An attempt to wrest some control over the management of the pandemic away from St. Louis County Executive Sam Page failed during the recent county meeting.
But further moves may be made as one councilman who voted against bills that would have curtailed Page's powers has indicated he will support one that is more "legally sound."
The moves are fueled, in part, by concerns over restrictions imposed on youth sports, with guidelines issued by Page in particular restricting football and basketball for over 14s. The county said Friday that COVID 19 cases have been linked to youth sports.
Hundreds of people – parents and children – picketed Page's home to protest against the restrictions, which, while described as guidelines, are effectively rules, according to one councilman.
Councilman Mark Harder (R-7th) said school districts and other organizers of youth sports are not going to take any action contrary to what the county is saying for fear of legal liability.
Harder consistently has argued against handing over increased powers and control over federal funds to the executive.
He told the St. Louis Record he had hoped to "take some power away from the county executive when it comes to the pandemic."
Harder added: "We are trying to claw back some of our financial oversight."
Three bills were put forward at last week's council, one requiring a two-thirds vote by the seven-person council to extend a state of emergency past 15 days, the second requiring the same numbers to extend orders made by the health department.
A third, put forward by Councilwoman Rita Days, of the 1st District, would have taken back some control of $173.5 million in federal funds from Page to the council. She, along with her Democratic colleagues and against the three Republicans, voted for the measure in April.
Days also voted last week with two Republicans – Harder and Councilman Tim Fitch (R-3rd) – on the bill to curb Page's and the health department's powers.
The third Republican, Councilman Ernie Trakas (R-6th), voted against moving the bill forward. That position angered his Republican colleagues, according to various news reports.
However, following the meeting, Trakas sent a memo to County Counsellor Beth Orwick asking her craft a bill that was "legally sound, able to successfully withstand legal challenge and be enforceable by your office."
Ahead of the meeting, Orwick delivered an opinion that bills would not be enforceable because the powers of the executive and health department are ring fenced by provisions of the county charter.
Any bill would only survive Page's veto if there was a two-thirds vote.