Health & Human Development Committee — St. Louis, MO
Date: 2026-02-05
Time: 09:00

Agenda
 Health & Human Development Committee
 Meeting
 St. Louis Board of Aldermen
 Thursday, February 5, 2026 - 9:00 AM
 Kennedy Room
President Megan Green
Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, Chair
Alderman Thomas Oldenburg, Vice Chair
Committee Members:
Alderwoman Sharon Tyus
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier


Order of Business
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
 Minutes of the Thursday, January 15, 2026, and Thursday, January 22, 2026, committee
 meetings.
IV. Board Bills for Review
 (The committee will discuss the following and take public comment on the following)
 Item Number 1
 Board Bill Number 133
 Sponsored by Alderwoman Pamela Boyd
 An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing the
 Commissioner of the Department of Health or her designee, on behalf of the City of St.
 Louis, to enter into the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Consulting Agreement and to
 accept funds awarded; appropriating said funds in the amount of up to Seventy-Eight
 Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Three Dollars and Sixty Cents ($78,253.60); authorizing the
 Department of Health to expend the appropriated funds for allowed purposes; and
 containing an emergency clause.
 Item Number 2
 Board Bill Number 134
 Sponsored by Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer
 An ordinance amending Ordinance 72059 adopting the Forestry Division’s regulations
 relating to weeds, native plants, and other vegetation in the City of St. Louis; containing
 definitions, reporting, abatement, enforcement, severability and emergency clauses. For
 the purpose of clarifying regulations for abatement on occupied and non-occupied parcels
V. Resolutions for Review
 None
VI. Committee Discussions
 None
VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony
VIII. Announcements
IX. Excused Members
X. Adjournment

Agenda
 Health & Human Development Committee
 Meeting
 St. Louis Board of Aldermen
 Thursday, February 5, 2026 - 9:00 AM
 Kennedy Room
President Megan Green
Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, Chair
Alderman Thomas Oldenburg, Vice Chair
Committee Members:
Alderwoman Sharon Tyus
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier


Order of Business
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
 Minutes of the Thursday, January 15, 2026, and Thursday, January 22, 2026, committee
 meetings.
IV. Board Bills for Review
 (The committee will discuss the following and take public comment on the following)
 Item Number 1
 Board Bill Number 133
 Sponsored by Alderwoman Pamela Boyd
 An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing the
 Commissioner of the Department of Health or her designee, on behalf of the City of St.
 Louis, to enter into the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Consulting Agreement and to
 accept funds awarded; appropriating said funds in the amount of up to Seventy-Eight
 Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Three Dollars and Sixty Cents ($78,253.60); authorizing the
 Department of Health to expend the appropriated funds for allowed purposes; and
 containing an emergency clause.
 Item Number 2
 Board Bill Number 134
 Sponsored by Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer
 An ordinance amending Ordinance 72059 adopting the Forestry Division’s regulations
 relating to weeds, native plants, and other vegetation in the City of St. Louis; containing


 Page 1 of 48
 definitions, reporting, abatement, enforcement, severability and emergency clauses. For
 the purpose of clarifying regulations for abatement on occupied and non-occupied parcels
V. Resolutions for Review
 None
VI. Committee Discussions
 None
VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony
VIII. Announcements
IX. Excused Members
X. Adjournment




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 Preliminary Minutes
 Health and Human Development Committee Meeting
 Regular Meeting
 St. Louis Board of Aldermen
 Thursday, January 22, 2025 – 9:00 am
 Webinar

Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, Chair Megan Green, President
Alderman Thomas Oldenburg, Vice Chair
Committee Members:
Alderwoman Sharon Tyus
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier
Alderwoman Jamie Cox-Antwi


Order of Business
 I. Call to Order
 The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.

 II. Roll Call
 The following members were present: Mr. Oldenburg, Ms. Sonnier, Ms. Cox-Antwi, and Ms. Boyd.
 4 members were present. A quorum was established.

 III. Approval of Minutes
 None

 IV. Board Bills for Review
 None

 V. Resolutions for Review
 None

 VI. Committee Discussions
 (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following)

 Discussions Item Number 1
 Mayoral Appointments to Senior Citizen’s Service Fund Board
 The committee will discuss the Mayoral re- appointments to the Mental Health Board: Andrea
 Blaylock

 Held in committee



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 Page 3 of 48
 Discussion Item Number 2

 Forestry Division will give their Annual Vegetation Memo presentation .

 The Chair recognized Alan Jankowski, Forestry Commissioner.

 Mr. Jankowski provided information on the new forestry weed ordinance.

 After no further comments from the speaker, the Chair open the discussion up to the

 committee.

 The committee asked questions

 After no further questions from the committee, the Chair thanked Mr. Jankowski for sharing

 information.

  VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony
 None

 VIII. Announcements
 None

 IX. Excused Alderman
 None

 X. Adjournment
 Having no other business to discuss, the Chair entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.

 Ms. Cox-Antwi moved to adjourn the meeting.

 Seconded by Ms. Boyd.

 The motion was carried by unanimous consent.

 The meeting adjourned at 09:20 a.m.



Minutes prepared by:
Associate Clerk Rozlyn Smith

Minutes approved:




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 Page 4 of 48
 Preliminary Minutes
 Health and Human Development Committee Meeting
 Regular Meeting
 St. Louis Board of Aldermen
 Thursday, January 15, 2025 – 9:00 am
 Webinar

Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, Chair Megan Green, President
Alderman Thomas Oldenburg, Vice Chair
Committee Members:
Alderwoman Sharon Tyus
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier
Alderwoman Jamie Cox-Antwi


Order of Business
 I. Call to Order
 The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

 II. Roll Call
 The following members were present: Ms. Sonnier, Ms. Cox-Antwi, and Ms. Boyd. 3 members
 were present. A quorum was established.

