St. Louis Board of Aldermen: New Board Bills Week 7 of 2018-2019 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 7th meeting of the 2018-2019 session.

Today’s agenda includes four (4) new bills:

• B.B.#68 – Tyus – An ordinance to regulate employer and employee working relationships between the City and all employees under the Classified Service, including a compensation plan, terms and conditions of employment, benefits, leaves of absence, and authorization for a Deferred Compensation Plan; repealing Ordinance 70285; allocating certain other employees to a grade with rate; and including an emergency clause.
• B.B.#69 – J. Boyd – An ordinance recommended by the Parking Commission making appropriation for payment of the operating expenses, capital equipment and improvement expenses, including lease purchase agreements involving Parking Division assets, and debt service expenses of the Parking Division of the Treasurer’s Office, Kiel & City Hall Parking Facilities, Information Technologies, Argyle Parking, Chouteau Building & Parking Facility, Williams Paper Parking, Central Downtown Parking, Buckingham Parking, Cupples Parking Facility and Justice Parking Facility for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019, amounting in the aggregate to the sum of Sixteen Million, Two Hundred Twenty One Thousand, Nine Hundred Two Dollars ($16,221,902) and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#70 – Navarro – An ordinance approved and recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment and the Board of Public Service; authorizing a First Amendment of the Lease Agreement authorized by Ordinance 63956 between the City, and the Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis by amending Section 2. Term; Section 4. Other Consideration (a) Forest Park Improvements; and Exhibit C; with an emergency provision.
• B.B.#71 – Vaccaro – An ordinance establishing a three-way stop site at the intersection of Pernod Avenue and Tedmar Avenue regulating all traffic traveling eastbound and westbound on Pernod Avenue at Tedmar Avenue and regulating all traffic traveling southbound on Tedmar Avenue at Pernod Avenue, and containing an emergency clause.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session — the new bills listed above may not be online right away.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen, One New Board Bill Week 6 of 2018-2019 Session

Because of the Memorial Day weekend the St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, rather than on Friday. This is their 6th meeting of the 2018-2019 session.

Today’s agenda includes one new bill:

• B.B.#67 – Coatar – An ordinance to terminate and dissolve the Orpheum Theater Community District pursuant to the Community Improvement District Act, Sections 67.1401 – 67.1575 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session — the new bills listed above may not be online right away.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen, New Board Bills Week 5 of 2018-2019 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 5th meeting of the 2018-2019 session.

It appears I missed numerous new bills last week, they were:

• B.B.#53 – Kennedy – An Ordinance adopting the 2018 International Building Code with amendments, including Appendices E, F, G, H, I and J; repealing Ordinance 68610, Ordinance 68788, and Ordinance 69271; and containing a penalty clause, severability clause, savings clause, and emergency clause.
• B.B.#54 – Kennedy – An Ordinance adopting the 2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings with amendments, including Appendices E, F, G, H, J, K, M, R, S, and T; repealing Ordinance 68789; and containing a penalty clause, severability clause, savings clause, and emergency clause.
• B.B.#55 – Kennedy – An Ordinance adopting the 2018 International Fire Code with amendments, including Appendices B and C; repealing Ordinance 69600; and containing a penalty clause, severability clause, savings clause, and emergency clause.
• B.B.#56 – Kennedy – An Ordinance adopting the 2018 International Existing Building Code with amendments, including Appendices A, B, and C; repealing Ordinance 68790; and containing a penalty clause, severability clause, savings clause, and emergency clause.
• B.B.#57 – Kennedy – An Ordinance adopting the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code with amendments; repealing Ordinance 68791; and containing a penalty clause, severability clause, savings clause, and emergency clause.
• B.B.#58 – Kennedy – An Ordinance adopting the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code with amendments; repealing Ordinance 68792; and containing a penalty clause, severability clause, savings clause, and emergency clause.
• B.B.#59 – Kennedy – An Ordinance pertaining to the Mechanical Code of the City of Saint Louis; repealing Ordinance 68639 and Ordinance 68847; adopting the 2018 International Mechanical Code with amendments, including Appendix A; and containing a penalty clause, severability clause, savings clause, and an emergency clause.
• B.B.#60 – Kennedy – An Ordinance adopting the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code with amendments; repealing Ordinance 68638; and containing a penalty clause, severability clause, savings clause, and emergency clause.
• B.B.#61 – Kennedy – An ordinance adopting the 2017 National Electrical Code with amendments; repealing Ordinance 68831; and containing a penalty clause, severability clause, savings clause, and emergency clause.

