St. Louis Government News | STL Homelife

City Releases New CityStat Data, Demonstrating Progress on Towing and Tree Removal

Lou — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:53:05 +0000

Today, the City of St. Louis released its CityStat performance data for the third quarter of 2026 (July 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026). The CityStat platform launched earlier this year and strives to modernize how the City measures performance, identifies problems, and delivers results for residents. The latest quarterly update highlights significant achievements in clearing long-standing service backlogs for towing and tree removal. The Towing Division brought the abandoned vehicle backlog down to 538 requests at the end of Q3 2026. This is the lowest point in recent years and a dramatic decrease from its peak of 1,411 requests in Q3 2025.Additionally, through a focused 30-day “blitz” in July and August, the Forestry Division removed over 250 hazard trees in Q3. The hazard tree removal backlog has now decreased by nearly 70% from its peak of 989 trees in Q3 2025 down to 302 trees.”Public trust is built on transparency and accountability,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “CityStat isn’t just about highlighting our successes, it’s about being honest with our residents when we fall short. By sharing performance data openly, we welcome the public to see how we analyze service challenges, adjust our operational strategies, and work continuously to deliver better results for every neighborhood in St. Louis.”While data this quarter does highlight major wins, CityStat also identified several challenges, particularly in pothole repairs and refuse route completion.Pothole repair response times on major streets slowed significantly in Q3, with only 13% of requests completed within the 3-day goal timeframe. This decline resulted from an intentional operational pivot toward major summer paving projects across arterial streets. To address accumulating requests, the Street Division conducted a Saturday “pothole blitz” on September 12, filling more than 120 potholes in a single weekend.Refuse collection route coverage averaged 87% in Q3, falling below the City’s 95% target. The Refuse Division faced equipment maintenance issues compounded by extreme summer heat and increased seasonal route demands for yard waste pickup. Capital improvement planning is underway with the Equipment Services Division to modernize the fleet and stabilize route completion.The City encourages residents to review additional Q3 data on the CityStat website. Going forward, data will continue to be posted at the end of the month following the end of each quarter to allow City teams necessary time for data validation.

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Machacek Library Moves Across the Street to Storyline Church

Lou — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 14:51:30 +0000

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners announces that the pollingplace at Machacek Library will move to Storyline Church, located directly across the streetat 6401 Scanlan Ave., St. Louis, MO 63139, for the November 3, 2026 General Election.Voters whose Election Notice Card lists Machacek Library should vote at Storyline Church.The two sites share a parking lot, and signs will be posted at Machacek Library directingvoters across the street. The City’s voting locations listing has been updated to includeStoryline Church, and Machacek Library remains listed with a note that it is not in use onElection Day.Under the City’s ballot on demand system, voters may also vote at any City polling placeregardless of their assigned precinct. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday,November 3. A full list of voting locations is available athttps://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/board-election-commissioners/voter/polling-places/index.cfm . Voters can check current wait times at polling places on ElectionDay at https://stlcity.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/8548fe3a065a455182181399909102ef .The Board thanks voters for their patience and remains committed to the bipartisanadministration of elections in the City of St. Louis.

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Explore the St. Louis City Voter Turnout Dashboard

Lou — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 04:50:19 +0000

textExplore the St. Louis City Voter Turnout Dashboard

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Water Bill Relief Extended Through December 23 for Tornado-Impacted Residents

