Legislation & Rules Committee

Agenda Legislation & Rules Committee Meeting St. Louis Board of Aldermen Tuesday, February 24, 2026 - 2:30 PM Kennedy Room President Megan Green Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez, Chair Alderman Matt Devoti, Vice Chair Committee Members: Alderman Shane Cohn Alderman Bret Narayan Alderwoman Laura Keys Alderman Alisha Sonnier Order of Business I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Approval of Minutes Approval of the minutes from Tuesday, February 10, 2026 IV. Board Bills for Review (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following) Board Bill Number 171 Introduced by Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, President Megan E Green An Ordinance amending Section 2 of Ordinance 47423 approved March 2, 1955, relating to requisitions for supplies not under contract, for the purpose of updating departmental minor purchase order thresholds and procurement procedures; and containing a severability clause and an emergency clause. V. Resolutions for Review (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following) Resolution Number 245 Introduced by Alderman Thomas Oldenburg BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN that the Board Aldermen hereby amends its rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by the addition of a new rule which shall be and read as follows: “The passage of Board Bills for the appropriation of Rams Settlement Funds shall require the Page 1 of 18  affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members of the Board of Aldermen.” VI. Committee Discussions None VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony VIII. Announcements IX. Excused Members X. Adjournment Page 2 of 18  Minutes Legislation & Rules Regular Committee Tuesday, February 10, 2026 2:00 PM Kennedy Room Minutes are preliminary and may change until finally approved I. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:04pm. II. Roll Call The Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll and the following members answered with their names: Ms. Keys, Ms. Sonnier, Mr. Devoti and Chair Velazquez. 4 members were present. A quorum was established. Mr. Cohn joined the meeting after it began, bringing the total roll count to 5 members present. III. Approval of Minutes Approval of the minutes from Tuesday, September 30, 2025, committee meeting. The Chair entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, September 30, 2025, committee meeting. Mr. Devoti moved to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, September 30, 2025, committee meeting. Seconded by Ms. Keys. The Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll on the motion to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, September 30, 2025, committee meeting. The Associate Clerk called the roll. The following voted Aye: Ms. Keys, Ms. Sonnier, Mr. Devoti and Chair Page 3 of 18  Velazquez. 4 Aye votes were cast. The following voted No: None The following abstained: None The following were present but did not vote: None A total of 4 votes were cast. The motion carried. IV. Board Bills for Review (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following) Board Bill Number 54 Introduced by Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez An ordinance submitting to the qualified voters of the City a proposed amendment to the Charter of the City of St. Louis repealing Section 5 of Article IV of the Charter in order to have the same non-partisan, top-two runoff system in special elections for Aldermen that is used in regular city elections; providing for an election to be held for voting on the proposed amendment and for the manner of voting; and for the publication, certification, deposit, and recording of this ordinance and containing an emergency clause. The Chair turned the meeting over to Vice Chair Devoti so she could introduce Board Bill Number 54 before the committee. Ms. Velazquez presented a PowerPoint Presentation before the committee. After no further discussion, the Vice-Chair recognized Ben Borgmeyer, Democratic Director for the Board of Elections. Mr. Borgmeyer spoke about how vacancy elections are conducted. After no further discussion, the Vice-Chair opened the discussion up to members of the committee for questions and comments. Page 4 of 18 Members of the committee asked questions and made comments. Hearing no further questions and comments from members of the committee, the Vice-Chair opened the discussion up to members of the public for public testimony. In Opposition to Board Bill Number 54 1. Sean Fauss, 1st ward 2. Amber Cole, 11th ward 3. Wiley Price, 10th ward After no further questions or comments from members of the committee, the Vice-Chair entertained a motion to pass Board Bill Number 54 out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. The Vice-Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll on the motion to pass Board Bill Number 54 out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. Ms. Sonnier moved to pass Board Bill Number 54 out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. Seconded by Mr. Cohn. The Vice-Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll on the motion to pass Board Bill Number 54 out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. The Associate Clerk called the roll. The following voted Aye: Mr. Cohn, Ms. Sonnier, Mr. Devoti and Chair Velazquez. 