Transportation & Commerce Committee

Agenda Transportation & Commerce Committee Meeting St. Louis Board of Aldermen Tuesday, March 3, 2026 - 9:00 AM Kennedy Room President Megan Green Alderman Shane Cohn, Chair Committee Members: Alderman Thomas Oldenburg Alderman Bret Narayan Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer Alderwoman Jami Cox Antwi Order of Business I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Approval of Minutes Approval of the minutes from Tuesday, February 10, 2026, committee meeting. IV. Board Bills for Review (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following) Board Bill Number 167 Introduced by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, Jami CoxAntwi An ordinance amending ordinance number 68481 to create a limited exemption for convention facilities within the City of St. Louis for certain private events or trade shows. The exemption applies only under specified circumstances and is intended to allow flexibility for convention-related activities while maintaining the overall purpose and enforceability of existing regulations; including a severability clause. V. Resolutions for Review None VI. Committee Discussions (The committee will discuss the following and take public comment on the following) VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony Page 1 of 14 VIII. Announcements IX. Excused Members X. Adjournment Page 2 of 14  Minutes Transportation & Commerce Regular Committee Tuesday, February 10, 2026 9:00 AM Kennedy Room Minutes are preliminary and may change until finally approved I. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:04am. II. Roll Call The Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll and the following members answered with their names: Mr. Oldenburg, Mr. Narayan, Ms. Schweitzer, Ms. Cox-Antwi and Chair Cohn. 5 members were present. A quorum was established. III. Approval of Minutes Approval of the minutes from Tuesday, December 16, 2025, committee meeting. The Chair stated they would entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, December 16, 2025, committee meeting. Mr. Oldenburg moved to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, December 16, 2025, committee meeting. Seconded by Ms. Cox-Antwi. The Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll on the motion to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, December 16, 2025, committee meeting. The Associate Clerk called the roll and the following votes were recorded: The following voted Aye: Mr. Oldenburg, Mr. Narayan, Mr. Cohn, Ms. Schweitzer, Ms. Cox-Antwi and Chair. Cohn. 5 Aye votes were cast. Page 1 of 8 Minutes prepared by: Ora Heggs, Assoc. Clerk Minutes approved: February 10, 2026 Page 3 of 14  The following voted No: None The following abstained: None The following were present but did not vote: None A total of 5 votes were cast. The motion carried. IV. Board Bills for Review (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following) Board Bill Number 25 Introduced by Alderman Shane Cohn, President Megan E Green An ordinance amending Title 18 — Airports and Aviation Code, of the Revised Code of the City of St. Louis, to add a new chapter pertaining to car rental operations at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The Chair introduced Board Bill Number 25 before the committee. After discussing Board Bill Number 25, he stated that he had a committee substitute that he wanted to put before the committee. The Chair entertained a motion to adopt the committee substitute to Board Bill Number 25. Ms. Schweitzer moved to adopt the committee substitute to Board Bill Number 25. Seconded by Mr. Oldenburg. Ms. Schweitzer requested the previous roll. Hearing no objection to the request for previous roll, the Chair stated that the Committee Substitute to Board Bill Number 25 was adopted. Page 2 of 8 Minutes prepared by: Ora Heggs, Assoc. Clerk Minutes approved: February 10, 2026 Page 4 of 14  The Associate Clerk recorded the following votes from the previous roll. The following voted Aye: Mr. Oldenburg, Mr. Narayan, Mr. Cohn, Ms. Schweitzer, Ms. Cox-Antwi and Chair. Cohn. 5 Aye votes were cast. The following voted No: None The following voted Present: None The following Abstained: None A total of 5 votes were cast. The motion carried. After no further discussion, the Chair asked the Associate Clerk to read a letter submitted by Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, St. Louis Lambert Intl. Airport Director who was not able to attend. As directed by the Chair, the Associate Clerk read the letter. After no further discussion, the Chair recognized Mr. Don Lefeve, President of the American Car Rental Association. Mr. Lefeve outlined why Board Bill Number 25 should be passed out of committee. After no further discussion, the Chair opened the discussion up to members of the committee for questions and comments. Hearing no questions or comments from members of the committee, the Chair stated that he had three amendments to Board Bill Number 25 Committee Substitute that he wanted to discuss. The Chair discussed all three amendments and its changes before adopting them. Amendment No. 1 To Board Bill No. 25 Amendment Sponsor: Alderman Cohn Page 3 of 8 Minutes prepared by: Ora Heggs, Assoc. Clerk Minutes approved: February 10, 2026 Page 5 of 14  To amend said Board Bill, Page 2, Line 9 as follows: Beginning on Page 2, Line 9, after the word(s) “Airport” insert the following words and figures: “Whereas, Ordinance 69382 as amended by Ordinance 71242, expressly states