Vote on Priority Ideas

We want to hear directly from city residents to understand your needs. City leadership wants to use this money in ways that help the economy grow, encourage more people to live in the City of St. Louis, and make life better for the people that live here.

The Kick-Off survey asked about the challenges that you and others face living here in St. Louis, which has informed the types of proposals we will consider funding through the Rams Settlement. Together, we have brainstormed and build upon previously submitted ideas that address the Priority Challenges. We have a held a public vote to prioritize which ideas should be vetted for feasibility.

Now, the City is conducting its due diligence to vet ideas for feasibility - from identifying lead departments to understanding funding considerations. For example, how much does an idea cost to implement? Is it a one-time cost or does it require similar or greater funding year after year?

Join us at monthly hearings to learn more about how we might implement these ideas from experts, share your questions with your elected officials, and to show your support for your favorites!

Feb-2024-Rams-Voting-Period-Report-2.pdf

(30.8 MB)

Phases

Phases overview

Phase 1: Kick-Off Survey

Kick-Off Survey

Phase 2: Select Priority Challenges

Select Priority Challenges

Phase 3: Matching Ideas to Priority Challenges

Matching Ideas to Priority Challenges

Phase 4: Vote on Ideas

Vote on Ideas

Phase 5: Idea Vetting and Public Discussion

Idea Vetting and Public Discussion

Idea Vetting and Public Discussion

February 4, 2024 6:00 AM - No end date

Spring 2024 will be dedicated to conducting research to assess the feasibility and estimate the costs of top vote-getting Ideas. We will hold regular hearings to hear from impacted Departments, share research findings, and to have expert speakers discuss Ideas.

6 ideas

Board of Aldermen3 years ago Priority: Improve City Finances & Catalyzing Downtown ReinvestmentAuthor/Source: Jonathan FerryRedevelopment projects in economically distressed areas are considered risky investments by banks because the lender needs assurances that if a developer cannot repay their debt, the lender can seize and sell the property to recover the loan. With additional collateral, developers can access larger amounts of capital than they could on their own. The City could establish a Redevelopment Loan Fund to serve as a collateral backstop to support development in disinvested areas. The Fund, if established as a separate 501(c)3, could also receive investment from private partners, including banks, large corporate sponsors, and other big St. Louis institutions such as sports teams. This could also reduce the use of tax incentives, which provides more funding for schools, libraries, and other entities that rely on property taxes for funding.This idea could not be fully funded by the annual interest accrued from a municipal endowment fund. Ideally, this would be a joint investment with contributions from institutions including the City of St. Louis.Funding Considerations Cost estimate: To be assessed Can this be funded from interest via a Municipal Endowment Fund? (Estimated value of $12M annually): No Does this require matching funds? (More than $250M) No Is this eligible for a tax-exempt bond? (Project benefits taxpayers and proceeds used by governmental entity) No Is this likely to attract philanthropic funding? Yes Are there other potential funding sources? Yes City: Economic Development Sales TaxState: NoneFederal: None

Board of Aldermen3 years ago Priority: Catalyzing Downtown ReinvestmentAuthor/Source: Thomas Walker, Kurt Weigle, Dan Pistor, Kathleen RatcliffeIn order to advance quality of life, mobility, and development Downtown, the City could repair and improve Downtown streets and sidewalks. This would involve fixing potholes and other street issues, sidewalk repair and replacement, improving lighting, widening sidewalks, planting more trees, adding bikeways or bike lanes, building shade structures, adding speed humps, and curb extensions. These infrastructure improvements would increase walkability and bike access, boost foot traffic, promote public safety, and contribute to Downtown revitalization. This idea could be fully or partially funded by the annual interest accrued from a municipal endowment fund and could be supplemented by other City funds. It would be administered by the Streets Department. Funding Considerations Cost estimate: To be assessed Can this be funded from interest via a Municipal Endowment Fund? (Estimated value of $12M annually): Yes Does this require matching funds? (More than $250M) No Is this eligible for a tax-exempt bond? (Project benefits taxpayers and proceeds used by governmental entity) Yes Is this likely to attract philanthropic funding? No Are there other potential funding sources? Yes City: Ward Capital, General RevenueState: UncertainFederal: Uncertain

Board of Aldermen3 years ago Priority Challenges: Improve City Services by Attracting and Retaining City Workers & Increase Public SafetySource/Author: Richard Minton, Noah Hart, and Justin PostleCurrently, relatively low pay for City jobs makes it difficult to recruit competitive candidates and fill positions in the City. This has contributed to high rates of turnover and numerous vacant positions, which impacts the City’s ability to provide basic services and adequately enforce code violations. Raising salaries and wages would allow the City to attract competitive candidates, retain existing workers, reduce turnover, fill key service jobs, and improve City functions. This could be fully or partially funded by the annual interest accrued from a municipal endowment fund and could potentially be supplemented by other City funding, a sales tax increase, or federal grants for certain City workers like firefighters. This idea requires the support of the Civil Service Commission and would be administered by the Personnel Department. Funding Considerations Cost estimate: To be assessed Can this be funded from interest via a Municipal Endowment Fund? (Estimated value of $12M annually): Yes Does this require matching funds? (More than $250M) No Is this eligible for a tax-exempt bond? (Project benefits taxpayers and proceeds used by governmental entity) No Is this likely to attract philanthropic funding? No Are there other potential funding sources? Yes City: General Revenue; sales tax increases have funded some public safety pay increases previouslyState: UncertainFederal: Staffing For Adequate Fire And Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants; City currently receives fire department salary grants (Assistance to Firefighters)

