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Record of Proceedings

St. Louis Public Infrastructure & Utilities Committee Meeting - June 5, 2026

Board of Aldermen Committees — Friday, June 5, 2026
BodySt Louis, Missouri
SessionBoard of Aldermen Committees
DateFriday, June 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:13:08

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:06

Good afternoon.

0:08

I'm calling the Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee meeting to order.

0:12

It is Wednesday, June 3rd, 3 31 p.m.

0:16

Madam Cork, please call roll.

0:18

Alderwoman Boyd We can hear you, Alderwoman Boy.

0:35

Audible McClark Hubbert.

0:38

Vice Chair Sweitzer.

0:41

Present.

0:44

Present.

0:45

Audible McCock Santa.

0:47

Present.

0:48

Chair Browning.

0:49

Present.

0:51

Alder Woman Boyd.

0:54

Audible McClark Hubbard.

0:56

We have four present.

0:57

We have a quorum.

0:59

Thank you.

1:00

With that, we'll move to the next item on our agenda, which is the approval of the minutes.

1:03

I'll accept a motion to approve the minutes from Wednesday, May 27th, 2026.

1:08

So moved.

1:09

Second.

1:10

Moved by the other woman from the first, seconded by the Alder Woman from the eighth.

1:14

Madam Cork, please call roll.

1:16

Alder Woman Boyd.

1:18

Alderwoman McClark Hubbard.

1:21

Vice Chair Sweitzer.

1:23

Aye.

1:24

Altamin Devote.

1:25

Aye.

1:26

Alder Woman Coxantwee.

1:28

Aye.

1:29

Chair Browning.

1:30

All right.

1:31

Alder Woman Boyd.

1:33

Alder Woman McClark Hubbard.

1:34

We have four eye votes.

1:36

With that, the minutes are approved.

1:38

We'll move on to the next item, which is board bills for review.

1:42

We have four board bills for review today.

1:45

We're going to go a little out of order because we do have people who have other commitments and we want to keep everything together.

1:52

So we're going to start with Board Bill 25, which is my bill.

1:58

So I will hand the chairmanship over to Alderwoman Schweitzer at this time.

2:04

Thank you, Chairman Browning.

2:06

With that, you are recognized on board bill number 25.

2:22

Thank you.

2:24

And good afternoon, and thank you to the committee for your continued support and time on the issue of our St.

2:30

Louis water.

2:31

This bill is the result of a rate sufficiency study that was conducted in close coordination with our water division.

2:38

The result of this study is a map toward financial solvency for our publicly owned department that delivers our water.

2:45

As an enterprise fund, ratepayers fund the water division from their bills and what they use.

2:52

They pay for what they use, but the rates have not really kept up with the costs over the years.

2:57

The issues that brought the water division to the point of near bankruptcy this year are manifold.

3:03

But the driver of the deficit was the rising cost of running the water division.

3:08

From treatment chemicals to the increase in the use of emergency contractors to address a record number of breaks in a system, costs have gone up.

3:17

That is what has depleted the contingency fund that we are now trying to refill, along with addressing long-deferred capital improvement needs, such as the replacement of pipes at the end of their lifespan and pumps that have served us well, but are now in need of anyone who has taken a tour of our water treatment plants knows that the last time substantial investment was made in them was several decades ago.

3:45

While the mid-century theming of the buildings is charming, the million gallons of water that leaks from our ancient equipment is not.

4:23

Now we know that this rate increase is coming at a time of increasing costs for everyone.

4:28

It is common sense that in a more expensive world, it is also more expensive to run the water division.

4:35

But that doesn't mean the cost can be shouldered by everyone equally, and that's not what equity means.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████████████████████████85%
Fiscal Sustainability███6%
Procedural██4%
Public Engagement██3%
Disaster Relief█1%
Engineering And Infrastructure█1%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Louis Public Infrastructure & Utilities Committee Meeting - June 5, 2026

The Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee met on June 5, 2026, at 3:31 p.m. to consider four board bills and approve minutes from the previous meeting. The main focus was Board Bill 25, a comprehensive water rate increase proposal to address the St. Louis Water Division's financial crisis, including an affordability rate for low-income customers. The committee also reviewed a bill requiring water meters on certain connections, an honorary street naming, and a speed hump installation. All bills advanced with unanimous support.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the May 27, 2026 meeting. (Roll call: 4 ayes)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • John Kaufman (Consumers Council): On BB25, expressed general support but argued the proposed rate increase (approximately 83% over six years) was about 10% too high; recommended a 75% plan and urged a commitment to a future cost-of-service study. On BB28, supported the meter requirement as a first step.
  • Cheryl Glass (City resident, unmetered water advocate): On BB25, stated she represents unmetered users, felt her concerns were not being heard, submitted written comments, and requested greater public awareness. She acknowledged the water division's dire finances but questioned the approach.
  • Elaine Laura (City resident, Ward 12): On BB25, criticized unmetered flat-rate billing as "primitive" and called for water meters; expressed pride in paying bills. On BB28, suggested MSD (sewer district) could assist in financing meter installations.

