[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6374531,"mediaKeyId","2144462-c6fdebc3ec88ff4cd9e4ea8efe34faec","parentId",2144462,"title","Votes at a glance: HUDZ committee actions on Board Bills 158, 159, 150 and 153 (Jan. 23, 2025)","audioSeconds",5546,"startMs",2825000,"endMs",8371000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144462-c6fdebc3ec88ff4cd9e4ea8efe34faec&start=2825&end=8371","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144462-c6fdebc3ec88ff4cd9e4ea8efe34faec/thumbnail_2825000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6374531/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Votes-at-a-glance-HUDZ-committee-actions-on-Board-Bills-158-159-150-and-153-Jan-23-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374531-419db2b1fed3cf851e6029d7dae512ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1775114716&Signature=HWrr8c3C~hXPrnyCyt48vkRoFctL6nA~MZWiAlQYFpaqg4FukDiWgXazhq1tqhXEBY1QJrr2VSl~FeDB25NjW~KSFI2Hg8J3l3el~j22vBs95qyt4eFgtwDLaiCmVPJENweZAIx21-IDTzfEJqtNTIoeuJWEo9Xy1wfk4wEHIt3zKP04Rm6nhtj3-0v5WZPqArjb~7nBf-g9Q9SLBqe-4HBmX4nodFT~Pelq3lO56cFPX3cX8QvphEpcWGw3iRM2uxlFHm~jg~uF5iibSveW8weWjp5qjbQLaNJ5NwCtlM88Oci48UC7A6U4KP1A2B9SCik5yQiuvXxxkozUmlMkpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Louis, MO","date","2025-01-23T21:18:43Z","article","The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee recorded the following formal actions during its Jan. 23, 2025 meeting. Votes below reflect roll‑call tallies reported on the record.

1) Board Bill 158 — Removal of parcel from Carondelet Common Community Improvement District
- Motion: Move to pass Board Bill 158 with a due‑pass recommendation.
- Mover/Second: Moved by Alderman Cohn; seconded by Vice Chair (record shows second).
- Vote: 7 aye, 0 no (unanimous on the record).
- Outcome: Due‑pass recommendation out of committee; sponsor presentation emphasized investment and contiguous expansion for Richardson International; no public opposition was recorded in committee.

2) Board Bill 159 — Amendment to redevelopment agreement (Grandelet/Broadway TIF) / sale to Richardson International (Lot D)
- Motion: Move to pass Board Bill 159 with a due‑pass recommendation.
- Mover/Second: Moved by Alderman Browning; seconded by Alderman Cone (committee record).
- Vote: 6 aye, 0 no (as recorded at time of vote).
- Outcome: Due‑pass recommendation out of committee. Committee heard a presentation by Jim Meyer (representing Richardson International) describing the company’s operations and investment history; several aldermen expressed support for job creation and continued investment in the Carondelet/Patch neighborhood.

3) Board Bill 150 — Dissolution of Cherokee special taxing district
- Motion: Move that Board Bill 150 be given a due‑pass recommendation.
- Vote: The record shows the committee advanced the bill with 5 aye votes (roll call recorded on the transcript).
- Outcome: Due‑pass recommendation out of committee; the committee heard extensive public comment from Cherokee Street merchants asking for remedies that would preserve district amenities; sponsors cited noncompliance and legal necessity of dissolution.

4) Board Bill 153 — Transform STL Act (committee substitute as amended)
- Motion: Move to adopt committee substitute for Board Bill 153 and advance as amended.
- Mover/Second: Motion to adopt was moved during the hearing (movers/second recorded in transcript); committee ultimately voted to advance the committee substitute as amended.
- Vote: Committee recorded a final vote of 5 yes, 2 no to advance Board Bill 153 committee substitute as amended.
- Outcome: Committee passed the committee substitute with amendments; sponsors said operational details (especially for the childcare pilot and departmental administration) will be finalized prior to full Board consideration.

