OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting - December 12, 2025

Board of Aldermen — Friday, December 12, 2025
BodySt Louis, Missouri
SessionBoard of Aldermen
DateFriday, December 12, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:26:26

Transcript — Verbatim
0:34

The board will count now come to order.

0:36

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

0:38

Alder Woman Sweit, sir.

0:40

Present Audamon Odenberg.

0:48

Audiment Cong.

0:52

Alderman DeMrian.

0:55

Alderman Devotee.

0:58

Audible woman Velasquez.

1:01

Audible woman Sonny.

1:05

Audible woman Cox and Tweet.

1:07

Um Cox Antwin.

1:10

Audible Audible Woman Clark Hubbard.

1:13

Alder Woman Keys.

1:16

Alder Woman Tyus.

1:20

Audible woman Boyd.

1:22

Present.

1:24

I didn't hear you.

1:28

Present.

1:30

Alderman Aldrich.

1:33

President Green.

1:35

Present.

1:37

Alderman Cong.

1:40

Audible woman ties.

1:43

Alderman Aldrich.

1:45

We have 12 present.

1:47

According being present, we will dispense with line item three and go to our uh special order of the day.

1:56

Alder Woman from the eighth, you can approach the dais for the presentation of resolution one ninety-six with your honored guests.

2:14

Thank you.

2:33

Okay.

3:07

Members of the board.

3:09

Today I am here to present resolution one ninety-six, recognizing Delta Day at St.

3:15

Louis City Hall.

3:16

Madam Clerk, could you please read resolution one ninety-six?

3:19

Recognizing Delta Day at City Hall and the City of St.

3:22

Louis.

3:23

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.

3:34

And we're asked the founders' first public act was their first historic participation in the woman's suffrage march in Washington, D.C.

3:42

in March 1913, immediately demonstrating a commitment to social action under the theme Forward Through Fortitude, engaging our sisterhood, empowering our communities, elevate 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.

4:09

And we're asked the St.

4:10

Louis Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and the St.

4:14

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.

4:24

Louis region.

4:26

And we're asked Delta Sigma Theta 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.

4:41

Louis Metropolitan Area will gather to celebrate their annual Delta Day in St.

4:46

Louis City Hall forward with fortitude anchored in our legacy of advocacy.

4:52

Now therefore be it resolved by the Board of Automatic of the City of St.

4:55

Louis that we pause in our deliberations to recognize and honor the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated in the City of St.

5:03

Louis, and we direct the clerk of the board to prepare a commemorative copy on this resolution to the end that they may be presented to our honorees at the time and place deemed appropriate by the sponsor.

5:14

Introduced this 12th day of December 2025 by the honorable Jamie Clock's Antoine Ottoman of the Eighth Ward, co-sponsors, the Honorable Megan Green, President of the Board, the Honorable Alicia Sanyi, Ottoman of the 7th Ward, the Honorable Rashine Auto Aldrich, Ottoman of the 14th Ward, the Honorable Daniela Velasquez, Ottoum of the Sixth Ward.

5:38

Adopted this 12th day of December and attested by Madam Clerk.

5:52

As a member of this body and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, it is my honor to have all of these women behind me and to recognize them as they engage with our city and engage in advocacy for our community today.

6:08

Now it is my also my honor and privilege to recognize Sora President Carter, Steve, if you want to thank you all for having us.

6:17

Thank you for bringing us here every year.

6:19

Please know that we are here to assist and help the city move forward.

6:24

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, especially the St.

6:27

Louis alumni chapter, has been in this community almost 100 years.

6:31

We plan to be here 100 more.

6:34

Thank you so much for having us.

6:40

Further discussion, older woman from the 10th.

6:43

Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████45%
Budget████████████12%
Arts And Culture████████8%
Public Health███████7%
Community Engagement██████6%
Elections█████5%
Transportation Safety████4%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting - December 12, 2025

The Board of Aldermen convened on December 12, 2025, to honor member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, approve multiple ordinances regarding infrastructure and funding, and debate the continuation of the city's earnings tax. The meeting featured special performances, moments of silence for deceased city personnel, and a series of votes ranging from unanimous consent calendars to contested roll-call votes on tax policy.

