St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting - February 27, 2026
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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.
Good morning.
I'm gonna go ahead and take this off the stand.
Good morning, and uh this truly is a great morning.
I didn't realize we had so many wonderful voices here in the board of Alderman.
I think we'll have to get a choir going.
So as this is our last meeting uh as we close out uh Black History Month, and I thought about you know how am I gonna dress today, of course.
Couldn't find any clothes in my closer and beans because of the tornado, but fortunately, God is good, and so I was able to find or put together an outfit, and I thought about you know, hair is also a part of our culture, and so while I could not take down my braids to do my hair like this, which I've done on occasion, uh I had a good piece of hair sitting to the side that I could grab and put on this morning to celebrate uh the culture and the fashion and the hair of my people.
So all power to the people always.
I'd like to extend a thank you to President Green, uh, because I this the incident that I'm gonna tell you about um occurred so recent that I was not able to meet uh the deadline for getting these resolutions done, but I appreciate your courtesy in in allowing us to do this because this too is important.
So on uh February the 18th, Miss D.
Step up, Miss D.
Come on, stand next to me.
So Miss D.
This lady has been catching fish, a fisher woman in the elevated 11th ward.
She had been fishing for years at the various uh park lakes when they're stocked, cooking the fish and feeding the people.
And on February the 18th, it was the 18th, okay on the 11th, okay.
So, anyway, um, as she was there catching fish, her foot slipped, and she slid into the lake at O'Fallon Park, and I'm gonna let her tell the rest of her story.
So we'll leave it right there on February the 11th, it started out as just a simple fishing trip, and it ended up almost a tragic, but God has a reason and a purpose for placing certain people in certain places, and he did just that that day as I slipped and fell into the lake, and I began the waves started to take me away, and I I was going under.
But thank God Mr.
Leon Roberts and Sean Nolly was also there fishing among other people, but these two demonstrates the most heroic act of my life, and one of them, Mr.
He dived in, and I I think I heard somebody said, Well, he said he can't swim, but he dived in anyway and risked his life to pull me out.
He tried, we tried to stand up, but there was no bottom, we couldn't feel a bottom.
So he began to paddle back in, and um, and the waves, you know, there's God, there is a God, there is a God because when he paddled back in, the same waves that was taking me out began to make a detour and kind of bring me back in.
Hallelujah.
Nobody but God was with me, and Mr.
Leon extended his hand to me and told me to hold on.
I tried to grab his hand, but I couldn't, so I told him to let me go, just let me go.
I had accepted my faith, but he said, not today.
And so as I began to float back a little bit to the bank, they both reached in and grabbed me and pulled me to shore, and that's why I am here today to thank them because my words is not gratitude enough, and I like to thank the both of you guys.
Thank you.
Thank you, all the McKeys, for reaching out to me and inviting us here.
It means so much to be able to share this story with each and every one of you guys.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, Miss D.
So these two gentlemen step up, gentlemen, please.
Join me on each side.
Amen.
So when I I actually saw this on Facebook, nobody called me.
I saw it on Facebook, and I said, Oh my god.
And so I immediately began to search through until I found these gentlemen just uh probably an hour after I saw the video, and I was just so moved that these are men in our community that stepped up without being asked.
These are heroes, and they didn't really want any recognition, but I refused because you deserve to be recognized on this day.
So I'm gonna pass the mic, and these gentlemen will give you their quick version of what occurred that day.
Well, it was just a day of us uh out fishing, and we didn't um see Miss D out there fishing before and me not being a good swimmer.
And me not being a good swimmer.
So I told my brother, once she fell in, I'm like, you gotta go in.
Even though the water the lake was just froze probably three, four days ago.
I told him you just gotta go in.
And he dove in when he dove in, I slid down in the water and grabbed her on her arm and by her pants and pulled her out.
I just at that moment I just want to do something.
I pray that somebody do the same thing for my mother.
I'm proud of you, sorry.
Very proud of you was there to heal.
Nah, but on another note, like it was just a good day that we were there, able to help her out.
And you know what I'm saying?
So hope she can overfer overcome her furs of fishing and be able to get back out there.
That's it, that's all.
I'm just glad that we was there.
So one little tidbit, one little tidbit that I want to share with you.
These men are brothers, they don't share the same mother or father.
And when I talked to each of them, they referred to, well, my brother, he went in, and then my, you know, the other referred to my brother, he did so and so.
So these men have been lifelong friends.
Their mothers claim each of them as her children.
That is an amazing bond.
And I was so glad because they unraveled it for me, and I was like, huh?
Because one of them said, Well, his mother, and I was like, What you mean?
Ain't y'all got the same mother?
So, so that's when they they really explained it to me.
And to have that closeness, and you guys are a team, you work together to save a life, and that's such an amazing thing, and I'm just so proud of you, and thank you for being here today.
Any further discussion, any further discussion?
Alder woman from the 10th.
Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, member of the board.
Thank you for sharing this story today.
Thank you here clearly for just being you and your words.
That's it, that's all.
And we need to elevate and escalate the action the way you all did on the ground on a day when it was just fishing for you, but in your heart and your mind, it told you immediately.
I want somebody to do this for my mama.
Thank you.
And with that, I would ask that we move this, move this resolution and bang.
It's been moved by the older woman from the 10th, seconded by the older woman from 6 that we make both resolution 51 and 252 in bank.
Is there any discussion on the motion to embank?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
Older woman from the 12th.
Madam President, members of the board, and um Madam Audible from the 11th, thank you for bringing this uh resolution.
I want to say to the gentleman, what an honor it is for you to be here today.
I am so proud.
This is what heroism looks like.
This is uh everyday citizen doing what they're supposed to.
Um the love that you had for each other, you extend it to this woman.
It might it may have meant her life.
Um I hope that uh we can all um pray that she gets over this horrific event, because sometimes events can happen in your life that scar you.
If you like the fish, continue to fish because uh God has shown you that he got you, and he has you in the way that you didn't expect because two strangers helped save their life.
They are heroes, and so are you.
I'm very proud to be here today to see you and and hear you, and I appreciate you.
Thank you.
Any further discussion?
Any further discussion?
