STL City Budget Hearing Fail, Public Denied Opportunity to Speak

Old black and white photo of St. Louis City Hall

The Budget Committee of the Board of Alders (BOA) had a public hearing today, June 5th, 2024, on the 2025 Budget for the City of St. Louis. The hearing, per its City Calendar Notice, was to include public testimony both in person at City Hall and by Zoom. At least two Alders participated by Zoom.

6th Ward resident and local government transparency advocate Gerry Connolly planned to testify by Zoom. He confirmed his participation with BOA staff. He wrote his notes. He logged on to the hearing.

The hearing began with Mayor Tishaura Jones presenting on her office’s budget. Then it was time for public testimony. But Budget Chair Cara Spencer announced a recess. People who had taken time off from work to make their voice heard were told they would have to wait 39 minutes.

When the Budget Committee reconvened, Alders heard in person public testimony. Then it was time for testimony by Zoom. It was Gerry’s turn. I’m not sure how many others had planned to testify via Zoom.

But Gerry was not allowed to speak. No Zoom testimony was taken. No explanation was given. It was yet another Sunshine Fail, Transparency Fail at City Hall.

Gerry was told he could submit comments by email. He was angry, and rightfully so, but he hurridly transformed his notes for three minutes of testimony into written, expanded comments.

Since Gerry’s testimony is not available as a part of the online public record, and while the Budget Committee Chair may not be interested in what he has to say, others may be interested. I asked him if I could publish his testimony on my blog and he agreed. I have made a few edits for formatting purposes and add links.

Below is Gerry’s testimony on 2025 Budget for City of St. Louis which he submitted by email.

———-

Gerry Connolly.
6th Ward resident
38xx Botanical Ave
St. Louis, MO 63110

June 5, 2024

Honorable members of the Budget and Public Employees Committee,

I had planned to provide this testimony via Zoom at today’s Budget Committee meeting. However, due to the fact the committee failed to take any public testimony today via Zoom, I am submitting my comments in writing.

Public Testimony in opposition to Board Bill 1

I am testifying against Board Bill 1. The City should allocate financial resources from within the budget as recommended by the Board of E and A necessary to implement the policy recommendations described in items 1 through 7 below.

1) Fix the City’s “Sunshine portal, The Public Records Center, which hasn’t been consistently functional for 6 months. Make the responsive records of all city government bodies available in the Public Records Archive. The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) currently do not make records available to the general public in the Public Records Archive. Only requesters may view responsive records via their portal user accounts.There may be additional City entities that do not make records available to the general public.
2) Open government and transparency must be consistent across city government. The Board of Aldermen (BOA) must update the decade old transparency ordinance:
1. Post meeting recordings to Youtube for government entities currently missing. These include the Airport Commission, Affordable Housing Commission, Mental Health Board and Senior Fund.
2. Standardization of meeting notices, both physical and online. The official agenda (not just the text) must include the resolutions to be voted upon. The meeting packet must include the draft minutes of prior meetings, if applicable. All other documents utilized during a meeting should be posted online. The BOA’s posting of many budget presentations on the BB 1 webpage should serve as a model for all departments.
3. The following city bodies do not operate consistently in a transparent manner: Board of Estimate and Apportionment (E and A); Charter Commission, Reparations Commission and Detention Facilities Oversight Board. The persistent violation of Missouri Sunshine Law by the Board of E and A is cause for alarm. The Board of Aldermen’s silence on the Sunshine violations by the Board of E and A has been noted.
3) Continue to reform of how development incentives are awarded. Ordinance 71620 was a step forward in the system for awarding tax breaks to development projects. However Ordinance 71620 (BB 64 in the 2022-23 BOA session) had major flaws that subsequent legislation has only addressed in part (See BB 98 and BB 236 in the 2023-24 BOA session). More changes to the ordinance are needed. All provisions in Ordinance 71620 must be enforced by the BOA. SLDC did not follow the mandated procedures for the 15 projects, with development costs over $10 Million, that were approved in the 2023-24 BOA session. The non-compliance included a failure to consult St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) and affected tax districts. Every effort must be made to shield SLPS from the impact of tax breaks.
4) All development incentives must be authorized by an ordinance approved by the BOA. Incentives that presently do not require approval by ordinance include, but are not limited to:

1. Bond issuances authorized by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA), Planned Industrial Expansion Authority (PIEA), Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and Port Authority.

