Public Meetings - St Louis, Missouri

Note: The transcript of this meeting repeatedly references a date of September 12, 2025 (e.g., resolution introductions). The provided date for this summary is September 8, 2025. This discrepancy is noted. The Board of Aldermen convened for a full regular session. The meeting opened with a reflection by Rosemary Britz, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Association, in recognition of Sickle Cell Awareness Month. The board then proceeded through a lengthy agenda including adoption of numerous courtesy resolutions (many embanked as co-sponsorships), introduction of honored guests, approval of minutes, and consideration of several board bills and resolutions. Consent Calendar - The courtesy resolution consent calendar was adopted unanimously after a series of motions to embank (add all aldermen as co-sponsors) resolutions 78–99, 65, 66–67, and others. All remaining courtesy resolutions were embanked by a single vote. - Minutes from July 11, 2025 and August 26, 2025 were approved unanimously. - Board Bill 47 was moved from the informal calendar to the third reading consent calendar and received final passage with 15 aye votes. Discussion Items Board Bill 19 – Jefferson Arms Community Improvement District - Sponsor Alderman Aldridge introduced a floor substitute to update blight language and remove references to a Transportation Development District (TDD), making it a standalone SID. The floor substitute was adopted (with Alderman Sweitzer as the only dissenting vote), and then the bill was perfected on a voice vote. Board Bill 33 – Sheriff Powers and Reporting Requirements - Sponsor Alderman Devotey presented the bill as amended in committee, which clarifies sheriff duties and requires monthly financial reporting to the Comptroller and budget committees. Alderwoman Keys questioned a 12-month sunset on reporting requirements; the sponsor stated he would not support removing it. Alderwoman Tyus delivered a lengthy critique, arguing that the bill misstates state statute 57.290, which she said does not mandate prisoner transport. She called the bill “incorrect” and “unfair.” The bill was perfected on a roll call vote of 13 aye, 1 no (Tyus). Resolution 92 – Urging Ameren Missouri to Pause Disconnections for Tornado-Impacted Residents - Sponsor Alderwoman Sanyer requested unanimous consent; an objection was raised, so the board suspended rules and adopted the resolution. The resolution calls on Ameren to pause disconnections through at least December 31, 2025 and forgive utility debt for households affected by the May 16, 2025 tornado. Aldermen noted that Ameren had already placed $4 million in utility assistance and that other providers (MSD, Water, Spire) had paused disconnections. The resolution was adopted and then embanked. Resolution 94 – Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month - Sponsor Alderwoman Velazquez requested unanimous consent; no objection. The resolution recognizing September 15–October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month and authorizing the flying of the Hispanic Heritage flag was adopted. Resolution 101 – Condemning Missouri’s Second Extraordinary Session - Sponsor Alderman Aldridge condemned the Missouri legislature’s extraordinary session which he characterized as a partisan attempt to gerrymander congressional districts (targeting Rep. Cleaver) and restrict initiative petition rights. He noted the session was called by the governor and is being filibustered by Senate Democrats. Alderwoman Tyus challenged the board’s hypocrisy, citing past gerrymandering and rule changes by the Board of Aldermen, but ultimately voted in favor. The resolution was adopted on a voice vote. First Reading of Board Bills - Board Bills 61–66 were introduced and referred to committees. Notably, Board Bill 66 (sponsored by Alderman Cohn and President Green) would add equity impact assessment requirements for redevelopment projects. It was referred to the HUD committee. Key Outcomes - Board Bill 19 perfected (floor substitute adopted, voice vote, with one dissenting roll call on substitute). - Board Bill 33 perfected (13 aye, 1 no). - Board Bill 47 granted final passage (15 aye). - Resolution 92 adopted and embanked. - Resolution 94 adopted via unanimous consent. - Resolution 101 adopted. - All courtesy resolutions on the consent calendar were embanked and adopted. - The board will next meet on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 10 a.m.

