The Board of Aldermen, is the municipal legislature of the independent City of St. Louis, Missouri.
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Composition
The Board of Aldermen consists of one representative from each of the city's 28 wards; the body's President is elected separately by a city-wide ballot. Like the mayor, Aldermen representing odd-numbered wards are elected in odd numbered years following the United States Presidential Election, while the President of the Board and the aldermen from even-numbered wards are elected in the off-years. Proposition R, a charter amendment to reduce the number of city of St. Louis aldermen from 28 to 14 effective January 1, 2022, was passed by city voters on November 6, 2012 with 61 percent voting in favor; 60 percent was needed for passage.
Powers
By custom and tradition the individual aldermen have a great deal of influence over decisions impacting the ward they represent on matters ranging from zoning changes, to street resurfacing.
Qualifications
To become an Alderman one must be a registered voter, twenty-five years of age, have been a United States citizen for at least five years, a resident of the city, and one year a resident of the ward from which elected. The President must be at least thirty years of age and a city resident for a least five years.
List of Presidents
The President presides at all the meeting, preserves decorum and determines all questions of order. He or she also appoints standing and special committees and serves as an equal member of all committees. The President assigns bills to appropriate committees and refers bills, when ready, to the Engrossment Committee. the President directs action from the broad elevated podium in the front and center of the semi-circular chamber.