Today’s agenda includes five new bills dealing with liquor licenses, street patterns, and several related to transit funds:

• B.B.#62 – Navarro – An ordinance repealing Ordinance 70026 and in lieu thereof enacting a new ordinance prohibiting the issuance of any 3 a.m. closing permits for any currently non-3am licensed premises within the boundaries of the Twenty-Eighth Ward Liquor Control District, as established herein, for a period of three years from the effective date hereof; containing exceptions and allowing, during the moratorium period, for the renewal of or transfer of existing licenses, under certain circumstances, and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#63 – Bosley – An ordinance directing the Director of Streets to make such changes in the present traffic pattern controlling traffic on Greer, Dodier, and University, in the 3500 block of said streets between N. Grand and N. Garrison so that as reconfigured the traffic pattern developed and in place as a result of the changes directed by this ordinance are as follows, namely: Greer – 3500 block – traffic to flow two-way between N. Grand and N. Garrison; Dodier – 3500 block – traffic to flow two-way between N. Grand and N. Garrison; University – 3500 block – traffic to flow one-way southeast between N. Grand and N. Garrison.
• B.B.#64 – Williamson – An Ordinance pertaining to the Transit Sales Tax imposed pursuant to Section 94.660, RSMo., as adopted and approved by the voters of St. Louis City on August 2, 1994, pursuant to Ordinance 63168 creating the “City Public Transit Sales Tax Trust Fund” directing the Treasurer of the City of St. Louis to deposit funds received pursuant to said sales tax into the “City Public Transit Sales Tax Trust Fund – Account ONE” appropriating $11,560,000 from the said sales tax for the period herein stated to the Bi-State Development Agency for certain purposes; providing for the payment of such funds during the period July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019; further providing that in no event shall the Comptroller draw warrants on the Treasurer for an amount greater than the amounts of the proceeds deposited in the “City Public Transit Sales Tax Trust Fund” during the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019; and containing a severability clause.
• B.B.#65 – Williamson – An Ordinance pertaining to the Transit Sales Tax imposed pursuant to Section 94.660, RSMo., as adopted and approved by the voters of St. Louis City on November 4, 1997, pursuant to Ordinance 64111 creating the “City Public Transit Sales Tax Trust Fund” directing the Treasurer of the City of St. Louis to deposit funds received pursuant to said sales tax into the “City Public Transit Sales Tax Trust Fund – Account TWO” appropriating $11,560,000 from the said sales tax for the period herein stated to the Bi-State Development Agency for certain purposes; providing for the payment of such funds during the period July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019; further providing that in no event shall the Comptroller draw warrants on the Treasurer for an amount greater than the amounts of the proceeds deposited in the “City Public Transit Sales Tax Trust Fund” during the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019; and containing a severability clause.
• B.B.#66 – Williamson – An ordinance appropriating the sum of $21,877,000, as described and defined in Section 94.600 through 94.655, RSMo. 2000 as amended for the period herein stated, which sum is hereby appropriated out of the “Transportation Trust Fund” to the Bi-State Development Agency for transportation purposes; and further providing that the appropriation is conditional upon the Bi-State Development Agency supplying the Board of Estimate and Apportionment an annual evaluation report; further providing that in no event shall the Comptroller draw warrants on the Treasurer for an amount greater than the amount of proceeds deposited in the “Transportation Trust Fund” during the period from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019; providing for the appropriation to be reduced if certain funds are used for other than public transit purposes; further providing that the appropriation is conditional upon Bi-State requiring the payment of prevailing wages and benefits to employees of outside service contractors; and containing a severability clause.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session — the new bills listed above may not be online right away.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen, New Board Bills Week 4 of 2018-2019 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 4th meeting of the 2018-2019 session. Last week Board Bill 47 wasn’t on the published agenda, but it was introduced for a first reading. Here’s the summary:

An Ordinance directing the Director of Streets to change the 3200 block of Sullivan from a one way passage to a two way passage, and containing an emergency clause.