2. Certain tax abatements authorized by the Port Authority Commission (PA) and Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board (EEZB).

3. New Markets Tax Credit (NTMC) program, currently authorized by the SLDC board of directors.
5) The Land Reutilization Authority’s lot sales policy must be modified. In 2023, the Land Reutilization Authority adopted new sales policies for LRA-owned property, per the recommendation of SLDC staff. In the category of sale of lots for the purpose of building one home, a lot whose area is less than 4,000 sq. ft. is ineligible for sale under the new policy. LRA eliminated the opportunity to provide housing, strengthen the fabric of a neighborhood and grow the city’s tax base.

The LRA sales policy must be modified in order to restore the ability of homebuilders to purchase lots under 4,000 sq. ft. and construct much-needed housing.

The Jones administration, SLDC and the Community Development Agency (CDA) frequently cite the Economic Justice Action Plan (EJAP) as a guide for City policy and program spending. SLDC included citations from the Economic Justice Action Plan (EJAP) in the LRA board resolution adopting the new sales policies.

It is noteworthy that the EJAP planning process, conducted by consultants to SLDC, did not include the participation of the general public or Board of Aldermen. Only narrowly focussed public outreach was performed.

I have not heard an explanation of the rationale behind the new sales policy in any setting- SLDC website, development board meetings or at BOA committee meetings. The BOA should investigate this matter.
6) All fee revenues from SLDC’s Sales Tax Exemption Fund should be transferred to the City’s General Fund and included in the annual appropriation to the Affordable Housing Commission
7) Eight reforms for the BOA to enact for Local Taxing Districts (LTDs). It is possible that changes to Missouri law will be necessary in order to accomplish some of the recommendations.

1. The budgets of the 100 plus LTDs in the City likely exceed $50 Million with taxes and/or special assessments imposed on the public. The vast majority of LTDs operate routinely in violation of Missouri Sunshine law. Enact all recommendations of the 2019 Missouri Auditor’s report on LTDs. Read the audit report here (See pages 9 – 18 for recommendations)

2. Place all policing duties funded by LTDs under the command of SLMPD.

3. Extend community oversight of surveillance technology to all LTDs.

4. A representative of the following must be appointed to the board of all single site LTDs: Mayor, Board of Aldermen and Comptroller.

5. Prohibit developers from controlling single site districts.

6. Document all City of St. Louis resources allocated to the LTDs. Such resources include:

(i) City funds expended on projects of the LTDs.
(ii) City staff attending LTD meetings.
(iii) Work performed by City staff to support the activities of LTDs. (Examples of City staff: SLMPD personnel when working for the City; Neighborhood Improvement Specialists).

7. Establish robust Conflicts of Interest regulations for people serving on the boards and committees of LTDs.

8. Establish a limit on the number of LTD boards on which one person can serve. (Some individuals serve at least five LTD boards).

I would be happy to discuss the above recommendations by phone, in-person or at a committee meeting. My contact information is below.

Thank you for your consideration.

Gerry Connolly

cc Honorable members of the Board of Aldermen
President Megan Green
Clerk Terry Kennedy
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones
Comptroller Darlene Green
Budget Director Paul Payne

Post-Election New 2nd Ward Profile Update

2nd Ward Alder Tom Oldenburg, City of St. Louis

This blog’s Profile page for St. Louis City’s New 2nd Ward has been updated with General Election results (all candidates and ballot issues) and post-election campaign finance reports filed with Missouri Ethics Commission.

You’ll notice that the winning Alder candidate is now listed under Public Officials Residing In New 2nd Ward and defeated candidate information has been moved toward bottom of the page. Eventually, the General and Primary Election info will move above those.

Also have added link to Neighborhoods in the new ward.

Winner of the April 4th Alder election in New 2nd Ward is U.S. Bank community development banker Tom Oldenburg, former 16th Ward Alder. Oldenburg came in first during the three candidate Primary and in the General Election earned 2,205 votes (59.76%).

