St. Louis Board of Aldermen: December 12, 2025 Meeting Summary
St. Louis Board of Aldermen: December 12, 2025 Meeting Summary
The Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Louis convened on December 12, 2025, to begin with the recognition of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for "Delta Day," followed by the suspension of rules to introduce and approve several resolutions and board bills. The meeting focused heavily on utility assistance funding for tornado victims, the renewal of the city's earnings tax (including a protest vote regarding exemptions), and election code updates. The session concluded with a moment of silence for deceased city employees and a resource fair announcement.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 196 (Delta Day): Unanimously adopted (12-0) to recognize the St. Louis Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Alderwoman Cox Antwi moved and Alderwoman Tyus seconded the motion; all board members signed on as co-sponsors.
- Minutes: The minutes from the December 5, 2025, meeting were approved unanimously. The courtesy resolution consent calendar was adopted unanimously.
- Mental Health Board Appointments: Mayor Spencer's appointments of Caroline Jackson and Donna Schmidt to the Mental Health Board were approved unanimously.
- Resolution 198: The resolution supporting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and Freedom to Vote Act was adopted unanimously. Alderwoman Clark Hubbard and Alderwoman Keys added their names as co-sponsors.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alderwoman Cox Antwi: Expressed full support for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (her own sorority), thanking them for their 100-year legacy of service and advocacy in St. Louis.
- Alderwoman Tyus: Expressed gratitude to the Delta members, referencing her own sister's membership and honoring her mother, a Delta, for their continued service.
- Alderwoman Antwi (12th Ward): Expressed support for the city's need for earnings tax but stated a position of opposition to the current implementation. She argued that development exemptions are unfair, noting that the city incentivizes wealthy developers while working-class citizens pay the tax. She announced a protest vote against the renewal, demanding a yearly report on exemptions before future support.
- Alderwoman Clark Hubbard: Expressed full support for the "Heat Up St. Louis" program, citing its efficacy in serving 1.5 million dollars in funding during the summer and its critical role post-tornado.
- Alderwoman Brown (11th Ward): Expressed full support for the "Heat Up/Down St. Louis" program, calling it a "port in the storm" for constituents.
- Alderman Aldrich: Expressed strong support for the utility assistance bill, highlighting the organization's ability to prevent immediate disconnections on the same day calls are received.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 202 (Proposed Introduction): The Board suspended the rules to introduce Resolution 202, subsequently referring it to the Public Safety Committee.
- Board Bill 112 (Utility Assistance): A floor substitute was adopted to direct $350,000 to "Heat Up St. Louis" for utility assistance, specifically for tornado victims and inflation relief. The motion clarified that the city would pay 50% ($175,000) as an advanced payment, allowing the organization to tap into the remainder as funds dwindled. The legislation included an emergency clause.
- Board Bill 100 (Earnings Tax Renewal): Board Bill 100 seeks to place the renewal of the city's earnings tax on the ballot for 2026. The bill funds a third of the general revenue fund, essential for emergency services and street maintenance.
- Board Bill 88 (Election Code): An ordinance to update Title II of the Municipal Code regarding elections, removing outdated language from the 1950s regarding filing fees and tie procedures.
- Board Bill 108 (Housing Grants): Authorization for the Mayor and Comptroller to execute agreements with HUD for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other housing funds.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 196 Adopted: Recognized Delta Day; a commemorative copy was directed to the clerk for presentation to the honorees. (Vote: 12-0)
- Rules Suspended: Rules were suspended to introduce Board Bills 116, 117, 118, and Resolutions 200, 201, 203. (Vote: 14-0)
- Board Bill 112 Perfecting: The floor substitute for Board Bill 112 was perfected and adopted, directing $350,000 to Heat Up St. Louis. (Vote: 14-0)
- Board Bill 100 Passage: Board Bill 100 was passed on third reading and final passage. Alderwoman Cox Antwi cast a vote of no as a protest against development tax exemptions, while 14 members voted yes. (Vote: 14-1)
- Board Bill 88 Passage: Board Bill 88 was passed on third reading and final passage to update the election code. (Vote: 12-3)
- Board Bill 108 Passage: Board Bill 108 was passed on third reading and final passage to authorize HUD agreements. (Vote: 14-0, 1 Present)
- Resolutions 198 & 202: Resolution 198 was adopted in full; Resolution 202 was referred to the Public Safety Committee.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned until December 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
- Memoriam: A moment of silence was observed for Robert Saunders (city custodial employee) and Hank Thompson (local radio personality).
- Community Events: Announcements were made for a Christmas event in the 14th Ward, a "77th District Christmas Extravaganza" in the 11th Ward, a collaborative resource fair (hosted by 8th and 7th Wards) for December 13th, and a Kwanzaa Holiday Expo.
Meeting Transcript
The board will come now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alder Woman Sweit, sir. Present. Alderman Odenberg. Alderman Cone. Alderman DeMarian. Alderman Devotee. Audible Velasquez. Alder Woman Sony. Alder Woman Cox and Twin. Umder 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 Cong. Alderoman Thais. 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 8th, you can approach the dais for the presentation of resolution 196 with your honored guests. 196. It should be an advantage. Thank you. 196. Okay. Sorry, sir. 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, Mr. 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.
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