Um, well, just to let you know, since it's been embanked, that means that every single member of the board of aldermen signed on to the resolution co-sponsors.
So we all want to thank you for your leadership.
Um my heart breaks for you, but is also so happy at the outcome, it could have been so much worse.
And um, and knowing that we have two gentlemen in our community who just saw a need and ran for it and kind of put their own lives on the line in the process.
Um, I think that really speaks to the testament of what community is about, um, what being a good neighbor is about.
And so thank you for your service and your leadership.
And we're really happy to celebrate you at the board today.
Thank you.
All right.
Do uh if we could all gather on the steps here for a picture.
We're gonna go out overstand.
We're gonna get a lovely picture of our three of you.
Don't forget your glasses.
Okay.
Forget your glasses.
I should have had facilities.
Alder woman from the 10th, you're recognized on the motion to adopt the courtesy resolution consent calendar.
Thank you, Madam President.
Members of the board, I move adopt the courtesy resolution consent calendar.
It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the 10th, seconded by the Alder Woman from the first that we adopt the courtesy resolution calendar.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
Introduction of honored guests.
Any introduction of honor guests.
Alder woman from the 10th.
Thank you, Madam President.
Before I do my introduction of my honored guests that are in the galley, I'm asking for a moment of silence for the honorable Reverend Dr.
Lewis T.
Shelton of Union Capernaum Missionary Church, of which his family, his church family, and greater community are in the celebration of his life as we speak.
We thank him for the decades of service and upliftment in the community.
The example he set, praying for the family and again his church family and community, and asking for a moment of silence for Reverend Dr.
Lewis T.
Shelton.
We could all please stand and bow our heads for a moment of silence.
If you all could stand, they are accompanied by assistant vice chancellor of local government and community relations for WashU, Miss Joanna Schooler and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Advocacy and Engagement of For Wash U Tony Rice.
Thank you all for being here this morning.
I look forward to community uh talking with you all later.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
For 33 years, the North Newstead Association has served proudly in the 21st ward and in the elevated 11th ward, uh serving community in so many ways.
They're too numerous really to counter.
We've seen directors come and go.
And so it is sad that I announced today that Constance Sue, uh, this is her last day I received an email this morning.
And I want to publicly thank her for all of her hard work.
Um, you know, I I was used to tell us that girl, you stepped up the game.
You know, they came in with great strategies to deal with different issues in community.
Um, they've been a great partner to me.
Um, and so I just want to make sure that she knows how much she is appreciated, not only in the elevated 11th war, but throughout our city.
Thank you.
Alderman from the 9th.
Thank you.
Uh, I'd like to have as my guest today the students from Rosati Kane.
Uh, they are up here in the gallery if you all want to wave.
Uh, those wonderful students and uh also just recognize Barbara Geisman, they're uh according to my colleague here legendary teacher uh who uh is just all of them are a wonderful presence in our city, and we really love having um just the so many great schools that we have in our city.
So we know that they will represent us well, and uh welcome.
Alderman from the 14th.
Thank you, madam president, members of the board.
First, before my enter uh my uh introduction of honor guests, I would ask the board if we can have a moment of silence.
This week we lost a legend um in the activist community.
We lost somebody who has done a lot of great work uh here for St.
Louis.
I know when I was first getting involved with Missouri Jobs of Justice, she was one of those individuals that always uh supported and mentored the young people.
Joan Torres uh passed away this week and is gonna be a big hit, uh, like I say, to this region.
So I would just ask if we could have a moment of silence for uh Jones Warz and her family.
Everyone could please stand and bow your heads for a moment of silence.
Thank you, Madam President, members of uh the board for that moment of silence.
As my introduction of honor guests as we wrap up Black History Month, knowing that Black History is actually 365 days, it's all year round.
However, you know, a lot of time we we pay attention and we recognize so many greats that came before us, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris.
But I also want to have as my honor guest so many uh St.
Louis Black History historians from Percy Green to Jamala Rogers to I want to thank the Alderman from the third for reminding me today it's her birthday, Vivian Gibson, one of the last children of Mill Creek, um, and so many other great Bernie Hayes.
I mean, the list goes on and on and on of black people that we have here in St.
Louis that have been game changers.
And today, hopefully, we'll be making even more history by uh maybe hiring the very first black female chief clerk of this board of Alderman.
Well so as we remember what black history is, again, I want all of us, especially the young folks uh up in the gallery to remember that black history isn't the past, it's a past, it's a present, and today I mean it'll continue to be the future, but today this board of Alderman is gonna make a huge accomplishment and continuing to make sure that black history is being represented in the future at this board of Alderman but throughout St.
Louis.
Happy Black History Month, everyone.
Any further introduction of honored guests, any further introduction of honored guests.
Uh thank you, Madam President and board.
I wanted to have my honored guests, uh, plumbers and pipe fitters.
They had a black history month event yesterday that was phenomenal.
I mean, phenomenal.
And so I want to congratulate them on lifting up and recognizing uh black history, and then Miss Ollie Stewart for her Black History program that she sponsored on Thursday.
So we have some great programs that were out there, and I just want to congratulate them, and they're my honored guests for today.
Madam President, members of the board, and I don't know if we did this because I was um absent a few times um after my surgery, but recently we lost my very first secretary, Miss Sarah Gleason, passed away.
And um, if we did not do a moment of silence in my absence, I would like to have a moment of silence.
Miss Sarah Gibbs uh Gleason uh was here when I got here in 1991.
She stayed for a lot of years.
She was my first secretary when I left and came back.
She was my secretary again.
She's a great person, always willing to help.
Um we lost a great person.
And if we have not done a moment of silence, uh for a long time board employee, I'd like a moment moment of silence for Miss Sarah Glee Gleason, who was the secretary for I don't know, 20 odd years or so.
We could please stand and bow our heads for a moment of silence.
A further introduction of honored guests.
I know we've done a number of moments of silence today.
I want to um ask us to do just one more.
We had another giant pass this week.
Um, former Alderman Kenny Jones um passed uh uh last Sunday.
