Ordinance Review Committee Meeting
At the August 20th Board of Aldermen meeting, Alderman Knapp, head of the Ordinance Review Committee, invited Bellerive Acres residents to attend the committee’s upcoming meeting on August 24 at 6:30 p.m. at #18.
The committee is currently reviewing a few of the city’s ordinances, and residents are welcome to come hear the discussion, ask questions, and share their thoughts. You don’t need to be familiar with the ordinances or come prepared to speak—neighbors who simply want to learn more about what is being considered are welcome too.
The proposed revisions are available ahead of the meeting for anyone who would like to take a look.
SEE THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO BE DISCUSSED HERE
August 24th Ordinance Review Committee Meeting Update (8/26/26)
The committee is currently reviewing a few of the city’s ordinances, as proposed by a resident. They made plans to reconvene at a time when all members were prepared with more research.
Committee members offered an important clarification about the committee's role and how its ordinance review process works.
What Is the Role of the Ordinance Review Committee?
Residents are welcome to attend the committee's meetings, observe its work and follow the discussion. However, the committee explained that its purpose is not to poll residents or develop ordinance recommendations based on a consensus of residents.
Instead, the Ordinance Review Committee is an advisory committee tasked with reviewing City ordinances, researching how similar issues are addressed in comparable municipalities, and developing recommendations for consideration by the Board of Aldermen.
The recommendation is not the final decision. Ordinance changes ultimately go before the Board of Aldermen, and an ordinance cannot become law without the required formal consideration and vote of the Board.
That distinction is supported by the structure of the Bellerive Acres Municipal Code. Chapter 117, “Boards, Committees and Commissions,” establishes the City's committees, including §117.120, “Committee Established.” At the same time, City Code generally requires meetings of public governmental bodies to be open to the public.
In other words, being open to the public does not mean the committee functions as a representative survey of public opinion. The committee's formal responsibility is to conduct its review and make a recommendation based on its research and deliberations.
For residents who want their views on an ordinance or other City issue to be heard, the most direct forum is the regular monthly Board of Aldermen meeting, where residents may follow the issue as it comes before the City's elected governing body for a vote and participate during the public-comment portion of the meeting.
Residents can also communicate directly with their Board of Aldermen representatives and the Mayor via their posted official city email addresses.