[{"_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",6361809,"mediaKeyId","2169753-3bdd42d59c85001206cd33ce45a7a1f7","parentId",2169753,"title","Aldermen advance bill to increase fines, create grant split to tackle vacant properties","audioSeconds",1711,"startMs",607000,"endMs",2318000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169753-3bdd42d59c85001206cd33ce45a7a1f7&start=607&end=2318","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169753-3bdd42d59c85001206cd33ce45a7a1f7/thumbnail_607000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361809/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Aldermen-advance-bill-to-increase-fines-create-grant-split-to-tackle-vacant-properties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361809-4a9f2b6dc8a6865855175ac3d015be2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775427432&Signature=ZhqZ3tvGf1McC7uuEfH05-FDYuhJ0xwyjbauGjnW4z9DQ2y9VXOui5tyWd2f8oQzp3ZUbCKs7ciQJQ5VtLK2rk0h1Sr4tBWRVcCL3UO4SzG-GxTRaphcQwfyUbA82~ZGuZQ2j4Py5SSiPJuGrsc2yp-scMrvAqJ9mBX1sUPdyDgQcyUhD7mE02~6yD2gQc6x~DBNAoDSSpS5swO-pqXw3DO-PltGkx-TPo2TI33opU2UIvVRD07tU1xtKqLdcI4YJst9EuXeDRZL1fW4pwFZsbu2hqJFMh3q~JpT9ou5MLjuloMtKa7su~rqzTMb8oM1Y6xA3Pc9esd9QMWh0sd2kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Louis, MO","date","2025-01-27T19:05:02Z","article","Alderman Velasquez presented Board Bill 170 on behalf of a group of sponsors and the Public Safety Committee voted to advance the measure out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

The bill creates two new, higher penalties aimed at repeat owners of vacant or unsecured buildings and at unpermitted demolitions. Under the measure, an initial fine for unsecured or vacant non-owner-occupied properties would start at $500 with subsequent fines at $1,000; unpermitted demolitions would carry a penalty of $30,000 or one-half of the appraised value of the property, whichever is greater. The bill directs that proceeds from the new fines be added to the existing Vacant Building Initiative Fund and splits receipts: half to that fund and half to the Community Development Administration (CDA) to support grants for community groups addressing blight and vacancy. The bill as amended sets an effective date of Sept. 1, 2025 to allow time for hiring and training staff.

Why it matters: Alderman Velasquez said the bills respond to voter approval of Proposition B and to the prevalence of vacant buildings in St. Louis. She told the committee that an ad hoc review found roughly 14,000 properties with outstanding code violations representing about $21.6 million in back fines and fees and roughly $2.7 million in back taxes. \"These fines and fees have not kept up with inflation, and they clearly have not been effective,\" Alderman Velasquez said during her presentation.

Key provisions and implementation: The bill (as amended) adds the two new penalty types, routes new revenue into the vacant building fund and CDA grants, and exempts accessory structures as defined by chapter 26.08.020. Sponsors also added or clarified references to existing code sections (including chapter 25 references to secure buildings and vacant building maintenance). The committee adopted five sponsor amendments to change the effective date, narrow some wording, add code cross-references, restore certain enforcement language, and exempt accessory buildings from the new penalties. The committee included a fiscal note that funds four additional positions (two in the Building Division and two in the council office) to improve collections and enforcement; an ad hoc pilot effort last year collected about $250,000, the bill’s backers said.

Support and enforcement perspective: Commissioner Ware of the Building Division told the committee the division supports the bill and that the effective-date delay was necessary to allow hiring and systems changes. Retired Sergeant John McLaughlin, who coordinates problem-property work for the Building Division, testified that the measure “fills up our toolbox” and will help hold noncompliant owners accountable. Peter Hoffman of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and representatives of neighborhood and housing groups testified in support, with Hoffman saying the bill targets the most serious violations—unpermitted demolitions and unsecured properties—that pose public-safety and health risks.

