St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting Summary - December 11, 2025
St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting Summary - December 11, 2025
This meeting of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen featured the ceremonial recognition of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for their Delta Day, the adoption of numerous resolutions and board bills, a protest vote regarding the earnings tax renewal process, and a moment of silence honoring two deceased community members.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 196: Adopted unanimously to recognize Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and their Delta Day celebration. The sponsor, Alderman Jamie Clemons (8th Ward), and co-sponsors expressed honor and gratitude for the sorority's century of service.
- Courtesy Resolution: Adopted unanimously.
- Board Bill 112 (Perfection Calendar): Adopted via floor substitute to provide a $350,000 supplemental appropriation to "Heat Up St. Louis" for utility assistance.
- Board Bills 59, 76, 77, 101, 102, 104, 105, 109: Moved from second reading to the perfection consent calendar and adopted, addressing traffic calming measures (speed humps), airspace vacancies, and street vacatures for safety improvements.
- Board Bills 103, 88, 100, 108: Reconsidered and placed on the third reading final passage consent calendar for adoption.
- Mayor's Appointment (Senior Citizen Service Fund): Council voted to send the reappointment of Cynthia Graham (7th Ward) to the Health and Human Development Committee.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Representatives: Spoke on the foundation's history since 1913, their commitment to social action, and their ongoing advocacy. They expressed gratitude for the city's recognition.
- Alderwoman Clemons (8th Ward): Expressed personal pride as a member of the sorority and honor in presenting the resolution.
- Alderwoman Keys (10th Ward): Expressed gratitude for the sorority's service and emphasized the need for continued community uplift.
- Alderwoman Clark Hubbard (10th Ward): Expressed gratitude for the work of "Heat Up St. Louis," highlighting their rapid response to recent tornado devastation and their role in preventing utility disconnections.
- Alderwoman Boyd (13th Ward): Expressed gratitude for the program "Heat Up St. Louis" and noted it serves many of her constituents.
- Alderwoman Sweizer (12th Ward): Expressed a dissenting vote but not opposition to the concept of the earnings tax; she stated she is "100% against the way that the city does the earnings tax" due to unfair exemptions for wealthy developers and individuals, calling for a fairer system.
- Alderwoman Clemons (Closing): Acknowledged the concerns raised and reiterated the necessity of the earnings tax for city operations.
- Alderman Browning: Expressed appreciation for the clarification and updating of the election code in Board Bill 88.
- Alderwoman Clark Hubbard (88th Ward): Expressed support for the election code update, noting the code had not been thoroughly updated since the 1950s.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 196 (Delta Day): Discussed the historical significance of Delta Sigma Theta's 1913 suffrage march participation and their continuous public service. The resolution was amended to include additional co-sponsors (Aldermen and Alderewoman) and passed unanimously.
- Board Bill 112 (Heat Up St. Louis Appropriation): Discussion focused on the $350,000 allocation to prevent utility disconnections following the May 16th tornado. Speakers detailed the organization's impact, serving over 44 counties and assisting thousands during the tornado recovery.
- Board Bill 100 (Earnings Tax Renewal): The board debated the renewal of the city's earnings tax. While recognizing the necessity of the tax for essential services, Alderwoman Sweizer argued against current exemption loopholes for developers and wealthy individuals, casting the sole "No" vote as a protest for legislative fairness. She requested an annual report on exemptions.
- Board Bill 88 (Election Code Update): Discussion centered on cleaning up outdated language from the 1950s election code to ensure consistent voting methods approved by voters in 2020.
- Board Bill 108 (HUD Grants): Authorization for the mayor to submit the 2026 annual action plan and execute agreements for various HUD funds, including CDBG and disaster recovery.
- Resolution 198 (Voting Rights): Discussion regarding the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The resolution was amended to add the 11th Ward Alderwoman and adopted unanimously.
- Honored Guests: Various aldermen introduced guests representing local organizations (Turkey Lux, Scouts, STL Works) and individuals (Chris Carter, Keena Carter, Adam Triester).
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 196 Adopted: Recognized Delta Saga Theta Sorority's Delta Day (Dec 12, 2025).
- Board Bills Perfection Calendar: 8 bills (59, 76, 77, 101, 102, 104, 105, 109) moved to and adopted from perfection calendar.
- Board Bill 112 Adopted: $350,000 appropriation to Heat Up St. Louis adopted via floor substitute.
- Board Bill 100 Passed (Third Reading): Passed 14-1 to place the earnings tax renewal question on the April 2026 ballot.
- Board Bill 88 Passed (Third Reading): Passed 12-3 to update the Municipal Election Code.
- Board Bill 108 Passed (Third Reading): Passed 14-0 (1 present) to authorize HUD agreements.
- Resolution 198 Adopted: Unanimously adopted to support federal voting rights legislation.
- Committee Referrals: Appointments for the Senior Citizen Service Fund referred to the Health and Human Development Committee; Resolution 202 referred to Public Safety.
- Adjournment: Meeting adjourned until Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
- Discrepancy Note: The transcript initially lists the meeting date as December 11, 2025, in the header, but the resolution text and several verbal references indicate the meeting date as December 12, 2025 (Resolution 196 is dated "Introduced this 12th day of December 2025"). The summary title reflects the date provided in the prompt's metadata (Dec 11), but the internal dates (Dec 12) are preserved as stated in the source text.
- Discrepancy Note: The roll call log initially listed 12 present, later updated to 14, then 15, then 14 for specific votes. The summary reflects the final tallies provided for each specific motion.
Meeting Transcript
The board will count now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alder Woman Sweit, sir. Present. Alderman Odenberg. Audiment Cone. Alderman Namarian. Alderman Devotee. Audder Woman Velasquez. Alder Woman Sony. Alder Woman Cox and Tweet. Audible Woman Cox Entwee. Alderman Browning. Alder Woman Clark Hubbard. Audible woman Keys. Alder Woman Tyus. Audible woman Boyd. Present. I didn't hear you. Present. Alderman Aldrich. President Green. Present. Alderman Cone. Audible woman ties. Alderman Aldrich. We have 12 present. According being present, we will dispense with line item three and go to our special order of the day. Alder Woman from the 8th, you can approach the dais for the presentation of resolution 196 with your honored guests. 196. It should be an attended. Thank you. 196. Okay. Good morning, Madam President, members of the board. Today I am here to present resolution 196, recognizing Delta Day at St. Louis City Hall. Madam Clerk, could you please read resolution 196? Recognizing Delta Day at City Hall and the City of St. Louis. Whereas on January 13th, 1913, 22 collegiate women founded the Distinguished Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated at the historic Howard University in Washington, D.C. And we're asked the founders' first public act was their first historic participation in the woman's suffrage march in Washington, D.C. in March 1913, immediately demonstrating a commitment to social action under the theme Forward Through Fortitude, engaging our sisterhood, empowering our communities, elevating our impact, and whereas since its founding, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members have continuously promoted public service, sisterhood, and political awareness, actively engaging in nearly every major social movement in the United States. And we're asked the St. Louis Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and the St. Louis Metropolitan Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated remains steadfastly committed to public service and social activism in the city in the St. Louis Region. And we're asked Delta Sigma Thela Incorporated Sorority Incorporated continues to lift in collective voice on issues at the local, state, and federal levels, and whereas on Friday, December 12th, 2025, Delta Sick, Delta's from the throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area will gather to celebrate their annual Delta Day in St. Louis City Hall forward with fortitude anchored in our legacy of advocacy.
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