Lou — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 04:50:12 +0000

Mayor Cara Spencer and Director of Public Utilities Niraj Patel, P.E., in partnership with Julian Nicks, Chief Recovery Officer, announced today that enrollment in the Tornado Recovery Water Affordability Program will remain open through December 23, 2026. The previous deadline was October 31.Since enrollment opened on August 25, over 1,200 households have applied for the program. 600 of those households carry a past due water balance, which is 14 percent of the 4,164 accounts that were delinquent when the program launched.Those 4,164 accounts represented roughly $4.34 million in outstanding water debt across tornado-impacted neighborhoods. Nearly 1,900 of them owed $500 or less, while approximately 720 households owed more than $2,000. The extension is intended to reach the households that have not yet come forward.”This program is working, and it is not finished,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “There are still families in these neighborhoods who qualify for this help and have not yet claimed it. Recovery costs households both time and money, and we want to ensure the families impacted by the tornado can pay their full water bill for the next two years. We are keeping the door open so that everyone who needs this help has a real chance to get it.” The program was developed by the Water Division in collaboration with the STL Recovery Office, and is made possible by Board Bill 25 (Ordinance 72155), sponsored by Alderman Browning and passed by the Board of Aldermen. What Remains AvailableAll elements of the program continue through the extended deadline.50% Affordability Rate: Residents impacted by the May 16, 2025 tornado qualify for a 50 percent reduction in their water rate through December 2028, whether or not they have fallen behind on their bill.Repayment Plan with 50% Credit: For accounts carrying a past due balance, the Affordability Rate is applied retroactively to May 2025 as a lump sum credit that reduces the balance directly, paired with a repayment plan of up to 24 months. The Division can extend plans to 36 months case by case for larger balances.Full Credit for Uninhabitable Homes: Where a property has been uninhabitable since the tornado, charges accrued since May 2025 are forgiven outright and the account stops accruing fees.Fee Waivers: Residents who enroll will not be charged interest or late fees, and turn-off and reconnection fees are waived as a one-time courtesy.If Your Water Has Already Been Shut Off, You Can Still EnrollDisconnections resumed on September 30 and are continuing. A household whose service has already been disconnected remains eligible for the program, and the fee waiver covers reconnection. This means a resident who enrolls can have service restored without paying a reconnection charge.”Water is essential, and disconnection is always our last resort,” said Niraj Patel, P.E., Director of Public Utilities. “If your service has already been shut off, it is not too late. Call us. There is a plan here that fits your

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SLATE Seeks Proposals for Summer Youth Employment Program 3.0

Lou — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 04:50:01 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO – The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified organizations to deliver the Summer Youth Employment Program 3.0 (SYEP), providing paid work experiences and career development opportunities for young St. Louis residents.The program aims to serve at least 100 City of St. Louis youth, ages 15-24, helping them gain valuable workplace experience, develop essential job skills, and explore future career pathways.Selected service providers will be responsible for recruiting eligible participants, coordinating worksite placements, delivering employability skills training, and providing case management and supportive services. The program will emphasize hands-on work experience, professional development, and preparation for long-term employment success.SLATE encourages organizations with experience in youth employment, workforce development, education, and community-based services to apply.Key RFP Dates:RFP Release Date: October 29, 2026Deadline for Questions: November 5, 2026Proposal Submission Deadline: November 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CTInterested organizations can review the complete RFP, including eligibility requirements, scope of services, and submission instructions, at:SYEP 3.0 Request for ProposalsQuestions regarding the RFP must be directed to SLATERFP@stlworks.com by November 5, 2026.Through partnerships with local organizations, SLATE continues to expand opportunities for young St. Louis residents to build skills, gain meaningful work experience, and prepare for successful careers.About SLATE Missouri Job CenterSLATE is the City of St. Louis’ workforce development agency, connecting job seekers with employment, education, and training opportunities while helping businesses recruit and develop skilled talent. Through its Missouri Job Center and community partnerships, SLATE provides workforce services that strengthen the local economy and create pathways to economic opportunity. For more information, visit www.stlworks.com or call (314) 589-8000.

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SLATE Announces RFP for WIOA Title I Career Services

Lou — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 22:46:29 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO – The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), on behalf of the St. Louis Workforce Development Board (SLWDB), announces the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified organization to provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Career Services and related workforce development services in the City of St. Louis.The selected provider will deliver career services to adults, dislocated workers, and participants in related workforce programs at the SLATE Missouri Job Center, located at 1520 Market Street in downtown St. Louis.Services will include career counseling, job search and placement assistance, skills assessments, case management, access to occupational training and apprenticeships, and employer recruitment support. The goal is to help St. Louis residents gain the skills and opportunities needed for meaningful employment while connecting local businesses with qualified workers.Important Dates● RFP Release: October 27, 2026● Deadline for Questions: November 3, 2026● Proposal Submission Deadline: November 30, 2026● Anticipated Contract Start: July 1, 2027Interested organizations can review the complete RFP, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions on the SLATE website.Questions regarding the RFP must be directed to Martha A. Sands, Administrative Assistant II, at SLATERFP@stlworks.com or 314-657-3575.About SLATE Missouri Job CenterSLATE is the City of St. Louis government agency providing no-cost services to job seekers and businesses, including employment assistance, job training, and career advancement opportunities. Since 1975, SLATE has remained committed to developing a strong, inclusive workforce that supports economic growth throughout the city. For more information, visit www.stlworks.com or call (314) 589-8000.Federal Funding DisclosurePursuant to the Stevens Amendment, the RFP identifies $1,613,824 in federal funding, representing 80% of total program costs. The remaining 20% is identified as non-governmental funding.

