Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rams Settlement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
St. Louis board passes $255 million RAM settlement package after heated debate over North Side share
Summary
The Board of Aldermen approved a $255 million package to fund tornado recovery, water and infrastructure projects, downtown revitalization and neighborhood plan implementation. Several alderwomen criticized the plan for allocating only $31 million explicitly to North St. Louis.
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted to third‑read and finally pass Board Bill 22, a $255 million plan to deploy RAM settlement funds for tornado recovery, citywide infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization.
President Megan Green and other supporters said the package balances urgent recovery needs with long‑term investments. President Green described the legislation as a step toward rebuilding neighborhoods and shoring up critical systems: "allocating these funds is a significant step toward addressing the unprecedented challenges facing our city," she told colleagues on the floor.
Mayor Cara Spencer, who joined the session to urge passage, said the package "is a critical step in realizing the potential of the RAM settlement," and emphasized urgent needs in tornado‑impacted neighborhoods and for the water system.
Opponents, led by alderwomen representing north side wards, said the bill does not guarantee sufficient resources specifically for North St. Louis. Several speakers urged larger, line‑item allocations rather than pooled funds they said can be spent elsewhere. One alderwoman argued the package "only specifically says North St. Louis gets $31 million," and said that figure fell far short of earlier proposals that targeted the north side for a majority of funds.
Supporters replied that most tornado‑recovery dollars are targeted to north side neighborhoods that were directly impacted and that the bill reflects months of community engagement; the administration and board also said the bill includes provisions to channel money to home repair, vacancy reduction, infrastructure, and resident supports in affected neighborhoods.
The final roll call recorded 12 votes in favor and 3 opposed. With passage the expenditure plans and emergency clauses were approved and city departments can begin moving funds to projects and programs cited in the ordinance. Board leaders said additional state and federal funding and private matches will be pursued to expand the work.
What’s next: the legislation authorizes the immediate use of funds in some cases and directs further implementation steps; city offices and partner agencies will outline programmatic allocations and timelines for neighborhood recovery and water infrastructure projects.
