Note: The transcript records the meeting as occurring on Thursday, June 25, 2026, but the provided date for this summary is June 26, 2026. This discrepancy is noted.
The Transportation and Commerce Committee of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen met on June 26, 2026, chaired by Alderman Cohn. The committee approved minutes from a prior meeting, heard testimony on a port authority lease, received a detailed presentation from Metro Transit on its budget and operations, and voted on three board bills. All members were present.
Board Bill 46 – Port Authority Lease Agreement (Alderman Aldridge): The bill authorizes a five-year lease between the City of St. Louis and United Fruit and Produce Company for a small parcel of land (approximately 6,000 square feet) near the near North Riverfront for truck parking. The first year rent is $1,192, increasing by 3% annually, with three additional five-year renewal options. The lease replaces prior Board of Public Service permits. An exhibit map (Exhibit A) was initially missing but was provided during the meeting. The committee recommended passage after receiving the exhibit.
Board Bills 52 & 53 – Public Transit Sales Tax Funding for Metro: Taulby Roach, CEO of Metro, and CFO Tammy Paris presented an overview of Metro’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget and operational updates. Key points included:
Alderwoman Schweitzer expressed concern about potential fare increases and questioned the budget’s call-ride service costs. Alderwoman Cox and Twee asked about fuel and parts mitigation strategies. Mr. Roach and Ms. Paris responded to all questions. No public testimony was offered.
Board Bill 51 – Airport Revenue Bond: The committee deferred action on this bill, pending amendments from the Comptroller’s office. No vote was taken; the bill is expected to be taken up after summer recess.
Good morning, everyone. It is uh Thursday, June 25th at 1004 a.m. The Transportation and Commerce Committee meeting will now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alderman Oldenburg. Alderman Norayan. Here Alder Woman Sweitzer. Present. Alder Woman Cox and Tweet. Here. Chair Cone. Present. Alderman Aldenburg. For present. We have four. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The first item on our agenda is the approval of the meeting minutes from Friday, June 5th, 2026. I'll entertain a motion. I move that we approve the minutes from uh Friday, June 6th. Fifth. Fifth. Thank you. Second. It was moved by the Alder Woman from the 8th, seconded by the Alderman from the 4th that we approve our meeting minutes from Friday, June 5th, 2026. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Alderman Aldenberg. Alderman Narayan. I Alder Woman Switzer. Aye. Alder Woman Cox and Tweet. Hi. Chair Cone. Aye. Alderman Aldenberg. Four I votes. By your vote. You have sustained the motion from the Alder Woman from the 8th and approved our meeting minutes. We have a couple board bills on the agenda for discussion today. Do we have the alderman from the 14th on the line? I do not see him. I think the alder woman from the first just went to check to see if he's in his office. We have uh I believe Talby Roach. Uh I'm not sure who else, Talby. James Morrow, maybe. That sounds right. Would you like for me to transfer the bank? Well, James would be here for Rasheen's bill, uh, Alderman Aldridge's bill. Um Chairman. Yes, Alder Alman. I just spoke with Alderman Aldridge and he said he didn't ask for a bill to be heard, so I don't know if he's expecting to present today.