OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Louis Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee Meeting - March 4, 2026

Board of Aldermen Committees — Wednesday, March 4, 2026
BodySt Louis, Missouri
SessionBoard of Aldermen Committees
DateWednesday, March 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:35:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Good afternoon.

0:09

We are now starting the public infrastructure and utilities committee meeting for Wednesday, March 4th.

0:17

Madam Quirk, please call roll.

0:19

Auto Woman Boyd.

0:21

Auderwoman Clark Hubbard.

0:25

Vice Chair Sweitzer.

0:26

Present.

0:29

Alderman Devotee.

0:32

President.

0:33

Auto Woman Cox Antwee.

0:37

Present.

0:39

Chair Browning.

0:40

Present.

0:41

Alder Woman Boyd.

0:43

Alder Woman Clark Hubbard.

0:45

Four present.

0:46

We have quorum.

0:47

Thank you.

0:48

And with that, we will move on to approval of the minutes.

0:52

I will accept a motion to approve the minutes from Wednesday, February 25th, 2026.

0:57

So moved.

0:59

Moved by the Alderman from the first, seconded by the Alderman for the fifth.

1:03

Madam Kirk.

1:06

Alder Woman Boyd.

1:08

Alder Woman Clark Hubbard.

1:10

Vice Chair Sweitzer.

1:16

Alder Woman Cox Antwee.

1:20

Chair Browning.

1:21

Hi.

1:22

Alder Woman Boyd.

1:24

Auto Woman Clark Hubbard.

1:26

Four eye votes.

1:28

Thank you.

1:29

With that, the minutes are approved.

1:31

We do not have any board bills for review today.

1:34

We do not have any resolution for review.

1:36

We do have one item under committee discussions, and that will be a presentation from our water division.

1:50

Hi, good afternoon.

1:54

Good afternoon.

1:55

Chair Browning, members of the committee.

2:12

Just another update, status, and then also to talk through some of the recent ongoing activities at the Water Division.

2:20

So I wanted to start first of all by uh you know kind of thanking my team.

2:26

We've been working very hard.

2:28

They're very dedicated.

2:30

You know, I highlight some names here.

2:32

Spencer Gould, our special assistant to the water commissioner, Thomas Corell, our information system support manager who helps with a lot of the data improvements and processes that we're doing.

2:41

Uh Perl Burke, our fiscal manager who keeps tracks of the financing and funding.

2:47

You know, certainly lets us know when there are challenges coming up, uh, you know, how the cash balances are flowing.

2:52

Uh and Robert Atchison, our new PIO, who has fired up many socials, uh, you know, has our website looking good, um, you know, is trying to communicate and message all the work that we're doing through multiple channels.

3:04

So all right.

3:08

So uh as I typically do, I want to start off with our mission safe, reliable, economical drinking water uh for all who live, work, and play in St.

3:16

Louis.

3:17

Um, you know, we've also been working a little bit to develop our vision statement.

3:21

Um, you know, responsibly serving our residents, uh, and that is you know something we take seriously.

3:27

Responsibility that we have to provide the service that we do, um, but also looking at our systems, continuously evaluating and improving our systems, uh, you know, the service we provide, looking ahead to the future.

3:41

Um, and then also you know, to be transparent, uh, you know, having that voice, messaging out to the public what it is that we're doing, uh, you know, improvements that we're making, challenges that we're seeing at the utility, um, you know, to be good stewards uh of the ratepayer dollars that come into the our enterprise, the public utility that we are at the water division um to provide quality city services.

4:04

And so, you know, that vision statement is is starting to come together, but it really does set the table for what we are trying to do into the next decade, 20 years, 30 years at the water division to continue serving for generations to come.

4:20

So I wanted to outline the presentation that I have for you today.

4:23

Um, you know, uh an update on the ongoing infrastructure challenges that we've been facing.

4:28

Uh, you know, obviously we had a pretty significant winter storm.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████████████████████████69%
Public Engagement████████13%
Historic Preservation███5%
Budget███5%
Procedural███4%
Infrastructure█2%
Budget Equity Analysis█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee Meeting – March 4, 2026

The committee met on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM (presumed) to hear a detailed presentation from the Water Division on infrastructure challenges, financial status, and upcoming rate review processes. The meeting included public testimony and discussion among committee members.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the February 25, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously (4-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • James Hinkle (Fourth Ward resident and homeowner): Expressed appreciation for the Water Division’s quick response to a water main break on his street, but criticized a three-day delay in repairing a small leak that caused his car to be encased in ice. He also proposed a public effort to resurrect the SS Admiral riverboat as a recreational attraction, noting it would revitalize the riverfront.
  • Sandra Padgett (Consumers Council): Thanked the committee and Water Division for collaborative efforts on a draft rate review process. She requested assurance that once a formal rate proposal—including the rate sufficiency study and full financial documentation—is released, stakeholders will be given at least 60–120 days for review. She emphasized the need for an independent expert analysis to build public confidence.

