Southwest Garden Neighborhood Association

I was sued this week. The Board of Police Commissioners sued the City, the Mayor, the Board President, the Board of Aldermen, my 13 colleagues, and me.

The suit is tone deaf. The Police Commissioners seek $67.5 million of the principal from the 2021 settlement of the City's case against the Rams. The suit alleges the funds represent "general revenue" for fiscal year 2025-26 to which the Police Commissioners claim immediate entitlement. The suit comes as the Board prepares to discuss allocation of the Rams principal, including significant sums for the tornado ravaged neighborhoods of North St. Louis, the Water Division, and Downtown.

The suit also comes during the second of three weeks of hearings pertaining to the City's 2026-27 budget. I sit on the Budget Committee. So far, the Committee has heard presentations from 30 City departments and the Budget Director. These presentations included testimony ranging from the City's need to increase financial support for the City's Emergency Management Agency and problem property investigators, to increasing pay for dozens of City employees - from airport maintenance workers to Neighborhood Improvement Specialists, to immediately funding additional correctional officers at the Justice Center.

If you follow me, you know my belief that it's long past time to invest in the terrific asset that is the Water Division. You also know I recognize that a rising tide lifts all ships and we cannot succeed as a unified City without providing relief to our Northside neighbors. Finally, there's little doubt that Downtown is the economic hub of the City, let alone the metropolitan area; the region cannot succeed without a vibrant business district.

We're at a crossroads. The legislation transferring control of the police department to the State is wreaking havoc on our City. I support our officers. But, I also realize public safety is a challenge that extends beyond the department.

Please act. Representative Brad Christ is the architect of the legislation. Call and tell him what you think of his meddling in your business. You can reach Christ at: 573.751.2150. Or, email him at: [email protected].

THANK YOU to everyone who came out and attending our General Membership meeting last night. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with our local and federal representatives and to build community together.

We also wanted to give a very special thank you to Representative Wesley Bell, Matt Devoti, 5th Ward Alderman, St Louis Circuit Attorney and STL Neighborhood Foresters for speaking at our meeting.

We look forward to seeing all of our neighbors again at our next general membership meeting in July!

SWGNA invites you to our regular Southwest Garden Neighborhood Association General Membership Meeting this Monday, May 4th.

We are honored to announce that Congressman Wesley Bell and Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore will be joining us to speak directly with the neighborhood. This is a unique opportunity to engage with local and federal leadership on the issues that matter most to our community.

While our guest speakers are a major highlight, we have a full agenda of essential neighborhood business:

• Public Safety & Civic Leadership: Updates from Ward 5 Alderman Matt Devoti, SLMPD, and our NIS representative.

• Neighborhood Initiatives: Presentations on the Circuit Attorney Neighborhood Collaboration and the Neighborhood Foresters.

• Governance: We will be conducting our annual SWGNA Board elections.

• Recognition: An attendance prize will be awarded to a member in attendance

We can’t wait to see everyone there!

🚨 RESCHEDULED MEETING DATE 🚨

Good news neighbors, the Southwest Garden Neighborhood Association’s general meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, May 4 at 7pm.

Please join us as we hold elections for the 2026 board, hear from guests, including SLMPD and the Circuit Attorney’s Office and more.

We’re glad everyone stayed safe during our severe weather earlier this week and we hope to see everyone at our meeting next week!

Out of an abundance of caution for the incoming severe weather, the Southwest Garden Neighborhood Association’s April General Meeting has been POSTPONED. Please make sure you are safe during this severe weather and you have multiple ways to get alerts about incoming potentially dangerous conditions.

SWGNA will provide details regarding a potential reschedule date and time when that information is ready.

NOTICE: Public Utilities Director Niraj Patel and Special Assistant Spencer Gould are hosting a series of town halls addressing the recent water rate sufficiency study and City water rates.

The next meeting is tomorrow, April 21, at Buder Library, 4401 Hampton Avenue. The meeting will be between 530 and 7 p.m.

The town hall is part of the Water Division's ongoing commitment to community outreach and providing opportunities for citizens' voices to be heard.

Director Patel and Special Assistant Gould will make a short presentation about the findings of the Rate Sufficiency Study, and then open the floor to questions. Additionally, Water Division customer service representatives will be on hand to personally meet with customers to discuss their accounts and provide information on the current temporary assistance program.

Those with questions or comments who are unable to attend are encouraged to visit stlwater.com and fill out the form on the Division's rate review page. They may also submit questions via email at [email protected].

STL-TV will stream the town hall live and make its recording available for you to watch at a later date.

Two weeks from today, the Southwest Garden Neighborhood Association will be holding its annual elections at a general membership meeting.

Are you interested in joining the organization’s leadership? Email [email protected] with your desired position and a resume.