Board of Aldermen Legislative Update: Week of 11.20.09

New Legislation

There were twelve bills introduced and read for the first time at this past week’s Board of  of Aldermen meeting.  Here is a synopsis of some of the bills:

Alderman Terry Kennedy introduced Board Bill # 241 which is an ordinance relating to job training, appropriating Three Hundred Thousand Dollars to Better Family Life.

Alderman Matt Villa introduced three  pieces of legislation Board Bills #242, 243, 244 regarding the South Carondelet District # 2 Redevelopment project.

Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin introduced Board Bill # 245 which is an ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to conditionally vacate 10 access way from St. Louis to Montgomery, 2) access way from Montgomery to Warren, 3) the east/west alley in City Block 1123 as bounded by St. Louis Ave, 13, Montgomery and 14th 4) the east/west alley in City Block 1123 as bounded by St. Louis Ave, 13th, Warren and 14th.

Alderwoman Dionne Flowers introduced Board Bill #249 which is an ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to conditionally vacate travel in the 8 foot wide walkway extending from Gast Place to the north/south alley in City Block 5636 as bounded by Hornsby, Concord Place, Grape and Gast Place.

Alderman Charles Quincy Troupe, introduced Board Bill # 251 which is an ordinance pertaining to the failure to take out a City license.

Committees

The Ways and Means Committee met on Tuesday.   The Ways and Means Committee considers all matters pertaining to the assessment of property revenues, public debt and interest; the appropriation and disbursement of public monies except those administered by the Community Development Agency or the St. Louis Development Corporation; and the economy, order and accountability in the city’s fiscal affairs.  The committee is also responsible for the workings of departments and functions of city  government dealing with financial matters.

Alderman Steve Conway as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee called a meeting to discuss the city budget.  Paul Payne, City Budget Director and Jeff Rainford, Mayor Slay’s Chief of Staff were the primary presenters.  Paul Payne presented different ways that the 20 million dollar budget short fall can be reconciled.  Jeff Rainford addressed the Mayor’s initiatives to balance the budget.

The Public Safety Committee met on Tuesday to hear testimony on a single piece of legislation.  The Public Safety Committee considers all matters pertaining to the Department of Public Safety, the Police Department, corrections, excise laws and regulations, the Fire Department, the Division of Building and Inspections, and the City Emergency Management Agency (CEMA).

Alderwoman Phyllis Young is the sponsor of Board Bill # 240 which is an ordinance pertaining to the excise laws of the City.  A hearing was held and no action was taken.

The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee met on Wednesday to listen to testimony on two pieces of legislation. This committee considers all matters pertaining to housing, urban development and zoning. Also, this committee considers all matters pertaining to the Community Development Agency, the St. Louis Development Corporation, and the appropriation, disbursement of all federal monies administered by the agencies.

Alderwoman Marlene Davis is the sponsor of Board Bills #233 and 234 regarding the Grand Center redevelopment area.

The Health and Human Services Committee met on Wednesday to hear an update regarding the homeless population. The Health and Human Services Committee considers all matters pertaining to the Department of Health and Hospitals, The Department of Welfare, and all matters pertaining to health and hospitals, human resources and the Office of Aging.

Alderman Gregory Carter as Chairman of the Health and Human services Committee called a meeting Wednesday to discuss the homeless population.  Ms. Antoinette Triplett of the Department of Human Services gave a presentation.

The Streets, Traffic and Refuse Committee met on Thursday to listen to testimony on seven pieces of legislation. This committee is responsible for consideration of all totally municipal matters pertaining to streets, alleys, sidewalks, traffic, signage, parking and refuse. Here is a brief synopsis of a few of the bills discussed:

Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett is the sponsor of Board Bill # 220 which is on an ordinance pertaining to refuse collection from non-residential premises in the 6th Ward.

Alderman Joseph Vollmer and Alderman Steve Conway are the sponsors of  Board Bill #194 which is an ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to vacate Kemper Avenue 240 west of Hereford Avenue.

President of the Board Lewis Reed is the sponsor of  Board Bill #226 which is an ordinance regarding the repainting of all existing painted lines and/or markings following the completion of all public street construction or resurfacing.

Events of Interest at the Board of Aldermen Meeting

This past week 2 bills were third read and finally passed.  One bill involved monitoring Tax Increment Financing agreements to determine if these agreements are making satisfactory progress under the proposed time schedule. The other bill involved the honorarily designating the naming of a street.  These bills, as required by ordinance, were signed by President of the Board Lewis Reed and now are waiting for the Mayor’s approval or veto.

The Board of Aldermen were honored to have as a “special guest”, Imam Muhamed Hasic, who is the Imam of the Islamic Community Center located in South St. Louis.  The Islamic Center is the location of worship for a diverse ethnic population.

The Board of Aldermen from time to time stop in their deliberations to recognize citizens or groups for their outstanding contributions to the betterment of not only the City of St. Louis, but of the entire region.  This past week the McKinley High School classes of 1958 and 1959 attended the Board meeting.  Their contributions to our community collectively and individually are immeasurable.

Following the Board of Aldermen meeting, President Reed hosted a seminar put on by Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.  These hospitals talked about the services that are available to the St. Louis community and encouraged Aldermen to educate their constituents on available programs.

Posted by The Core Editor on Nov 25 2009. Filed under Board of Aldermen Legislative Update, Feature Story. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.