February 2026 Meeting Minutes

The Carondelet Neighborhood Association met on Monday, Monday, February 16 at the Carondelet branch of the St. Louis Public Library. We had 23 attendees.

Here are the highlights of what was shared during the meeting.

1. Welcome: Kyla Oudshoorn, CNA President

   1. Elections for our next CNA Board will be held at our next meeting on April 20.

   2. Alexis Siman, Events Committee Chair, is starting to plan for Carondelet Days. She could not attend tonight, but will share updates at the next meeting.
      

2. Neighborhood Police Update: Officer Hayworth
   1. Air conditioner theft is increasing citywide. A prevention flyer was shared recommending:

      1. Installing a high‑quality cage around units

      2. Using security cameras and bright lighting

      3. Watching for cut freon lines, which often indicate thieves plan to return

   2. Residents can contact him at whaymore@slmpd.org.
      

3. Special guest: Donna Barringer, Comptroller for the City of St. Louis

   1. She shared a variety of updates about the work of the comptroller. The city’s finances is the largest portion of her job; but it also includes auditing for waste, fraud and abuse; and managing the city’s real estate holdings.

   2. She has been working to reduce costs for paying the city’s 10,000 vendors and making systems more efficient.

   3. She is an airport commissioner and must sign off on all airport contracts. She and Alderman Shane Cohn shared about some of the airport improvements they are working on.
      

4. Ward 1 Updates: Anne Schweitzer, Ward 1 Alderwoman

   1. She thanked everyone for their understanding while she took some time to be with her newborn son.

   2. She and Alderman Cohn had a joint town hall in January. Their next one will be on April 11 at noon at the Carondelet Branch Library.

   3. There will be a town hall about making Gravois Road safer on March 7 from 10am-1pm at the International Institute.

   4. The city earnings tax will be on the ballot on April 7. This 1% tax on residents’ earnings funds 30% of the city’s budget, so she encourages everyone to vote in favor. We must vote on it every five years, by state laws.

   5. The city is working on reappropriating American Rescue Act (ARPA) funds that won’t be spent in time, focusing on water infrastructure.

   6. The S. Broadway project that will install a protected bike line and make the street safer has finally gone to bid.

   7. Please report any unsecured vacant buildings to the Citizens Service Bureau, your Neighborhood Improvement Specialist and/or Anne–there have been many fires lately started by squatters inside vacant buildings.
      

5. Ward 3 Updates: Shane Cohn, Ward 3 Alderman

   1. He stressed that the city does not do proactive inspections, so if you don’t report problems, the city doesn’t know.

   2. The Louisiana Calm Street project is starting the second phase from Meramec Street to Holly Hills. The goal is to improve the street with traffic calming measures and improved accessibility to connect business districts and parks.

   3. ARPA funds are being spent, including on repaving Grand Ave from Hall Street to Holly Hills by the end of 2026.

   4. A question was asked about how to address problem landlords. The Board of Aldermen has been working to increase fines, which city voters approved in 2025. He urged residents to contact the members of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (the mayor, the comptroller and the president of the Board of Aldermen) to encourage them to fully fund the Building Division.
      

6. Bylaws approval and board nominations: Kim Westerman, CNA Vice President
   1. She briefly reviewed the draft bylaws that were shared with the meeting announcement via email and on Facebook.

      1. There was one addition to the draft, adding that a quorum of 9 eligible voters will be required for votes taken at general meetings.

      2. The bylaws were approved unanimously.

   2. She explained the nomination process for our 2026-27 CNA Board.

      1. Nominations were accepted during the meeting.

      2. Additional nominations may be emailed to info@carondeletneighborhood.org by April 10.

      3. Those who accepted nominations during the meeting were:

         1. President: Kim Westerman

         2. Vice President: Chantal Incandela

         3. Secretary: Megan McGonnell

         4. Treasuer: none

Our next neighborhood association meeting, including the vote for our 2026-27 Board will be on Monday, April 20 from 6-7pm at the Carondelet Library.