(The Patterson City Council discussed and/or voted on the following items during their monthly meeting Thursday, February 13. ) Fire truck purchase: The council approved the purchase of a 1998 Freightliner fire truck from Fire Tech in the amount of $15,000. (See related story.)
Council member comments: Councilman David Smith asked the council to consider buying a dump truck with a knuckle boom to help with debris pick up. “That would be a whole more efficient than using a front end loader like we do now,” he said. “We could get some cones so we don’t have to have the police come and be with us for traffic control. We could put out cones and get lots of work done.” Later, during citizen comments, resident Myra Vanessa James said she agreed with Smith’s call for streamlining operations so that one person could do what it now takes three people to do. “That’s the most sensible thing I have ever heard anyone on the council say since I’ve been coming up here,” she said.
Public comments: Mayor Dedi Thomas announced changes to citizen comment time at the meeting.
(See related story.)
Bank account signature update: The council approved removing former city clerk Tina White as a signer on the city’s bank accounts. White stepped down at the end of 2024.
Department reports: Police Chief Nick Strickland reported the police departments responded to 43 calls in January. Public works superintendent and fire chief Tyler Stokes reported the fire department responded to 10 calls in January in the city and also assisted the county fire department on two calls. He also reported the city’s water system and lift stations passed a recent inspection by the Georgia Rural Water Association. Stokes also reported public works employees are still working to clean up debris from Hurricane Helene. City Clerk Laura Kate Dixon had nothing to report.
Next meeting: The next regular monthly meeting will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 13. The meeting will be held at Eagle Station.