Today’s agenda includes the following new bills:

• B.B.#1 – Pres. Reed/Williamson – Budget Fiscal Year 2018-2019; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#48 – Roddy – An Ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission, to change the zoning of property on the Central West End Form-Based District Map, from “NG1” Neighborhood General Type 1 Zone to the “NCT1” Neighborhood Center Type 1 Zone in City Block 3914 (4117R West Pine Boulevard), so as to include the described parcel of land in SECTION ONE below and in City Block 3914; and to further change the overall boundaries of the “NG1” Neighborhood General Type 1 Zone and the “NC1” Neighborhood Center Type 1 Zone; established under Ordinance 69406; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#49 – Roddy – An ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to conditionally vacate travel on the north side of Forest Park Ave. abutting City Block 3919-E as bounded by Laclede, Spring, Forest Park and Vandeventer, and adjacent to 3763 (3745-3801) Forest Park.
• B.B.#50 – Martin – An Ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission on May 7, 2018, to change the zoning of property in City Block 2861, from “B” Two-Family Dwelling District to the “F” Neighborhood Commercial District, at 5601-03 S. Broadway, and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#51 – Ingrassia – An Ordinance amending Ordinance Nos. 69979, 69980 and 69981; approving and authorizing the execution of a First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement between The City and ROL Capital III, Inc.; authorizing other related actions; and containing a Severability Clause.
• B.B.#52 – Tyus – An ordinance pertaining to income that is exempt from the City’s earnings tax, amending Section Eight of Ordinance 47063, approved April 28, 1954, as amended by Ordinance 64586, and as codified in Section 5.22.090 of the City Code of Ordinances, by adding a provision exempting any income received by a person in the form of or related to a grant, vesting or exercise of stock options, performance shares or performance-based stock related to incentive plans from the City’s earnings tax; and containing an emergency clause.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session — the new bills listed above may not be online right away.

— Steve Patterson

Opinion: St. Louis’ Government Structure Has Failed City/Region and Generations of Most Vulnerable Residents

Construction on St. Louis’ city hall began in 1890, completed in 1904. The design reflected the form of government the city had at that time:

When City Hall was designed, St. Louis had a bicameral form of government similar to the Missouri Legislature. The building originally had chambers and meeting rooms for the House of Delegates and the City Council. The 1914 City Charter eliminated the Council and changed the House of Delegates to the Board of Aldermen. The room that once housed the Council is now the Board of Public Service Chamber, and the Board of Aldermen occupy the House of Delegates chamber and committee rooms. The Mayor´s office remains in its original space on the northeast corner of the second floor.(Source)

The 28-member “Board of Alderman” has existed for 108 years of the city’s nearly 254-year history, the most recent 43%.

Though not yet verified, my suspicion is the city was divided into 28 wards beginning with the 1876 divorce from St Louis County — when the current city limits became fixed.

Interesting that from 1914 to 1943 all 28 aldermen were elected at large, one per ward. Can you imagine if candidates for each ward had to win a city-wide election today? For the last 75 years the voters of each ward has elected one alderman to represent them.

The 1940 census showed first time drop in population for a city that had been growing exponentially for over 175 years. The Republicans & Democrats that ran city hall thought it was just a fluke. The 1947 Comprehensive Plan predicted a 1970 population of 900k.  The increased 1950 census of 856,796 affirmed to the city’s leaders — Republicans & Democrats — that the city was growing perhaps even faster than estimated just 3 years earlier. Since the 1940 census they’s gained 50,000 residents. Instead of reaching 900k by 1970 the city lost over 234k.

Decade after decade of aldermanic courtesy treated the city as 28 fiefdoms rather than one city. Patronage jobs and scores of old timers teaching newcomers about how things have always been done led to bad decision after bad decision.

We should be talking about the form of our municipal government and how to change it so it functions better, produces positive results, and represents the best interests of the just over 300k of us who remain.  Just reducing the board from 28 to 14 isn’t the right answer — just as sticking with 28 isn’t either.

The results of the recent non-scientific Sunday Poll:

Q: The ideal number of wards/aldermen for St. Louis is:

• 29 or more: 0 [0%]
• 28: 2 [6.25%]
• 15-17: 2 [6.25%]
• 14: 9 [28.13%]
• 13 or less: 19 [59.38%]
• Unsure/No Answer: 0 [0%]

Do really think the structure created in 1914 — highly segregated times in St. Louis — is the best we can do?  I say start over from scratch and design a governance structure that works for the present conditions, population, etc.

— Steve Patterson