This meeting of the Board of Aldermen included the introduction and adoption of resolutions, the perfection of several board bills, and a lengthy debate on development incentives, public health, and state control of the police budget. The meeting opened with a reflection from Shailen Plank, Executive Director of Developmental Disability Resources, highlighting a success story from Horizon Housing.
The board will now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Alderman Oldenberg. Altum and Comb. Present. Auto Woman Velasquez. Auto Woman Sonia. Auto Woman Cox Anthony. Alderman Browning. Auto Woman Clark Hubbert. Auto Woman Keys. Auto Woman's Heights. Auto Woman Boy. Present. I didn't hear you, Ottoman. Present. Present. We have thirteen present. We have a corn. A corn being present will be led in an opening reflection by the executive director of developmental disability resources, Shailen Plank. One of our partners providing services is Horizon Housing Development Company. They assist in providing housing services to St. Louis City homeless individuals with developmental and mental disabilities. I came in with just my job, my family, and a determination to rebuild after being down on my luck. Soon after, I faced even more adversity, going through a divorce, transitioning into a new chapter, and becoming the full-time custodial parent of my son. Even in the midst of these challenges, Horizon Housing became the stable foundation I needed. With the support of the most amazing caseworker who consistently connected me to resources, guidance, and encouragement, I was able to not only survive, but truly grow into my potential. Moved from organizer to director of organizing at Bridge to Hope Parent Institute, contributed to We Powers Community Wealth Building Design Playbook, became a block captain with the Federation of Block units in the bill, and served as a strong advocate for tornado recovery, housing justice, and social justice in my community. Most importantly, I completed my first time home buyers program, and now I'm preparing to move forward into my next chapter as a homeowner. Horizon Housing was exactly the program I needed. It gave me stability, dignity, and room to rise. I came in from the streets, uncertain and struggling, and I'm leaving successful, confident, and empowered. I am forever grateful for this program and the people who poured into me. Horizon Housing didn't just give me a place to live, it helped me rebuild my life. This is just one of many success stories happening every day with one of the 40 plus agencies we are funding in fiscal year 26. You should have all recently received our annual report for fiscal year 25, and in it you can read more success stories about our agencies and how they are helping people live more independently, work meaningful jobs, and socialize and develop relationships. That's why what we do is important because people with developmental disabilities are important. Please continue to support people with developmental disabilities during March and all year long. Let's continue to work to make St. Louis City an inclusive and accessible city, and please let your state legislators know that the services funded through personal property taxes are important to you. Thank you, we will dispense with the regular order of business to take up the courtesy or the first reading of resolutions calendar. Alderman from the 14th, you're recognized on the motion to suspend the rules for the purposes of introducing resolution 265. Thank you, Madam President, members of the board. I move to suspend the rules to introduce resolution 265. It's been moved by the alderman from the 14th, seconded by the uh alderwoman from the 7th that we suspend the rules for the purposes of introducing resolution 265. Alderman, you may proceed. Thank you, Madam President, members of the board. Rule uh Resolution 265 is a resolution to be able to uh suspend our rules uh to introduce a board bill that the city council gave me that needs to be introduced immediately that would um do easement work when it comes to the PSAP so Amher can start the uh work with doing power lines and other items. So uh this resolution would change the last data file board bills to today so that we can get this bill introduced, heard in public safety and done through the Board of Alderman before uh we go down the session so that the work on the PSAP 911 call center can uh continue to happen. All right, it's been moved by the alderman from the 14th, seconded by the alder woman from the seventh that we suspend the rules for the purposes of introducing resolution 265.