4 Aye votes were cast. The following voted No: Ms. Keys One The following abstained: None The following were present but did not vote: Page 5 of 18 None A total of 4 votes were cast. The motion carried. After no further discussion, the Vice-Chair turned the meeting back over to Chair Velazquez to resume chairing the meeting. Board Bill Number 137 Introduced by Alderman Matt Devoti An ordinance submitting to the qualified voters of the City of St. Louis the question of whether to amend the City of St. Louis Charter to modernize language describing City departments, divisions, and other organization, to provide for modern methods of advertisement and publication, to delete obsolete references to Missouri statute, to delete obsolete references to City departments, divisions, or other organization, to revise references to pay scale, to replace pronouns with specific title references, and to standardize capitalization of titles and uniform formatting of numbers; providing for an election to be held for voting on the proposed amendment, for the manner of voting, and the publication, certification, deposit, and recording of this ordinance; and containing an emergency clause. The Chair recognized Mr. Devoti for introducing Board Bill Number 137 before the committee. Mr. Devoti discussed Board Bill Number 137. After no further discussion, the Chair opened the discussion up to members of the committee for questions and comments. Members of the committee asked questions and made comments. After no further questions and comments from members of the committee, Ms. Sonnier asked for Board Bill Number 137 to be enbanc. The Chair entertained a motion to enbanc Board Bill Number 137 out of committee. Ms. Sonnier moved to enbanc Board Bill Number 137 out of committee. Page 6 of 18 Seconded by Ms. Keys. The Vice-Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll on the motion to enbanc Board Bill Number 137 out of committee. The Associate Clerk called the roll. The following voted Aye: Mr. Cohn, Ms. Keys, Ms. Sonnier, Mr. Devoti and Chair Velazquez. 5 Aye votes were cast. The following voted No: None The following abstained: None The following were present but did not vote: None A total of 5 votes were cast. The motion carried. After no further discussion, the Chair entertained a motion to pass Board Bill Number 137 out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. Ms. Velazquez moved to pass Board Bill Number 137 out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. Seconded by Ms. Keys Ms. Velazquez requested the previous roll. Hearing no objection to the previous roll, the Chair stated that Board Bill Number 137 passed out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. The Associate Clerk recorded the votes from the previous roll. The following voted Aye: Mr. Cohn, Ms. Keys, Ms. Sonnier, Mr. Devoti and Chair Velazquez. 5 Aye votes were cast. The following voted No: Page 7 of 18  None The following voted Present: None The following Abstained: None A total of 5 votes were cast. The motion carried. V. Resolutions for Review None VI. Committee Discussions None VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony None VIII. Announcements None IX. Excused Members The entertained a motion to excuse Mr. Narayan for necessary absence. Mr. Devoti moved to excuse Mr. Narayan for necessary absence. Seconded by Ms. Keys. Ms. Velazquez requested the previous roll. Hearing no objection to the previous roll, the Chair stated that Mr. Narayan was excused for necessary absence. The Associate Clerk recorded the votes from the previous roll. The following voted Aye: Mr. Cohn, Ms. Keys, Ms. Sonnier, Mr. Devoti and Chair Velazquez. 5 Aye votes were cast. The following voted No: Page 8 of 18  None The following voted Present: None The following Abstained: None A total of 5 votes were cast. The motion carried. X. Adjournment Having no other business to discuss, the Chair entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Keys moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Sonnier. Ms. Sonnier requested the previous roll. Hearing no objection to the previous roll the Chair stated that the meeting was adjourned. The Associate Clerk recorded the votes from the previous roll. The Associate Clerk recorded the votes from the previous roll. The following voted Aye: Mr. Cohn, Ms. Keys, Ms. Sonnier, Mr. Devoti and Chair Velazquez. 5 Aye votes were cast. The following voted No: None The following voted Present: None The following Abstained: None A total of 5 votes were cast. The motion carried. Page 9 of 18  The meeting adjourned at 2.46pm. [MIN_SIGNATURES] Page 10 of 18 Summary Board Bill Number 171 Introduced by Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier February 13, 2026 An Ordinance amending Section 2 of Ordinance 47423 approved March 2, 1955, relating to requisitions for supplies not under contract, for the purpose of updating departmental minor purchase order thresholds and procurement procedures; and containing a severability clause and an emergency clause. Page 11 of 18  BOARD BILL NUMBER 171 INTRODUCED BY ALDERWOMAN ALISHA SONNIER COSPONSOR: PRESIDENT MEGAN GREEN 1 An Ordinance amending Section 2 of Ordinance 47423 approved March 2, 1955, relating to 2 requisitions for supplies not under contract, for the purpose of updating departmental minor 3 purchase order thresholds and procurement procedures; and containing a severability clause and 4 an emergency clause. 5 WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of St. Louis establishes the governing framework for 6 the procurement of goods, supplies, and materials by City departments; and 7 WHEREAS, on April 8, 2003, the voters of the City of St. Louis approved a Charter 8 amendment authorizing purchases up to five thousand dollars without formal advertising, thereby 9 updating procurement thresholds to reflect evolving purchasing practices; and 10 WHEREAS, Section 5.58.110 of the Revised Code of the City of St. Louis, originally 11 enacted pursuant to Ordinance 47423 approved March 2, 1955, has not yet been updated to 12 increase procurement thresholds as approved by voters in the 2003 Charter amendment; and 13 WHEREAS, Ordinance 59582 submitted to the qualified voters of the City of St. Louis a 14 proposed Charter amendment that would have increased the advertising bid threshold to seven 15 thousand dollars ($7,000), and such Charter proposition was presented at a municipal election and 16 was not approved by the voters and therefore did not take effect. 