ST. LOUIS — The public has spoken and replacing water mains was the top way residents want the Board of Aldermen to look into spending the Rams settlement funds in the city.

More than 12,400 responses came in during the latest round of voting that wrapped up on Feb. 2. Residents could choose from 20 ideas and could vote for multiple of them.

The city has been asking for public input on how it should spend St. Louis’ $250 million share of the settlement from when the team left for Los Angeles. 

Here are the online results:

• Replacement of Water Mains - 9,953 votes from 5,510 supporters
• Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Friendly Street Design - 8,973 votes from 5,155 supporters
• Increase Wages and Salaries for City Employees - 8,802 votes from 4,797 supporters
• Free or Municipally Subsidized Child Care for Residents - 8,271 votes from 4,592 supporters

“These results paint a clearer picture of residents’ priorities,” said Cristina Garmendia, Policy Director to President Green and author of the report. “It’s our responsibility in the President’s Office to organize city-wide engagement and share that information with the full board so they can make informed decisions.”

Of those who participated in the online voting, 77.7% identified themselves as city residents; 5.2% as non-city residents who worked, owned a business, or visited the city; and 17% chose not to share that information. 

Each of the ideas that received strong public support will be researched, vetted for feasibility, and discussed with experts in the field, community organizations, and residents, according to the Board of Aldermen’s office. 

“This phase of the process is proof that people want to make decisions with their elected leaders,” said Board of Aldermen President Megan E. Green in a statement. “Until now, residents haven’t had an opportunity to participate in a way that works for them. I’m encouraged by the response and look forward to building on an approach that connects more residents to the City’s policy-making process long-term.”

There are now 16,000 registered users on the city’s public engagement platform following all the rounds of voting, making the Rams settlement process the city’s largest public participation event in recent times, according to officials. 

One idea not included for a public vote but that will get consideration from the Board of Aldermen is the concept of a municipal endowment fund that would allow for a longer-term impact.

While there is no deadline to spend the money, a timeline provided by the city suggests that the next phase of the vetting process will include aldermanic hearings between now and the end of May to determine feasibility and costs.