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Council demands DPW update after residents report widespread streetlight outages
Summary
Council directed administration to present a detailed briefing on recurring streetlight outages across major corridors after council members described long-running outages, slow contractor response and potential public-safety risks.
Council members pressed city staff on March 11 for a formal update and timeline to repair dozens of streetlights that residents say have been out for weeks on several major Pontiac corridors.
Councilwoman James opened the discussion by describing extensive outages in District 4 and saying she had canvassed affected corridors. “Over 60% of our main corridors are dark,” James said. “We get absolutely no feedback about light outages at all and that's unacceptable.”
Nut graf: The council asked the administration to present a comprehensive status report at its March 18 meeting showing which outages are reported, which repairs are underway, and expected timelines. The request follows residents’ reports of outages on Auburn, Walton Boulevard, Baldwin and other primary streets.
Mayor Tim Grama said the city increased the contract cap for lighting repairs in February and that repairs are underway, but explained some locations require underground directional boring that takes additional time. “A lot of the street lights need underground directional boring, that takes time,” he said, and noted a contractor estimate of about four weeks for parts of the work after mobilization.
The administration said a $1 million grant will be delivered to DTE for a larger program of comprehensive repairs and LED conversions that could reduce future outages. The mayor also told council the newly hired Department of Public Works director started the previous week and the city would provide a written update that lists reported outages, contractor activity and a timeline for repairs. Pro Tem Carrington and other council members requested the report be presented at the March 18 council meeting.
Ending: Council members asked residents to continue reporting outages to the city's DPW so repairs can be tracked. The administration committed to provide a block-by-block status, and to confirm which outages have been repaired and which still require directional boring or pole replacement.
