Commission discusses Alma parking-lot lighting, Ameren pole and funding questions

Commission members discussed options for improving lighting in the Alma public parking lots, possible costs, ownership of a privately funded Ameren light, and who would pay for rooftop and pole-mounted fixtures. The item matters because lighting affects public safety, business district equity and budgets: staff said adding fixtures will go to bid, likely require council approval for a budget amendment, and raised questions about which parties — building owners, the business district commission or the city — are responsible for ongoing costs. A staff member described a proposed layout for lighting the two public lots and said the commission could get coverage by adding one fixture to an existing utility pole rather than installing two new poles on the north side. The staff member said the job would be a public bidding process and estimated the cost would not exceed $25,000. “I don't believe it's gonna be more than $25,000,” the staff member said. One business owner described a separate light hanging on an Ameren pole in the parking-lot island that is currently out and which Ameren identified as privately funded by a business. The owner said Ameren would not disclose who had been paying to keep that light on. The owner offered to assume responsibility or to replace the fixture if the commission chose to remove it. Commissioners raised equity and contract questions: staff said earlier estimates for two new poles on the north side were about $8,000 per pole, and that differences between business districts’ lighting arrangements appear to be driven by historical, contract and ownership differences. Staff recommended checking contracts in the finance office to clarify which buildings are responsible for rooftop or lot lighting and suggested coordinating with Marie and Gregory in finance before issuing an RFP. “If it means that we come up with our way of doing it to be the third way or try to get all the ways similar, then that can help finalize the estimate,” a commissioner said. No formal motions or funding approvals were made. Staff said the next steps are to confirm electrical and utility permitting feasibility with Lighting Associates, prepare specifications, run a public bidding process, and return with cost estimates and a recommendation on whether to fund the work this fiscal year or seek a council budget amendment.