The St. Louis Board of Aldermen convened on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Board Chambers with 13 members present (later increasing to 14). The meeting opened with a reflection by Shailen Plank, Executive Director of the St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources, who shared a personal story about the impact of Horizon Housing and the importance of funding for people with disabilities. The board then proceeded through a full agenda, including suspension of rules, introduction of resolutions and board bills, perfection of multiple bills, and adoption of a final consent calendar. Key debates centered on codifying the SLDC development scorecard, creating a downtown entertainment district, reallocating ARPA funds for water infrastructure, granting a limited smoking exemption for a cigar convention, and opposing state legislative overreach on police funding. The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:30 p.m. (estimated) until Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10 a.m.
The board will now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. How do the woman swipe, sir? Alderman Oldenberg. Alderman Cone. Present. Ottaum and Ryan. Howderman devotee. Auto Woman Velasquez. Audowama Sonier. Auto Woman Cox Antoine. Present. Alderman Browning. Auto Woman Clark Hubbard. Auto Woman Keys. Auto Woman Tithes. Audo Woman Boy. Present. Autumn and Aldridge. President Green. Present. Alderman Odenberg. I didn't hear you, Ottoman. Present. Altaman Odenberg. Present. Auto Woman Velasquez. Auto Woman Keys. Auto Woman ties. Present. We have 13 present. We have McCorm. A quorum being present will be led in an opening reflection by the executive director of developmental disability resources, Shailen Plank. Good morning. My name is Shaylene Plank, and I'm the executive director for the St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources. Our agency is funded through a property tax levy the city voters approved in 1980 to help fund services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so that they can live, work, and participate fully in their communities. This year we have been intentional about investing in North City. 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. In 2022, I moved into Horizon Housing during one of the hardest seasons of my life. 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. During my time here, I've had the opportunity to accomplish things I once couldn't even imagine. I graduated from women in leadership, 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 homebuyers 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.