Pevely Names Justice Center for Former Police Chief Ron Weeks

PEVELY — The Pevely Board of Aldermen honored one of the city’s longest-serving public servants Monday, formally naming the city’s police and justice facility for former Police Chief Ron Weeks.

With Mayor Steve Markus absent, Alderman Don Menkhus presided over the July 20 meeting.

Honoring Chief Ron Weeks

Police Chief Jamie Mayberry read a proclamation recognizing Weeks’ 38 years with the Pevely Police Department, from Aug. 16, 1978, until his retirement on Oct. 3, 2016. Weeks worked his way through the ranks as a patrolman, sergeant, captain, and assistant chief before becoming chief on April 1, 1984. He served 32 years in the position, making him the longest-serving police chief in the city’s history.

The proclamation credited Weeks with helping the department grow in size, professionalism, capability, and public trust. It also recognized his role in guiding the department through multiple locations and expansions and helping plan and develop the current Police and City Hall complex, which opened in 2008.

The facility will now be known as the “Chief Ron Weeks Justice Center.” The proclamation also designates July 29 each year as “Chief Ron Weeks Day,” encouraging residents to recognize his service and lasting influence on the department and community.

The board later approved Resolution 2026-008, formally establishing the new name.

Residents Raise Concerns

Before taking up city business, aldermen heard several concerns during public comment. One resident questioned why dispatchers had asked for directions to his home and raised concerns about scooters and other vehicles failing to stop at a four-way intersection.

Another resident asked the city to address vehicles and lawn equipment parked near a fire hydrant, arguing that emergency crews should have unobstructed access rather than being required to navigate around avoidable obstacles.

Appointments to City Boards

The board also filled several positions on city commissions and advisory boards.

Mike Menkhus, Doug Groom, and Dan Murphy were appointed to three-year terms on the Planning and Zoning Commission, with Alderman Stephanie McCain voting no. Scott Harmon, Doug Groom, Mike Menkhus, and Dan Murphy were appointed to five-year terms on the Board of Adjustments, again with McCain casting a no vote.

Art Heyl had been listed on the meeting agenda for appointment to both bodies, but the board was informed that he had asked to be removed from consideration.

Richard Kalbfleish was unanimously appointed to a three-year term on the Park Board. Rhonda Gerstner and Terry Sharp were also unanimously approved for three-year terms on the Tourism Commission. The meeting packet confirms the spellings and proposed terms for each appointment.

High-Grass Limit Lowered

A lengthy discussion followed over Bill 2026-108, which amends the city code covering weeds, high grass, vegetation, hazardous or fallen trees, debris, trash, and related nuisance-abatement procedures.

City officials explained that the previous citation-and-court process could delay action for weeks or months. During the discussion, aldermen debated whether the proposed 10-inch limit for grass and weeds was too high. The board amended the measure to lower the threshold to seven inches and then approved the ordinance.

Three-Lot Proposal Tabled

The board spent another extended portion of the meeting discussing a request to divide property at 359 Old State Road North into three residential building lots. The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval of the minor subdivision in June.

Questions centered on whether a 2016 redevelopment ordinance allowing smaller lots and reduced setbacks in Pevely’s older neighborhoods was intended to permit the creation of three new lots or only to make existing undersized lots buildable. Aldermen also discussed drainage, flooding, elevations, setbacks, and whether approval could establish a precedent for similar requests.

After city officials and aldermen said additional legal review was needed to determine the earlier ordinance’s intent and effect, the board voted to table the subdivision request until its next meeting.

City Receives Clean Audit

The city also received a brief presentation on its independent audit for the 2024 fiscal year, completed by F.E.W. CPAs. The auditor reported that the city maintained a “clean opinion” and said a previous concern involving employees signing their own timecards had been corrected.

The presentation included several minor internal-control recommendations, including review of bank statements. The auditor also warned that the city’s Transportation Fund had spent more than its budgeted appropriations in recent years and said the issue must be corrected to comply with Missouri law.