 III. Approval of Minutes
 Minutes of the Tuesday, December 16, 2025committee meeting.

 The Chair entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, December 16, 2025
 committee meeting.

 Ms. Sonnier moved to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, December 16, 2025committee meeting.

 Seconded by Ms. Cox Antwi.

 The Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll.

 The Associate Clerk called the roll and the following votes were recorded:
 The following voted Aye:
 Ms. Sonnier, Ms. Cox-Antwi, and Ms. Boyd. 3 Aye votes were cast.

 The following voted No:
 None

 The following voted Present:
 None

 Page 1 of 4


 Page 5 of 48
 The following Abstained:
 None

 The following members were present in the meeting but did not cast a vote:
 None

 A total of 3 votes were cast. The motion carried.

IV. Board Bills for Review
 (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following)
 Item Number 1
 Board Bill Number 124
 Introduced by Alderwoman Sonnier
 An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing the
 Commissioner of the Department of Health or her designee, on behalf of the City of St. Louis, to
 enter in the FY 2024 State Crisis Intervention Program Subaward Agreement and to accept funds
 awarded; appropriating said funds in the amount of up to Two Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand One
 Hundred Fifteen Dollars and Sixty-Nine Cents ($255,115.69); and authorizing the Department
 of Health to expend the appropriated funds for allowed purposes; and containing an emergency
 clause.

 The Chair recognized Ms. Sonnier on Board Bill Number 124.

 Ms. Sonnier provided and overview of Board Bill Number 124.

 Ms. Myia Woods, Attorney Manager with Problem properties and Beau Richmond, City of St.
 Louis Health Services Manager provided more information about the bill.

 After no further comments from the presenters, the chair opened the discussion up to the
 committee.

 The committee asked questions.

 Ms. Cox-Antwi made a motion to En Banc Board Bill Number 124

 Seconded by Ms. Sonnier

 Previous roll requested by Ms. Boyd

 Hearing no objection to the request for previous roll, the Chair stated Board Bill
 Numnber124 has been En Banc.

 The Associate Clerk recorded the following from the previous roll:
 The following voted Aye:
 Ms. Sonnier, Ms. Cox-Antwi, and Ms. Boyd. 3 Aye votes were cast.

 The following voted No:
 None

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 Page 6 of 48
The following voted Present:
None

The following Abstained:
None

The following members were present in the meeting but did not cast a vote:
None

A total of 3 votes were cast. The motion carried

After no further comments from the committee, the Chair recognized Ms. Sonnier to close.

Ms. Sonnier as for a Do Pass Recommendation of Board Bill Number 124

 The Chair she would entertain a motion to pass Board Bill Number 124 out of committee with a Do
pass Recommendation.

 Ms. Cox-Antwi made a motion to pass Board Bill Number 124 out of committee with a Do
 Pass Recommendation.

 Seconded by Ms. Boyd.

 Previous roll requested by Ms. Boyd

Hearing no objection to the request for previous roll, the Chair stated Board Bill
Number 124 has pass out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation.

The Associate Clerk recorded the following from the previous roll:
The following voted Aye:
Ms. Sonnier, Ms. Cox-Antwi, and Ms. Boyd. 3 Aye votes were cast.

The following voted No:
None

The following voted Present:
None

The following Abstained:
None

The following members were present in the meeting but did not cast a vote:
None

A total of 3 votes were cast. The motion carried




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 Page 7 of 48
 V. Resolutions for Review
 None

 VI. Committee Discussions
 (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following)
 Discussions Item Number 1
 Mayoral Appointments to Senior Citizen’s Service Fund Board
 The committee will discuss the Mayoral re- appointments to the Mental Health Board: Andrea
 Blaylock

 Held in committee

  VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony
 None

 VIII. Announcements
 None

 IX. Excused Alderman
 The Chair excused Ms. Tyus and Mr. Oldenburg for necessary absence.

 X. Adjournment
 Having no other business to discuss, the Chair entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.

 Ms. Cox-Antwi moved to adjourn the meeting.

 Seconded by Ms. Sonnier.

 The motion was carried by unanimous consent.

 The meeting adjourned at 09:29 a.m.



Minutes prepared by:
Associate Clerk Rozlyn Smith

Minutes approved:




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 Page 8 of 48
Summary
Board Bill Number 133
Introduced by Alderwoman Pamela Boyd
January 30, 2026

This Board Bill recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizes the
Commissioner of the Department of Health or her designee, on behalf of the City of St. Louis, to
enter into the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Consulting Agreement to accept funds awarded;
appropriates said funds in the amount of Seventy-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Three
Dollars and Sixty Cents ($78,253.60); authorizes the Department of Health to expend the
appropriated funds for the allowed purposes; and contains an emergency clause.




 Page 9 of 48
 BOARD BILL NUMBER 133 INTRODUCED BY ALDERWOMAN PAMELA BOYD


 1 An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing the

 2 Commissioner of the Department of Health or her designee, on behalf of the City of St. Louis, to

 3 enter into the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Consulting Agreement and to accept funds

 4 awarded; appropriating said funds in the amount of up to Seventy-Eight Thousand Two Hundred

 5 Fifty-Three Dollars and Sixty Cents ($78,253.60); authorizing the Department of Health to expend

 6 the appropriated funds for allowed purposes; and containing an emergency clause.

