St. Louis Board of Aldermen Meeting – September 29, 2026

The Board of Aldermen met on September 29, 2026, with 13 members present. The meeting included introductions of honored guests, approval of previous minutes, appointments to special boards, first and second readings of board bills, and extensive debate on a traffic‑calming ordinance and a resolution concerning a colleague’s language.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from Friday, September 25, 2026.
• Received appointments from Mayor Kara Spencer to the Baden Market Center Special Business District (Kimberly Jones, Teresa Myers, Chamber Keefe, Larry Johnson, Tiana Broadway) and to the Nuisance Property Review Board (Alonzo Shaw, Erin Brocole, Bernard Pollery, Ed Ware, Kelsey Lober, Vana Sean, Walter Brownley Bonner); both sets sent to the HUDS Committee.
• First reading of Board Bills 86 and 87; referred to committees.
• Second reading and committee reports: Board Bill 81 (zoning/smoke shops) reported with “due pass” from Housing Urban Development Zoning; Board Bill 64 (street closure on Oregon Avenue) from Public Infrastructure Utilities; Board Bill 76 (codifying Office of Sustainability) from Health and Human Development.
• Special committee reports: Board Bill 69 committee substitute (speed humps in 7th ward), Board Bill 71 (speed humps in 5th ward), and Board Bill 51 committee substitute (airport revenue bonds up to $500 million) read and sent for engrossment.
• Perfection consent calendar adopted for routine bills.

Discussion Items

• Board Bill 75 (Traffic Calming Process) – Sponsored by Alderman from the 9th, this bill would professionalize the traffic‑calming request process, allowing residents, neighborhood associations, aldermen, and police captains to initiate requests, with the Department of Transportation evaluating and recommending treatments. The Alderman from the 12th strongly opposed, citing a history of inequitable treatment by city bureaucrats, her own successful petition‑based speed‑hump program, and concerns that the new system would harm North St. Louis neighborhoods. An amendment introduced by the Alderwoman from the 7th added transparency requirements (public dashboard with dates, status, reasons for denial, estimated construction timelines, and an annual report). The amendment passed 11‑2 (Alderman Tyus and Alderwoman Boyd voting present). The bill as amended was perfected 12‑2 (Alderman Tyus and Alderwoman Bright present).
• Board Bill 78 – Sponsored by Alderman Devotee (5th), concerning the St. Louis Works street improvement fund; placed on the informal calendar without debate.
• Resolution 125 Committee Substitute (Public Apology and Censure) – Sponsored by President Green, the resolution called for a public apology and a formal reprimand (defined as a verbal reprimand without sanction) for Alderman Tyus (12th) after she told a community meeting that if a colleague were in her black caucus, “you would be the first person I’d put a bullet in your head.” The Alderman from the 5th argued such language is inflammatory and unacceptable. Alderman Tyus responded at length, contending the video was taken out of context, that the committee hearing was held without inviting her, and that the board lacks authority to censure under its rules and charter. Several other aldermen spoke both in support and opposition. After debate, the resolution was adopted 8‑3‑1 (Alderman Tyus voted no; Alderman Keys and Alderman Bright voted no; Alderman Cohn voted present).
• Resolution 145 – Adopted unanimously, approving the Gardenside Subdivisions District Budget for the next fiscal year.
• Courtesy Resolution Calendar – Adopted without discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Board Bill 75 perfected as amended; referred to Legislation and Rules Committee for engrossment.
• Board Bill 78 placed on the informal calendar.
• Resolution 125 Committee Substitute adopted (8 ayes, 3 noes, 1 present), publicly reprimanding Alderman Tyus for the “bullet” language and requesting an apology.
• Resolution 145 adopted.
• Appointments to special boards sent to HUDS Committee.
• Next meeting scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Board of Aldermen Chambers.