St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting - February 27, 2026
St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting - February 27, 2026
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen held its full board meeting on February 27, 2026, beginning with a moment of reflection and the singing of the Black national anthem. The board addressed a wide range of legislation, including appropriations for tornado recovery and water infrastructure, charter amendments, and recognition of local heroes. Multiple votes were taken, and several board bills received final passage. The meeting also included moments of silence for community leaders who recently passed away.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes from the February 20, 2026 meeting.
- Adopted the courtesy resolution consent calendar, which included resolutions 251 and 252 honoring two men who rescued a woman from O'Fallon Park lake on February 18, 2026.
- Adopted the board bills for perfection consent calendar (two bills: one regarding the Gateway Foundation corporation agreement amendment and one authorizing a quitclaim deed for the McArthur Bridge approach).
- Adopted the third reading and final passage consent calendar for board bills 115 floor substitute, 128 as amended, 147 as amended, 81, 135, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 146 (board bill 145 was removed from consent).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were heard during this meeting.
Discussion Items
- Recognition of Heroes: Alderwoman from the 11th ward presented resolutions 251 and 252 honoring two men who rescued a woman who slipped and fell into O'Fallon Park lake. The woman and the rescuers shared their story. The resolutions were embanked (co-sponsored by all aldermen).
- Introductions and Remembrances: Several aldermen introduced honored guests, including representatives from Washington University, students from Rosati-Kain, and community leaders. Moments of silence were observed for Reverend Dr. Lewis T. Shelton, activist Joan Torres, longtime board secretary Sarah Gleason, and former Alderman Kenny Jones. The outgoing director of North Newstead Association, Constance Sue, was also recognized.
- Board Bill 157: Appropriated $3.8 million in ARPA interest funds for homelessness prevention and displacement assistance for households impacted by the tornado. Perfected and later passed.
- Board Bill 160: Appropriated $1.2 million in ARPA interest funds for water infrastructure repair. Sponsor noted the city's water division has identified over $700 million in needs. Some aldermen expressed regret that more ARPA funds had not been allocated to water earlier. The bill was perfected.
- Board Bill 158 Floor Substitute: Amended the clean energy development board and PACE program, adding an emergency clause to allow immediate mayoral signature after final passage. The bill was reconsidered and perfected.
- Board Bill 54: Proposed a charter amendment to establish a nonpartisan top-two runoff system in special aldermanic elections, matching regular election procedures. After discussion, the bill passed 11-4.
- Board Bill 137: A charter modernization ordinance updating language, removing obsolete references, and standardizing formatting. Passed with 14 ayes and one present vote.
- Board Bill 145: Repealed an obsolete mechanical code from 1992 that had remained on the books after a 2018 update. Alderman Narayan explained the cleanup. Passed with 15 ayes.
- Resolution 240: Designated St. Louis as a 'Bird City' to help nonprofits qualify for conservation grants. The St. Louis Audubon Society noted this could be the first dual designation in the nation. Unanimously adopted.
Key Outcomes
- Appointments Approved: Mayor Spencer's appointments to the Waterman Lake Special Business District (Alan Bathon, Peter Twarby, Glenn Gibb), Washington Place Special Business District (Jason Johnson), Devolver Place Special Business District (Stephanie Brown), and the Mental Health Board (Dr. Bolok and Burke) were all approved.
- Board Bill Votes:
- Board Bill 54 passed 11-4.
- Board Bills 157, 160, 158 floor substitute, 137, and 145 each passed by voice vote or roll call with large majorities (14-0 or 15-0).
- The consent calendar for third reading (except bill 145) was approved unanimously.
- Resolution 239: Adopted new rules and regulations for the Board of Adjustments.
- Next Meetings Announced:
- Tuesday, March 3, 2026: HUDs Committee, 11 a.m. in Kennedy Room.
- Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Transportation and Commerce Committee, 9 a.m. (as announced).
- Wednesday, March 4, 2026: Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee, 3:30 p.m. (with water division presentation).
- Thursday, March 5, 2026: Personnel and Administration Committee, 11 a.m. webinar.
- Friday, March 6, 2026: Full board meeting, 10 a.m. in chambers.
Meeting Transcript
The board will now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Alder Woman Sweitzer Alderman Oldenburg. Alderman Cone. Present Alderman Orion Alderman Devotee. Alder Woman Velazquez. Alder Woman Sany Alder Woman Cox Antwe. Alderman Browning. Present. Alder Woman Clark Hubbard. Alder Woman Keys. Alder Woman Tyus. Alder Woman Boyd. Present. Alderman Aldred. President Green. Present Alderman Oldenburg. Present. Alder Woman Velasquez. Alder Woman Thais. Thirteen present. We have corn. A corn being present will be led in an opening reflection by our very own executive secretary, Lemisa Bird, singing the black national anthem. Let our rejoice let it remote loud as long for love that the dark past has started. We must for God were mad our heart drunk with the wine of the world we were stand to our true to that amazing we will dispense with the regular order of business now to take up the courtesy resolution calendar older woman from the 10th. You are recognized on the motion and the rules for the purposes of introducing resolutions two fifty-five and two fifty-six. Thank you, Madam President. Members of the board, I move that we suspend the rules for the purposes of introducing resolutions two fifty-five and two fifty-six. It's been moved by the older woman from the 10th, seconded by the older woman from the seventh that we suspend the rules for the purposes of introducing resolutions fifty-five and two fifty-six. This is a non-debatable motion. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alderman Oldenburg. Alderman Clohn. Alderman Norayan. Alderman Devotee. Alder Woman Velasquez. Alder Woman Sanye. Alder Woman Cox Antwi. Alderman Browning. Alder Woman Clark Hubbard. Aye. Alder Woman Keys. Alder Woman Tyus. Alder Woman Boyd. I Alderman Aldrich. President Green. I Alder Woman Velasquez. 14 I votes. By your vote, you sustain the motion from the older woman from the 10th. If we can now, uh, if you could please place those at the end of the courtesy resolution calendar, and I would invite the older woman from the 11th, elevated 11th, to approach the dais with her special guest for the presentation of resolution two fifty-one and two fifty-two.
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