Consider Priority Streetlight Installation Related to Various 2011 Improvement Projects

The City Council adopted the attached current street lighting policy on November 14, 2006.  This policy references two distinct classifications of street lights:

1. Priority lights, which are placed at key intersections and other locations (mostly along high speed, high volume roadways) as a public safety measure.  These lights are financed through the general fund and a City-wide street lighting utility.
2. Subdivision lights, which are placed in new subdivisions and established neighborhoods for greater pedestrian safety and increased crime deterrent.  In new developments, these lights are financed initially by the developer, and on-going maintenance and operation costs are paid by the residents of that neighborhood.  Existing neighborhoods can petition the City for additional street lights, with the costs assessed back to the benefiting residents in that neighborhood.

The Public Works Committee evaluated the need for additional priority streetlights along Bunker Lake Boulevard, at the intersections of Basalt and Azurite Streets, last year.  The recommendation at that time was to wait and install these lights in conjunction with the pending Bunker Lake reconstruction project being initiated by Anoka County.  The attached proposal outlines the costs for the installation of these priority streetlights.

During the private utility coordination phase of this same project it was discovered that, due to the burial of the overhead electric lines, certain existing cobra-head style streetlights would have to be reconfigured because the service poles that they are hanging on are being removed.  Connexus Energy has prepared a proposal to install stand-alone streetlights, similar to those located elsewhere along Bunker Lake Boulevard, at the intersections of Bunker Lake Boulevard and Magnesium St., Tungsten St., Unity St., and Wolfram St., and at the intersection of Sunfish Lake Boulevard and 142nd Ln. (see attached).

The feasibility study for the reconstruction of Dysprosium Street included the installation of streetlights in the boulevard areas, and these are proposed to be installed at each intersection consistent with the priority streetlighting policy.  Attached is a Connexus Energy proposal for the installation of these lights in conjunction with the pending project.

Since portions of the City are contained in the Anoka Electric Utility service area, staff requested that Connexus Energy prepare another proposal to install and meter the priority streetlights for both the Bunker Lake Boulevard and Dysprosium Street reconstruction projects that would fall within the Anoka Electric area.  Attached is the proposal to install these lights that will be on handled consistent with all other streetlighting in the City; with ownership and maintenance handled by Connexus.

Current City policy establishes a $15,000 annual budget to address concerns and requests for priority streetlights as they arise.  As areas are identified they are brought before the Public Works Committee for discussion.  The proposals attached for consideration total approximately $62,000; and all streetlights are proposed to be installed in conjunction with previously approved construction projects.  If we were to follow our current policy it would take us in excess of four years to complete the required installations, so staff is requesting that the City Council consider these proposals for the pending construction season.

Funding for the Bunker Lake Boulevard/Basalt and Azurite Street intersections could come from the City's Streetlight Utility fund as an eligible priority streetlight, or could possibly be included in the TIF funding that will be used for the City's share on the pending Anoka County reconstruction project for Bunker Lake Boulevard.  Similarly, the proposed stand-alone streetlights along the pending Anoka County Bunker Lake Boulevard reconstruction project (at Magnesium, Tungsten, Unity, and Wolfram) could also potentially be funded in a similar manner as outlined above.  Staff will be discussing current estimates and budgets with Anoka County and have additional information available at the meeting.

The Dysprosium streetlights could potentially be funded by State Aid funds as a project cost, but are also eligible for funding through the City's Streetlight Fund as priority streetlights.  Staff has a call into MnDOT to discuss the use of State Aid funds for these streetlights and will have more information available at the meeting.

The streetlights referenced in the Anoka Electric Utility service area can potentially be funded by any or all of the options listed above; TIF for those adjacent to the Anoka County Bunker Lake Boulevard reconstruction project, State Aid for the one located along Dysprosium Street, or the City's Streetlight Utility Fund.

Staff is recommending the installation of all the streetlights referenced in this case, depending on Council direction related to the funding mechanism for each.

Motion to recommend that the City Council direct staff to install all the streetlights referenced in this case with a dedicated funding source for each, which will be determined based upon submission of additional information and discussion.