Oldenburg filed one report in April. He raised another $10,565.26 including $4,400 from Labor Unions and $1,000 from Commerce Bank, $1,000 from attorney Jerry Schlichter, $500 each from Associated General Contractors and Missouri Restaurant Association, and $250 each from St. Louis Police Leadership Organization (sergeants and above) and former Mayor Lyda Krewson. He spent another $31,130 including $21,124.66 to Kelley Group/Show Me Victories. He has $18,857 on hand and $0 debt.

In addition to the contribution from the Police Leadership group, Oldenburg accepted $1,000 from St. Louis Police Officers Association in January.

Oldenburg’s General Election opponent, former police officer Phill Menendez, received no contributions from police groups. He earned 1,439 votes (39.00%) in the General Election. His April MEC report shows another $1,012.55 raised and $1,456.95 spent, including $185.50 raised from a raffle at The Christy that he paid $434.71 for catering. He has $2,605.39 on hand and $0 debt.

Katie Bellis, the third candidate for 2nd Ward Alder, the candidate who did not make it to the General Election, terminated her campaign committee this month. She spent $11,237.24, including $4,000 owed Dani Revord, $1,250 for campaign management by Morgan Lowe, and $1,287.50 to We Are Novella for graphic design.

82nd District State Rep. Donna Baringer, a resident of St. Louis Hills Neighborhood of New 2nd Ward and former 16th Ward Alder, filed an April Report showing $160 raised; $2,229 spent; $62,494.94 on hand; $0 debt. Baringer is term limited and cannot run in 2024. What to do with that campaign war chest?

Baringer’s next run would probably be citywide in 2024 for a county office, not a return to Board of Alders. It makes little sense financially now for Oldenburg to swap the new $72,000 municipal legislative salary for a $35,915 state legislative salary.

New 2nd Ward Regular Democratic Organization filed a hot mess for an April Report. They deleted their beginning balance, the previous $1,589.07 on hand, for new cycle. Just made it disappear. They raised $772 plus reported $636.94 In-Kind from Alder Oldenburg’s campaign committee. Then, under Miscellaneous Receipts, they reported the $1,117.07 transferred from old 16th Ward Democratic Organization and already reported by them in January.

Old 14th Ward Democratic Organization filed a Limited Activity Report for April.

The Republicans have no new ward organization in New 2nd Ward nor old ward organizations in Old 14th or 16th Wards.

Old 14th Ward Committeeman Matt Bell and Old 16th Ward Democratic Committeeman Steve Lenivy (also treasurer for St. Louis Democratic City Central Committee) both filed Limited Activity Reports. Both live in the Southampton Neighborhood in New 5th Ward.

Post-Election New 1st Ward Profile Update

1st Ward Alder Anne Schweitzer, City of St. Louis

This blog’s Profile page for St. Louis City’s New 1st Ward has been updated with General Election results (all candidates and ballot issues) and late, amended, and post-election campaign finance reports filed with Missouri Ethics Commission.

You’ll notice that the winning Alder candidate is now listed under Public Officials Residing In New 1st Ward and defeated candidate information has been moved toward bottom of the page. Eventually, the General and Primary Election info will move above those.

Also have added link to Neighborhoods in the new ward.

Winner of the April 4th Alder election in New 1st Ward is Anne Schweitzer, former 13th Ward Alder. Alder Schweitzer came in first during the three candidate Primary and earned 1,614 votes (52.02%) in the General Election.

Schweitzer filed three reports and one amended report in April. She raised $5,915 including $3,450 from Labor Unions and $500 from Pro Choice Missouri. She spent $12,437, most of it to Bouchard Gold Communications, Austin, Texas. She has $14,101.61 on hand and no debt.

Schweitzer’s General Election opponent, Deputy Sheriff Tony Kirchner, received 1,472 votes (47.4%). He filed an April Quarterly Report showing $5,200 raised, including $2,600 from Schnuck Markets’ Todd Schnuck and $2,600 from Lawyers of TIF Husch Blackwell. He spent $12,152.86 including $3,000 to G3 Strategies, run by Greg Christian, Public Information Officer at the City Sheriff’s Department and former 15th Ward Democratic Committeeman. He has $10,912.53 on hand and $2,000 debt. Look for him to file for office again.