Um lots of us know him from his work in the labor movement and um work in the community for years and years and years, and you know we he's definitely been somebody to me that's been a sounding board and a mentor over the years, and so I was very sad to learn of his passings to please stand and do one more moment of silence for former alderman Kenny.
A further introduction of honored guests.
Seeing none, alder woman from the 10th.
You're recognized on the approval of the minutes from Friday, February 20th, 2026.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
I move that we approve the minutes from Friday, February 20th, 2026.
It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the 10th, seconded by the Alder Woman from the 7th that we approve the minutes from Friday, February 20th, 2026.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye opposed, motion carries report of city officials.
Report of city officials can be filed in A, B, C and D of the agenda and has been placed in the Google Drive for your review.
Dear members of the board, I have the pleasure to submit the following individuals for appointment to the Waterman Lake Special Business District, the appointment of Alan Baton, the reappointment of Peter Twarby, the reappointment of Glenn Gibb.
I respectfully request your approval of this appointment.
Sincerely, Kara Spencer, Mayor.
Alderman from the 9th, you're recognized the Mayor Spencer's appointments to the Waterman Lake Special Business District.
Thank you.
I move that we accept the mayor's appointments of Alan Bathon and the reappointments of Peter Tarby and Glenn Gibb to the Armin Lake Special Business District.
It's been moved by the Alderman from the 9th, seconded by the Alderman from the 14th that we approve Mayor Spencer's appointments.
Waterman Lake Special Business District.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
Dear members of the board, I have the pleasure to submit the following individual for appointment to the Washington Place Business District.
The appointment of Jason Johnson.
I respectfully request your approval of this appointment.
Sincerely, Kara Spencer Mayer.
Alderman from the 9th, you're recognized the Mayor Spencer's appointments to the Washington Place Special Business District.
Thank you.
I move that we accept the mayor's appointment of Jason Johnson to the Washington Place Special Business.
It's been moved by the Alderman from the 9th, seconded by the Alderman from the 14th that we approve Mayor Spencer's appointments to the Washington Place Special Business District.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
Dear members of the board, I have the pleasure to submit the following individual for reappointment to the Devolver Place Special Business District.
The reappointment of Stephanie Brown.
I respectfully request your approval of these appointments.
Sincerely, Kara Spencer, Mayor.
Alder Woman from the 10th, you're recognized the Mayor Spencer's appointment to the Devolver Place Special Business District.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
I move that we approve Mayor Spencer's appointment of Stephanie Brown.
Reappointment of Stephanie Brown to the Devolver Place Special Business District.
It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the 10th, seconded by the Alder Woman from the 7th that we approve Mayor Spencer's appointment to the Devolver Place Special Business District.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
That is the go ahead.
That is the extent of report of city officials.
Does anyone wish to take any bills or resolutions off of any of our informal calendars?
Alder woman from the 11th.
Thank you, Madam President.
I would like to place Board Bill 98 on the informal calendar.
Madam Clerk, if you could please place board bill 98 on the informal calendar.
So noted.
First reading of board bills.
We have none.
We can dispense with line item 12.
Reference to committee of board bills.
We have none.
Dispense with line item 13.
Second reading report of standing committees.
The following board bills were reported out of the legislation and rules committee with a due pass recommendation.
Board bill number 171, introduced by Auto Woman Sanyer, President Green, Alderman Narayan, Alderwoman Velasquez, and Auder Woman Keys.
An ordinance amending section two of ordinance 47423, approved March 2nd, 1955, relating to requisitions for supplies not under contract for the purpose of updating departmental minor purchase order thresholds and procurement procedures and containing a severability clause and emergency clause.
The following board bills were reported out of the public infrastructure and utilities committee with the due pass recommendation.
Board bill number 110 introduced by Auto Woman TIES.
Their overall purpose for this bill is to conditionally vacate the following street.
The Northern 109.965 plus 035 feet of 20 foot wide north south alley and the eastern approximately 219 feet of the 15 foot wide east west alley and city block 3708 as bounded by St.
Louis Avenue, Newstead Avenue, Maffitt Avenue, and Taylor Avenue.
Petitioned by CARE St.
Louis Health or STL Health.
The vacated areas will be used to consolidate property to provide parking for commercial development.
Board bill number 111 introduced by Alderwoman Tyers.
The overall purpose for this bill is to conditionally vacate the following street.
The vacated areas will be used to consolidate property to provide parking for commercial development.
Board bill number 136 introduced by Alderman Aldrick, an ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to conditionally vacate the following street and portion of Elliott Avenue from St.
Louis Avenue to Montgomery Avenue.
Montgomery Street from Jefferson Avenue to Elliott Avenue, and the 20-foot wide east-west alley beginning at Elliott Avenue and extending eastwardly to 59.99 feet to a point in city block 2365 as bounded by St.
Louis Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Montgomery Street, and Elliott Avenue.
Board Bill.
Board Bill No.
159 introduced by Alderman Browning.
An ordinance providing for the execution and delivery of a municipal stormwater grant participation agreement by and between the City of St.
Louis and the Metropolitan St.
Blissor District, authorizing and directing the director of the streets department and the director of the planning and urban design agency to apply for the expend funds under such agreement for the purposes of a flood wall project and containing an emergency clause.
Board bill number 170 introduced by Alderman Narayan, an ordinance establishing a two-way stop site at the intersection of Forrest and Glades Avenue regulating all traffic traveling north and southbound on Forest Avenue at the intersection of Forest Avenue and Glaze Avenue containing an emergency clause.
The following board bills were reported out of the Health and Human Services Committee with a due pass recommendation.
Board bill number 148 introduced by Alder Woman Boyd.
Alder Woman Sanyer and Alder Woman Cox Entuy.
An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportion appropriates to the Department of Health.
1,363,875 and 78 cents in funds received by the City of St.
Louis pursuant to the National Opioid Settlement Agreements authorizing the expenditure of such funds to the extent received and contains an emergency clause.
Board bill number 156 introduced by Alderman Browning.
An ordinance updating the forestry division's regulations for the planting maintenance preservation and management of trees, shrubs, and plants in the city of St.
Louis containing definitions, administrative regulatory, penalty, and severability clause.
That is the extent of the second reading of the report of standing committees.
Report of special committees.