Opposition and limits: Testimony noted practical limits to enforcement against out-of-state owners or LLCs, including the difficulty of jailing corporate owners. Sponsors acknowledged some cases will remain difficult to resolve, and the Building Division emphasized collection and administrative mechanisms in companion legislation (Board Bills 169 and 171).

Procedure and outcome: The committee adopted the sponsor amendments by voice and roll calls where requested and advanced Board Bill 170 as amended out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The final motion to advance was made and seconded on the record; the committee chair announced the measure as \"in bank\" and later reported it out with a due-pass recommendation.

What’s next: Because the bill changes enforcement and funding flows, sponsors and the Building Division said agencies will need to coordinate on collection procedures and hiring. The bill’s Sept. 1, 2025 effective date is intended to allow that work.

Ending note: Sponsors presented the measure as compliance-focused rather than punitive; the Building Division retains authority to waive fines in special circumstances, and the CDA grant component is intended to give community groups resources to respond to vacancy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety Committee - January 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Alderman Velasquez presented Board Bill 170 on behalf of a group of sponsors and the Public Safety Committee voted to advance the measure out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.","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},6361799,"Panel raises administrative fines for building-code violations, routes revenue to impacted tenants fund",746,2879000,3625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169753-3bdd42d59c85001206cd33ce45a7a1f7&start=2879&end=3625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169753-3bdd42d59c85001206cd33ce45a7a1f7/thumbnail_2879000.jpg","/articles/6361799/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Panel-raises-administrative-fines-for-building-code-violations-routes-revenue-to-impacted-tenants-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361799-d98859727b516aceb50ba1fd9eb41ac6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775427432&Signature=mg40a7PK0mn9-yy1mFtLq38kv2A24R4oursLLfqmYbAtgGuBywnKL8iPts-fFFZ8adKBA4-GD4UTNWhSuPoiC-hSjxA-gQs4MTWcqDaYHCKACXB7-juRM~M~juijORRtKCFPYoL1Z-~Or-~pdgn-y9KYN4oIXneFua5pkTo6JtVIAqpO5Xq~cMTx18ad~Ueaxb8i9Uy7f1TH1dNwGqunU9K6hjyXiVkIEQZmxlQsQtUKjVB4RFYZensDakZbxrdMpYhKFh05BbmwA7E0N5RcQuoQsF7FbSW1Wctvmquiyl4hFNwjXGxBfVj4i5wWKDxn9WbdAgnuZ44fE1Yeb2OmpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Safety Committee advanced Board Bill 169 as amended, increasing administrative fines for violations under Chapter 25 of the municipal code as part of a three-bill package addressing vacant and deteriorated properties.

Under the amended measure, administrative penalties would increase from current very low levels to $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second violation, and $500 for the third and all subsequent violations. Sponsors emphasized the increases are intended to promote compliance; the Building Division retains authority to waive fines when appropriate. Committee members also added an amendment changing the effective date to Sept. 1, 2025 to permit administrative preparation and hiring to support enforcement.

Sponsors told the committee the changes are modest but modernize fines that have not kept pace with inflation and have failed to deter repeat noncompliance. The bill directs that revenue from these administrative fines be deposited into the Impacted Tenants Fund, a city fund intended to support people affected by housing instability or displacement. The sponsor said prior ad hoc recovery efforts collected roughly $250,000 in a pilot year and that targeted staffing could expand collections from the estimated $21.6 million in outstanding fines and fees identified during committee testimony.

Public and committee comments: Legal Services’ Peter Hoffman testified in support, saying the modest fine increases and improved collection tools together represent a \"paradigm shift\" needed to address persistent nuisance properties. Committee members from multiple wards praised the measure as a compliance-focused step that complements Bills 170 and 171.