 7 WHEREAS, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Crisis

 8 Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) is working in conjunction with the U.S.

 9 Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Center for Mental Health Services, within the

10 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide funding to

11 states, tribes, or territories (STTs) to provide assistance to individuals and communities in

12 recovering from the psychological effects of disasters in jurisdictions that have received a

13 Presidential major disaster declaration through the provision of community-based outreach and

14 educational services; and

15 WHEREAS, a FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Assistance and Training Program Grant

16 was awarded by FEMA to the Missouri Department of Mental Health as one of the STTs, which

17 in turn subcontracted with the Missouri Coalition of Community Mental Health Centers dba

18 Missouri Behavioral Health Council (MBHC); and

19 WHEREAS, the MBHC is subcontracting with the City of St. Louis Department of Health

20 to provide consulting services under the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Grant in the amount

21 of Seventy-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Three Dollars and Sixty Cents ($78,253.60)

22 through a Consulting Agreement.


 Page 1 of 2
 Board Bill Number 133
 Boyd
 January 30, 2026

 Page 10 of 48
 1 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS AS FOLLOWS:

 2 SECTION ONE. The Commissioner of the Department of Health or her designee is hereby

 3 authorized, on behalf of the City of St. Louis, to enter into the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program

 4 (CCP) Consulting Agreement with the Missouri Coalition of Community Mental Health Centers

 5 dba Missouri Behavioral Health Council (MBHC) to accept the CCP Award. Said Consulting

 6 Agreement shall be in substantially the same form as the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program

 7 Consulting Agreement attached hereto as Attachment A and incorporated herein. The

 8 Commissioner of the Department of Health or her designee is hereby authorized to make,

 9 negotiate, and execute any and all contracts or other documents on behalf of the City as necessary

10 or appropriate to receive the funds set forth in the CCP Award.

11 SECTION TWO. There is hereby appropriated the sum of Seventy-Eight Thousand Two

12 Hundred Fifty-Three Dollars and Sixty Cents ($78,253.60) in CCP Award funds, solely to the

13 extent received, for the purposes allowed under the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Consulting

14 Agreement. The Commissioner of the Department of Health or her designee is authorized and

15 directed to execute any documents on behalf of the City to expend such funds for allowed purposes.

16 The Comptroller is authorized and directed to issue warrants upon the City Treasury for payment

17 of all expenditures authorized in this Section provided that such warrants do not exceed the total

18 amount of funds appropriated by this Section.

19 SECTION THREE. Emergency Clause. This being an ordinance for the preservation of the

20 public peace, health and safety, it is hereby declared to be an emergency measure within the

21 meaning of Sections 19 and 20 of Article IV of the Charter of the City of St. Louis, and therefore,

22 this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and approval by the Mayor.

 Page 2 of 2
 Board Bill Number 133
 Boyd
 January 30, 2026


 Page 11 of 48
 BOARD BILL NUMBER 133
 FISCAL NOTE


Preparer’s Name Craig Schmid

Phone Number or Email Address (will be available publicly) (314) 657-1534

Bill Sponsor Alderwoman Boyd


  Bill Synopsis: This Board Bill authorizes the Department of Health (the “DOH”) to
 accept a FEMA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program
 (CCP) award of up to $78,253.60 in accordance with the FEMA Crisis
 Counseling Program Consulting Agreement with the Missouri
 Coalition of Community Mental Health Centers dba Missouri
 Behavioral Health Council (MBHC) to fund up to 50% of the time of
 a Project Manager and a Resource Director (no fringes) up to a year;
 supplies; and advertising costs as set forth in the Immediate Service
 Program and Regular Service Program budgets (Exhibits A & B to the
 Consulting Agreement) that are part of Attachment A to the Board
 Bill; appropriating such funds to the Department of Health;
 authorizing the expenditure of such funds to fulfill the obligations of
 said Consulting Agreement; authorizing contracts and other
 documents to expend such funds, to the extent received; and
 containing an emergency clause.
  Type of Impact: This Board Bill authorizes the Commissioner of Health or her
 designee to enter into a Consulting Agreement with MBHC for the
 Department of Health to provide consulting services under the
 FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Grant of up to $78,253.60 granted
 by FEMA to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, which is
 subcontracting with MBHC for both the Immediate Service Program
 (2-3 months) and Regular Service Program (9-10 months) to provide
 consulting services related to assisting individuals and communities
 in recovering from the psychological effects of the May 16, 2025
 disastrous tornado (receiving a Presidential major disaster
 declaration) through the provision of community-based outreach and
 educational services. It supports short-term interventions to assist
 disaster survivors in understanding their current situation and
 reactions, mitigating stress, promoting the use or development of
 coping strategies, providing emotional support, and encouraging
 (01/2017)


 Page 12 of 48
 links with other individuals and agencies who may help survivors in
 their recovery process. This includes striving to meet the needs of
 people with access and functional needs, such as people with limited
 English proficiency and individuals with disabilities, such as people
 who are deaf or hard of hearing who may use sign language or
 captioning.