On September 8, 2025, the St. Louis Excise Commission held a hearing to consider multiple liquor license applications. Commissioner Miles McDonald presided, with representatives from the Excise Division and agents for the applicants present. All applications were reviewed under Board Bill 60, which does not require approval signatures. No public testimony or opposition was recorded. The commission approved all applications after finding no detriment to the neighborhood. Discussion Items - Spark St. Louis LLC – Application for a liquor license for the premises located at 6 Cardin [address unclear]. The managing officer and liquor control agent were present. The certified ordinance and file were introduced without objection. The commission found the premises would not be detrimental to the neighborhood and approved the application. - Bank and Co LC (doing business as Elevation by Krino, 3307 Washington Avenue) – Application for a liquor license. The agent for the applicant, Mr. Joe Kelly, and liquor control agent were present. No objections to the introduction of the ordinance or file. The commission approved the application under Board Bill 60. - N2K LLC (5239 …) – Application for a liquor license. The managing officer of the premises and Commissioner McDonald discussed a tornado event that affected the building. The applicant noted they had been at that location for about a year. No objections to the file. The commission found no detriment to the neighborhood and approved the application. - SML Burger LLC (400 Northfield Wood, St. Louis) – Application for a liquor license. Managing Officer Samuel Clintman was present. The date and time of this portion of the hearing were stated as September 4, 2025, 9:45 a.m., though the overall meeting date is September 8, 2025 (as provided). The ordinance and file were introduced without objection. The application was approved under Board Bill 60. Key Outcomes - All four liquor license applications (Spark St. Louis LLC, Bank and Co LC, N2K LLC, SML Burger LLC) were approved by the commission with no objections. - Each application was found not to be a detriment to the neighborhood. - The hearing was conducted under Board Bill 60, which exempts the requirement for approval signatures. - Note: The transcript contains a discrepancy regarding the date for the SML Burger LLC hearing (stated as September 4, 2025, while the overall meeting date is September 8, 2025).

The St. Louis Board of Public Service met on September 8, 2025, at 1:45 PM under acting chair Director Greg Hayes. The meeting included the opening of bids for an airport pavement reconstruction project, approval of a consent agenda containing numerous routine items including contract amendments, special event festival zones, emergency actions, encroachment permits, and conditional use permits. No public hearings were held. (Note: The raw transcript states the meeting occurred on September 2, 2025; the date September 8, 2025 has been used per the summary instructions.) Reports and Presentations - Bid Letting 8791 – St. Louis Air Cargo Pavement Reconstruction at Lambert Airport: Seven bids were opened. The lowest bid was from Bern and Jones at $2,048,000; the highest from Vision Civil Construction at $2,642,682. No award was made at this meeting. Consent Calendar (Agenda Approval) The entire agenda was approved by a single roll call vote (5-0). The agenda included the following items: - Amendment 10 to elevator service contract with Midwest Elevator Company (extends termination to Oct 31, 2025; no cost increase, remains at $13,000). - Declaration of four festival zones: Legendary Central West End Halloween Party (Oct 25), Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival (Sept 19-21), Moto Europa block party (Sept 27), Evolution Festival (Sept 27-28). - Three emergency actions at Chain of Rocks Water Treatment Plant: butterfly valve repair ($25,000), air quality testing during asbestos abatement ($8,000), vacuum breaker maintenance ($7,200). - Seven encroachment requests: six approved (Nabru LLC dba Vale's Kitchen, Fort The Ville, four by Sulloy CID for trash and pet waste receptacles) and one denied (Ray Sport House patio fence due to inadequate walkway space). - Two lot adjustments: subdivision at 2838 Wyoming St and consolidation at 3654 Page Blvd. - Public improvement by Washington University School of Medicine for new pedestrian crosswalk at 4370 Duncan Ave. - Three AT&T applications (5897 Delmar, 3808 Indiana, 3212 Delmar). Conditional Use Permits The board approved four conditional use permits for 5141 Cologne Ave, 3002 S Jefferson Ave, 3234 Ivanhoe Ave, and 3624 N Spring Ave, as recommended by the Building Commissioner. Vote: 5-0. Key Outcomes - Election of Acting Chair: Director Greg Hayes was unanimously appointed as acting chair for the meeting. - Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the last meeting were approved (5-0). - Approval of Agenda: The entire consent agenda, including all above items, was approved (5-0). - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned without further discussion.

