Aldermen debate special swearing‑in meeting; clerk announces mixed vote on scheduling

Aldermen discussed whether to hold a special Board of Aldermen meeting to ceremonially swear in candidates elected in April. After extended discussion about county certification schedules, a motion to schedule a special meeting for Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. was moved and seconded and then voted on.

County certification timing was a focal point of the debate: the mayor reported Franklin County and St. Louis County had not yet provided certified results; the mayor said Franklin County anticipated certification on the 25th and St. Louis County anticipated the 22nd. City attorney Jones advised that no statute requires a swearing‑in at a board meeting and that newly elected officials may be sworn in by the city clerk individually once they have been certified.

Aldermen expressed differing views—some said swearing‑in should occur promptly to respect voters; others said it is customary to wait until May to allow counties to certify results. After a voice vote, the clerk announced, “With a vote of 2 to 4, the nays have it,” indicating the motion did not carry; transcript audio also contains an inconsistent administrative phrase afterward and the clerk’s tally is the authoritative record in the minutes.

Quotes: “No, there isn't, and as a matter of fact, you don't have to have a meeting. These people…could come up and sign their oath of office and be sworn in by the city clerk,” Attorney Jones said when asked about statutory requirements.

Ending: The board did not finalize a unanimous plan for an earlier swearing‑in at the April 25 date during the April 15 meeting. Attorney Jones and the clerk said newly elected officials may be sworn in individually by the clerk once county certification is received; the mayor said he will notify officials when certification arrives so they can be sworn in at City Hall.