 It includes consulting for -- individual and group counseling
 connections to improve coping strategies, review their options, and
 connect with other individuals and agencies who may assist them
 either in person or via telehealth crisis counseling; educational
 information for general support and information on resources and
 services available to disaster survivors; building and/or supporting
 community networking and support among community resource
 organizations, faith-based groups, and local agencies; assessment of
 needs of adults and children and providing resource linkages such as
 referral to additional disaster-relief services, mental health or
 substance abuse treatment; development and distribution of
 educational materials; and obtaining media and public service
 announcements.

 Services are provided at no cost and are available to any survivor
 who has been impacted by the disaster.

 Agencies Affected: Department of Health (the “DOH”)



 SECTION A
 Does this bill authorize:

• An expansion of services which entails additional costs beyond that approved in the current
 adopted city budget? __X__Yes No
 Costs covered entirely by CCP award
• An undertaking of a new service for which no funding is provided in the current adopted city
 budget? ____Yes X_ No

• A commitment of city funding in the future under certain specified conditions?
 ____Yes X No

• An issuance of bonds, notes and lease-purchase agreements which may require additional
 funding beyond that approved in the current adopted city budget? ___Yes X No

• An execution or initiation of an activity as a result of federal or state mandates or requirements?
 ___Yes X No
 2

 Page 13 of 48
• A capital improvement project that increases operating costs over the current adopted city
 budget? ____Yes X No
• A capital improvement project that requires funding not approved in the current adopted city
 budget or that will require funding in future years? ____Yes X No

If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, then a fiscal note must be attached to the
 board bill. Complete Section B of the form below.
 SECTION B

• Does the bill require the construction of any new physical facilities? ____Yes X__No

 o If yes, describe the facilities and provide the estimated cost:
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________

• Is the bill estimated to have a direct fiscal impact on any city department or office?
 ____Yes X___No

 o If yes, explain the impact and the estimated cost:
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________

• Does the bill create a program or administrative subdivision? ____Yes X____No

 o If yes, then is there a similar existing program or administrative subdivision?
 ____Yes ____No
 o If yes, explain the how the proposed programs or administrative subdivisions may
 overlap:
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________

• Describe the annual operating, equipment, and maintenance costs that would result from the
 proposed bill, as well as any funding sources: NA
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________

 3

 Page 14 of 48
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________




 4

 Page 15 of 48
Complete the chart below to list the total estimated expenditures required of the City resulting
from the proposed board bill and any estimated savings or additional revenue.


 Financial Estimate of Impact on General Fund
 Fiscal Impact Year 1 (current) Year 2 Year 3
 Additional Expenditures 0 0 0
 Additional Revenue 0 0 0
 Net 0 0 0
 Financial Estimate of Impact on Special Funds
 Fiscal Impact Year 1 (current) Year 2 Year 3
 Additional Expenditures 0 0 0
 Additional Revenue 0 0 0
 Net 0 0 0

• Describe any assumptions used in preparing this fiscal note:
 Acceptance and signature of Consulting Agreement with expenditure of grant
 funds for the purposes authorized only.
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________

• List any sources of information (including any City officials, agencies, or departments) used
 in preparing this fiscal note:
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________

• Have the financial estimates of this bill been verified by the City Budget Division?
 ____Yes _X___No

 o If yes, by whom? _______________________________ .




 5

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Board Bill No. XX
Attachment A




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Page 18 of 48
Page 19 of 48
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Page 21 of 48
Page 22 of 48
Summary
Board Bill Number 134
Introduced by Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer
January 30, 2026

An ordinance amending Ordinance 72059 adopting the Forestry Division’s regulations relating
to weeds, native plants, and other vegetation in the City of St. Louis; containing definitions,
reporting, abatement, enforcement, severability and emergency clauses. For the purpose of
clarifying regulations for abatement on occupied and non-occupied parcels.




 Page 23 of 48
 BOARD BILL NUMBER 134 INTRODUCED BY ALDERWOMAN ANNE
 SCHWEITZER

1 An ordinance amending Ordinance 72059 adopting the Forestry Division’s regulations relating

2 to weeds, native plants, and other vegetation in the City of St. Louis; containing definitions,

3 reporting, abatement, enforcement, severability and emergency clauses. For the purpose of

4 updating fee and fine language.

5 WHEREAS, St. Louis City encourages the preservation, restoration, and management of native

6 plant communities and wildlife habitats within the City limits. The city recognizes that the use of

7 wildflowers and other native plants in home, school, corporate, municipal, or other managed

8 landscapes is economical, reduces maintenance, and effectively conserves water, soil, and other

9 elements of the natural community. Moreover, landscaping with native plants and the

10 preservation, restoration, and management of native plant communities and wildlife habitats may

11 preclude the introduction of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other pollutants into the

12 environment; and

13 WHEREAS, the City further acknowledges the need to enjoy and benefit from the biodiversity,

14 beauty, and practical values of natural landscapes, and seeks to assure that residents have the

15 freedom to employ varying degrees of natural landscaping as viable and desirable alternatives to

16 other conventional modes of landscaping; and

17 WHEREAS, the City seeks to encourage each property owner to create and sustain a condition

18 of ecological resiliency on their land. It is not the intent of this legislation to allow vegetative

19 areas to be unmanaged or overgrown in any way that may adversely affect the public health or

20 safety, or pose a threat to agricultural activity; and


 Page 1 of 19
 Board Bill Number 134
 Schweitzer
 January 30, 2026

 Page 24 of 48
1 WHEREAS, it is the express intent of this city that it shall be lawful to grow native

2 plants, including, but not limited to, ferns, grasses, forbs, aquatic plants, trees, and shrubs in a

3 landscape when these plants were obtained not in violation of local, state, or federal laws; and

4 WHEREAS, Growth of weeds and other vegetation and the presence of debris on land in the

5 City of St. Louis are detrimental to and endanger the public health, safety, and welfare of the

6 residents of the City; and

7 WHEREAS, The City recognizes the need to monitor and regulate the growth of nuisance and

8 noxious plants, and through this ordinance amends and strengthens the process for the collection

9 of fees and fines assessed by the Forestry Division; and

10 WHEREAS, Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Board of Aldermen, the proposed amendments to

11 Ordinance 72059 are set out in the body of this bill, with additions marked in boldface,

12 underline, and italicized and deletions marked with [brackets, boldface, and strikethrough].

