Nampa council OKs $150,000 for downtown year‑round building-top lights; private donors and Republic Services contribute

The Nampa City Council approved allocating $150,000 to buy and install year‑round decorative lights along building rooftops in Downtown Nampa, pairing a $100,000 gift from the Kevin and Mary Daniels Main Street Fund with a $50,000 contribution from the Republic Services rebate account.

City Economic Development Manager Amber Bothwell told the council staff had contacted all property owners likely to be affected and had heard broad support; no owners told staff they opposed the proposal. Bothwell said the lights are intended to be a year‑round feature, not seasonal. Council members and staff said the project is intended to help downtown revitalization and encourage additional private investment.

Funding and contributions Mayor Kling said Kevin and Mary Daniels explicitly authorized staff to dedicate their private donation to the project. Republic Services also provided a letter of support and will contribute an additional $2,500. Staff reported the Republic Services rebate fund balance is $287,883.35. The Downtown Nampa Association pledged $12,500 toward the project.

Council discussion Councilor Griffin voted “no” on both allocations, saying the city budget process is constrained and he would have preferred to see those funds allocated elsewhere. Other council members said the money consists of one‑time funds rather than ongoing tax dollars and called the project a visible investment in downtown. Council approved both allocations (5–1 votes for each action).

What staff said about deployment Bothwell said the map in the packet covered roughly $165,000 of lighting to line a “good portion” of downtown building rooftops. She said if council only funded $100,000 in this cycle staff would reduce the scope and do a phased installation; with the $150,000 total, the city can cover a larger initial footprint. The lights will be installed along building tops, with owners’ agreement; staff said they had reached out to all affected property owners and received positive responses.

Ending Council approved the two allocations as requested. Staff will return with procurement and installation details and a schedule for which buildings will be included in the first installation phase.

Votes at a glance - 5.5: Authorize $100,000 from the Kevin and Mary Daniels Main Street Fund for purchase/installation of building-top lights in Downtown Nampa — Approved 6–0 (roll call recorded Yes by Rodriguez, Tangola, Bills, Aberfield, Griffin, Reynolds). - 5.6: Authorize $50,000 from the Republic Services rebate account to contribute to the same project — Approved 5–1 (Griffin opposed).