The Warrenton Board of Aldermen has selected an attorney and law firm based in St. Charles to replace longtime city attorney Christopher Graville, after Graville declined to renew his contract that ended this month.

Aldermen voted unanimously Oct. 4 to appoint John Young, of the firm Hamilton Weber LLC, as city attorney. The position provides city staff and aldermen with legal guidance and assists with drafting city ordinances.

Young and his firm were among two candidates who applied and were interviewed for the position, said City Administrator Brandie Walters. The committee conducting the interviews consisted of Walters, Mayor Eric Schleuter, and three aldermen.

“Hamilton Weber had the strongest experience that we could bring to the city,” Walters noted ahead of the Oct. 4 appointment.

Following the appointment, The Record asked Young to provide more information about his experience as a municipal attorney. He replied that he currently serves as city attorney for the cities of St. Peters, Wildwood and Dardenne Prairie; he provides special counsel services for the cities of Bridgeton and Kirksville; and he assists Hamilton Weber’s representation of the cities of Cottleville and Warson Woods. 

He is also a member and past president of the Missouri Municipal Attorneys Associations.

Another attorney with Hamilton Weber, K. Andrew Weber, will assist in legal services for Warrenton, according to Warrenton’s contract with the firm. Young said Weber will be the attorney advising meetings of the Warrenton Planning and Zoning Commission. Weber is currently the lead city attorney for Cottleville and Warson Woods.

In exchange for the services of the Hamilton Weber attorneys, the city of Warrenton will pay a fee of $3,000 per month, plus expenses for any non-routine services. The contract allows fee increases of up to 5 percent per year, and there is no term of expiration in the contract.

“All of the attorneys and professionals at Hamilton Weber are appreciative of the opportunity to assist the city of Warrenton with its legal needs,” Young said.

Prosecutor role

Separately, aldermen appointed local attorney Katie Joyce as Warrenton’s municipal prosecutor. This role was previously held by Chris Graville, but it isn’t a requirement for the city attorney to also be the prosecutor.

The prosecutor represents the city government in municipal court cases such as traffic ticket disputes or building code infractions.

Joyce currently works for the city of Truesdale as both city attorney and municipal prosecutor, and has an office in Warrenton.

Two candidates applied for the prosecutor job, and Joyce was the stronger selection, said Brandie Walters.

“We felt like she brought in the most experience for that position,” Walters commented.

Joyce told The Record that she has worked on municipal prosecution cases since 2014, and that the city of Truesdale is the only other government that she currently represents.

Joyce will be paid $3,500 per month, plus additional fees for work that isn’t included in regular municipal court services, according to her contract. The contract is for a one-year term.

The Record also asked Joyce whether there would be any problems caused by her employment with two neighboring cities that have periodic legal entanglements with one another.

“While there could be potential conflicts ... in limited situations, being prosecutor for both cities is actually an advantage in executing my job efficiently and effectively,” Joyce replied. “I have the benefit of being familiar with cases in both jurisdictions, and can assist in any cases that involve both cities.

“I am excited to be working with the city of Warrenton, their police department, and the municipal court,” she added.