Patterson council votes to sell Main Street tract

PATTERSON — City Council members voted Tuesday to make city-owned property on Main Street available for sale.

Initially, the ordinance was met with opposition from Councilwoman Sandra Turner when it was first introduced at last month’s council meeting. Her stance did not change during the initial vote to take action on the ordinance classifying the property as surplus.

“I have an opposition to it because I did make that clear last month that the property can be used for the public,” Turner said. At Morey Park, near the property, “there’s not much parking that’s available and that’s perfect. It’s a little stretch to walk, but it’s available property that we can use.”

In the midst of a motion to continue the vote for the ordinance, Councilman Travis Darnell followed up with a question about the use of the “surplus property.”

Darnell also wanted to know if the property could be used as parking for Morey Park.

Both Turner and Darnell were unaware of the prospective plans for the money received from selling surplus property.

Mayor Rodney Grogan informed the council members what could be done with sale proceeds.

The money “can be used to purchase property directly across from the park” for parking, said Grogan.

All council members eventually voted for the property sale.

Last month, during the introduction of this ordinance, terms of the auction sale were to be included in the ordinance presented at Tuesday’s meeting. However, it was not included, Patterson City Attorney Russel Cremaldi said.

The council amended the ordinance.

The final ordinance will include that the property is to be sold by public auction. In addition, all bids must be submitted to the city clerk in an envelope sealed on or before 6:30 p.m. March 1, which is the day of next month’s council meeting.

It’s not going to be sold by an auctioneer, Cremaldi said.

The property’s sale price will start at $22,500. It is located at 1321 Main St.

In other news, the City Council will take action to pass an ordinance establishing regulations and penalties for proper use of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries bear proof trash cans and illegally feeding animals.

The St. Mary Parish Council voted to approve the ordinance at its meeting last month.