Pevely Approves More Than $342,000 in Contracts as Board Debates Spending, Bid History
PEVELY, Mo. — Pevely aldermen approved more than $342,000 in contracts Monday night, moving ahead with new technology at City Hall and Public Works as well as concrete work on Landmark Manor Drive, but not before questions over spending, contract review, and past contractor performance produced some of the evening’s most notable discussion.
The August 17 meeting included approval of three resolutions covering an upgraded audio and visual system for the Board of Aldermen room, a major video surveillance project at Public Works, and concrete work on Landmark Manor Drive. The board also received an update on proposed Police Personnel Board appointments and looked ahead to Pevely Days, which begins Thursday.
Technology Contracts Move Forward
Resolution 2026-011 authorizes the city to enter into an agreement with Forward Slash Technologies for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of a new audio and visual system in the Board of Aldermen room at City Hall.
According to the meeting packet, the project carries a cost of $43,106.13, along with an ongoing $209 monthly ManyCam subscription.
A second agreement with Forward Slash Technologies, Resolution 2026-012, covers the purchase, installation, and maintenance of a new video surveillance system at the city’s Public Works locations. That project is considerably larger, with a total cost of $241,471.89 and an ongoing $500 monthly cost for fiber internet. The resolution states that the existing surveillance system is outdated and that funding was also included in the 2026 budget.
The technology spending also brought a visible difference of opinion between Mayor Steve Markus and former Mayor Stephanie McCain, who now serves as a Ward II alderwoman.
McCain questioned moving forward before aldermen had additional time to review the agreements. She said members received the meeting packet Friday afternoon and argued that placing an expenditure in the annual budget should not be viewed as automatic authorization to spend the money.
Markus pushed back, telling McCain that the projects had been discussed previously and noting that she had been mayor when some of those earlier conversations occurred. He said aldermen could meet with city staff during the week to have questions answered and argued that the city needed to move the projects forward rather than continue delaying them.
McCain responded that aldermen who work during the day cannot necessarily come to City Hall during regular business hours and continued to request additional review before a vote.
The board ultimately moved ahead.
The upgrades also come after several residents have raised concerns during recent meetings about the aging technology inside the boardroom, including difficulty hearing aldermen and following discussion during meetings. The city’s resolution notes that the existing audio and visual system is original to the building and outdated, and that both the board and residents have requested upgrades. The planned work is intended to address those concerns through new microphones, audio equipment, displays, cameras, and other technology, with some components being upgraded, repaired, or replaced entirely.
On Resolution 2026-012, McCain and Alderman Travis Dittmann voted against both placing the resolution on reading and final passage, but the measure passed with the remaining votes.
City Chooses Kingsland Over Lowest Concrete Bid
The board also unanimously approved Resolution 2026-013, awarding Kingsland Concrete a $57,600 contract for the Landmark Manor Drive project.
Kingsland was not the lowest dollar bid.
The packet shows Meyer submitted a bid of $56,462.80, Kingsland bid $57,600, and Royal Construction submitted a bid of $64,990. That placed Kingsland’s proposal just $1,137.20 above Meyer’s low bid.
City officials explained, however, that price was not the only consideration.
Staff raised serious concerns about past work performed by the lower bidder, including problems they said were not properly corrected. During the discussion, officials recalled being told that mistakes on a previous project would not be fixed because the property was “only a trailer park.” City staff indicated they did not want to work with the contractor again.
Pevely’s purchasing rules allow aldermen to consider more than the dollar amount when determining the lowest responsible bidder. Factors listed in the city code include a bidder’s experience, previous dealings with the city, and the quality and performance of previous contracts or services.
The board therefore selected Kingsland Concrete for the budgeted Landmark Manor Drive work despite its bid being slightly higher.
Police Personnel Appointments Await Legal Review
The board also received a short update involving the Police Personnel Board.
The police chief said officials are working with legal counsel to clarify the wording of the city’s ordinance to make certain it does not conflict with the law governing officers’ rights. Once counsel confirms the language is appropriate and does not violate those protections, the city intends to move forward with the planned appointments.
City Receives Letter of Appreciation for Ron Weeks Recognition
The city also received a letter thanking Mayor Steve Markus, the Board of Aldermen, the police department, and others involved in the recent ceremony recognizing former Pevely Police Chief Ron Weeks.
The letter praised Weeks’ service to Pevely and thanked city officials for recognizing a career that included 32 years as police chief. The writer also thanked Chief Mayberry and Captain Moore for their efforts in helping organize the ceremony and expressed appreciation for the way Weeks was honored in front of his family, employees, and members of the community.
Cochran Engineering Presentation Coming in September
Pevely officials also noted that Cochran Engineering is scheduled to make a presentation at the Board of Aldermen’s September 21 meeting. The upcoming presentation was listed under Mayor Steve Markus’ report, giving residents another item to watch when the board meets next month.
Pevely Days Arrives This Week
The meeting closed with a reminder that one of Pevely’s largest annual community celebrations is just days away.
Pevely Days runs Thursday, August 20, through Saturday, August 22, with events centered at Pevely City Park. The city’s official schedule lists the festival for all three days.
The celebration will feature carnival rides, food and craft vendors, live music, family activities, a car show, and other events, with fireworks scheduled to close out Saturday night.
After a meeting centered largely on contracts, spending, and city operations, Pevely officials turned their attention toward a weekend designed to bring the community together.