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Mayor Spencer Unveils Plan to Refocus St. Louis Police Board on Officers, Oversight, and Public Trust

Lou — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 22:46:22 +0000

Mayor Cara Spencer today released her plan for building one of the nation’s premier police departments in St. Louis, laying out four priorities for the state-controlled Board of Police Commissioners, on which she serves. The plan calls on the Board to shift its attention from recent executive pay and media deals to the department’s core needs: staffing, accountability, prevention, and public trust.”St. Louis can have one of the best police departments in the country,” said Mayor Spencer. “Our officers have helped bring crime down, and the department has a strong foundation to build on. But a police department is only as strong as the body overseeing it and the priorities that body sets.”The Mayor reaffirmed that St. Louis should control its own police department, as Missouri voters overwhelmingly endorsed in 2012, and that the City’s legal challenge to state control will continue.”St. Louisans can’t afford to put public safety on hold while the courts decide,” said Mayor Spencer. “As long as this Board exists, I will use my seat on it to push for the improvements our residents and officers deserve.”The plan follows weeks in which the Board, in two closed-door meetings billed as emergencies, approved a new contract for Chief Robert Tracy worth more than $1 million above his existing contract, which had more than two years remaining. The Board also nearly approved a reality TV agreement that would have given a production company permanent ownership of footage of St. Louis residents. Meanwhile, SLMPD operates with roughly 850 officers, down from 1,250 in 2020, and civilian staff have gone 16 months without a contract.”The Board found time to notice two ’emergency’ meetings to approve $110,000 for a raise for the highest-paid person in the department,” said Mayor Spencer. “It has not found time to negotiate a new contract with civilian staff, whose contract expired in July 2025. Those are the wrong priorities.”The Mayor’s four priorities and what she is asking the Board to do:Get officer pay right. Immediately issue an RFP for an independent compensation study to bring starting salaries in line with regional and national markets, without negatively affecting any current officer.Exercise real oversight and coordinate with the City. Adopt a resolution affirming the Board’s responsibility for operational oversight, and require SLMPD to share Incident Action Plans with the City Emergency Management Agency and Fire Department before every major city-wide event, consistent with national incident management standards.Accelerate violence and crime prevention. Give the City’s Office of Violence Prevention standing access to shooting reviews, and set joint quarterly targets with the Director of Public Safety on traffic safety, problem properties, and infrastructure vandalism.Commit to transparency, fairness, and fiscal integrity. Publish outside-counsel billing records within 30 days and strictly follow the Sunshine Law; schedule promotional exams within six m

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St. Louis to Celebrate HalLOUween!

Lou — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 02:44:44 +0000

In partnership with the St. Louis Recreation Division, the St. Louis Fire Department, and the St. Louis Public Library, the City of St. Louis is hosting free, safe, and family-friendly events across the city this Halloween season.From haunted libraries, to teen movie nights, to candy giveaways, there are plenty of ways to enjoy HalLOUween, our very own STL-style celebration, in your local neighborhood.”We have so many incredible events happening this season around the city and I can’t wait to see everyone out and about in their HalLOUween finest,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “I’m also immensely grateful for our City employees who are investing so much of themselves into making this season special for our residents.”Events can be found on the City’s website and are organized by location. With events running from Oct. 28-Oct. 31, there’s something for everyone!

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City of St. Louis Announces Close-Out of Phase 1 Tornado Zone Emergency Demolitions, Sets Path for Phase 2

