St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting Summary – March 16, 2026
St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting Summary – March 16, 2026
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.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes from Friday, March 6, 2026, were approved by voice vote.
- Third Reading and Final Passage of Consent Calendar Bills: Board Bills 110, 111, 136, 148, 150, 156, 159, 170, 171 floor substitute, and 161 committee substitute were passed unanimously (15 aye votes).
- Courtesy Resolution Consent Calendar: Adopted by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No formal public testimony was taken, but the opening reflection by Shailen Plank (Executive Director of Developmental Disability Resources) served as a public statement. She expressed full support for the city's investment in developmental disability services and highlighted the success of Horizon Housing in providing stable housing and support for homeless individuals with disabilities. She urged continued support for these services and for the city to remain inclusive.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 265 (Alderman Aldrich): Suspended rules to allow introduction of a board bill changing the last day to introduce board bills to March 13, 2026, to facilitate utility easements for the PSAP 911 center. Adopted unanimously.
- Resolution 266 (Alderwoman from 1st Ward): Opposed Missouri Senate Bill 1586, which would change landfill tipping fees and defund waste management programs. Sent to the Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee.
- Board Bill 175 (Alderman Aldrich): Authorized utility easements for Ameren at the PSAP 911 center. Assigned to the Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee.
- Board Bill 66 Committee Substitute (Alderman from 3rd Ward): Codified the existing SLDC development scorecard. The sponsor argued it merely codifies current practice and provides transparency, while allowing SLDC flexibility to adjust metrics. Opposition from Alderman from 8th Ward (concern about additional regulation and longer timelines), Alderman from 9th Ward (argued it’s unnecessary and could discourage development), and Alderman from 13th Ward (concern about discouraging developers). Support came from Alderman from 12th Ward (emphasized need for fair distribution of incentives and historical inequities) and Alderman from 7th Ward (clarified that developers do not have to return to the board). Passed 11-4.
- Board Bill 155 (Alderwoman from 8th Ward): Established the Downtown St. Louis Sports and Entertainment Community Improvement District to access state funds for public safety, lighting, and beautification, with no city funds or new taxes. Passed by voice vote.
- Board Bill 161 Committee Substitute (Alderwoman from 1st Ward): Reappropriated $5,464,157.84 in ARPA funds for water infrastructure replacement and repair. Approved by voice vote after debate about the need for more comprehensive water funding.
- Board Bill 167 (Alderman from 14th Ward): Created a limited exemption from the city's smoke-free air act for the convention center to host a one-time cigar convention (Premier Cigar Association). The sponsor cited an estimated $4.2 million economic impact, 1,200 jobs, and $465,000 in city tax revenue. Opponents (Alderman from 3rd Ward, Alderman from 12th Ward) raised public health concerns and argued the exemption could set a precedent. Supporters (Alderman from 11th Ward, Alderman from 8th Ward) emphasized the one-time nature and the importance of competing for conventions. Passed 8-6-1.
- Board Bill 119 (Alderwoman from 12th Ward): Approved a Chapter 99 redevelopment plan for 811 North Broadway in Baden. An amendment updated the sustainability report from 2013 to 2025. Passed by voice vote.
- Resolution 258 (Alderman from 14th Ward): Opposed Missouri House Bill 3066 and Senate Bill 1657, which would grant the police board unilateral budget authority and shift liability for lawsuits to the city. The resolution also criticized the police board’s budget request (up to $200 million increase) as fiscally reckless. Multiple board members spoke in support, arguing the state overreach is undemocratic, that the city cannot afford such increases without cuts to other services, and that the police board lacks accountability. Alderman from 12th Ward provided historical context and called for challenging the state constitution. Passed 14-1 (one present) after a roll call vote.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 258 adopted (14-1) to oppose state police board legislation and demand a return to transparent budget negotiations.
- Board Bill 66 committee substitute perfected (11-4), codifying the SLDC development scorecard.
- Board Bill 167 perfected (8-6-1), allowing a one-time smoking exemption for the cigar convention.
- All other bills on the perfection and final passage calendars were approved (Board Bills 155, 161, 119, and consent calendar bills).
- The board adjourned until Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Board Chambers.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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