We have none.
Dispense with line item 15.
Board bills for perfection consent.
Introduced by Alder Woman Cox Antwee.
Alder Woman Clark Hubbard, Alderman Cohn, Alder Woman Sweitzer, Alder Woman Keys, Alder Woman Sanye, Alderman Browning, and Alderman Aldric.
An ordinance provided for the execution and delivery of a first amendment, substantially in the form attached here to as exhibit A by the among the City of St.
Louis Gateway Foundation, a non-for-profit trust are organized under the laws of the state of Missouri, the Foundation, and Terrorist View, Inc., a Missouri Corporation, Terrorist View, amending the corporation agreement dated August 28th, 2007, by and between the city and the foundation, the corporation agreement and containing an emergency clause.
Board bill number 132, introduced by Alder Woman Cox Antwee and Alderman Browning, an ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service, authorizing in directing the mayor and controller of the city of St.
Louis to execute a quick claim deed, vacating right of way and quick claiming all the city of St.
Louis interests in the property improvements and easements for the McArthur Bridge approach in Illinois, dissolving the municipal bridge commission and containing a severability clause.
That is the extent of board bills for perfection consent.
Alder Woman from the 10th, you are recognized on the motion to adopt the board bills for the perfection consent calendar.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
I move that we adopt the board bills for perfection consent calendar.
Been moved by the Alder Woman from the 10th, seconded by the Alder Woman from the 7th that we adopt the board bills for the perfection consent calendar.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
Board bills for perfection.
Board bill number 157.
As amended.
Introduced by Alder Woman Clark Hubbard, President Green, Alderman Cone, Alder Woman Sweitzer, Alder Woman Keys, Alder Woman Sanye, Alderman Browning, and Alderman Aldric.
An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment appropriating 3,800,000 of interest funds earned on the city's funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Pub L number 117-2, March 11, 2021.
ARPA and authorized the transfer of such funds for city's ability to provide services to prevent homelessness and displacement for households impacted by the tornado containing an emergency and severability clause.
Madam President, members of the board, I believe we had to add it to pursuant to rule 55.
Oh thank you.
Thank you.
I moved that we perfect board bill 157 as amended.
I'm moving too fast.
It's uh been moved by the Alder Woman from the 10th, seconded by the Alderman from the 14th, that we perfect board bill 157 as amended.
Alder Woman, you may proceed.
I renew my motion.
Any further discussion?
Any further discussion.
It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the 10th, seconded by the Alder uh men from the 14th.
That we perfect Board Bill 157 as amended.
All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
Board bill number 160, introduced by Alder Woman Sweiser, Alderman Browning, Alderman Cohn, Alder Woman Clark Hubbard, Alder Woman Keys, Alder Woman Sanye, and Alderman Aldrick, an ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment appropriating 1,200,000 of interest funds earned on the city's funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and authorizing the transfer of such funds for water infrastructure repair and replacement project purposes and containing an emergency clause.
Thank you, Madam President, and members of the board.
I move to perfect board bill 160.
Second.
It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the first, seconded by the Alder Woman from the 11th, that we perfect Board Bill 160.
Alder Woman, you may proceed.
Thank you so much, Madam President.
Uh, this bill is a crucial bill to move 1.6 million dollars as Clerk read uh to water infrastructure and repair.
Uh the city of St.
Louis Water Division has identified over 700 million dollars of need.
So this is a small amount compared to the the need, and I'm hoping to continue discussing the amounts of capital that can go towards the water division in future bills and in future legislation.
But this is what is available now uh to the water division uh through ARPA interest if this body decides to move it forward.
Um it does have the support of the mayor's office and uh it it moved through HUD's uh it during committee.
So I appreciate any any um uh support that it can get today and welcome any discussion.
Alder Woman from the 12th Madam President, members of the board.
My discussion is going to be short because when we received ARPA money back in 2021.
Let me see.
That was that Alder Woman from the used to be the 20th and then became the first, and now it's the 12th, brought up a water infrastructure way back then, and we missed a golden opportunity to put a great deal of that ARPA money that we've kind of filtered away into something that was substantial that would have been for the whole city.
We could have put half of that ARPA money into water, then it did a uh bond and did something that was significant for the entire city.
One million dollars is like putting a patch on the uh flood wall in uh downtown.
And uh I bring this up because uh the sponsor of the bill uh would not even talk about or say, yeah, the water needs to be done, but we have so many other things that need to be done, and now it is interesting to me that she brings this bill uh without acknowledging that we failed as a city to do what was proper, which is to do water.
Nobody could have been upset about water.
Water is uh not only is uh important to this entire city, it is also important that we sell our water to adjacent uh municipalities, and it's important that we have enough money to address this before we become a crisis.
Um, has some of the best water there is.
I'm just saying that we did not take the uh the actions that we should have uh three years ago, and I've watched in how this money has been spent, and I in my opinion, it's not been spent at the best needs for the entire city.
And so this one million, I will be uh uh voting for, but I want to be acknowledged that we failed in our opportunity to address this holistically.
And uh hopefully, if we ever get money like that again, we will not make that mistake because we are going to have to fix our uh uh infrastructure in water, and putting these band-aids on it is not going to do it.
As soon as we get something that uh uh fixed, two other spots jump up.
So a million dollars is not gonna do it.
Uh half of the ARPA money would have done it, one-third of it with bond issues and things, and we're gonna have to look at a holistic uh solution to the water problem.
City of St.
Louis.
Thank you.
Any further discussion?
Any further discussion?
Madam Clerk, if you could please add me as a co-sponsor as well.
So note it.
Alder Woman from the first, you're recognized close.
Uh, thank you, Madam President and members of the board.
I I really appreciate those comments uh from Alderman from the Alder Woman from the the 12th ward.
I agree that more money should have gone to the water division when original conversations were happening about the ARPA funds.
Uh, it is something that I deeply regret and have been trying to make up for uh ever since.
Um, you know, I think that this is why I've been advocating so far so hard for other funds from other sources to go towards water.
Why I have been advocating for uh just as much investment as possible and as creative ways of doing that as possible to put as little pressure on the ratepayers for water as possible.