that “Designated Areas” are defined as “areas of Airport roadways and parking areas designated by St. Louis County Ordinance, by the governmental agency authorized to issues taxicab licenses for the jurisdiction where the airport is situated, BY THE CITY, by the Airport Authority, or by the Airport Director, for specified uses by specified Ground Transportation Operators or classes of Ground Transportation Operators;”. After no further discussion, the Chair opened the discussion up to members of the committee for questions and comments. Members of the committee asked questions and made comments. Hearing no further questions or comments from members of the committee, the Chair discussed Amendment Number 2. Amendment No. 2 To Board Bill No. 25 Amendment Sponsor: Alderman Cohn To amend said Board Bill, Page 2, Line 9 as follows: Beginning on Page 2, Line 9, after the word(s) “Operators” insert the following words and figures: “Whereas, the Airport Director and Airport Authority periodically review Ground Transportation industry surveys and recommend updates to the ordinance(s) about Ground Transportation operators, which last occurred in 2020. It is recognized that a holistic Ground Transportation ordinance is needed, but it hasn’t been drafted to acknowledge and incorporate updates within the industry, and is expected to be produced within the next two years. After no further discussion, the Chair opened the discussion up to members of the committee for questions and comments. Members of the committee asked questions and made comments. Hearing no further questions or comments from members of the committee, Page 4 of 8 Minutes prepared by: Ora Heggs, Assoc. Clerk Minutes approved: February 10, 2026 Page 6 of 14  the Chair discussed Amendment Number 3. Amendment No. 3 To Board Bill No. 25 Amendment Sponsor: Alderman Cohn To amend said Board Bill, Page 2, Line 9 as follows: Beginning on Page 2, Line 9, after the word(s) “next two years” insert the following words and figures: “Whereas, by most recently entering into a no-bid contract, approved by the Airport Authority on August 7, 2025, and executed by the Airport Director on September 1, 2025, they recently recognized the need for regulations and restrictions about Peer-to-Peer Operators at and around the Airport.” After no further discussion, the Chair opened the discussion up to members of the committee for questions and comments. Members of the committee asked questions and made comments. Hearing no further questions or comments from members of the committee, the Chair stated that he would adopt one amendment with all three whereas clauses because they were inserted into the same place. The Chair moved to adopt one amendment with all three Whereas Clauses to Board Bill Number 25 Committee Substitute out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. Seconded by Mr. Oldenburg. Ms. Schweitzer requested the previous roll. Hearing no objection to the request for previous roll the Chair stated that one amendment with all three Whereas Clauses to Board Bill Number 25 Committee Substitute out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. The Associate Clerk recorded the following votes from the previous roll. The following voted Aye: Mr. Oldenburg, Mr. Narayan, Mr. Cohn, Ms. Schweitzer, Ms. Cox-Antwi and Chair. Cohn. 5 Aye votes were cast. Page 5 of 8 Minutes prepared by: Ora Heggs, Assoc. Clerk Minutes approved: February 10, 2026 Page 7 of 14  The following voted No: None The following voted Present: None The following Abstained: None A total of 5 votes were cast. The motion carried. After no further discussion, the Chair opened the discussion up to members of the committee for questions and comments. Members of the committee asked questions and made comments. Hearing no further questions or comments from members of the committee, the Chair entertained a motion to pass Board Bill Number 25 Committee Substitute as Amended out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. Mr. Oldenburg moved to pass Board Bill Number 25 Committee Substitute as Amended out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. Seconded by Ms. Cox-Antwi. The Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll on the motion tto pass Board Bill Number 25 Committee Substitute as Amended out of committee with a Do Pass Recommendation.. The Associate Clerk called the roll and the following votes were recorded: The following voted Aye: Mr. Oldenburg, Mr. Narayan, Mr. Cohn, Ms. Schweitzer, Ms. Cox-Antwi and Chair. Cohn. 5 Aye votes were cast. The following voted No: None The following abstained: None Page 6 of 8 Minutes prepared by: Ora Heggs, Assoc. Clerk Minutes approved: February 10, 2026 Page 8 of 14  The following were present but did not vote: None A total of 5 votes were cast. The motion carried. V. Resolutions for Review None VI. Committee Discussions None VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony VIII. Announcements None IX. Excused Members All members were present. 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 Oldenburg. Ms. Schweitzer requested the previous roll. Hearing no objection to the previous roll, the Chair adjourned the meeting. The Associate Clerk recorded the votes from the previous roll. The following voted Aye: Mr. Oldenburg, Mr. Narayan, Mr. Cohn, Ms. Schweitzer, Ms. Cox-Antwi and Chair. Cohn. 5 Aye votes were cast. The following voted No: None Page 7 of 8 Minutes prepared by: Ora Heggs, Assoc. Clerk Minutes approved: February 10, 2026 Page 9 of 14  The following voted Present: None The following Abstained: None A total of 5 votes were cast. