Council sees demo of new Durapatcher pothole equipment; fleet rollout planned for May

City public‑works staff presented the council with an update on the city’s new Durapatcher pothole machines and said three units are now in the fleet and will move from training to street deployment in May.

Presentation and testing: Streets staff described a training program carried out in April, including demonstrations for council members and hands‑on runs for street crews. Staff said the units are easy to operate, use a hot patch mixture dispensed by joystick and can complete many more patches per shift than prior methods. A crew member who operated the machine during the demonstration reported doing dozens of practice patches in a single session.

Timeline and evaluation: City staff said they will continue operator training through April and plan to begin alley and street work in May. The department will evaluate patch quality, productivity and public feedback over a six‑month trial and return to council in October with performance data and recommendations for further investment.

Why it matters: Street maintenance is a recurring local concern. Staff said the Durapatcher will be used as a targeted pothole patching tool that can reduce rapid pavement deterioration and stretch limited maintenance dollars until larger road‑rehabilitation projects can be scheduled.

Ending: Council members who tried the equipment complimented the crews and urged a cautious rollout that prioritizes public safety. Staff said they will adjust asphalt mix viscosity and operating procedures based on early results to optimize durability.

No formal council action was required; this was an informational briefing.