Um, there is another bill in committee now uh that I urge everyone to attend and pay attention to uh to hear that bill.
Um either it likely this coming Tuesday, we'll be talking about even even more.
Um, and that is for for more money for water of funds that that couldn't be spent, weren't spent for whatever reason.
Of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Uh so this is certainly not the last time I'll be up here.
It's not the first time I've been up here talking about water.
Uh, and it is something that um we have to just keep working on shipping away at uh and as long as uh we're all here.
So I appreciate the alderman from the 12th.
Uh and I hope to have her support in the future as we continue to fight for this uh incredibly valuable, non-negotiable uh city city asset.
So thank you.
And with that, I renew my motion.
It's been moved by the alder woman from the first, seconded by the alder woman from the 11th that we perfect board bill 160.
All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye, aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
That is the extent of board bills for perfection.
Board bill board bill number one fifteen floor sub number 128 as amended.
147 as amended 81 135 139 140 14142 143 144 145 146 25 committee sub as amended in committee 54 as amended 90.
That is the extent of report of engrossment.
Alder woman from the 10th, you're recognized on the motion to reconsider board bill 150.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
Now it's my turn.
I move that we haven't voted on the prevailing side that we reconsider our vote for board bill 158.
Second.
It's been moved by the alder woman from the 10th, seconded by the alderman from the fifth.
Uh board bill 158.
Um Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
Alder Woman Sweitzer.
Aye.
Alderman Oldenberg.
Alderman Cone.
Alderman Narayan.
Alderman Devote.
Aye.
Alder Woman Velasquez.
Aye.
Alder Woman Sunny.
Alder Woman Cox and Tweet.
Alderman Browning.
Alder Woman Clark Hubbard.
Aye.
Alder Woman Keys.
Aye.
Alder Woman Tyus.
Aye.
Alder Woman Bright.
Aye.
Alderman Aldrick.
Aye.
President Green.
Aye.
Alderman Oldenburg.
Aye.
Alderman Narayan.
15 aye votes.
By your vote, you sustain the motion from the Alder Woman from the 10th.
Madam Clerk, if you could please place Board Bill 158 back on the regular perfection calendar.
And we'll now take up Board Bill 150.
So noted.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
I just want to thank all of my colleagues as we continue to try to keep the wheels on this train rolling.
I move that we perfect now board bill 158.
It's been moved by the alder woman from the 10th.
Seconded by the alder woman from the 7th that we perfect board bill 158.
Alder woman, you may proceed.
Thank you, Madam President.
Members of the board.
Okay.
I move that we adopt the floor sub that is on you all's desk and in the drive.
It's been moved by the alder woman from the 10th.
Seconded by the alder woman from the 7th.
We adopt the floor substitute for board bill 158.
Is there any discussion on the motion for the floor substitute?
Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
Alder woman, you are now recognized on the perfection of board bill 158 floor substitute.
Thank you.
I continue to repeat my gratitude to you all.
The only change to this floor sub is that we will add you need to ask for perfection of the bill.
Thank you.
I move that we now perfect board bill 158 floor sub.
It's been moved by the alder woman from the 10th.
Seconded by the alderman from the 14th that we perfect board bill 158 floor substitute.
Alder woman, you may now proceed.
Thank you so much.
Just again, I can't say it enough.
The gratitude I have from my um colleagues down here for um SLDC and the city counselor's office.
And now um in addition to that, I said it last week, Mayor Spencer as well.
The only change we are making to it this week uh is adding an emergency clause, which we all know that will allow the opportunity from Mayor Spencer to then sign uh board bill 158 floor sub immediately after our meeting next week.
So thank you again to Mayor Spencer.
Thank you to my colleagues, thank you to SLDC, um lawyers, staff, Otis, and our city clerk's office.
Thank you, um Mr.
Garvin for letting me come up and sit at your desk once again yesterday to confirm everything that I was doing.
Um was right and what I uh believe we all had the intention of doing when we all voted for board bill one eight.
I'm sorry, board bill eighty last year.
And with that, um again, I would ask for my colleagues' support to Bill 158, floor sub.
Any further discussion?
Any further discussion?
Seeing none, it's been moved by the alder woman from the 10th, seconded by the alderman from the 14th that we perfect board bill 158 floor substitute.
All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye opposed motion carries board bill number one twenty.
I'm gonna pause just for one second when we get clarification on something.
Yes, I can't find it.
Let me get you a fine.
Uh madam clerk, it has come to my attention that the floor substitute for 158 was not read into the record.
Um, and so if you could please read that before we proceed.
What's going on?
And ordinance amending ordinance number seven two zero five one, which ordinance repeal ordinance number six nine zero five six to repeal certain provisions of ordinance number seven, two zero five one, and re-establish a clean energy development board to administer a property assessed clean energy program within the city of St.
Louis.
With that, we will now return to report of engrossment report of engrossment.
Board bill numbers 115 floor substitute 128 as amended, 147 as amended, 81, 135, number 139, number 140, number 141, number 142, number 143, number 144, number 145, 146, 252, 25, committee substitute as amended in committee, 54 as amended, 98 floor substitute, 137 as amended.
That is the extended report of engrossment.
Alder Woman from the 12th.
I'm sorry, I'm waiting for third reading.
I'm I'm a little ahead of perfection.
All right.
Alder woman from the 10th, you are recognized in the motion to adopt the third reading and final passage of board bills on the consent calendar.
Thank you, madam.
President members of the board, I move that we adopt the third reading and finally passage of board bills on the consent calendar.
Second it's been uh moved by the alder woman from the 10th, seconded by the alderman from the 14th, that we adopt the third reading final passage of board bills on the consent calendar.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role.
Madam President, this is where I wanted to come in.
Okay, sorry.
Alder Woman from the 12th.
Thank you.
I confused the issue because I thought I was ahead of you.
Um, I would like to have board bill 145 uh on the uh third reading calendar and removed from the consent calendar, please.
Yes, we just did consent.
Oh, first okay.
All right, 45 sorry, okay.
Let me know.
That's all because we never did that's why I do read all the five.
Okay, so we need to pull back the second and the mo the second and the motion or the motion in the second that we just made.
