October Community Meet-Up: St. Louis City to Vote on Charter Updates!

Описание: Major shout out to 9th Ward Alderman Michael Browning and 6th Ward Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez for dropping some information related to the propositions that City voters will be voting on that, if passed, would change #stlouis City's Charter!

For those that don't know, our city's Charter is our constitution, and it literally lays out the who, when, when, where, and why as it relates to how the City of St. Louis operates. This document was developed in 1914. #stl City voters approved the establishment of a Charter Commission to do something that had never been done - comprehensively review the Charter and make recommendations for residents' approval via their votes. The City's Charter can ONLY be changed by the vote of the people. While there have been changes to the City's Charter, this effort was the first in our City's history in its attempt to modernize it. Transform 314 cannot stress enough how MAJOR this is!

What the voters will weigh in on during next month's election did not include all of the Charter Commission's recommendations. It is also important to note that a recommendation or two came from members of the Board of Aldermen. City residents will have the opportunity to consider making 4 changes to our Charter through the following propositions:

Proposition B (for Budget): Currently the City of St. Louis' Board of Aldermen approve the budget, and have the authority to decrease it. However, they do not have the power to make any additions to the budget. They have to go through the Board of Estimate & Apportionment to do that. If Proposition B passes, the Board of Aldermen will have the power to add items to the City's budget.

Proposition S (for Short-Term Rentals): If Proposition S passes, it would enact a 3% fee of the nightly rate on short-term rentals (aka Airbnbs) that Short Term Operators would be responsible for paying to STL City quarterly. At least 50% of coins generated would be deposited in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and the remainder of the would go towards supporting other affordable housing initiatives.

Proposition T (for Transportation): If this proposition passes, it would establish a Department of Transportation for the City of St. Louis. The purpose of this proposal is that this would replace the City's current Street Department, and bring all things related to addressing its streets under that department.

Proposition V (for Vacancy): Currently, the City imposes a fine at a cap of $500 to those that own and do nothing to address their vacant and deteriorating property. For the property owners that make it a point to just sit on property as it deteriorates, that $500 is often a drop in the bucket and considered just a cost to do business. If Proposition V passes, this would eliminate that cap, providing the opportunity for the Board of Aldermen to pass an ordinance in the future to increase that maximum fine. #localelection

To learn more about these propositions, visit: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government...