13 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, AS FOLLOWS:

14 SECTION ONE. Amend

15 Ordinance Number 72059 is hereby amended in its entirety to read in the following words and
16 figures.

17 SECTION ONE. Repeal

18 Ordinance Number 59860 is hereby repealed in its entirety, and in lieu thereof, a new

19 ordinance is hereby enacted as follows.

20 SECTION TWO. Purpose and Intent

21 The Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Louis finds and declares as follows:




 Page 2 of 19
 Board Bill Number 134
 Schweitzer
 January 30, 2026

 Page 25 of 48
1 A. Growth of unmanaged vegetation and the presence of debris on land in the City of St.

2 Louis are detrimental to and endanger the public health, safety, and welfare of the

3 residents of the City; and

4 B. Such growth of unmanaged vegetation and the presence of debris are a concern to the

5 residents of the City; and

6 C. Prevention and correction of such conditions are properly the duties and responsibilities

7 of property owners, but if the owner does not manage it then it shall be abated by the

8 City.

9 SECTION THREE. Definitions

10 A. “City” shall mean the City of St. Louis, Missouri.

11 B. “City Property” shall mean all real property which is owned, leased, or maintained by the

12 City, any part of any right-of-way within the City, including city-managed parks.

13 C. “Commissioner” shall mean the Commissioner of Forestry of the City of St. Louis.

14 D. “Chronic violation” shall mean the third or more confirmed violations of this Code on the

15 same property during a calendar year.

16 E. “Chronic violator” shall mean a property that qualifies as a chronic violation in the

17 current year or the prior year.

18 F. “Carriage Walk” shall mean a section of concrete in the tree lawn connecting the public

19 street to the public sidewalk.

20 G. “Department of Health” shall mean the designated employees of the Department of

21 Health and Hospitals of the City of St. Louis.




 Page 3 of 19
 Board Bill Number 134
 Schweitzer
 January 30, 2026

 Page 26 of 48
1 H. “Forestry Division” shall mean designated employees of the Forestry Division of the City

2 of St. Louis.

3 I. “Health Commissioner” shall mean the Health Commissioner of the City of St. Louis.

4 J. “Invasive Plant” shall mean a non-native vegetation species that grows aggressively in

5 the State of Missouri, as listed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and/or listed

6 in the annual Vegetation Memo.

7 K. “Managed natural landscape” shall mean planned, intentional, and maintained planting of

8 native and ornamental plants, including but not limited to rain gardens, meadow, prairie,

9 vegetation, and ornamental plantings. For purposes of this definition, the following words

10 and phrases shall have the following meanings:

11 a. “Meadow vegetation” shall mean grasses and flowering broad-leaf plants that are

12 native to the State of Missouri, and that are commonly found in meadow and

13 prairie plant communities, not including invasive plants, nuisance plants, or

14 noxious weeds, as defined in this section.

15 b. “Ornamental plants” shall mean grasses, perennials, annuals, and groundcovers

16 purposefully planted for aesthetic reasons.

17 c. “Rain garden” shall mean a native plant garden that is designed not only to

18 aesthetically improve properties but also to reduce the amount of stormwater and

19 accompanying pollutants from entering streams, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of

20 water.




 Page 4 of 19
 Board Bill Number 134
 Schweitzer
 January 30, 2026

 Page 27 of 48
1 L. “Native Plant” shall mean those plants, including but not limited to, grasses (including

2 prairie grasses), sedges, rushes, forbs (flowering broadleaf plants), vines, shrubs, ferns,

3 groundcovers, and trees that are native, as listed by the Missouri Department of

4 Conservation and/or listed in the annual Vegetation Memo.

5 M. “Non-Occupied Parcel” shall mean a parcel of land with no lawfully permitted occupant.

6 N. “Noxious Weed” shall mean a vegetation species that is listed as a Missouri State

7 Noxious Weed by the United States Department of Agriculture and/or listed in the annual

8 Vegetation Memo.

9 O. “Nuisance Plant” shall mean toxic species known to cause death or severe allergic

10 reactions among a segment of the human population, such as Poison Hemlock, Poison

11 Ivy, and Ragweed, as listed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and/or listed in

12 the annual Vegetation Memo.

13 P. “Owner” shall mean a person owning or otherwise in legal control of property.

14 Q. “Person” shall mean an individual person, corporation, association, or entity of any kind.

15 R. “Shared Use Path” shall mean a multi-use path designed primarily for use by bicyclists,

16 pedestrians, and other authorized motorized and non-motorized users, for transportation

17 purposes, and that may also be used for recreation. Shared use paths are physically

18 separated from motor vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier and are either within the

19 highway or other public right-of-way.

20 S. “Sidewalk” shall mean the portion of the street between the curb line and the adjacent

21 property line, intended for the use of pedestrians.