So if aldermen from the 14th can call back your second and we're just gonna say the number uh an alder woman from the 10th, you could uh uh call back your uh motion.
Okay, so with that, um third reading and final passage of board bill's consent.
Board bill number 115, floor substitute, board bill 128 as amended, board bill 147 as amended, board bill number 81, board bill number 135, board bill number 139, board bill number 140, board bill number 141, board bill number 142, board bill number 143, board bill number 144, board bill number 145, and board bill number 146.
That is the extent of third reading and final passage of board bills consent.
Okay, alder woman from the 12th, you're recognized.
Thank you, madam president.
Members of the board, I request that 145, uh board bill number 145 be removed from the third reading and final passage consent calendar and put on the third reading calendar, please.
Madam Clerk, if you could please place board bill 145 on the regular third reading um calendar.
So noted.
Right.
Alder Woman from the 10th.
You're recognized on the motion to adopt the third reading and final passage of board bills on the consent calendar.
Thank you, Madam President.
Members of the board, I move that we adopt the third reading finally passes your board bills on the consent calendar.
It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the 10th, seconded by the Alderman from the 14th.
That we third read and finally uh pass the board bills on the consent calendar.
Uh is there any discussion.
Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the roll.
Alder Woman Schweitzer.
Aye.
Alderman Oldenberg.
Alderman Clone.
Aye.
Alderman Narayan.
Alderman Devotee.
Aye.
Alder Woman Velasquez.
Aye.
Alder Woman Sanye.
Aye.
Alder Woman Cox Antwee.
Alderman Browning.
Aye.
Alder Woman Clark Hubbard.
Aye.
Alder Woman Keys.
Aye.
Alder Woman Tyus.
Aye.
Alderman Boyd.
Aye.
Alderman Aldrick.
Aye.
President Green.
Aye.
15 aye votes.
By your vote, you sustain the motion from the Alderwoman from the 10th to third reading finally pass the aforementioned bills.
Third reading and final passage of board bills.
Board bill number 25 committee substitute as amended.
Introduced by Alderman Cohn and President Green.
An ordinance amending title 18, Airports and Aviation Code of the Revised Code of the City of St.
Louis to add a new chapter pertaining to car rental operations at St.
Louis Lambert International Airport.
Alderman from the third, you're recognized on the third reading and final passage of board bill 25 committee substitute as amended.
Thank you.
Yes, I'm aware.
Thank you, Tom.
Uh thank you, Madam President.
I move for uh third reading and final passage of board bill 25, committee substitute as amended.
It's been moved by the alderman from the third, seconded by I think that was the alderman from the second.
Second.
Um that we third reading finally pass board bill 25, committee substitute as amended.
Alderman, you may proceed.
Uh thank you, Madam President.
This is uh, as I mentioned in last week's meeting, a bill that passed out of the committee unanimously.
Uh this is the board bill that's pertaining to updating the ground transportation.
Uh uh rules and regulations of the airport, specifically adopting rules uh pertaining to peer-to-peer ground transportation, and uh would ask for everyone's favorable consideration.
Any further discussion?
Any further discussion?
Seeing none, it's been moved by the alderman from the third, seconded by the alderman from the second.
That we third reading finally pass board bill 25 committee substitute as amended.
Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
Alder Woman Sweitzer.
Aye, Alderman Aldenberg, aye, alderman Cone.
Aye.
Alderman Narayan.
Aye.
Alderman Devoty.
Aye.
Alder Woman Velasquez.
Aye.
Alder Woman Sanye.
Alder Woman Cox Antwee.
Alderman Browning.
Alder Woman Clark Hubbard.
Aye.
Alder Woman Keys.
Aye.
Alder Woman Tyus.
Aye.
Alder Woman Boyd.
Aye.
Alderman Aldrick.
Aye.
President Green.
Aye.
Fourteen aye votes.
One abstain.
By your vote, you sustain the motion from the Alderman from the third to third reading finally pass the aforementioned bill.
Board bill number 54 as amended.
Introduced by Alder Woman Velasquez, President Green, Alderwoman Cox Antwee, Alderman Devotee, Alderman Browning, and Alderman Aldrick.
An ordinance submitting to the qualified voters of the city, a proposed amendment to the Charter of the City of St.
Louis, repealing section five of Article 4 of the Charter, in order to have the same nonpartisan top two runoff system in special elections for Alderman that is used in regular city elections, providing for an election to be held for voting on the proposed amendment and for the manner of voting and for the publication certification deposit and recording of this ordinance and containing an emergency clause.
You are recognized on the third reading and final passage of board bill 54 as amended.
Thank you, Madam President.
I renew my I'd like to move to third read and finally pass board bill 54 as amended.
Second it's been moved by the Alder Woman from the 6th, seconded by the Alderman from the 9th, that we third read and finally pass board bill 54 as amended.
Alder woman, you may proceed.
We had a very robust discussion on this bill last week and went through uh I think all the points about it.
And with that, I'd like to renew my motion to third read and finally pass board bill 54 as amendment.
Is there any discussion?
Any further discussion?
Seeing none, it's been moved by the alder woman from the sixth, seconded by the alderman from the ninth.
That we third read and finally pass board bill fifty-four as amended.
Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
Alder Woman Sweitzer.
Alderman Aldenberg.
Alderman Cone.
Aye.
Alderman Narayan.
No.
Alderman Devoty.
Aye.
Alderwoman Velasquez.
Aye.
Alderwoman Sanye.
Aye.
Alderwoman Cox Antwey.
Aye.
Alderman Browning.
Aye.
Alderwoman Clark Hubbard.
Aye.
Alderwoman Keys.
No.
Alderwoman Tyus.
No.
Alderwoman Boyd.
No.
Alderman Aldrick.
Aye.
President Green.
Aye.
Alderman Oldenberg.
Aye.
Eleven aye votes.
Four no's.
By your vote, you've sustained the motion from the Alderwoman from the sixth to third read and finally pass board bill 54 as amended.
Board bill number 137 as amended, introduced by Alderman Devotee, President Green, Alderman Cohn, Alderwoman Velasquez, Alderwoman Keys, Alderwoman Sanye, Alderman Aldric, Alderwoman Clark Hubbard, and Alderwoman Sweitzer.