Discussion Items

  • Water Division Presentation (Led by Commissioner Patel and Special Assistant Spencer Gould):

    • Infrastructure Challenges: Reported 155 main repair work orders in 2026, with 120 occurring in the three weeks following a severe winter storm. Over 13,000 calls were received, with less than 1% transferred. Overtime expenses peaked at nearly $350,000 during the storm response.
    • Financial Position: The projected negative balance at fiscal year-end worsened from $8 million to approximately $10 million. The Water Division is actively pursuing collection of delinquent accounts (over $14 million owed) and is ramping up disconnections after a moratorium lifted in September 2025. A utility assistance program (ARPA-funded, $1 million) offers up to $500 per eligible household; about $500,000–$600,000 remains.
    • Rate Sufficiency Study: Nearing completion, expected mid-March 2026. The study will provide five-year financial projections and inform a draft rate proposal. The Water Division is developing a formal rate review process with public engagement.
    • Capital Improvement Plan: A water master plan is under development, with a risk assessment identifying that 10% of pipe segments (risk score >30) require replacement. An application for a $65.9 million State Revolving Fund loan has been submitted, targeting 36 water main replacement projects (11 miles) over 3–4 years. The 10-year plan aims for $15 million per year in replacements.
    • Additional Grants: Awarded a cybersecurity grant ($175,000) and applied for resilience and energy efficiency grants.

  • Committee Questions:

    • Alderwoman Schweitzer: Asked about the State Revolving Fund loan mechanics and the likelihood of approval. Commissioner Patel explained the subsidized, low-interest structure and that the loan would require rates sufficient to support debt service. Also discussed the possibility of issuing bonds alongside the loan.
    • Alderman Devoti: Inquired about the process for restoring roadways and sidewalks after emergency repairs. Commissioner Patel noted that cold weather delays permanent restoration but that all sites are tracked and will be addressed when conditions permit. Also discussed the quarterly billing cycle and the potential for monthly billing to ease burden on fixed-income residents. Expressed frustration with delinquent accounts, noting that the arrears amount has grown since the moratorium ended. The Water Division emphasized efforts to collect and the availability of the utility assistance program.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes on board bills or resolutions were taken. The committee received the Water Division’s update and will continue to monitor the situation.
  • Next Steps: The rate sufficiency study is expected in mid-March. The Water Division will present the draft rate proposal to the committee and the public. The ARPA reallocation bills (Board Bills 160 and 161) have advanced out of the HUDS Committee and, if passed, would provide funds for three main replacement projects.
  • Commitment to Transparency: The Water Division will continue community outreach, posting rate review materials on stlwater.com, and accepting public comments via email. The committee encouraged ongoing communication and urged the Water Division to work with the Collector of Revenue to improve collection of delinquent accounts.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. We are now starting the public infrastructure and utilities committee meeting for Wednesday, March 4th. Madam Quirk, please call roll. Auto Woman Boyd. Auderwoman Clark Hubbard. Vice Chair Sweitzer. Present. Alderman Devotee. President. Auto Woman Cox Antwee. Present. Chair Browning. Present. Alder Woman Boyd. Alder Woman Clark Hubbard. Four present. We have quorum. Thank you. And with that, we will move on to approval of the minutes. I will accept a motion to approve the minutes from Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. So moved. Moved by the Alderman from the first, seconded by the Alderman for the fifth. Madam Kirk. Alder Woman Boyd. Alder Woman Clark Hubbard. Vice Chair Sweitzer. Alder Woman Cox Antwee. Chair Browning. Hi. Alder Woman Boyd. Auto Woman Clark Hubbard. Four eye votes. Thank you. With that, the minutes are approved. We do not have any board bills for review today. We do not have any resolution for review. We do have one item under committee discussions, and that will be a presentation from our water division. Hi, good afternoon. Good afternoon. Chair Browning, members of the committee. Just another update, status, and then also to talk through some of the recent ongoing activities at the Water Division. So I wanted to start first of all by uh you know kind of thanking my team. We've been working very hard. They're very dedicated. You know, I highlight some names here. Spencer Gould, our special assistant to the water commissioner, Thomas Corell, our information system support manager who helps with a lot of the data improvements and processes that we're doing. Uh Perl Burke, our fiscal manager who keeps tracks of the financing and funding. You know, certainly lets us know when there are challenges coming up, uh, you know, how the cash balances are flowing. Uh and Robert Atchison, our new PIO, who has fired up many socials, uh, you know, has our website looking good, um, you know, is trying to communicate and message all the work that we're doing through multiple channels. So all right.

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