Agenda - Public Works Committee - 02/21/2006

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Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied this community has one of the most restrictive City Codes in relation to light pollution. The code includes 100% full cutoff, which means there is not a light glare from the outside, and the lights are blocked and shielded to shine down. Chairperson Elvig suggested lighting improvement estimates be prepared, one estimate for medium density and one estimate for larger lots. Assistant Public Works Director Olson indicated the light spacing guideline is every 300 feet for urban subdivisions. Currently everyone that pays subdivision light fees are consistent, as they are urban subdivisions with a number of lots to spread that 300 feet over. He requested direction on whether this spacing should remain consistent or spread out depending on the subdivision. He explained operating and maintenance costs are paid per light, not per unit. Councilmember Cook stated the light spacing should remain consistent. Owners of larger lots should be informed upfront that the cost is based on the operation of the light and will result in a higher cost per unit for larger lots. Chairperson Elvig commented very few of the City's trails are on roads, and some now go through subdivisions. He suggested the City may want to take some initiative on lighting these trails that are not lit. Councilmember Cook commented another problem could be created by lighting these trails, which invites people to utilize them after dark. He suggested there may be appropriate trails for lighting, such as designated recreational loops. The consensus of the Committee was to recommend that the City Council direct staff to draft a subdivision street lighting policy, obtaining input from the Park Board regarding the lighting of trails within the City. Case #2 Review Priority Street Lighting City Engineer Jankowski explained that the City has been pursuing the establishment of a priority street lighting on the higher speed roadways within the City since 1991. The goal of this program is to provide lighting at intersections on high speed roads for the purpose of enhancing driving safety on these roadways as stated in the attached policy. The City is now approaching the completion of the priority light system through the installation of street lights at the remaining unlit intersections. At the present time there are approximately 150 priority intersections which have lighting and another 24 eligible locations without lighting. A list of these intersections is included in the Committee's packet. It should be noted that six of these locations might be considered for elimination from having priority street lights installed based upon the situation described on the list. In addition the City had received a request from a resident in 2003 to have the intersection at Variolite Street and 158th Avenue removed from the list. The City Council decided at that time to install the light at this intersection as one of the last priority lights in the system. Public Works Committee / January 17, 2006 Page 5 of 14