Outcome: The committee adopted the sponsor amendment changing the effective date and advanced Board Bill 169 as amended out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

Next steps: Departments will coordinate implementation details before the Sept. 1, 2025 effective date, including staffing and procedures to ensure fines are properly assessed, collected, and directed to the Impacted Tenants Fund.","Board Bill 169 raises administrative fines for most violations under chapter 25, increasing the first violation to $100, the second to $250 and third-plus to $500, and directs collected revenue to the Impacted Tenants Fund. Committee set the effective date to Sept. 1, 2025 and advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation.",{"_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},6361804,"Committee advances bill to let city certify abatement costs, convert them to liens or special tax bills",499,2337000,2836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169753-3bdd42d59c85001206cd33ce45a7a1f7&start=2337&end=2836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169753-3bdd42d59c85001206cd33ce45a7a1f7/thumbnail_2337000.jpg","/articles/6361804/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Committee-advances-bill-to-let-city-certify-abatement-costs-convert-them-to-liens-or-special-tax-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361804-6131b78168d16c83d56d09b21e95815f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775427432&Signature=GUm~sKyWvlS8jDt9RfIEmAGhr3iZZ1jDNRxicB1ExYqM0QzM9JwuMQhQ44EGrBOmoNuKbnDr~SSlYec6gIZvC1Ron3JTP54fqMCOOBpuYmesxKquKy228RMIm5JSYhS80AEDeoR3XzWi4AVisw-9o52RTk0ioMxXgvEvxZ4jlYTcmcxlIUvP4xm1Pha1hzZCJFy6a8krqf-F9HRw3Cfw05IGmbP5SVgONhMG~HQFJS85T87J8c6LHwnEDNVIFfZorJigOZzX5-NSoxCOG2vPQ8ZLrNUlo5E5Jk9y2lQGE3ZCkSNZ3P3206TWevmV5kLA79~7PEVva16LBaelY6-rQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Safety Committee advanced Board Bill 171 as amended, a companion measure designed to improve the city’s ability to collect unpaid fines and costs tied to abating nuisance or vacant properties.

The bill clarifies that the cost of demolition, repair, board-up, security measures, cleanup and related police security (if provided) may be certified by the Building Commissioner and, if unpaid, converted into collection mechanisms such as liens or special tax bills added to real estate tax statements. Sponsors and the Building Division described the change as a critical improvement in collection tools that will complement the new fines and penalties in Board Bills 169 and 170.

Committee action and amendments: Committee members adopted an amendment to set the bill’s effective date to Sept. 1, 2025, and a separate amendment clarified the list of certifiable costs (repair, board-up, security measures, cleanup, and police security during those operations). A roll call on one amendment recorded five aye votes when the previous-roll procedure was invoked; the committee subsequently advanced the bill out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

Why it matters: Commissioner Ware told the committee the change will provide multiple approaches to collection: the cost can be added to the annual real-estate tax bill or pushed through the comptroller’s special tax bill process. \"What I like about the alderwoman's bill is, the cost can be either added to the annual real estate bill and or if they want to, sent to the office of the comptroller to be pushed into the special tax bill,\" Ware said. The measure is intended to give the city alternatives to repeated reinspection and municipal-court processes that staff and advocates say often do not recover delinquent fees.

Supporting testimony: Retired Sergeant John McLaughlin, who coordinates problem-property work with the Building Division, said the bill \"fills up our toolbox\" and will help hold problem property owners accountable. Public witnesses including Peter Hoffman (Legal Services) and community housing advocates testified in support, saying better collection and enforcement tools are needed to address absentee owners and persistent nuisance properties.

Outcome: The committee adopted the sponsor amendments and passed Board Bill 171 as amended out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. One amendment vote was recorded with five aye votes on the record; other actions were advanced via previous-roll/no-objection procedures where recorded.

Next steps: Sponsors said departments will need to coordinate with the comptroller and the Building Division to implement collection changes and to establish appropriate operational procedures before the Sept. 1, 2025 effective date.","Board Bill 171, intended to strengthen collection of unpaid fines and city-borne abatement costs, was advanced out of committee. The measure clarifies certified costs for demolition, repair, board-up, cleanup and police security and enables conversion of those costs into special tax bills or liens to aid collection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aldermen advance bill to increase fines, create grant split to tackle vacant properties

Panel raises administrative fines for building-code violations, routes revenue to impacted tenants fund

Committee advances bill to let city certify abatement costs, convert them to liens or special tax bills