Notes on procedure and next steps
- “Due‑pass” recommendations mean the measures move from committee to the full Board of Aldermen with a recommendation to pass; the full board will still need to consider, amend and vote on each bill.
- Committee discussion produced adopted amendments to Board Bill 153 that clarified definitions, reporting requirements, EJ prioritization language and pilot operational plan requirements. Sponsors and staff said additional drafting work remains before floor action.

Provenance (selected transcript excerpts)
- Board Bill 158 introduction and vote (sponsor remarks and roll call) appear at approx. 00:05:00–00:06:20 in the transcript.
- Richardson International presentation on Board Bill 159 (Jim Meyer) is on the record beginning about 00:07:30–00:17:00.
- Public comment and legal explanations on Board Bill 150 occur at roughly 00:23:40–00:41:00.
- Transform STL Act presentation, multiple public commenters, amendment debate and final votes span approx. 00:49:00–02:36:00.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee - January 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A summary roll-call of formal committee actions at the Jan. 23 Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee meeting.","taxTitle","St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Missouri","taxId",2587,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374541,"HUDZ committee advances amended Transform STL Act, directing $294 million settlement toward downtown, North City, housing, childcare and infrastructure",175,2994000,3169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144462-c6fdebc3ec88ff4cd9e4ea8efe34faec&start=2994&end=3169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144462-c6fdebc3ec88ff4cd9e4ea8efe34faec/thumbnail_2994000.jpg","/articles/6374541/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/HUDZ-committee-advances-amended-Transform-STL-Act-directing-294-million-settlement-toward-downtown-North-City-housing-childcare-and-infrastructure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374541-94a0c7a23e1062fd2369462e8ad8b0d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775114716&Signature=B-H5Hm5c7kDModeN9D-IdLyBN25sbfzAP740IQNJ1aKQNx6fduwn-pKwMOKh54du7adUsDzCPO65wLupW2t1nct3v~50LwWFKwByY7MYe9I49XH~PYDMkGMrBjyoVXr2gUWM-ef2YfltC88s9ZFyV8cpQKwJdg4LieO1oPDnDsA39KjkR7EkAwVXgPgMgMgkgV96Qg8S1pkKElpxs4fGhhBA3HBRUQaVpkqFHsgU6yVXkQg5ecgj~cRfSh8JRLyyNVrwW5s~umTHTmgMF~B621vlJqV5wwtZ6CXLl5cHHbdBj6svgEgIuuuvar~fxtzA32f3k3BfAjTMUeCgiam~gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A committee substitute of the Transform STL Act (Board Bill 153) that blends two earlier proposals won a 5–2 committee vote Friday after hours of testimony and amendments. The measure, described by sponsors as a negotiated compromise, directs the approximately $294 million available from the settlement into a set of targeted funds for downtown and North City investments, citywide water and mobility infrastructure, housing and neighborhood development, and pilot programs for the city workforce and subsidized childcare.

Why it matters: Committee supporters said the plan aims to balance investments that spur downtown growth with reparative funding for historically disinvested parts of the city. Opponents on the committee warned the funding is spread too thin and urged caution before approving one‑time settlement dollars for ongoing programs.

The committee substitute as presented allocates the $294 million into multiple “buckets.” Sponsors highlighted dedicated downtown and North City funds and a city workforce/childcare pilot. Before amendments, the sponsors’ summary presented these major allocations: mobility, water, citywide housing, citywide neighborhood development and workforce/childcare programs, plus a dedicated downtown fund and a dedicated North City fund. Committee discussion and public testimony focused on (1) the size and oversight of the downtown fund, (2) new workforce/childcare pilots for city employees, and (3) safeguards and annual reporting for neighborhood and housing funds.

Public testimony and community concerns

Dozens of speakers addressed the committee. James Page, executive director of the Saint Louis Downtown Neighborhood Association, told the committee that DNA “supports Board Bill 153 committee substitute” and said downtown residents and nearby neighborhoods see an opportunity for transformation if funds are deployed to housing and vacancy reduction. Business and development groups, including Greater St. Louis Inc., urged the committee to adopt the compromise language, arguing downtown investment would increase the city’s tax base.