An ordinance submitting to the qualified voters of the City of St.
Louis the question of whether to amend the City of St.
Louis charter to modernize language describing city departments, divisions, and other organizations to provide for moderate methods of advertisement and publication to delete obsolete references to Missouri statute to delete obsolete references to city departments divisions or other organizations to revise references to pay scale to replace pronouns with specific title references and to standardize capitalization of titles and uniform formatting of numbers providing for an election to be held for voting on the proposed amendment for the manner of voting and the publication certification deposit and recording of this ordinance and containing an emergency clause.
Madam President, members of the board, I hereby move that third read and finally pass Board Bill 137 as amended.
It's been moved by the Alderman from the fifth, seconded by the Alder Woman from the 10th that we third read and finally pass board bill 137 as amended.
Alderman, you may proceed.
Renew my motion.
Any further discussion?
Any further discussion?
Seeing none, it's been moved by the Alderman from the fifth, seconded by the Alder Woman from the 10th.
That we third read and finally pass board bill 137 as amended.
Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
Alder Woman Sweitzer.
Aye.
Alderman Oldenberg.
Alderman Cone.
Aye.
Alderman Narayan.
Aye.
Alderman Devotee.
Aye.
Alder Woman Velasquez.
Aye.
Alder Woman Sanye.
Alder Woman Cox Antwee.
Alderman Browning.
Aye.
Alder Woman Clark Hubbard.
Aye.
Alder Woman Keys.
Aye.
Alder Woman Tyas.
Present.
Alder Woman Boyd.
Aye.
Alderman Aldrick.
Aye.
President Green.
Aye.
14 aye votes when present.
By your vote, you sustain the motion from the Alderman from the fifth to third read and finally pass board bill 137 as amended.
That is the extent of third reading and final passes of board bills.
Uh I believe that we have 145.
I'm sorry.
I did one.
Board bill number 145 introduced by Alderman Narayan.
An ordinance repealing ordinance number 62579 and removing chapter 25.10 of the revised code of the city of St.
Louis codifying each ordinance.
Alderman from the fourth, you're recognized on the third reading and final passage of board bill 145.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
I move that we third read and finally pass board bill 145.
It's been moved by the alderman from the fourth, seconded by the alderman from the 11th, that we third read and finally pass board bill 145.
Alderman, you may proceed.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
Uh this is a board bill.
Uh the that was uh brought to me by the city councillor's office.
Uh the history of it is basically in 1992, the board of aldermen uh codified um mechanical code, then in uh 2018, they updated the mechanical code but failed to repeal the previous mechanical code.
So there have been two mechanical codes on our books.
This simply repeals the one that it has not been in use.
Um all of this was done before uh before I got here, so I'm just carrying this for the city councillor, basically.
Uh with that, happy to uh to take any questions.
Alder woman from the 12th Madam President, members of the board, if the Alderman from the fourth would yield.
The Alderman from the Fourth yields questioning from the Alder Woman from the 12th.
Absolutely, alder woman, you may proceed.
Thank you.
Thank you, Alderman.
Unfortunately, it was not done before I got here.
So I was uh new alder person then, and I like all the new people we have that know everything.
We didn't, so we did yield to our uh elders and people senior people, so more than likely I uh voted for this, unfortunately.
Um so I'm much more fastidious about going over things now.
So that the question I was going to ask you is why were we repealing it now?
Didn't the board bill repeal it?
But you've answered that question, which is that we passed a board bill without repealing the previous board bill.
Yes, and thereby the co and and thereby the code was also in effect too.
Absolutely, yeah.
So we we we technically have had two mechanical codes since 2018 and uh uh yeah, 20 2019.
No, 2018, excuse me.
Uh 2018, right?
So in practice, we've been using the 2018 mechanical code, uh, but the 1992 mechanical code is still on the books.
The city councillor's office notice this and uh approach me about actually repealing it just to make sure that there is no uh no question.
Uh it's just a a redundancy.
And this is goes to why I always say that we should not be amending codes but ordinances, because if you amend codes, sometimes you don't get to what you just got to now.
So I'm gonna support it, but I just wanted to understand what happened, but uh that we're having to come back 20 something years later, 30 years.
What is it?
30 something years later.
Um something that should have been repealed.
So um bad legislation happens at all times.
Thank you very much.
I appreciate it.
Absolutely.
Any further discussion?
Any further discussion?
Alderman from the fourth, you're recognized closed.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
Uh this is like I said, just a cleanup.
Um doesn't really change anything in practice, and I request your favorable consideration.
With that, I renew my motion.
Been moved by the alderman from the fourth, seconded by the alder woman from the 11th.
That we third reading finally pass board bill 145.
Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
Alderwoman Sweitzer.
Aye.
Alderman Odenberg.
Alderman Cohn.
Alderman Narayan.
Alderman Devote.
Alderwoman Velasquez.
Alder Woman Sany.
Alder Woman Cox Ann Twee.
Alderman Browning.
Alderwoman Clark Hubbard.
Alderwoman Keys.
Aye.
Alder Woman Tyus.
Aye.
Alderwoman Boyd.
Aye.
Alderman Alderman.
Thank you, Alderman Aldrick.
Aye.
President Green.
Aye.
15 aye votes.
But your vote you sustain the motion from the Alderman from the fourth to third read and finally pass board bill 145.
That is the extent of third reading and final passage of board bills.
Reported the finally passed and signed by the president.
Board bill number 115, floor substitute.
128 as amended.
147 as amended.
Number 81, number 135, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 25.
Committee substitute as amended in committee.
All other business being suspended.
That's about that out right now.
Okay, I like it.
First reading resolutions in reference to committees.
We have none.
We can dispense with line item twenty-two.
Second reading resolutions, committee reports and adoptions.
Report from the personnel and administration committee.
Second.
It's been moved by the alderman from the fourteenth.
Seconded by the Alderman the third, that we enter closed session.
Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
Audder Woman Sweitzer.
Alderman Devotee.
Alder Woman Velasquez.
Alder Woman Coxantwee.
Aye.