Matthew E. Kotraba, the third candidate for 1st Ward Alder, the candidate who did not make it to the General Election, terminated his campaign committee and returned $835.94 to donors.

City Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly, a resident of New 1st Ward and Boulevard Heights Neighborhood, is sitting on a war chest of $446,845.03. His April Report shows his campaign account earned $718.38 for the quarter. Daly spent $6,605.63 , $3,065.26 on food and beverages, often identified on the report as “entertainment,” including $1,096.83 at Bartolino’s South, $879.43 at four restaurants in Florida, $294.56 at Sam’s Club, and his committee made a $250 donation to the Prop C Charter Commission campaign.

81st District State Rep. Steve Butz, a resident of the Holly Hills Neighborhood of New 1st Ward, filed a, April Report showing no new contributions and $66,332.22 on hand, $32,500 debt. There was a rumor on Spoutible that Butz wanted to run against Mayor Tishaura Jones.

New 1st Ward still has no Democratic or Republican ward organizations (political action committee) filed with Missouri Ethics Commission.

Old 12th Ward Regular Democratic Organization filed a Limited Activity Report for April. This is Collector Daly’s ward PAC. In January, it had $833.47 on hand.

Old 13th Ward Regular Democratic Club, this is Old 13th Ward Democratic Committeeman Fred Wessels ward PAC, reported a $100 contribution from AFT Local 420 and $4,109.37 on hand.

The only Democratic committeeperson residing in New 1st Ward with a campaign committee filed with MEC, besides Collector Daly (12th Ward Committeeman), is Old 13th Ward Committeeman Fred Wessels, Holly Hills Neighborhood. Wessels is a former State Rep, former 13th Ward Alder, and former candidate for City Treasurer (the year Tishaura Jones, now Mayor, ran and won the Treasurer’s race). He reported no money raised or spent but has $1,477.45 on hand and no debt.

Former 13th Ward Alder Bill Stephens did not file an April Report. His campaign committee account at MEC says that he is running for State Rep 81st District in 2024 Democratic Primary.

Philomena Arnowitz, widow of the late Larry Arnowitz, former 13th Ward Alder, filed a lot of campaign reports- all Limited Activity- to get the account into compliance. The last report that wasn’t Limited Activity was July 2020 with $0 raised, $0 spent, $21,745.06 on hand, $0 debt.

Ward Profiles Updated

As St. Louis City election returns come in, you can check your ward to see who legally bought access to the Board President and your new Alder here.

Campaign finance laws are completely useless under a system that allows legal money laundering, and makes conflict of interest laws a moot point, and a culture of ignoring the ethical lapses of leaders in order to feel like part of a winning team.

Ward Profiles Now Have Election Results

All New Ward Profiles have been updated with both Primary Election Results and campaign finance information for Board President and Alder candidates. There’s info toward the top of each page as well as each candidate’s profile.

I chose to not use percentage of votes because Tuesday the Election Board changed percentages to the Approval Rating percentages. Those do not add up to 100% because voters may “approve” of more than one candidate in the Primary. It’s too big a hassle to explain what it all means.

Under the City’s Approval Voting system, the top two candidates from the Primary advance to the General Election.

Under a 50% +1 to avoid run off system, 5 of 14 Alder races would not need a General Election. Shane Cohn would be the winner in 3rd Ward; Joe Vollmer in 5th Ward; Daniela Velázquez in 6th Ward; Shameem Clark-Hubbard in 10th Ward; and Laura Keys in 11th Ward.

Campaign Finance Info Added to Ward Profiles

St. Louis City New Ward Profiles have been updated with 8 Days Before Primary Reports, Amended Reports, and 24 Hour Later Expenditure Reports for Board President, Alders and Alder candidates, School Board Members and School Board candidates, Candidate PACs, Ward PACs, Political Party Committeepeople, other elected officials, former elected officials who still have accounts.

Next up, I will add Primary Election Results.

New campaign finance information will be added as it comes in and I have time or inclination to do so. No one really cares about campaign money unless it is damaging to an opponent, which really blows.

Future campaign finance reports due/may be due:

8 Day Before General Election Report. Close: 3/23/2023. Due: 3/27/2023. Required if Committee made Expenditures (paid or incurred) or made Contributions for the election. Noon Friday, Missouri Ethics Commission will conduct a webinar on how to complete this report.