17 WHEREAS, the City has operated under procurement practices informed by both the 18 Charter and the Revised Code, and clarification of the applicable thresholds and procedures will 19 promote uniform administration and transparency; and 20 WHEREAS, amending Section of Ordinance 47423 to expressly reflect Charter- 21 authorized thresholds and procedures will provide clear guidance to City departments, the Supply Page 1 of 4 Board Bill Number 171 Sonnier February 13, 2026 Page 12 of 18  1 Division, and the Comptroller, and will ensure consistency across City procurement provisions; 2 and 3 WHEREAS, this Ordinance is intended to affirm, clarify, and implement existing Charter 4 authority by updating the Revised Code to reflect current procurement thresholds and procedures. 5 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS AS FOLLOWS: 6 SECTION ONE. Section 2 of Ordinance 47423 is hereby amended as follows: 7 5.58.110 - Requisition for supplies not contracted. 8 A. Whenever any institution or department of the City, through the officer in 9 charge thereof, shall make a requisition on the Supply Commissioner for any 10 articles for which there shall be no contract as provided for in Section 5.58.090 11 and when the amount to be purchased shall exceed the sum of five hundred 12 dollars ($500) five thousand dollars ($5,000) for any one article, and when the 13 delivery of same is not to be continuous, the Supply Commissioner shall 14 advertise for proposals for the furnishing of such articles, and the award on 15 such proposals shall be approved by the Comptroller, the same as is provided 16 for in Section 5.58.150; provided that when any article shall be purchased by 17 the Commissioner as provided for above, and the delivery of the same is to be 18 completed after thirty days, the Commissioner shall enter into contract for 19 same as is provided for in Section 5.58.160. 20 B. Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary, City 21 departments may submit to the Supply Division a requisition for the 22 procurement of goods, supplies, equipment, or other tangible items when the Page 2 of 4 Board Bill Number 171 Sonnier February 13, 2026 Page 13 of 18  1 total cost of such procurement does not exceed two thousand five hundred 2 dollars ($2,500) per transaction. Requisitions at or below this amount shall not 3 require sealed bids or advertising. 4 C. Requisitions submitted to the Supply Division in an amount greater than two 5 thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) but not exceeding five thousand dollars 6 ($5,000) shall require sealed bids but shall not require advertising. 7 D. All requisitions submitted pursuant to this section shall be subject to approval 8 by the Supply Division and shall be made only when such procurement is 9 within an appropriated budget and for a lawful public purpose. All dollar 10 thresholds set forth herein shall include applicable taxes, freight, handling, 11 and set up costs. 12 E. The Board of Standardization is authorized to issue administrative rules 13 prescribing procedures governing such requisitions, provided that such rules 14 shall not reduce or eliminate the authority granted by this section. 15 SECTION TWO. Severability Clause. The sections of this Ordinance shall be severable. In the 16 event that any section of this Ordinance is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, 17 the remaining sections of this Ordinance are valid, unless the court finds the valid sections of the 18 Ordinance are so essential and inseparably connected with and dependent upon the void section 19 that it cannot be presumed that this Board would have enacted the valid sections without the void 20 ones, or unless the court finds that the valid sections standing alone are incomplete and are 21 incapable of being executed in accordance with the legislative intent. Page 3 of 4 Board Bill Number 171 Sonnier February 13, 2026 Page 14 of 18 1 SECTION THREE. Emergency Clause. This being an ordinance for the preservation of public 2 peace, health, and safety, it is hereby declared to be an emergency measure within the meaning of 3 Sections 19 and 20 of Article IV of the Charter, and, therefore, this Ordinance shall become 4 effective immediately upon its passage and approval of the Mayor of the City. Page 4 of 4 Board Bill Number 171 Sonnier February 13, 2026 Page 15 of 18 Page 16 of 18 Page 17 of 18  RESOLUTION NUMBER 245 AMENDING THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN RULES BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN that the Board Aldermen hereby amends its rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by the addition of a new rule which shall be and read as follows: “The passage of Board Bills for the appropriation of Rams Settlement Funds shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members of the Board of Aldermen.” Introduced this 13th day of February 2026 The Honorable Thomas Oldenburg, Alderman 2nd Ward Adopted this 13th day of February, 2026 as attested by: _________________________ ____________________________ Sharita Rogers Megan Green Acting Clerk, Board of Aldermen President, Board of Aldermen Page 18 of 18