Lou — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 02:44:37 +0000

Today, the City of St. Louis Recovery Office announced that Phase 1 emergency tornado zone demolitions are closing out in the North St. Louis neighborhoods hit by the May 16, 2025 tornado.The Recovery Office’s focus is delivering hope for every resident: your home is safe, your neighborhood has a future, and there is a plan for you in it. Demolition is just the starting point. Clearing what can’t be preserved to make way for what comes next brings needed safety and stability to the neighborhood.”When the tornado hit, families were living next to buildings that could come down at any moment,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “Phase 1 was about making every block safe. We will finish that work in Phase 2 as we begin to shift our focus to rebuilding.”The scale of the demolition work required reflects not just tornado damage, but decades of disinvestment. Before the tornado, 70 to 75 percent of the properties now in the demolition pipeline were already vacant or condemned.Phase 1 by the NumbersThe Recovery Office estimates 1,400 to 1,600 demolitions are needed across the tornado zone. Phase 1 will complete over 700 demolitions, led by the City and its partners, roughly 45 to 50 percent of the total. Approximately 430 demolitions are privately owned properties, and more than 270 are publicly owned LRA properties.Phase 1 focused on three priorities:Emergency demolitions of buildings already down or posing an immediate safety threat to neighboring properties or the right of way (streets and alleys)Damaged structures along the neighborhood’s primary high-traffic corridorsDemolitions requested by property ownersWork began in 2025 and accelerated sharply in March 2026. In May 2026, fewer than 100 demolitions were completed. Today that number is over 560, and by the end of Phase 1 that number will be over 700 demolitions.Demolition work will largely pause in December, except for emergencies. The City will focus on closing out remaining demolition work and permits, while planning for the next phase of demolitions. Operations are planned to resume in early 2027 with the start of Phase 2.Phase 1 was funded through a partnership of more than $30 million in City, State, and Federal sources:City/Local: $11 million ($7 million in Board Bill 22 Rams settlement funds, $3 million in General Revenue through the Building Division, and $1 million in MSD demolition funds)State: $10 million (Missouri Senate Bill 1)Federal: $12 million estimated ($6 million in ARPA funds administered by the Land Reutilization Authority through the Regional Crime Commission in partnership with the Missouri Department of Economic Development, $4 million in State-managed FEMA-funded Private Property Debris Removal, and $2 million in City-managed FEMA-funded demolition)”Phase 1 took a partnership across every level of government, and it delivered for residents,” said Julian Nicks, Chief Recovery Officer. “We will bring that same partnership to finishing the job.””LRA was ready to pivot and partner wit

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City of St. Louis Pauses Police Chief’s Pay Increase Due to Legal Concerns

Lou — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:41:43 +0000

City’s Law Department today notified the Board of legal deficiencies in its process; City to pause the raise, which it has discovered was made retroactively effective to a date before the vote was made, pending the state’s investigation.ST. LOUIS, MO – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer announced that the City’s Law Department provided formal notice to the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners, via the Board attorney, of the legal deficiencies in its secretive and improper process to approve a salary increase for Police Chief Robert Tracy. As a result of those legal concerns and a pending state investigation announced today, the City is pausing the salary increase until the investigation concludes and the Board’s actions are determined to have been proper.The Board approved Chief Tracy’s request for a contract extension to his existing three-year contract through 2030 in closed-door proceedings held on October 15 and October 17, 2026. The agreement raised the Chief’s annual base salary to $295,000, an increase of roughly $110,000. The agreement also provided for annual guaranteed salary increases each October; a two-year payout provision where he will continue to receive this salary in the event he is terminated as police chief; and the creation of a new fund to provide compensation to cover his employee contributions for health, dental, and prescription insurance.The City has learned Chief Tracy was paid at the increased rate retroactively starting October 11. Standard processes provide that even if the pay raise was properly approved, it should not have been submitted to take effect until the pay period following the approval. As a result, the paycheck issued today contained an extra week’s salary at the increased rate.Earlier today, Governor Mike Kehoe asked Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway to open an investigation into potential violations of Missouri’s Sunshine Law during those meetings. State law (Section 610.011, RSMo) declares that the meetings, votes and deliberations of public bodies, including the Board, are open to the public unless the law specifically provides otherwise.The City Counselor’s notice today outlines the deficiencies in how the Board considered and approved this proposed contract, including its decision to act behind closed doors in apparent violation of state open records laws. Because the Board’s process does not appear to have met those requirements, and because of the pending state investigation, the City must pause the increase to the Chief’s salary.The City will not process one more dollar of this improperly-effected increase until the state’s investigation is complete. The City will revisit the matter only after the Attorney General’s investigation concludes and the Board’s actions are determined with legal certainty to have been proper.”I am outraged by how this was done,” said Mayor Spencer. “The Police Board went behind closed doors and handed out a significant raise that, with pension and other costs, wi

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