Alderman Aldric.
President Green.
Aye.
Fifteen I votes.
SCLTB, if you could please place us in closed session, and if everybody could please vacate the chambers except for Tracy, if you could stay.
And vacate the gallery as well.
Galleries vacated.
And we are back.
Second reading resolutions, committee reports and adopts.
Report from Health and Human Development Committee.
Mayor appointments to the Mental Health Board.
Alder Woman from the 13th, you're recognized on Mayor Spencer's appointments to the mental health board.
Thank you, Madam President Board.
I ask for your consideration to accept uh Dr.
Bolok and what was the other person's name?
Yeah, Burke to the uh health and hum, I mean to the board for it.
Accept them as candidates for the committee.
Mental health board.
It's been moved by the alder woman from the 13th, seconded by the alder woman the seventh, that we adopt Mayor Spencer's appointments to the mental health board.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed motion carries.
Resolution number two thirty-nine introduced by Alder Woman Clark Hubbard, adopting the Board of Adjustments rules and regulations.
Alder Woman from the 10th, you're recognized on the second reading, resolution 239.
Thank you, Madam President.
Members of the board, I move that we approve the newly adapted rules and regulations for the Board of Adjustments.
It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the 10th, seconded by the Alderman from the 14th.
We adopt resolution 39.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
At the request of the sponsor, resolution two forty-five as amended will be placed on the informal calendar.
Yes, the amending the board of Alderman Rules, which was introduced by Alderman Odenberg, Alderman Orion, Alderman Devotee, Alderwoman Velasquez, and Alder Woman Keys.
Supporting the efforts to recognize that you're not going to be able to do that.
Thank you, Madam President.
Members of the board, I move that we second read and finally pass resolution two forty.
It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the first, seconded by the Alder Woman from the 7th.
That we adopt uh resolution 240.
Alder Woman, you may proceed.
Thank you so much.
Uh but first, before I realize that our new Clerk Rogers is walking into the chambers, I thought everyone was applauding for birds.
So uh Clerk Rogers, you absolutely deserve every bit of that.
And uh that's not what this resolution is about, but I just wanted to say that thank you so much for all that you do.
We're also so proud and so happy for you.
So um, but back to birds.
Um recognizing the city of St.
Louis as a bird city.
Uh a lot of you asked me what this was about last week on the floor or two weeks ago now when it was when it was introduced.
And we had a great committee hearing earlier this week.
Thanks to the alderman from the 13th for allowing it to be heard and the support that came out of committee that day.
But basically, what this bill does in recognizing St.
Louis as a bird city.
It uh is another designation that our nonprofits in the city can use when applying for grants and for um when they're through to support their efforts of preservation and conservation.
Uh some of the things we talked about in the committee hearing were all the benefits of having a healthy bird population in the city.
Those things are you know, environmental benefits, health benefits to humans, the control of the pest population, birds are um very important in all of those things.
So uh, you know, it's something that I care about a lot.
Uh in my ward, we're doing a lot of effort around in Crondola Park, for example, to to restore some bird habitat to make it even better to remove invasive plants uh that can um be issues for uh the bird population as well.
So um I really appreciate you all taking the time to hear it and uh uh I hope to earn your support today.
So thank you.
Any further discussion, Alderman from the 9th.
Uh thank you.
I'd just like to be added as a co-sponsor.
So noted.
Um please make note of that.
Alderman from the fourth.
Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.
Uh, after some fascinating conversations about birds with the alderman from the ninth and the alder woman from the first, uh, I also would like to be added as co-sponsor.
So noted.
Alder Woman from the 11th.
Thank you.
I uh too have an affinity for birds in O'Fallon Park.
We have the cranes that have been there for many years.
And uh as a young mother, I took my children to the park on a regular basis along with all the children from the neighborhood to feed ducks bread, which I later found as the worst thing you can do is feed ducks bread.
Additionally, uh I have an affinity for feathers, and so I've I've dressed with various feathers on state on certain occasions.
And so I would like to move that we embank.
Thank you.
It's been moved by the alder woman from the 11th, seconded by the alder woman from the seventh that we thank resolution 240.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed.
Motion carries.
Alder Woman from the 8th.
Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to the Alder Woman of the 11th ward uh for proposing that I was going to get up here and do the very same because I truly appreciate the Alder Woman first for bringing this to us.
Uh, as a member of the Health and Human Development Committee, we had a great presentation um from the St.
Louis Audubon Society who spoke about the importance of protecting birds in our city.
And they also shared with us uh that if we passed this resolution today, we would actually be uh historic and potentially the first city to receive a dual designation, which would be really exciting for the city of St.
Louis.
So I just wanted to share that with my colleagues.
We learned that in committee, and I think again, this is really really uh great opportunity that we have, and I appreciate the Alder Woman for bringing this to us.
Any further discussion?
Any further discussion?
Alder Woman from the first, you're recognized close.
Thank you so much, Madam President, members of the board.
Uh I appreciate everyone's support and for making this in bank.
And with that, I renew my motion.
It's been moved by the Alder Woman from the first, seconded by the Alder Woman from the 7th, we adopt resolution to 40.
All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed, motion carries.
That is the extent of second reading and resolutions and reports and adoption.
We have none.
Announcements.
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, HUDs, 11 a.m.
in the Kennedy Room.
Thursday, March 5th, 2026.
Personnel and administration, 11 a.m.
webinar.
And Friday, March 6th, 2026, Fulboard meeting, 10 a.m.
in the chambers.
Any further announcements?
Alderman from the third.
Thank you, Madam President.
I'd look oh, that's loud.
Uh thank you, Madam President.
I would like to announce a transportation and commerce committee meeting for Tuesday at 9 a.m.
to hear any and all bills currently assigned to the committee.
Madam Clerk, please make note of that.
Alderman from the 10.
Thank you, Samarley.
I'd like to announce a public infrastructure and utilities meeting on Wednesday, March 4th at 3:30 p.m.
The agenda will include a presentation from our water division.
Any further announcements?
Any further announcements?
Seeing none, Alder Woman from the 10th, you are recognized on the motion to excuse Thank you, Madam President, members of the board, our members were present this morning.
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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