Childcare providers, labor and education advocates urged larger investment in childcare. Lindsey Baker, director of advocacy and community partnerships at Southside Early Childhood Center, described a staff retention benefit she attributes to subsidized childcare and said: “Giving subsidized childcare to city workers would be a giant step in retention.” Rhiannon Duryea of SEIU urged restoration of higher childcare funding and described childcare access as a workforce issue.

Community development organizations and neighborhood leaders asked for stronger, dedicated support for Community Development Corporations (CDCs), capacity funding and predictable operating support. Linda Nguyen, executive director of the Community Builders Network, said a lack of operational funding has led to the loss of legacy CDCs and urged either an endowed CDC operations fund or another dedicated solution.

Committee amendments and points of contention

During the hearing members offered and the committee adopted multiple amendments clarifying definitions, administration and reporting requirements, and adjusting some allocations. Sponsors told the committee they had merged two competing bills and were still working through details; sponsors and other committee members said further tweaks remained necessary before floor action.

Key points the committee debated:
- Childcare and workforce pilot: The committee substitute narrows an original, citywide childcare proposal into a pilot tailored to city employees. Sponsors said the pilot would test delivery models, require an operational plan before any expansion beyond city workers, and cap administrative costs. Committee members pressed for population estimates and metrics for evaluating success; sponsors said an operational plan and subsequent aldermanic approval would be required before expansion.
- Downtown fund size and private matching: The substitute created a downtown fund paired with a 1:1 private match requirement for projects seeking downtown dollars. Several members and downtown advocates argued the proposed downtown allocation would generate private investment that benefits the entire tax base; others argued the downtown allocation was outsized relative to neighborhood and housing needs. During the meeting members offered floor amendments that reduced the downtown allocation and directed modest increases to housing and neighborhood funds; advocates for downtown warned that reducing downtown funds would also reduce private matching dollars and the total investable capital.
- North City fund: The substitute creates a North City fund with dedicated mobility, housing preservation, building rehabilitation and small‑business supports; the committee adopted language prioritizing EJ‑1/2/3 (equity index priority) areas and requiring annual reporting.
- Accountability and reporting: Members added amendment language requiring a scorecard for fund prioritization, 20% scoring boosts for EJ priority areas, annual reporting to HUDZ on appropriations and projects, and an operational plan and metrics for any pilot expansions.

Committee action and next steps

After debate and a succession of adopted amendments, the committee voted to advance Board Bill 153 committee substitute (as amended) by a vote of 5 in favor, 2 opposed. Sponsors said they will continue refining operating details and implementation language before the bill is considered by the full Board of Aldermen.

What the bill does not do

The committee substitute, as advanced, is a policy and appropriation framework that sets aside settlement dollars into defined funds and authorizes spending patterns. It does not yet create new permanent city departments; sponsors and several aldermen said programs would be administered through existing departments (water, Streets/BPS, CDA) and would require operational plans and departmental uptake before dollars are spent.

Ending note

Supporters called the substitute a rare moment of cross‑faction collaboration at the Board of Aldermen; critics urged more time to resolve administration, scale and durability questions before committing one‑time settlement dollars to ongoing services.

","A committee substitute of the Transform STL Act (Board Bill 153) that blends two prior proposals won a 5–2 vote in the Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee after hours of testimony and amendments. The plan directs about $294 million of settlement money into downtown and North City funds, water and mobility infrastructure, housing and neighborhood development, and pilot workforce and childcare programs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374536,"Committee advances dissolution of Cherokee special taxing district after merchants and aldermen clash over assets and compliance",655,1423000,2078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144462-c6fdebc3ec88ff4cd9e4ea8efe34faec&start=1423&end=2078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144462-c6fdebc3ec88ff4cd9e4ea8efe34faec/thumbnail_1423000.jpg","/articles/6374536/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Committee-advances-dissolution-of-Cherokee-special-taxing-district-after-merchants-and-aldermen-clash-over-assets-and-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374536-86e403a026c96fbe3eb9baeec2bbf6fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775114716&Signature=PNKhwZ90oFhlqn9j-K8rjekVHWiSkl4wPlQAb4II~pVxdAsLVdE4p~IdtVg3D5Vsc~BFFX5IhA2AH2uLwHznm3LyEo05~395UgJX5RiAjPR9HXswlE5vl21mMT0amaIWjgKeXxE2LUMt-bDXLTMn2ujw4gB64DDWYqWkHDFyeCWcYXNl0G7w~Dr6sBM79jSrB-sDGzHtSVITiKuW8KxytXaNy5tjlD1-2dFjyWApPqIfLMKXAh8M5ZfoIXk9rpJDEkKeEmPQH4itLpW4EyzBya7jHuFXgQjjomPmxSIro8~JdGOeLKfQ4ZAa4eLBTfJogMzm88sO~DfHu6v25a9olA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee voted to advance Board Bill 150, a proposal to dissolve the Cherokee special taxing district, following public testimony from merchants and neighborhood representatives who said the taxing district had funded decorations, benches, trash cans and other neighborhood services.