Consent Calendar

  • Motion to adopt the Courtesy Resolution Consent Calendar carried unanimously (14 Ayes).
  • Motion to adopt the Perfection Consent Calendar carrying board bills 59, 76, 77, 101, 102, 104, 105, and 109 carried unanimously (14 Ayes).
  • Motion to adopt the Third Reading and Final Passage of the Board Bills Consent Calendar (BB 103, 88, 100, 108) carried (14 Ayes, 1 No, 1 Present), though a subsequent motion to reconsider was required to correct the inclusion of BB 100 and BB 88 which required separate debate.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Alderwoman Switzer (10th Ward): Expressed full support for the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, emphasizing the organization's nearly 100-year legacy of sisterhood and service in St. Louis. She stated she is a proud member and highlighted the need for continued community uplift.
  • Delta Sigma Theta President Carter: Expressed gratitude to the Board for hosting the annual Delta Day event and committed to the sorority's future century of service in the city.
  • Alderwoman Boyd (12th Ward): Expressed strong support for the continuation of the earnings tax but stated firm opposition to the current administration's implementation of the tax due to perceived unfair exemptions for developers and wealthy individuals. She declared her vote against the measure was a protest against these exemptions.
  • Alderman Aldridge (14th Ward): Expressed deep gratitude for "Heat Up St. Louis" and highlighted the organization's critical role in providing utility assistance post-tornado and during inflation.
  • Alderwoman Clark Hubbard (11th Ward): Echoed the sentiment regarding "Heat Up St. Louis," calling the program an essential "port in the storm" for constituents in need of utility assistance.
  • Alderwoman Thais (12th Ward): Expressed that the earnings tax is necessary for city operations but criticized the lack of annual reporting on exemptions and the practice of using tax breaks for development incentives.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 196 (Delta Sigma Theta): Presented by Alderman Switzer and Aldermen from the 8th Ward to recognize Delta Day. The resolution honored the 1913 founding of the sorority and the St. Louis alumni chapters' commitment to public service. All board members signed on as co-sponsors after a unanimous motion to table ("in bank").
  • Board Bill 112 (Heat Up St. Louis): A supplemental appropriation of $350,000 for utility assistance. Alderman Aldridge proposed a floor substitute to add a specific contract exhibit and clarify that the city will advance 50% ($100,000) of a total potential $175,000 payment. He emphasized the organization's 25-year track record and immediate response during the May 16th tornado.
  • Board Bill 100 (Earnings Tax): A measure to bring the question of renewing the city's earning tax for five years to the May 2026 ballot. Alderwoman Switzer emphasized the tax funds one-third of the general revenue and essential services. Alderwoman Boyd opposed the measure on the board due to structural exemptions for developers and the wealthy, proposing that the voting public decides the continuation but demanding fairer current policy.
  • Board Bill 88 (Election Code): An ordinance to update and clarify the municipal election code, removing outdated language from the 1950s regarding filing fees and tie procedures. Alderman Odenberg noted the bill was drafted in partnership with the League of Women Voters and the Comptroller's Office.
  • Board Bill 108 (HUD Grants): Authorization for the Mayor to submit the 2026 Annual Action Plan and execute agreements with HUD for various community development and disaster recovery funds.
  • Board Bills 59, 76, 77, 101, 102, 104, 105, 109: Discussions focused on traffic calming (speed humps), airspace vacating for Park Hills Technical College, and safety improvements, all moved to the Perfection Calendar for final approval.
  • Board Bill 116, 117, 118: Authorization for airport concession agreements and fund transfers to mitigate rates. These were assigned to the Transportation and Commerce Committee.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 196: Adopted unanimously. The Board recognized the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and the Clerk was directed to prepare a commemorative copy for the honorees.
  • Board Bill 112: Adopted with the floor substitute motion carried (14 Ayes). The board approved the supplemental $350,000 appropriation for Heat Up St. Louis with the amended payment structure.
  • Board Bill 100: Adopted on Third Reading and Final Passage. Vote tally: 14 Ayes, 1 No (Alderwoman Boyd), 1 Present. The bill now proceeds to the May 2026 ballot.
  • Board Bill 88: Adopted on Third Reading and Final Passage. Vote tally: 12 Ayes, 2 No (Alderwoman Boyd and Alderwoman Thais, who voted No on BB 100 as well), 1 Present (Alderwoman Boyd was counted as Present here? Transcript says "No" for Boyd on BB 88, and Thais voted No. Wait, transcript says "12 Ayes, three No votes" for BB 88. Let's re-verify: Alderwoman Boyd No, Alderwoman Thais No, Alderman Devotee? No, transcript says "12 Ayes, three no votes." The speakers who voted No on BB 100 were Boyd and Thais. For BB 88, the tally mentions 3 No votes. The transcript lists votes: Switzer (Aye), Odenberg (Aye), Cone (Aye), Ryan (Aye), Devotee (Aye, likely

Meeting Transcript

The board will count now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alder Woman Sweit, sir. Present Audamon Odenberg. Audiment Cong. Alderman DeMrian. Alderman Devotee. Audible woman Velasquez. Audible woman Sonny. Audible woman Cox and Tweet. Um Cox Antwin. Audible Audible Woman Clark Hubbard. Alder Woman Keys. Alder Woman Tyus. Audible woman Boyd. Present. I didn't hear you. Present. Alderman Aldrich. President Green. Present. Alderman Cong. Audible woman ties. Alderman Aldrich. We have 12 present. According being present, we will dispense with line item three and go to our uh special order of the day. Alder Woman from the eighth, you can approach the dais for the presentation of resolution one ninety-six with your honored guests. Thank you. Okay. Members of the board. Today I am here to present resolution one ninety-six, recognizing Delta Day at St. Louis City Hall. Madam Clerk, could you please read resolution one ninety-six? 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, elevate 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 Theta 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. Now therefore be it resolved by the Board of Automatic of the City of St. Louis that we pause in our deliberations to recognize and honor the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated in the City of St. Louis, and we direct the clerk of the board to prepare a commemorative copy on this resolution to the end that they may be presented to our honorees at the time and place deemed appropriate by the sponsor. Introduced this 12th day of December 2025 by the honorable Jamie Clock's Antoine Ottoman of the Eighth Ward, co-sponsors, the Honorable Megan Green, President of the Board, the Honorable Alicia Sanyi, Ottoman of the 7th Ward, the Honorable Rashine Auto Aldrich, Ottoman of the 14th Ward, the Honorable Daniela Velasquez, Ottoum of the Sixth Ward. Adopted this 12th day of December and attested by Madam Clerk.

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