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Council directs staff to pursue Acorn‑style downtown lights as bid alternate and report condition of existing poles
Summary
Facing aging poles and one recent failure, councilmembers favored Acorn‑style pedestrian lights mid‑block with taller cobra‑style intersection poles for Main Street and asked staff to include lighting alternatives in the downtown reconstruction bid package and to return with a condition assessment and budget options.
KASSON CITY — The Kasson City Council discussed replacement of 38 Main Street lights and directed staff to include lighting alternatives in the downtown reconstruction bid package, favoring Acorn‑style pedestrian fixtures mid‑block with taller cobra‑style fixtures at intersections.
Brandon, city engineer, said the existing fixtures are at the end of their useful life and that one fell last year. He presented two style and budget options: an Acorn‑style pedestrian fixture package (higher unit cost) and a more economical cobra‑style package, with estimated total costs of roughly $380,000 and $290,000 respectively for the 38‑fixture program.
Councilmembers discussed aesthetics, banner hardware, light throw and the possibility of phasing the work. Several members said a cohesive downtown aesthetic mattered; others cautioned about the unbudgeted capital impact and suggested phasing or using city crews to install some units to reduce cost. The council asked staff to add an alternate in the construction bid documents so the contractor can price both options.
Why it matters: Main Street lighting affects pedestrian safety, downtown appearance and near‑term capital planning. Replacing fixtures as part of an already planned pavement/streetscape package may reduce total installation cost if coordinated in the same contract.
Direction to staff and next steps
Council asked staff to: - Include two lighting alternatives (Acorn mid‑block with taller intersection fixtures; and cobra options) as alternates in the bid package so the contractor can price both. - Provide a condition assessment of all 38 existing poles, identifying any that are immediately unsafe or require priority replacement. - Report detailed cost and installation options (in‑house vs. contractor) and propose a not‑to‑exceed budget or a phasing plan.
Ending
Staff will refine fixture specifications and cost estimates, include alternatives in the downtown project bid, and return to council with a condition report and recommended phasing or financing options.