 Page 5 of 19
 Board Bill Number 134
 Schweitzer
 January 30, 2026

 Page 28 of 48
1 T. “Sustenance Garden” shall mean a cultivated area dedicated to growing vegetables, herbs,

2 fruits, nuts, and seeds meant for human consumption.

3 U. “Tree Lawn” shall mean the area between the public sidewalk and public street that often

4 has trees or other vegetation that is part of the public right-of-way.

5 V. “Turf-grass lawn” shall mean a lawn comprised mostly of grasses commonly used in

6 regularly cut lawns or play areas intended to be maintained at a height of no more than

7 seven (7) inches.

8 W. “Right-of-Way” shall mean property located within and adjoining streets, roads, and

9 alleys within the City, which is owned, controlled, or maintained by the City, including

10 but not limited to areas commonly referred to as the “tree lawn” between the public

11 sidewalk and the public street.

12 X. “Unmanaged vegetation growth” shall mean an area not maintained in which any

13 turfgrass, hay, weeds, brush, or other vegetation has grown to a height of over seven (7)

14 inches or the presence of invasive, nuisance, or noxious plant vegetation as a result of the

15 absence of active cutting, mowing, or other maintenance. This definition shall not

16 include:

17 a. Sustenance Garden as defined in this section;

18 b. Managed natural landscape area(s) that is wholly contained within the parcel on

19 which it is planted and maintained;

20 c. Vegetation located on agricultural land;

21 d. Vegetation found on shoreland within 35 feet of the ordinary high-water mark.



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 Schweitzer
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1 SECTION FOUR. Reporting

2 A. The Forestry Division shall annually report to the Health and Human Development

3 Committee or its successor the second week in January, presenting the Vegetation Memo.

4 a. Annual Vegetation Memo may include:

5 i. List of prohibited debris on lots and land;

6 ii. Methods the City will use during the year to abate weed and debris

7 nuisances;

8 iii. Abatement fee including equipment, labor costs, quantity of material used,

9 clerical costs, and other data appropriate to document the actual cost of the

10 abatement;

11 iv. Other information the Commissioner of Forestry deems necessary and

12 appropriate, including any Native Plants, Noxious Weeds, and Nuisance

13 Plants that are not on the Missouri Department of Conservation or United

14 States Department of Agriculture lists, and examples of native landscape

15 restorations and best practices for design and maintenance.

16 SECTION FIVE. Public Nuisance and Responsibility of Property Owner

17 A. All unmanaged vegetation growth or noxious weeds that have attained a height of seven

18 (7) inches or more growing or being upon any lot or land, including the tree lawn and

19 midpoint of the alley within the City, are hereby declared a public nuisance. Every owner,

20 occupant, or person in control of any lot or land, including the tree lawn and midpoint of

21 the alley within the City, shall cause such lot or land to be kept free from such noxious



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 Schweitzer
 January 30, 2026

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1 weeds, invasive plants, or nuisance plants by methods approved by the Commissioner of

2 Forestry.

3 B. Managed natural landscapes may include plants and native grasses in excess of seven (7)

4 inches in height and which have gone to seed, but may not include any noxious weeds,

5 nuisance plants, or invasive plants, and shall be maintained so as not to include

6 unintended vegetation.

7 a. Managed natural landscapes may not include any noxious weeds, nuisance plants,

8 or invasive plants, or any other plantings, which, due to location and manner of

9 growth, constitute a hazard to the public or may cause injury or damage to

10 persons or property.

11 b. Managed natural landscapes shall not include turf-grass lawns left unattended for

12 the purpose of returning to a natural state.

13 c. Managed natural landscapes on the right-of-way shall not obstruct sight distance

14 for vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic as determined by the City.

15 d. All vegetation on private property shall be maintained so that no part thereof is

16 obstructing the public right-of-way, and shall be trimmed or maintained in order

17 to allow at least eight (8) feet of vertical clearance for streets, sidewalks, and

18 shared use paths. Vegetation shall be cultivated so as not to intrude into the public

19 right-of-way in such a manner as to create a hazard for pedestrians using the

20 sidewalk or shared use path.




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 Schweitzer
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1 e. Street light poles, public utility poles, traffic signals, and street signs of any type

2 shall be kept free of all climbing or creeping vegetation.

3 f. Managed natural landscapes in the tree lawn shall adhere to the following

4 parameters and be maintained by the property owner:

5 i. In a four (4) feet radius from all fire hydrants, no vegetation shall attain a

6 height of seven (7) inches or more;

7 ii. All vegetation shall be maintained to ensure the public right-of-way is

8 clear, including carriage walks;

9 iii. All vegetation shall not attain a height greater than twenty-four (24)

10 inches;

11 iv. At least every ten (10) feet if no carriage walk is present, then there shall

12 be no vegetation greater than twelve (12) inches for a continuous four (4) foot

13 area.

14 C. The City shall not be liable for damage to any vegetation planted, or to any property or

15 fixtures placed, in or upon the City right-of-way that results from work performed by the

16 City in the tree lawn or right-of-way.

17 D. The presence upon any lot or lands, other than properly licensed and operated salvage

18 yards, within the City of debris of any and all kinds and varieties included in the annual

19 Vegetation Memo or determined by the Commissioner of Forestry to be unhealthy,

20 unsanitary, or unsafe is hereby declared a public nuisance. It is the duty of every owner,




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 Schweitzer
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1 occupant, or person in control of any lot or land, including the tree lawn and midpoint of

2 alley within the City, to remove debris from such lot or land forthwith.

