President aye.
• Board Bill 108 (2026 CDBG funding) was perfected. Vote tally: 13 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present (Alderwoman Boyd).
• Resolution 193 was adopted as amended with an amendment added to formally state the Board's intent to intervene in the pending litigation and engage independent counsel. Vote tally: 14 ayes, 1 no (Alderwoman Boyd).
• Motion to Enter Closed Session was passed for personnel matters (hiring, firing, disciplining). Vote tally: 14 ayes.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned to December 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Special Announcements

• A moment of silence was held for former Mayor James F. Conway.
• Community events announced included the Fairground Park tree lighting, "Christmas on the Hill" (5th Ward), Cherokee Print Bazaar, and holiday parlor tours (8th Ward).
• A toy drive for St. Louis Crisis Nursery was initiated at City Hall through December 12.
• Free soft soap for ice removal programs was promoted with contact information provided by the Mayor's office and Urban League.