Why it matters: The bill would dissolve the taxing district after the district’s board petitioned the Board of Aldermen. Sponsors and city attorneys said the district is out of compliance with state requirements, leaving dissolution as the statutory mechanism to address noncompliance. The transcripts record multiple merchants urging the board to allow the district to correct its problems rather than dissolve it and asking aldermen to protect assets used for neighborhood events and maintenance.

Public comment

Yovanka (Yovanka) Hammond, owner of Hammond’s Books and a 45‑year merchant on Cherokee Street, told the committee the district paid for marketing materials and other amenities and that merchants were not given adequate explanation or time to process the situation. She said: “I think the merchants should be given a chance to fix the problems rather than letting a board that’s not compliant decide to do away with it and what to do with our assets.” Jonette Mavers, who has run a store on Cherokee for 25 years, said the taxing district paid for signs, Christmas decorations, benches and trash cans and that losing those assets would “change our street dramatically.”

Sponsor and staff clarifications

Autumn Spencer (representing the sponsor) and committee staff said: the board of directors of the district had petitioned the aldermen to dissolve the district; the Comptroller’s office and City Counsel had concluded the district was not in compliance with legal reporting requirements; and state law gives the district’s board the initial discretion to assign the district’s remaining assets at dissolution, with any leftover funds reverting to the city. Spencer told the committee the city had received a legal opinion and that the district is not creating a new TIF or new taxing authority by the dissolution.

Assets and budget questions

Committee members and the public pressed city staff for financial details. Committee discussion recorded that the district’s annual receipts were described in public comment as roughly $17,000–$20,000 a year — enough, witnesses said, “to fight over and not enough money to really do the important work that a community improvement district could do.” Spencer confirmed that historically the district’s money had been dispersed annually to fund events and amenities and acknowledged vacancies and appointment issues on the district board. Spencer said the mayor’s office is the appointing authority for district board members and that applications had not always been forwarded for Board of Aldermen consideration.

Vote and next steps

The committee passed Board Bill 150 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation (roll call: 5 aye votes, others present/recorded). Sponsors said they would continue to work with merchants and neighborhood groups on the disposition of assets and on an effort to create a replacement funding or district structure that would preserve amenities if possible.

Authorities cited in committee

Committee discussion referenced compliance with state statute and the role of the Comptroller’s office and City Counsel in reviewing the district’s status. The legal pathway described on the record is statutory dissolution of a noncompliant special taxing district.

What the bill does not decide

The committee record shows that the disposition of the district’s assets is primarily determined by the district’s board under state law; anything remaining at dissolution reverts to the city. The committee did not direct a specific dispersal of assets; sponsors said they would seek options and return to the Board of Aldermen if necessary.

","The HUDZ committee voted to advance Board Bill 150, which would dissolve the Cherokee Street special taxing district after the district’s board petitioned for dissolution and city staff found compliance failures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: HUDZ committee actions on Board Bills 158, 159, 150 and 153 (Jan. 23, 2025)

HUDZ committee advances amended Transform STL Act, directing $294 million settlement toward downtown, North City, housing, childcare and infrastructure

Committee advances dissolution of Cherokee special taxing district after merchants and aldermen clash over assets and compliance