Agenda - Council - 09/25/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I i I I I I I I I I I Recommendations: Specific light placement justification criteria should be established as a part of the street lighting policy to control costs. Such criteria might include: a) threshold levels of traffic on side streets b) marked pedestrian crossing at schools and parks c) high frequency of night-time accidents; and d) unusual sight limitations SUBDIVISION LIGHTING ][}.lr, ligrl}lla~ Street lights would be placed at regular intervals of approximately 200 feet throughout a local subdivision. The major benefits from this type of lighting is increased pedestrian safety, particularly in areas without sidewalks, and increased crime protection. These benefits occur chiefly to residents of the subdivision, who should be involved both in the decision to provide street lighting and the financing of the system. At the present time there are no subdivisions within Ramsey that have full subdivision lighting. potential Costs: It is difficult to provide an estimate for subdivision lighting since a relatively extensive analysis of the City's subdivisions would need to be made. In addition, past surveys indicate that many residents would oppose subdivision street lighting, and it is quite safe to assume that not ali subdivisions would opt for installing lighting. However, to give some idea of the magnitude of subdivision street lighting cost, assume the following: (a) 70% of the local street system services subdivisions; and (b) 50% of the subdivisions would opt to have street lights installed; and (c) 100 watt lights are placed approximately 200 feet apart. Then an estimated annual operational cost of approximately $60,000.00 could be anticipated. Installation costs would be highly dependent upon the degree of restoration required. Basis of Financing: Since subdivision lighting would primarily benefit the subdivision property owners, it is reasonable to require the developer to install the street lighting system or assess the installation costs to the benefitted property owners. The local electric utility company will bill operation and maintenance costs to homeowners associations, but will not bill individual property owners. Therefore, unless the City were to accept annual operation and maintenance costs, existing subdivisions without homeowners associations would be precluded from establishing subdivision street lighting. Technical Details: Since the cost of the installation of subdivision street lighting would be borne by the developer or property owner, ornamental poles and fixtures could be considered. The number of different fixture styles will be limited as a matter of practicality by the utility company but the developer or homeowner should be allowed to select the desired style. The City should establish some standards regarding lamp wattage, spacing and mounting heights. General Comments: Electrical service to Ramsey is provided by Anoka Electric Cooperative. This utility has three rate options which the City may consider. One option is for the utility to provide only the electrical energy for the system which consequently means the City would buy, install and maintain poles, fixtures and luminaries. I would recommend against this option since it would require the City to invest in expensive equipment which would have limited use within the City. I also feel it would be difficult for our Public Works Department to be cost-effective in performing maintenance considering the utility has specialized equipment and personnel who perform these routine tasks on