The Board of Public Service held its regular meeting on August 26, 2025, presided over by President Rich Bradley. The primary agenda item was a public hearing to consider revoking Conditional Use Permit No. 125688 for Grand BP Gasmart at 3182 South Grand Boulevard due to alleged violations. The board also approved routine consent items, including professional service agreements, special event festival zones, and conditional use applications. Consent Calendar - Professional Services Agreements: Approved PSA No. 1299 with the Missouri Historical Society to accept artifact donations for Soldiers Memorial Military Museum; PSA No. 1301 for construction management and testing services at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (maximum $4,589,630 with Kwame Green Joint Venture); and PSA No. 1302 for River Des Peres improvement (maximum $2,398,783.29 with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc.). - Public Highway Overpass Agreement: Approved an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for a grade-separated overpass on South Compton Avenue in the amount of $22,644. - Board Rules: Adopted rules of the Board of Public Service per City Charter and Revised Code Section 3.02.080. - Special Event Festival Zones: Declared eight festival zones, including Sister Strut (October 4, 7 a.m. to noon), Music at the Intersection (September 12-14), Hank Lewis 2025 (August 29-31), North Side Trap Run (September 6, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Wild Times (September 28, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.), Jazz and Blues Festival (August 30, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.), City Sprint 5K (October 19, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.), and Parking Day Street Skate (September 19, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.). - Street Encroachment: Approved request by Paint Lewis, LLC to encroach artwork on the flood wall on South Wharf Street from August 29-30. - Emergency Action: Declared emergency for Bissell pump 16 blowout actuator motor rewind (estimated cost $119,160). - Lot Subdivisions and Consolidations: Approved subdivision at 2732 South 59th Street and consolidation at 5949-5953 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive; denied boundary adjustment at 2818-2824 McNair Avenue. - Conditional Use Applications: Approved with conditions for five applications (4648 Gravois Avenue, 5055 Louisiana Avenue, 2300 Cherokee Street, 2821 Meramec Street, 3606 Isler Street); denied one application at 6301 South Grand. Public Comments & Testimony - Zoning Administrator Testimony (Support of Revocation): Sandra Long, zoning plan examiner, testified that as of August 25, 2025, the permit holder remained in violation of Condition No. 1 (windows kept clear of clutter; non-permitted signs still displayed) and Condition No. 3 (no sale of items used for drug paraphernalia; black & mild cigars were still being sold). She noted the permit holder had posted the required no loitering sign, addressing Condition No. 6. - Conditional Use Permit Holder Testimony (Opposition to Revocation): Omar Jabella, the permit holder, acknowledged the violations but expressed willingness to comply. He explained the window signs had been installed by Anheuser-Busch in 2017 without permits (common practice, he claimed), and he argued that removing them would expose unsightly storage areas and create safety risks (visibility of cash counting and safe drops). He stated he had previously discussed the issue with city officials and was under the impression it was acceptable for safety. Regarding the cigars, he asserted that black & mild cigars are not drug paraphernalia because they are tobacco-filled and not intended for use with controlled substances; he displayed a sign stating he does not sell blunts, papers, cones, or wraps. He offered to immediately stop selling black & milds and to work with the city on compliant window coverings. No other public testimony was offered in support or opposition to the revocation. Discussion Items - Hearing on Revocation of Conditional Use Permit No. 125688: The board reviewed evidence including certified mail notices, photographs from July 31 and August 22, 2025, and a memorandum from August 26 documenting ongoing violations. Zoning Administrator Mary Hart Burton clarified that the condition does not prohibit window coverings like blinds or curtains, only unpermitted signage. She also noted that the complaint originated from the South Grand Special Improvement District (chaired by Rachel Whitt), contradicting the permit holder's claim of collaboration. - Board Deliberation: Directors discussed the permit holder's assurances and past instances where similar promises were not kept. Director Pearson emphasized the importance of compliance. President Bradley recommended the allow time to cure and directed the permit holder to consult with the zoning division on permissible window coverings and signage. Key Outcomes - 45-Day Extension to Cure Violations: The board voted unanimously (6-0) to grant the conditional use permit holder 45 days to resolve both violations: (1) remove unpermitted window signs and install compliant window coverings (permissible blinds, curtains, or opaque treatments), and (2) cease sale of black & mild cigars. The board will monitor compliance and warned that failure to comply could lead to revocation. - Approval of Consent Calendar: All consent items were approved without objection. - Meeting Adjourned: The meeting concluded with a motion and second, all in favor.