3 E. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to be in conflict with or in

4 violation of any of the provisions of any code relating to nuisances in the City of St.

5 Louis, as such codes exist at the time of the effective date of this ordinance and as such

6 codes may be amended in the future.

7 SECTION SIX. Abatement

8 A. Whenever the Forestry Division determines that there has been a violation of Section

9 Five[,] on an occupied parcel, notice shall be given to the owner or the person or persons

10 responsible therefore in the following manner:

11 a. Such notice shall:
12 i. Be in writing;

13 ii. Include a description of the lot or land;

14 iii. Include a statement of the violation(s) and the reason(s) the notice is being

15 issued;

16 iv. Include a correction order allowing up to ten (10) calendar days to abate

17 the nuisance; and

18 v. Inform the property owner of the right to appeal within thirty (30) days to

19 the Forestry Division, whose decision shall be final.




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 Schweitzer
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1 b. The notice shall be directed to the owner(s) of such lot or lands as recorded most

2 recently in the City of Saint Louis Assessor's Office. The notice shall be served in

3 one of the following ways:

4 i. Hand-delivered to the owner or owners; or

5 ii. Posting the notice in a conspicuous place in or about the lot or land affected

6 by such notice and shall be deemed served twenty-four (24) hours after the

7 posting thereof; or

8 iii. Mailing a copy of said notice by regular mail, postage prepaid, direct to the

9 owner(s) place of business or the address currently recorded in the Assessor's

10 Office of the City of Saint Louis, and shall be deemed served twenty-four (24)

11 hours after the mailing of the notice.

12 B. A non-occupied parcel shall only have to have one [violation] notice at the beginning of

13 the growing season to be abated. Such notice shall:

14 a. Be in writing and delivered in the manner described in Subsection A(b) of this

15 Section Six;

16 b. Inform the property owner(s) that any violation of Section Five on such non-

17 occupied parcel may be abated by the Forestry Division without further notice;

18 and

19 c. Inform the property owner(s) that they may be subject to charges for the cost of

20 such abatement and/or an administrative citation fine for such violation as

21 described in this Section Six.



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 Schweitzer
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1 C. If a [condition] violation on an occupied parcel is not abated within the time provided

2 following the notice, or if the Forestry Division determines that a violation exists on a

3 non-occupied parcel, the Forestry Division may abate it, and the code official shall have

4 the authority to issue an administrative citation to any person responsible for the

5 violation.

6 D. In the event any parcel in the City shall receive three (3) or more confirmed violations of

7 this ordinance specific to violations in the tree lawn or by written notice of the Forestry

8 Commissioner or their designee, the Forestry Division may remove or abate all

9 vegetative growth causing the source of violation.

10 E. When debris is found that, in the judgment of the Commissioner, may constitute an

11 immediate danger to public health and safety, they shall notify the Department of Health,

12 which shall inspect the property. Pursuant to Article XIII Section 14-C (c) of the City

13 Charter, if the Department of Health, on such inspection, finds a nuisance and that its

14 continuance is a danger to the public health and safety, they may order the Forestry

15 Division to abate such nuisance as soon as practicable.

16 F. After abating any nuisance, the Forestry Division shall record the following: date of the

17 abatement, location of the abatement, condition abated, the amount of personnel time and

18 equipment, quantity of material used, clerical costs, other data appropriate to document

19 the actual cost of the abatement, and date(s) of notice.

20 G. The Forestry Division shall bill the owners of any property on which the City abates a

21 nuisance under this ordinance for the cost of such abatement and an administrative



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 Schweitzer
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1 citation fine of one hundred dollars ($100) for unmanaged vegetation growth and five

2 hundred dollars ($500) for debris.

3 a. The administrative citation fine for repeat violations of the same code provision

4 by the same person at the same property shall be subject to additional fines as the

5 code official deems appropriate, so long as any such fine is assessed 30 days or

6 more after the previous fine date unless the property is marked in chronic

7 violation or as a chronic violator, then each day after notice of a nuisance and the

8 correction period from this ordinance is unabated may be considered a separate

9 violation.

10 b. The administrative citation fine shall include the following information:

11 i. The date of the violation or, if the date of the violation is unknown, then

12 the date the violation is identified;

13 ii. The address or a definite description of the location where the violation

14 occurred;

15 iii. The section of the applicable code violated and a description of the

16 violation;

17 iv. The amount of the fine for the code violation;

18 v. A description of the fine payment process, including a description of the

19 time within which and the place to which the fine shall be paid;

20 vi. An order prohibiting the continuation or repeated occurrence of the code

21 violation described in the administrative citation;



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 Schweitzer
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1 vii. A description of the administrative citation review process, including the

2 time within which the administrative citation may be contested and the

3 place from which a request for a hearing form to contest the administrative

4 citation may be obtained; and

5 viii. The name and signature of the citing code official.

6 H. The Commissioner shall have the authority to waive fines and fees at their discretion.

7 I. Any administrative citation fine paid pursuant to subsection shall be refunded if it is

8 determined, after a hearing, that the person charged in the administrative citation was not

9 responsible for the violation or that there was no violation as charged in the

10 administrative citation.

11 J. Payment of a fine under this ordinance shall not excuse or discharge any continuation or

12 repeated occurrence of the code violation that is the subject of the administrative citation.

13 Fines and fees may be collected in the following manners:

14 a. The fine and fee shall be paid to the City within thirty days from the date of the

15 administrative citation.

