Transportation and Commerce Committee Meeting - May 26, 2026
Transportation and Commerce Committee Meeting - May 26, 2026
The Transportation and Commerce Committee met on May 26, 2026, to consider a lease extension for a riverfront barge maintenance company and a mayoral appointment to the Airport Arts Advisory Council. The committee approved the minutes from March 3, 2026, and passed Board Bill 21 and the appointment with votes.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Meeting Minutes from March 3, 2026. Moved by the Alderman from the 4th, seconded by the Alderwoman from the 8th, approved by voice vote with four ayes (Alderman Oldenburg, Alderwoman Schweitzer, Alderwoman Cox Antoine, Chair Cone).
Discussion Items
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Board Bill 21 – Lease Extension for Material Sales Company
Introduced by the Alderwoman from the 8th. James Morrow, an attorney with the city council’s office, presented: Lease began in 2006 with a 10-year term and three five-year extension options. This is the final five-year extension. Rent increases continue at about 3% annually, starting at just over $1,700 per year and ending at just over $2,000 in 2030. Material Sales operates permanently moored barges between MacArthur Bridge and Poplar Street Bridge for maritime maintenance and overhauls. No committee questions. Motion to pass with a due pass recommendation by Alderman from the 4th, seconded by Alderwoman from the 1st, passed by voice vote (roll call: Alderman Oldenburg aye, Alderwoman Schweitzer aye, Alderwoman Cox Antoine aye, Chair Cone aye). -
Mayoral Appointment to the Airport Arts Advisory Council – Margaret McDonald
Margaret McDonald, a 10th Ward resident, presented her background: BFA in art history, interior architecture degree, former interior designer at HOK (involved in airport expansion) and Arcturus, now a consultant. She served on the Downtown St. Louis SID board and as its president. She expressed interest in integrating art into the new terminal and preserving existing pieces such as the Alicia Lachance terrazzo floor medallion in Terminal One. Committee members expressed support. Motion to approve by Alderman from the 4th, seconded by Alderwoman from the 8th, passed by voice vote with no objections. The nomination will go to the full Board of Aldermen on the upcoming Friday.
Key Outcomes
- Board Bill 21 passed out of committee with a due pass recommendation.
- Appointment of Margaret McDonald to the Airport Arts Advisory Council approved by committee and referred to the full Board.
- A committee hearing was requested for the following week by an alderwoman (likely from the 4th); the Chair will coordinate scheduling with the clerk.
- Committee adjourned after marking the Alderman from the 2nd excused for necessary absence.
Meeting Transcript
All right. The Transportation and Commerce Committee will now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alderman Oldenberg. Alderman Norayan. Alderwoman Schweitzer. Alder Woman Cox Antoine. Here. Chair Cone. Present. Alderman Oldenberg. Alder Woman Schweitzer. Three presents. Yeah, four. Thank you. And with that, we'll take up the approval of our meeting minutes from March 3rd, 2026. I'll entertain a motion on the approval of the meeting minutes. I move we approve the meeting minutes of March 3rd, 2026. Second. It's been moved by the Alderman from the fourth, seconded by the Alderwoman from the eighth that we approve our meeting minutes from March 3rd, 2026. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alterman Oldenberg. Chair Comb. Aye. Alderman Oldenburg. Alder Woman Sweitzer. Three eye bolts. By your vote, you have sustained the motion of the alderman from the fourth to approve our meeting minutes. The first item that we have on the agenda for discussion today is board bill number 21, introduced by the Alderwoman from the eighth. Alderwoman, you're recognized on board bill number 21. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Today I would like to introduce board bill 21. This board bill is a board bill that authorizes the execution of a lease agreement between the material sales, the LEC, and the City of St. Louis, uh, between with Lynn and between the McCarker MacArthur Bridge and the Poplar Street Bridge on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. Um, I do have a couple of speakers with me today, Madam Clerk, uh, that wanted to speak and provide some additional additional information to the committee about this bill. Are they available here? I'm seeing one presenter. If she could state her name so I can put it. Hi, I'm Margaret McDonald. I'm here for the airport advisory. Yeah, she's uh hi Margaret. Uh she's yes, she's here for the mayoral appointments, not for Board Bill 21. Okay, I'm not showing anyone else. Let me see if they're on the attendee side. No. Uh Mr. Morrow said he requested a link from the clerk's office, a presenter link earlier today.
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