The Excise Division of the City of St. Louis held a hearing on August 25, 2025, presided over by Excise Commissioner Miles McDonnell. The hearing addressed two liquor license applications: one from ABC Caproom LLC for a full drink license at 4310 Filer Avenue, and one from 88200 Broadway Operations LLC d/b/a Broadway Express at 8200 South Broadway. Both applications were approved. ABC Caproom LLC Application - The applicant sought a full drink license (including Sunday sales and manufacturer/wholesaler permits) for premises at 4310 Filer Avenue. - Commissioner McDonnell noted that under Board Bill 60, no neighborhood approval signatures were required. - The commissioner stated he saw no reason the premises would be detrimental to the neighborhood and approved the application. Broadway Express Application - The applicant, represented by Mr. Malake, sought a liquor license for 8200 South Broadway. - The Excise Division presented results of an investigation into neighborhood approval signatures within the required petition circle. - For property owners: 43 total in the area, majority threshold of 23; applicant secured 25 approval signatures (exceeding majority). - For tenants/occupants: 26 total in the area, majority threshold of 14; applicant secured 14 approval signatures (meeting majority). - Based on the sufficient signatures, Commissioner McDonnell approved the application. Key Outcomes - Both liquor license applications were approved without opposition. - The hearing concluded after both matters were addressed.

Note: The transcript provided for this summary states the meeting date as Wednesday, August 13, 2025, but the system timestamp indicates the meeting date is August 18, 2025. This summary uses the system-required date of August 18, 2025. No agenda or minutes were available for this meeting. The Board of Estimate and Apportionment (Mayor Spencer, Controller Barringer, and President Green) convened a special meeting to approve two items: a bundled request for contracts and leases from various city departments (including amendments to MOUs and a tornado-related housing unit transfer), and the establishment of a Recovery Office with a budget and personnel schedule. Both items were passed unanimously. Consent Calendar - Item 1: Approval of contracts and leases from various city departments as listed in Exhibit A, including amendments to MOUs for Union Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and the Urban League of St. Louis, and a CDA contract to facilitate the turnover of housing units for victims of the tornado. Adopted unanimously (3-0). Discussion Items - Item 2: Request from the Mayor’s office to approve the attached budget and personnel schedule for the Recovery Office within the Mayor’s office. The Mayor thanked the Board, the Budget Department, Controller Barringer, and President Green for their collaborative work over the preceding days. Controller Barringer noted that some of her suggestions were incorporated, and she expressed support for the office. President Green highlighted the need for a dedicated long‑term recovery effort. All speakers expressed appreciation for the work already done by Recovery Chief Julian Nix and volunteer Jim Hill. The item was approved unanimously (3-0). Key Outcomes - Both action items were approved unanimously (3-0). - The Recovery Office was officially established to support long‑term recovery efforts from the tornado. - No additional items were discussed; the meeting was adjourned.