St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting - July 24, 2026
St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting - July 24, 2026
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen convened on July 24, 2026, with 12 members present initially, later 15 for votes. The meeting covered routine approvals, introduction of bills, committee reports, and a contentious debate over a transportation trust fund appropriation. Key actions included moving bills to consent calendars, perfecting Board Bill 60, and adopting final passage of several bills.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The board approved the minutes from Monday, July 20, 2026, by voice vote.
- First Reading of Board Bills: Board Bill 64 (traffic closure on Oregon Avenue) was introduced and referred to committee.
- Second Reading and Committee Reports:
- Board Bill 63 (U.S. Department of Labor youth grant) reported out of Health and Human Development Committee with a "do pass" recommendation.
- Board Bill 60 (transportation trust fund appropriation of $26,056,000 for FY2026-2027) reported out of Transportation and Commerce Committee with a "do pass" recommendation.
- Suspension of Rules to Move Bills:
- Board Bill 63 was moved to the perfection consent calendar by a vote of 15 ayes.
- Board Bill 60 was moved to the regular perfection calendar by a vote of 14 ayes and 1 no (Alderwoman Tyus).
- Perfection Consent Calendar: Board Bill 63 was adopted by voice vote after several aldermen added themselves as co-sponsors (Alderman from 4th, 14th, 6th).
- Third Reading and Final Passage (Consent): Board Bills 44, 58, and 62 were passed unanimously on a roll call vote of 14 ayes.
- Courtesy Resolution Consent Calendar: Adopted by voice vote after suspension of rules to introduce Resolution 84 (honoring Mother Leola Atkinson).
Discussion Items
- Board Bill 60 – Transportation Trust Fund Appropriation: Alderman from the 3rd explained the bill is a companion to Board Bills 52 and 53, which are annual appropriations for Metro operations (not the Green Line). Alderwoman Tyus (12th Ward) delivered a strong opposition speech, stating that the city and Bi-State Development Agency have repeatedly broken promises to extend Metrolink to North St. Louis. She cited a 35-year-old agreement to build a line from the airport along Natural Bridge to downtown, which was never completed, while South St. Louis received its line. She also criticized the $70–100 million spent on a “failed trolley bus” and the current push for bus rapid transit as inadequate substitutes. She requested a roll call to vote no in protest and stated she would continue to vote against all Bi-State appropriations.
- Resolution 82 – New Street Sign Proposal: Introduced by Alderman Aldrick to submit a proposal to FHWA to amend the MUTCD for a new street sign. It was sent to the Public Infrastructure Committee, with Alderman from the 4th added as co-sponsor.
- Resolution 84 – Honoring Mother Leola Atkinson: Introduced by Alderwoman from the 10th after suspension of rules (vote 14 ayes). A moment of silence was held for the late community leader known as the “candy lady” of the West End.
Key Outcomes
- Board Bill 60 Perfected: Passed by a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 1 no (Alderwoman Tyus). The bill appropriates $26,056,000 from the transportation trust fund to the Bi-State Development Agency for transportation purposes for the period July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
- Board Bill 63 (Youth Grant) Adopted on Consent: Authorizes acceptance of U.S. Department of Labor funds for youth training and employment.
- Final Passage of Bills 44, 58, 62: Approved on consent by 14 ayes.
- Adjournment: The board adjourned until Friday, September 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Board of Aldermen Chambers.
- Announcements:
- President Green's birthday was acknowledged.
- A new streets department liaison, KJ, was introduced.
- A ward meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 28, 2026, 6:30–7:30 PM at Memorial Presbyterian Church, featuring Alderman Devotee, League of Women Voters, police, and neighborhood specialists.
Meeting Transcript
The board will now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alder Woman Schweitzer. Alderman Oldenberg. Present. Alderman Cohn. Alderman Orion. Alderman Devoty. Alder Woman Velasquez. Alder Woman Sanyer. Alder Woman Cox Antwort. Alderman Browning. Alder Woman Clark Hubbard. Alder Woman Keys. Alder Woman Tyus. Alder Woman Boyd. Present. Alderman Aldrick. President Green. Present. Alderman Cohn. Alder Woman Sun Yeah. Alderman Browning. Alder Woman Keys. Alder Woman Tyus. 12 present. According being present, we will dispense with line items three and four. Any introduction of honored guests. Alder Woman from the 10th. Point of order. Thank you, Madam President, members of the board. My special guest. Madam President, Madam President. I'm sorry. Alderman Conn was speaking. Uh Alderman from the third. Did you have a point of order? I didn't hear the second roll call here. Okay, you were called. We will mark you as present. Thank you. Alder Woman from the 10th. Thank you, Madam President. Members of the board. I would like to have as my honor guests first welcoming the Hill Smith family. Many of them live here. Mr. William, Miss Claudine. They like a second pet pair of aunties and uncles to me over in the 10th ward. I've had the honor of serving them since 2012.
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