30 Day After Primary Election Report. Close: 4/1/2023. Due: Due: 4/6/2023. Required if Committee made Expenditures (paid or incurred) or made Contributions for the election. If debt exceeds $1,000, Committee may not file Limited Activity for this report.

Mandatory April Quarterly Report. Close: 3/31/2023. Due: 4/17/2023.

30 Day After Election Report. Close: 4/29/2023. Due: 5/4/2023. Required if Committee made Expenditures (paid or incurred) or made Contributions for the election. If this report is required, it must be filed prior to taking office. If debt exceeds $1,000, Committee may not file Limited Activity for this report.

Additional Campaign Finance Reporting

48 Hour Report of Contribution over $5,000: Due within 48 Hours after receipt.
24 Hour Notice of Late Contribution Over $250 Received Less Than 12 Days Before Election: Due within 24 Hours after receipt.
24 Hour Late Expenditure Report by Continuing Committees (PACs including ward committees): Due within 24 Hours after paid or incurred.

Aldergeddon Campaign Finance Info

The New Ward Profiles include up-to-date campaign finance information for most St. Louis City Alder candidates and ward organizations/political action committees.

Most instead of all because the reports are constantly changing with amended reports and late contribution or late expenditure filings with Missouri Ethics Commission. It’s very hard to keep up with.

There really ought to be a law against raising and spending money the last week of election. Get it done before then. Make that public at least five days before elections. Make it apply to candidates, political action committees, political parties.

Heartbreaking for me, personally, all the candidates taking money from the captains of industry and recipients of corporate welfare known as Civic Progress and Great White Fathers via 21st Century St. Louis PAC. Each accepted $2,600.

New 2nd Ward: 16th Ward Tom Oldenburg

New 3rd Ward: 25th Ward Alder Shane Cohn

New 5th Ward: 10th Ward Alder Joe Vollmer

New 6th Ward: Daniela Velazquez

New 8th Ward: 20th Ward Alder Cara Spencer

New 9th Ward: 28th Ward Alder Michael Gras and Michael Browning

New 11th Ward: 21st Ward Alder Laura Keys

New 13th Ward: 27th Ward Alder Pam Boyd

New 14th Ward: 5th Ward Alder James Page and State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge

Also: Mayor Tishaura Jones, Comptroller Darlene Green, Board President Megan Green

New 8th Ward Alder Candidate Forum Tonight

6 pm Tonight/Thursday New 8th Ward Alder Candidate Forum at Epiphany UCC Church, 2911 McNair, Benton Park.

Moderated by St. Louis League of Women Voters.

Unfortunately, it will only be streamed on Book of Faces

Submit questions in advance.

New 8th Ward stretches down the City’s Mississippi Riverfront from Near North to Bellerive Park in Carondelet. It includes parts of current 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 20th, and 25th Wards and is the result of Census Redistricting and Ward Reduction.

Candidates for New 8th Ward Alder include:

Shedrick “Nato Caliph” Kelley lives in McKinley Heights and is a financial analyst at Wells Fargo and hip hop artist/emcee. In 2021, Kelley came within 134 votes (5.5%) of beating incumbent Old 7th Ward Alder Jack Coatar, who is sitting out this election.

Coatar lives in Soulard and is an attorney at Spencer Fane’s Litigation, Governmental Affairs, and Real Estate Practice. He lost a bid for higher office last November, running for Board of Alder President against Old 15th Ward Alder Megan Green. Green won by 1,417 votes (5.5%). Coatar barely won in his home ward, New 8th Ward, by 118 votes.

Old 20th Ward Alder Cara Spencer lives in Gravois Park and is senior vice president for Community and Economic Development at St. Louis Bank. She ran for Mayor in 2021, losing to Treasurer Tishaura Jones by 2,301 votes (5%).

Former Old 9th Ward Alder Ken Ortmann lives in Benton Park and owns a bar in Soulard. He lost his 2021 re-election bid to Dan Guenther by 674 votes (31.1%). Old 9th Ward Alder Guenther, also of Benton Park, chose not to run in this year.

Also see New 8th Ward Profile for information on candidate campaign finances.

