Council sets hearing date to form lighting maintenance district for West Post phases 1–2 and East Frank Road

The Belgrade City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution of intent to create Special Improvement Lighting Maintenance District No. 2600, covering lighting improvements installed in West Post phases 1 and 2 and a section of East Frank Road.

City staff described the district as including 69 decorative steel-post luminaires installed during subdivision construction along segments of East Frank Road, Alaska Frontage Road, Stone River Road and Wandering Way. Staff said the district will generate revenue through special assessments to cover energy and routine maintenance, and staff estimated the first-year assessment at $20,035.22. The city said it calculated assessments by linear frontage and that the assessment works out to about $0.96 per lineal foot per year.

Under the proposed schedule, the city will mail notices to affected lot owners and publish the required notice in the Belgrade News; staff asked the council to set a public hearing for Feb. 18, 2025. Council members asked whether future lighting would be added; staff said the current scope should be final for phases 1 and 2 and that phases 3 and 4 will be handled under a separate future district with a different lighting scheme focused on pedestrian crossings and intersections.

Council also discussed whether traffic signals can be included in an SILMD; staff said statutory language limits the district to lighting assets and that traffic signals are treated differently and would typically be maintained through street maintenance funding.

Council moved to adopt the resolution of intent and set a February 18, 2025 public hearing; the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.