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Commission hears update on streetscape project, rooftop lighting and pole electricity; county and utility coordination still needed
Summary
Commissioners were told the county streetscape project has a new project manager, that some parking-lot fixtures near storefronts need replacement and that rooftop and pole electricity arrangements remain unresolved pending county and city coordination.
Commission members received an update on the streetscape project and related lighting issues, including a personnel change at the county project office, a plan to replace a parking-lot fixture, and open questions about rooftop lighting responsibilities and whether stringing lights across a county road is permitted.
The discussion matters because lighting affects public safety and business visibility in the business district, and the project's electrical work requires coordination with county and utility providers. Commissioners were told the county project manager left in August and a new manager is now assigned, which should provide a stable point of contact as the design work begins.
A commissioner described a lighting problem behind a building where two fixtures sit within about 15 feet of each other; one fixture is out and the plan is to remove one fixture housing and replace the other so the parking lot area is lit. The commissioner said, "so that's the plan is to take out this light, not the pole, but the light, off of that pole... and to replace the fixture or the light bulb... so that we can have light in that area in the parking lot." The group agreed Ameren, the utility, likely must perform some of that work.
On rooftop lighting, commissioners said the district has been unable to find written contracts that explain how installation and maintenance costs were allocated among businesses. One commissioner said rooftop-power arrangements differ by district: some blocks share a single power source; others have individual sources. "Probably the best thing to do is to have it individually done just because you can track better," a commissioner said.
Commissioners also discussed pole-mounted street lights that will carry electricity as part of the streetscape work and noted that the road is a county road. A commissioner cautioned that because "that's not our road, so we can't just give you permission to string lights across," and suggested looping in county staff before proceeding.
No formal vote was taken on the streetscape design at the meeting. Staff said the streetscape agreement will likely appear on the county consent agenda and be routine; commissioners were told to expect design work to begin once formalities are complete.
Commissioners asked staff to continue pursuing clarity about rooftop lighting agreements and to bring proposals if county documents cannot be found.