Discussion Items

Board Bill 25 (Water Rate Increase & Affordability Program)

Sponsor: Alderwoman Browning (Ward 9)
Presenter: Director Patel (Water Division)
Overview: The bill implements a rate sufficiency study to achieve financial solvency, rebuild reserves, and fund capital improvements. Key features include:

  • A six-year rate plan: 18% increase in 2026, 18% in 2027, then 6% annually for three years, and 5% in 2032 (cumulative ~83%).
  • A new affordability rate (permanent customer assistance) offering a 50% subsidy to eligible city residents (based on income, age, or participation in other assistance programs). Qualifying customers could save $24/month immediately and pay less than current rates by 2032.
  • Phase-out of special subsidized rates for hospitals, museums, and zoos beginning January 1, 2027.
  • Assumption of $60 million in Rams settlement funds; the actual pending Rams bill allocates $30 million. Consumers Council Position (Michael Gorman, BAI Inc.): Agreed with the need but contended the increase could be reduced to ~75% over six years by adjusting bond terms, including unaccounted grants, and slightly reducing first-year increases. Estimated annual savings of $5.5 million for customers. Called for a dedicated cost-of-service study to ensure equitable rate design. Committee Debate:
  • Alderwoman Boyd apologized for decades of underinvestment and stated supporting this bill was "the hardest yes ever."
  • Alderwoman Clark Hubbard highlighted the importance of the affordability rate and requested co-sponsorship.
  • Alderman Devotee questioned the Rams funding assumption, the justification for hospital subsidies, and the rationale for not adopting the Consumers Council's lower plan.
  • Alderwoman Coxantwe stressed learning from the process and embedding commitments for future rate studies. Amendments: Seven technical amendments unanimously adopted to correct unit measurements (cubic feet to CCF) in the bill's tables. Outcome: The committee voted to recommend passage (do pass) as amended. Several members joined as co-sponsors.

Board Bill 28 (Water Meter Installation Requirements)

Sponsor: Alderman Devotee (Ward 5)
Summary: Requires installation of water meters on new service connections and on existing connections undergoing major rehabilitation or when a leak necessitates a new tap. The Water Division will own and install the meter; property owners cover the meter pit and related plumbing. The ordinance includes enforcement mechanisms and delegations of authority. Committee Debate:

  • Alderwoman Clark Hubbard and Alderwoman Coxantwe expressed concerns about residents in tornado-affected areas forced into rebuilding, questioning eligibility and financial impact. Director Patel clarified that triggers align with existing plumbing code triggers for new service lines, and that certain assistance is available through the division's leak repair fund.
  • Alderman Boyd asked about sidewalk damage from meters; Director Patel agreed meters should not be placed in sidewalks but in tree lawns, and noted meter pits are private property. Outcome: Do pass recommendation approved unanimously.

Board Bill 18 (Honorary Street Name)

Sponsor: Alderman Devotee
Summary: Designates "Sister Felicieta Cola Avenue" on Wilson Avenue between Macklin Avenue and Edwards Street in the Hill neighborhood, requested by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Petition signatures verified. Outcome: Unanimous do pass.

Board Bill 23 (Speed Humps)

Sponsor: Alderman Devotee
Summary: Authorizes installation of four speed humps in the Fifth Ward, based on resident petitions. Outcome: Unanimous do pass.

Key Outcomes

  • BB25 passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation (unanimous), after technical amendments.
  • BB28 passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation (unanimous).
  • BB18 and BB23 passed unanimously.
  • The committee committed to working with the Consumers Council on a floor amendment requiring a cost-of-service study within a specified timeframe.
  • The Water Division will continue community engagement, including a town hall in Ward 10 (June 29) and Ward 5 (July 14).

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I'm calling the Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee meeting to order. It is Wednesday, June 3rd, 3 31 p.m. Madam Cork, please call roll. Alderwoman Boyd We can hear you, Alderwoman Boy. Audible McClark Hubbert. Vice Chair Sweitzer. Present. Present. Audible McCock Santa. Present. Chair Browning. Present. Alder Woman Boyd. Audible McClark Hubbard. We have four present. We have a quorum. Thank you. With that, we'll move to the next item on our agenda, which is the approval of the minutes. I'll accept a motion to approve the minutes from Wednesday, May 27th, 2026. So moved. Second. Moved by the other woman from the first, seconded by the Alder Woman from the eighth. Madam Cork, please call roll. Alder Woman Boyd. Alderwoman McClark Hubbard. Vice Chair Sweitzer. Aye. Altamin Devote. Aye. Alder Woman Coxantwee. Aye. Chair Browning. All right. Alder Woman Boyd. Alder Woman McClark Hubbard. We have four eye votes. With that, the minutes are approved. We'll move on to the next item, which is board bills for review. We have four board bills for review today. We're going to go a little out of order because we do have people who have other commitments and we want to keep everything together. So we're going to start with Board Bill 25, which is my bill. So I will hand the chairmanship over to Alderwoman Schweitzer at this time. Thank you, Chairman Browning. With that, you are recognized on board bill number 25. Thank you. And good afternoon, and thank you to the committee for your continued support and time on the issue of our St. Louis water. This bill is the result of a rate sufficiency study that was conducted in close coordination with our water division. The result of this study is a map toward financial solvency for our publicly owned department that delivers our water.

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