ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez has led the push for the City of St. Louis to create a city manager position.
Velazquez, who previously joined 'The Chris and Amy Show', had previously proposed Board Bill 162, which would change the city charter to create a Department of City Administration to be directed and overseen by a city administrator.
Velazquez says having a city manager for City of St. Louis would 'modernize the government and takes the politics out of the whole process.'
On Thursday, March, 6, Velazquez, along Tangozo Podcast host Hank Thompson will moderate a tele-town hall from 6 to 7 p.m.
The panel, which will feature the city managers of Beaverton, Oregon, and Clayton, Missouri, will discuss why it would be beneficial for the City of St. Louis to have a city manager.
"It's an opportunity for us to have a real, robust discussion," said Velazquez on 'The Chris and Amy Show' Monday. "I think people conceptually get it, but it's a chance for us to dive into a deeper conversation."
Velazquez says a city manager should be very detail-oriented, someone who 'geeks out on the details', which is something that elected officials like her don't have the background to do.
"There's a whole class of people and that is what they do: they move from city to city to do just that," said Velazquez. "They are seeped into these best practices on how to administer city services. What that does give is give elected
Velazquez says having a city manager will also let elected officials to focus on bigger goals.
"That gives the other folks a chance to focus on, I think, some bigger pieces," said Velazquez. "Like what is the 2030-2050 vision for St. Louis, which we also need. It's difficult to do both."
Velazquez's proposal for a city manager does have some support, including from mayoral candidate and fellow Alderwoman Cara Spencer. However, current St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones is not a fan of Velazquez's proposal.
To listen to the full conversation, you can click the player above.