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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Patterson to retire in May

COLUMBIA, MO (March 10, 2005) -- Lowell B. Patterson, P.E., director of
Public Works for the city of Columbia, has announced his plans to retire
May 11, 2005. Mr. Patterson was hired by the city March 17, 1986 and is
retiring with 19 years of service.

Mr. Patterson has done a great job managing one of the largest and most
diversified operations in our city. Under his leadership, our city was
one of the first Public Works Departments in the United States/Canada to
become nationally accredited and the first in our State. This
accreditation process is administered by the American Public Works
Association. During his tenure, many major Public Works projects were
planned and completed in our city such as roadway projects; sanitary
sewer projects; including the wetlands, tree preservation/land
disturbance; stormwater projects; parking garages; and, other public
building projects. In addition, a major solid waste recycling center has
been established and placed in operation. He assisted in the development
and the passage of ballot issues that supported the operation of his
department.

Mr. Patterson's Public Works Department includes an engineering
division, transportation (streets/sidewalks/pedways), transit, and
airport; sanitary sewer utility; stormwater utility, solid waste
operations, parking utility; building regulations (new construction and
code enforcement); operations of our vehicle maintenance facility and
custodial and building maintenance.

Mr. Patterson is a hardworking, dedicated professional employee and an
excellent member of our city management team. He provided staff support
for many boards and commissions and made presentations at all council
meetings. His position involved working closely with numerous federal,
state and local agencies. He also is active in many professional
organizations, serving in various leadership positions. Mr. Patterson
supervises 320 permanent employees and administers a $57.5 million
budget and a number capital improvement projects. His current salary is
$104,480.

Mr. Patterson's personal awards include being named one of the Top 10
Public Works Leaders by the American Public Works Association in 1999
and being named to the University of Missouri - Rolla Academy of Civil
Engineers in 2001.

I will be working with our Human Resources Department to advertise this
important position as soon as possible.

I am pleased that I had the opportunity to hire Mr. Patterson as our
public works director in 1986. I want to personally, and on behalf of
the city, thank Mr. Patterson for the great service to our city in the
past 19 years and wish him and his wife, Janelle, and all his family the
best in his retirement. His services with our city will certainly be
missed.

Raymond A. Beck, P.E.
City Manager

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