(The Patterson City Council discussed and/or voted on the following items during their monthly meeting Thursday, December 12. ) Qualifying fees for 2025: The council approved setting qualifying fees for the mayor’s post and two council seats for the 2025 municipal election. (See related story.) Meetings set: The council approved keeping its regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month and set the meeting dates for 2025. (See related story.) House Bill 581: Mayor Dedi Thomas presented council members with details on the recent House Bill 581 homestead exemption approved by voters in the general election referendum. Thomas said Pierce County’s homestead exemption is already better than the one being proposed statewide, but local governments have to opt in or out by vote. He asked council members to study and be ready to vote on the issue at the January meeting. (See related coverage.)
Tyre Bridge Road: Councilman David Smith reported Police Chief Nick Strickland had worked traffic on Tyre Bridge Road in an effort to slow down speeders in the neighborhood. Residents of the community have complained frequently to the city council about speeders through the area. Smith said he had personally gone through the community to watch for speeders and observed motorists slowing down when they came to the rumble strips and stopping at the stop signs.
Christmas in the Park: Christmas in the Park was held last Friday evening and was moved from the Patterson Lions Park to Eagle Station.
(See related coverage.)
Department reports: Police Chief and acting public works superintendent Nick Strickland was out of town for chief’s training. There was no report for the police or public works departments. Councilman Brian Herrin asked about filling the public works superintendent’s job and a job in city hall. Mayor Dedi Thomas reported a new public works superintendent should be in place by January 1. Current public works superintendent and fire chief Stevie Sweat is retiring for medical reasons. Thomas said the city hall position was filled briefly, but has been re-opened for hire. There was no report from the city clerk.
Next meeting: The next regular monthly meeting will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 2025. The meeting will be held at Eagle Station.