16 b. The amount of the unpaid abatement fee may be certified by the Forestry Division

17 and submitted to the Office of the Comptroller for issuance of a special tax bill, to

18 be collected according to and in the same manner as real estate taxes under,

19 Chapter 71.285 R.S.Mo, 71.780 R.S.Mo and 67.398 R.S.Mo. These special tax

20 bills may not be forgiven except by the City Counselor, who shall, in writing,

21 instruct the Forestry Division to forgive such special tax bills or liens. Further,



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 Schweitzer
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1 special tax bills shall be permitted to be waived when ownership of said property

2 for which the bill was issued is accepted by the Land Reutilization Authority,

3 Saint Louis Development Corporation, or any other City agency.

4 c. The amount of the unpaid administrative fine and abatement fee may be certified

5 by the Forestry Division and submitted to the Office of the Comptroller for

6 issuance of a special tax bill or judgement lien, to be collected according to and in

7 the same manner as described under Chapter 479.011.5 R.S.Mo. These special tax

8 bills or judgment liens may not be forgiven except by the City Counselor, who

9 shall, in writing, instruct the Forestry Division to forgive such special tax bills or

10 judgment liens. Further, special tax bills or judgment liens shall be permitted to be

11 waived when ownership of said property for which the bill was issued is accepted

12 by the Land Reutilization Authority, Saint Louis Development Corporation, or

13 any other City agency.

14 K. Any recipient of an administrative citation may contest that there was a violation of the

15 code or that they are the responsible party by completing a Request for Administrative

16 Hearing petition and returning it to the Forestry Division, along with a non-refundable

17 filing fee of $20.00, within thirty days from the date of the administrative citation.

18 a. A Request for Administrative Hearing petition may be obtained from the Forestry

19 Division

20 b. The person requesting the hearing shall be notified of the time and place set for

21 the hearing at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the hearing.



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1 c. If the code official submits an additional written report concerning the

2 administrative citation to the hearing officer for consideration at the hearing, then

3 a copy of this report also shall be served on the person requesting the hearing at

4 least five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing. The Forestry Division shall

5 designate the hearing officer for the administrative hearing.

6 d. A hearing prior to the hearing officer shall be set for a date that is not less than

7 fifteen (15) days and not more than ninety (90) days from the date that the request

8 for hearing is filed in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.

9 e. At the hearing, the party contesting the administrative citation shall be given the

10 opportunity to testify and to present evidence concerning the administrative

11 citation; The party contesting the administrative citation may be represented by

12 counsel at any hearing, though this is not a requirement.

13 f. The failure of any recipient of an administrative citation to appear at the

14 administrative citation hearing shall constitute a failure to exhaust their

15 administrative remedies.

16 g. The code violation notice, property record, and related documentation in the

17 proper form, or a copy thereof, shall be prima facie evidence of the municipal

18 code violation. The code official who issued the notice of violation need not be

19 present.




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 Schweitzer
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1 h. The hearing officer may continue the hearing and request additional information

2 from the code official or the recipient of the administrative citation prior to

3 issuing a written decision.

4 i. After considering all of the testimony and evidence submitted at the hearing, the

5 hearing officer shall issue a written decision to uphold or cancel the

6 administrative citation and shall list in the decision the reasons for that decision.

7 The decision of the hearing officer shall be considered the final decision.

8 j. If the hearing officer determines that the administrative citation should be upheld,

9 the hearing officer shall set forth in the decision a payment schedule for the fine.

10 k. If the hearing officer determines that the administrative citation should be

11 canceled and the fine was deposited with the City, then the City shall promptly

12 refund the amount of the deposited fine, together with interest at the average rate

13 earned on the City's portfolio for the period of time that the fine amount was held

14 by the City.

15 l. The recipient of the administrative citation shall be served with a copy of the

16 hearing officer's written decision.

17 SECTION SEVEN. Enforcement

18 A. Enforcement of this Ordinance shall be the joint responsibility of the Forestry Division,

19 the Health Department, Street Department, Building Division, and the Police

20 Department. The Forestry Division or Health Department may however, refer properties




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 Schweitzer
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1 subject to this ordinance to the Building Division if they believe the building may also

2 have building code violations.

3 B. This ordinance should not be construed in any way as in contravention of the duties and

4 powers of the Forestry Commissioner relative to the abatement of any matter which may

5 constitute a nuisance, and shall not negate or preclude the availability of any other

6 remedies for violation of any other City of St. Louis Ordinance that might be applicable.

7 SECTION EIGHT. Severability

8 If any term, condition, or provision of this Ordinance shall, to any extent, be held to be invalid or

9 unenforceable, the remainder hereof shall be valid in all other respects and continue to be

10 effective and each and every remaining provision hereof shall be valid and shall be enforced to

11 the fullest extent permitted by law, it being the intent of the Board of Aldermen that it would

12 have enacted this Ordinance without the invalid or unenforceable provisions. In the event of a

13 further subsequent change in applicable law that renders valid a provision of the Ordinance that

14 was previously held to be invalid or unenforceable, said provision shall thereupon be restored to

15 its full effect, be capable of enforcement without further action by the City, and shall thereafter

16 again be binding.

17 SECTION TWO. Emergency Clause

18 This being an ordinance for the preservation of public peace, health and safety and providing for

19 public work or improvements and repair thereof, it is hereby declared to be an emergency

20 measure within the meaning of Section 19 and 20 of Article IV of the Charter, and, therefore,

21 this Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and approval of the Mayor



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 Schweitzer
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