Board of Aldermen3 years ago Priority Challenge: Upgrading Water InfrastructureSource/Author: Water DepartmentFunding is needed to replace large-diameter water mains, small-diameter water mains, as well as conduits. Large-diameter water mains are used to move water across our distribution system while smaller water mains provide water service to residential customers. The Hampton Ave and East Grand large water mains have had several breaks and have been taken out of service due to their unreliability. Small-diameter water mains are spread throughout the City. The number of water mains replaced can be matched to the available funds.This could be fully or partially funded by the Rams Settlement funds, and is compatible with a municipal endowment fund. It could potentially be supplemented by City capital funds or bond issuance, state or federal funding, or a significant water rate increase. This idea would be administered by the City’s Water Department.Funding Considerations Cost estimate: $27,000,000 Can this be funded from interest via a Municipal Endowment Fund? (Estimated value of $12M annually): Yes Does this require matching funds? (More than $250M) No Is this eligible for a tax-exempt bond? (Project benefits taxpayers and proceeds used by governmental entity) Yes Is this likely to attract philanthropic funding? No Are there other potential funding sources? Yes City: Bond issuance, City capital fundsState: Clean Water State Revolving FundFederal: Clean Water State Revolving Fund, ARPAOther: Water rate increase

Board of Aldermen3 years ago Priority: Improving Community Mobility & Increase Public SafetyAuthor/Sources: Andrew Gaus, Liz Kramer, Michael T, Julie Padberg-White, Kevin Hink, Jason Lammert, Malik LendellUnsafe road design that fail to discourage reckless driving and speeding make it difficult, unpleasant, and dangerous for people to move around the city, in particular as pedestrians. By redesigning our streets to slow down drivers, the City could not only protect pedestrians and bicyclists, but also improve quality of life for all residents. Traffic-calming design elements include better lighting, narrower lanes, pedestrian-only areas, wider sidewalks, crosswalks, curb bump-outs, reflective painting, and street trees to shade sidewalks. The City could establish a dedicated team within the Streets Department to pilot street redesign.This idea could be partially funded by the annual interest accrued by a municipal endowment fund, and could potentially be supplemented by other City funding, state and federal grants.Funding Considerations Cost estimate: To be assessed Can this be funded from interest via a Municipal Endowment Fund? (Estimated value of $12M annually): Yes Does this require matching funds? (More than $250M) No Is this eligible for a tax-exempt bond? (Project benefits taxpayers and proceeds used by governmental entity) Yes Is this likely to attract philanthropic funding? Uncertain Are there other potential funding sources? Yes City: General Revenue, Ward Capital, ARPAState: Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP); Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP); Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)Federal: Safe Streets for All (SS4A)

Board of Aldermen3 years ago Priority Challenge: Increase Access to Affordable Childcare Source/Author: Matt Vitale, Paula Vickers, Malik LendellAccess to affordable childcare is often a huge barrier to joining or staying in the workforce. The average cost of daycare in St. Louis was $9,456 last year. This represents approximately a quarter of an average St. Louis family’s income. A public early childcare option would help stabilize families, improve educational outcomes for children, attract newcomers to the City, and ensure that people can actively participate in the workforce, thus growing St. Louis’s economy. This idea requires an endowed fund of a greater magnitude than the Rams Settlement funds alone and would need matching funds and outside funding sources. A new City department would likely need to be established to administer the program.Funding Considerations Cost estimate: To be assessed Can this be funded from interest via a Municipal Endowment Fund? (Estimated value of $12M annually): No Does this require matching funds? (More than $250M) Yes Is this eligible for a tax-exempt bond? (Project benefits taxpayers and proceeds used by governmental entity) No for a program; Yes for facility construction by nonprofit provider Is this likely to attract philanthropic funding? Yes Are there other potential funding sources? No

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Events

Past events

Board of Aldermen Hearing on the Rams Settlement
Event date: September 25th, 2023 at 11:00 PM to September 26th, 2023 at 2:00 AM.
Online meeting
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Board of Aldermen Hearing on Rams Settlement
Event date: October 25th, 2023 at 11:00 PM to October 26th, 2023 at 2:00 AM.
95 registrants
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Board of Aldermen Hearing on the Rams Settlement
Event date: December 2nd, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Online meeting
101 registrants
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Board of Aldermen Hearing on Rams Settlement:
Event date: February 16th, 2024 from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM.
Online meeting
71 registrants
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Board of Aldermen Hearing on Rams Settlement: Water Infrastructure
Event date: May 7th, 2024 from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
1200 Market Street
Online meeting
5 registrants
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Board of Aldermen Hearing on Rams Settlement: Revolving Loan Fund
Event date: June 4th, 2024 from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
13 registrants
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Board of Aldermen Hearing on Rams Settlement: Check-In
Event date: September 10th, 2024 from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Online meeting
4 registrants
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Board of Aldermen Hearing: Catalyze Downtown Reinvestment
Event date: October 8th, 2024 from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Online meeting
2 registrants
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Board of Aldermen Hearing on Rams Settlement: Childcare Support
Event date: November 18th, 2024 at 11:30 PM to November 19th, 2024 at 1:30 AM.
2 registrants
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