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:55pm. [MIN_SIGNATURES] Page 8 of 8 Minutes prepared by: Ora Heggs, Assoc. Clerk Minutes approved: February 10, 2026 Page 10 of 14 Summary Board Bill Number 167 Introduced by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge February 13, 2026 An ordinance amending ordinance number 68481 to create a limited exemption for convention facilities within the City of St. Louis for certain private events or trade shows. The exemption applies only under specified circumstances and is intended to allow flexibility for convention- related activities while maintaining the overall purpose and enforceability of existing regulations; including a severability clause. Page 11 of 14  BOARD BILL NUMBER 167 INTRODUCED BY ALDERMAN RASHEEN ALDRIDGE CO-SPONSORS: ALDERWOMAN JAMI COX ANTWI 1 An ordinance amending ordinance number 68481 to create a limited exemption for convention 2 facilities within the City of St. Louis for certain private events or trade shows. The exemption 3 applies only under specified circumstances and is intended to allow flexibility for convention- 4 related activities while maintaining the overall purpose and enforceability of existing regulations; 5 including a severability clause. 6 SECTION ONE. Section Seven of Ordinance 68481 is hereby amended to read as follows: 7 SECTION SEVEN. Where Smoking Not Regulated 8 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Ordinance to the contrary, the following areas shall 9 be exempt from the provisions of Sections Four and Five: 10 1. Private residences, except when used as a licensed childcare, licensed adult day care, or 11 licensed health care facility. 12 2. Not more than twenty percent (20%) of hotel and motel rooms rented to guests and designated 13 as smoking rooms. All smoking rooms on the same floor must be contiguous and smoke from 14 these rooms must not infiltrate into areas where smoking is prohibited under the provisions of 15 this Ordinance. The status of rooms as smoking or nonsmoking may not be changed, except to 16 add additional nonsmoking rooms. 17 3. Private clubs that have no employees, except when being used for a function to which the 18 general public is invited; provided that smoke from such clubs does not infiltrate into areas 19 where smoking is prohibited under the provisions of this Ordinance. This exemption shall not 20 apply to any organization that is established for the purpose of avoiding compliance with this 21 Ordinance. 22 4. Outdoor areas of places of employment. 23 5. Tobacco retail stores as defined by this Ordinance. Page 1 of 3 Board Bill Number 167 Aldridge February 13, 2026 Page 12 of 14  1 6. Casino gaming areas as defined by this Ordinance. 2 7. Bars in existence on the effective date of this ordinance in which only persons aged twenty 3 one (21) years old or older are permitted to enter the premises, the square footage of the entire 4 floor area of the level of the building on which the bar establishment is located is two thousand 5 (2000) square feet or less. The square footage shall not include kitchen areas, storage areas and 6 bathrooms. The bar shall prominently display outside of the premises at each entrance and above 7 the bar the following sign in lettering that is black bold Arial font at (ninety-eight) 98 point size: 8 “WARNING : SMOKING ALLOWED HERE”. This exemption for bars shall expire five (5) 9 years after the effective date of this ordinance. 10 8. A Convention Facility as defined by this ordinance, located within the City of St. Louis 11 may host a time-limited, private and ticketed, specialized convention involving on-site 12 smoking activities only upon satisfaction of all requirements set forth in this subsection. 13 Such exemption shall apply solely to the duration of the permitted private event and or 14 trade show and shall not constitute a permanent exemption from the requirements of this 15 ordinance. 16 The exemption may be granted only if the Convention Facility demonstrates compliance 17 with the following smoke mitigation measures: 18 a. Installation and operation of a temporary or permanent ventilation and air 19 filtration system designed to capture and exhaust tobacco smoke, including but not 20 limited to HEPA filtration and negative air pressure systems; 21 b. Physical separation of smoking-permitted areas from non-smoking areas by fully 22 enclosed barriers; Page 2 of 3 Board Bill Number 167 Aldridge February 13, 2026 Page 13 of 14  1 c. Posting of clear signage notifying attendees and workers of smoking-permitted 2 areas; 3 d. Implementation of worker protection measures, including the right of employees 4 to opt out of assignment to smoking-permitted areas without penalty. 5 SECTION TWO. Severability Clause 6 The provisions of this ordinance shall be severable. In the event that any provision of this 7 ordinance is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, the remaining 8 provisions of this ordinance are valid unless the court finds the valid provisions of this ordinance 9 are so essentially and inseparably connected with, and so dependent upon, the void provision that 10 it cannot be presumed that the Board of Aldermen would have enacted the valid provisions 11 without the void ones or unless the Court finds that the valid provisions, standing alone, are 12 incomplete and incapable of being executed in accordance with the legislative intent. . Page 3 of 3 Board Bill Number 167 Aldridge February 13, 2026 Page 14 of 14