Perryville city leaders covered a wide range of community topics at the Oct. 7 meeting of the Board of Aldermen, with discussions centering on parking enforcement, housing redevelopment, and public-safety issues.
Mayor Larry Riney presided over the meeting, while City Administrator Brent Buerck provided details on the city’s infrastructure projects and ongoing policy work.
PARKING FINES
The board’s first major discussion involved updating the city’s parking fine schedule — something that, according to police, hasn’t been adjusted since the 1990s. The current $10 fine will likely be increased to reflect inflation and to deter repeat offenders.
Aldermen agreed to have staff bring back a formal recommendation with a tiered penalty structure. “We’re long overdue for a review,” Buerck said. “We’re not trying to be punitive — just consistent and realistic with today’s costs.”
The board also revisited parking on residential lawns, a recurring concern in several neighborhoods. Under the city’s current zoning review, a proposed ordinance would prohibit routine parking in front, side, and rear yards while allowing temporary parking for events or short-term maintenance.
“The goal is to prevent long-term storage of vehicles in yards, not to penalize residents washing a car or hosting a party,” Buerck explained.
MAGNOLIA STREET
A long-standing safety issue involving Magnolia Street returned to the agenda following new complaints from nearby residents and first responders leaving the Justice Center. Trailers parked along the narrow street have caused limited visibility and congestion.
In earlier attempts to resolve the problem, the city reduced allowable trailer lengths — but residents simply purchased smaller trailers, which didn’t solve the issue.
The board directed the police department to conduct a traffic study and review solutions such as yellow curb markings or enforcing a 30-foot no-parking zone near intersections. “We want to make sure any change we make improves safety without unfairly burdening homeowners,” Buerck said.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Aldermen also reviewed an idea inspired by a program in Kirksville that converted an aging mobile-home park into a neighborhood of small, single-family “tiny homes.” The Perryville concept would repurpose blighted or vacant mobile-home areas into affordable, ownership-based housing with units of about 700–800 square feet.
The approach would likely require zoning adjustments for setbacks and side yards, along with a homeowners’ association to maintain common areas. The board expressed interest and directed staff to begin drafting language for possible inclusion in the city code.
“This is one of those creative ideas that can breathe new life into old spaces,” Buerck said. “It’s about improving housing stock and creating a path to homeownership.”
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
During Buerck’s report, the board acknowledged progress on several public works projects. Construction continues on the Northeast Outfall Sewer Replacement Project, while Phase 4 of Cherokee’s Path has been approved and will move forward following coordination with contractors.
At the airport, the city recently installed lightning-arrestor systems to protect runway lighting and upgraded terminal fencing through MoDOT-approved change orders. Perryville’s airport project also earned state recognition from the American Concrete Pavement Association, advancing to national competition later this year.
The board discussed whether to send a representative to the national awards ceremony in California, where the project will be among about 30 honored nationwide.
Other updates included preparations for the city’s Christmas-in-the-Park display, a new key-control system to improve security at municipal facilities, and bid advertisements for propane and gasoline contracts.
BOARD ACTIONS
The board unanimously approved two resolutions with the American Red Cross — one designating the Perry Park Center as an emergency shelter during disasters and another authorizing lifeguard training and certification programs for city staff.
In other legislative action, aldermen approved two easement ordinances related to stormwater management improvements and gave first readings to the 2026–27 Police Department pay plan and an aviation consultant agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The board also discussed community concerns about unregulated synthetic-marijuana products being sold locally, some packaged to resemble candy. Other Missouri cities are drafting ordinances to restrict such products, and Perryville leaders agreed to study possible regulations.
Police Captain Ryan Worthington informed the board that Sean Campbell, a 20-year law-enforcement veteran, was joining the Perryville Police Department. Officers were also commended for their quick resolution of a recent robbery case.
Buerck said city staff are also investigating citizen complaints about traffic congestion during recent park events and the skid marks left downtown following a volunteer-run stunt show during this year’s Bikers on the Square event.
In his closing comments, Buerck previewed several upcoming community events, including the Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on Oct. 16, the Moore Cave Celebration on Oct. 17, and the St. Vincent and Perryville High School homecoming parades later this month.
Mayor Riney concluded the meeting by commending the city staff and aldermen for addressing “a full and meaningful agenda,” adding, “From parking and housing to safety and community pride, these discussions are exactly what local government should be about.”
