Health and Human Development Committee Meeting - December 11, 2025

The Health and Human Development Committee convened on December 11, 2025, to review candidate resumes and receive testimony from two individuals seeking reappointment to the Mayor's Mental Health Board. Following a brief 10-minute recess to distribute digital links for the candidates, the committee heard presentations from Donna Schmidt and Carolyn A. Jackson, deliberated on their qualifications, and voted to recommend both candidates for full board approval.

Consent Calendar

• The committee approved the minutes from the Thursday, November 13th meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Schmidt: Provided testimony regarding her background as an attorney at Armstrong Teesdale and her 10-year tenure on the Mental Health Board, serving 2 years as Chair. She expressed her position as a resident of St. Louis Hills who is fully supportive of continuing her service to help children and the community, citing her daughter's experience with anxiety and her observation of the city's needs.
• Carolyn A. Jackson: Provided testimony from her current location at Confluence (a classroom setting) regarding her over-10-year tenure, originally from Pruitt-Igoe and residing in the 12th Ward (Sharon Tyus' ward). She expressed a strong commitment to remaining on the board to advocate for the mentally ill and under-supported families, emphasizing the need for community-based support and awareness to combat stigma.
• Alderwoman Sharon Tyus (12th Ward): Expressed full support for Carolyn Jackson, noting that Jackson is an excellent listener and resident who has been a key constituent contact. Tyus strongly recommended Jackson as a return member, having previously supported her nomination.
• Alderwoman Tyus (Stated Position): Expressed support for Donna Schmidt, though she noted she did not have the link to view her online resume at the start of the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Candidate Donna Schmidt:

  • Committee members discussed her 10-year service history, including roles as Treasurer and Vice Chair, praising the board's succession plan.
  • Schmidt described the Mental Health Board's role in managing property tax allocations (approx. $2-3 million for mental health, $10 million for children's services, and $1.5 million for preschool) and their process of issuing RFPs, conducting needs assessments, and partnering with small and large entities.
  • Schmidt identified key gaps in the system, specifically the lack of trained preschool teachers (preventing facilities from accepting more children) and the challenge of balancing funds between innovative new programs and sustaining existing basic needs.
  • The chair noted that Alderman Tom Oldenburg supports Schmidt, confirming her ward alignment.

• Candidate Carolyn A. Jackson:

  • Committee members discussed the impact of the recent tornado on her community and her observations of mental health struggles among single mothers and grandparents raising children.
  • Jackson highlighted the stigma surrounding mental illness in the community and the need for residents to be "anchored" in their neighborhoods to identify and help those in need.
  • Alderwoman Antwee expressed strong appreciation for Jackson's advocacy regarding community engagement and mental health awareness.

Key Outcomes

• Donna Schmidt:

  • Motion to Accept: Adopted by the committee.
  • Vote Tally: 4 in favor (Thais, Odenberg [via proxy/voice], Sonner, Cox, Boyd). *Note: The transcript indicates 4 'Yes' votes were recorded, though 5 members were present.
  • Directive: The committee will report the recommendation to the full Board of Aldermen for final voting. An oath of office was administered to Schmidt during the meeting.

• Carolyn A. Jackson:

  • Motion to Accept: Adopted by the committee.
  • Vote Tally: Unanimous (4 'Yes' votes recorded). *Note: The transcript confirms the motion passed after the roll call.
  • Directive: The committee will report the recommendation to the full Board of Aldermen for final voting.

• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned following the vote on Carolyn A. Jackson, with a note that Alderman Odenberg was absent from the in-person session but present via voice/remote. (Note: Vice Chair Tom Oldenburg was absent in person; however, the chair noted his support for Schmidt and the voting procedure proceeded with the remaining members).

Discrepancy Note: The transcript indicates Vice Chair Tom Oldenburg was absent and not physically present to vote, yet the Chair counted his support verbally for Donna Schmidt and the final tally reflected 4 votes. Alderman Odenberg is also noted as absent. The roll call explicitly recorded votes from Alderwoman Thais, Alderman Sonny (Spelled variously as Sonner/Sonies in transcript), Alderwoman Cox, and Chair Boyd. Vice Chair Odenberg is listed as absent in the minutes note, but the Chair refers to him as "Vice Chair Odenberg" during the roll call and later notes he "did not have the link" at the start. The final vote count of 4 appears to exclude the two absent members (Odenberg and potentially one other if Sonny/Sonnes is the same person). The summary reflects the explicit "4 votes" stated by the Chair.