Predictions: Aldergeddon Primary

These are predictions for March 7th St. Louis City Alder Primary Election, not who I wish or would like to see headed to April 4th General Election.* I would be happy to see some of these predictions proven wrong.

In this election, voters may vote for as many candidates as they want and the top two candidates will advance to the General Election.

Board President Megan Green drew no opponent for this election and that hurts some candidates, I think. That, along with potential weather problems, could drive turnout very low. The result could be the candidates who drag the most family and friends to the polls, the extra super loyal who would walk thru fire or a snow storm for them, providing the win by a few dozen votes. That has heavily influenced some of my predictions.

1st Ward: Alder Anne Schweitzer and deputy sheriff Tony Kirchner. I say Kirchner, instead of Republican Matthew Kotraba, because Kirchner is endorsed by SLPOA.

2nd Ward: Alder Tom Oldenburg and Republican former cop Phill Menendez because St. Louis Hills is Republican and has a cop fetish. I do appreciate Katie Bellis running and giving voters a choice.

3rd Ward: Alder Shane Cohn. No one else is running. Predicting Cohn also wins General Election.

4th Ward: Alder Bret Narayan and Alder Joe Vacarro. Photographer Casey Otto does not have a campaign account filed with MEC.

5th Ward: Alder Joe Vollmer and salon owner Helen Petty are the only candidates on ballot.

6th Ward: FleishmanHillard VP Daniela Velázquez and former Alder, former Recorder of Deeds Jennifer Florida are the only candidates on ballot.

7th Ward: School Board Member Alisha Sonnier and St. Louis Priory School Equity Director Jon-Pierre Mitchom. Former Board President Lewis Reed is not much help to Cedric Redmon these days.

8th Ward: Alder Cara Spencer and former Alder Ken Ortmann. If business analyst and hip hop artist Shedrick Kelley were running against Alder Jack Coatar again, my prediction would be different. I think the addition of the rest of conservative and wealthier Lafayette Square via redistricting to the new ward and “vote for as many as you want” reform hurts Kelley this time.

9th Ward: Alder Michael Gras and grant specialist Michael Browning. Alder Tina Pihl has been pretty much abandoned by the so-called progressives who helped elect her.

10th Ward: Alder Shameem Clark-Hubbard and realtor Emmett Coleman are the only candidates on the ballot.

11th Ward: Alder Laura Keys and former US Senate candidate Carla Wright are the only candidates on ballot.

12th Ward: Alder Sharon Tyus and beauty supply business owner Tashara Earl. Tyus is a household name and Earl is backed by State Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins. 1st Ward Committeewoman Yolanda Brown lives in same neighborhood as Tyus, but I don’t picture any strategic voting in that neighborhood to vote for both in Primary.

13th Ward: I have no idea and I am not pulling a prediction out of my ass to make this blog post tidy.

14th Ward: Alder Brandon Bosley and Alder James Page. Bosley has the Bosley Family base and Alder Page has his Downtown base. Ebony Washington has her Hubbard Family base but only makes it to General Election if there is more Absentee voting shenanigans. State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge is putting a lot of money in digital.

All New Ward Profiles here. Updating for recent MEC reporting will start Monday..

*Disclosure: I gave $100 to 7th Ward candidate Alisha Sonnier and $100 to Mayor Tishaura Jones this month. Those are the only MEC reported donations that I’ve made recently.

New Ward Profiles Updated

40 Days Before Election campaign finance report information and other committee changes have been added to the New Ward Profiles.

Mostly, these are updates to candidate for Alder and changes to ward committees.

Next up are 8 Days Before Election Reports: Due February 27th. Required only if committee 1) had expenses (paid or incurred) or 2) donated to another committee. The closing date for this report is February 23rd.

The New Ward Profiles WILL NOT be updated with:

48 Hour Report of Contribution over $5,000: Due within 48 Hours after receipt.
24 Hour Notice of Late Contribution Over $250 Received Less Than 12 Days Before Election: Due within 24 Hours after receipt.
24 Hour Late Expenditure Report by Continuing Committees (PACs including ward committees): Due within 24 Hours after paid or incurred.

Contributions and expenditures reported in these filings are included in the next report filed by the committee. There are too many candidates in this election cycle for one person (me) to keep up with these kinds of filings.