The intersection of Highway 33 and M Street has long been a sore spot for Patterson city officials and residents alike. Tuesday, the City Council hopes to take a step forward in making the heavily trafficked intersection a little safer.

Council members will enter into negotiations with two property owners to get the necessary rights of way to move an intersection project forward. However, even if things go smoothly, there will be several agencies the city will need to coordinate with before the intersection can be altered.

Council members ultimately want to put a traffic light at the intersection but will have to get the state Department of Transportation’s approval. So far, that has been a slow process.

The council wants a controlled intersection there because pedestrians often use it for a crossing — especially students coming or going from the east side of town, where no schools are located.

In other council matters

Mayor Becky Campo is scheduled to give the state of the city address. She postponed it during a Feb. 3 meeting because she did not have the speech prepared.

The council will consider appointing new members to Patterson’s Parks and Recreation Commission.