Council approves Alliant-designed Haveli lights with city ownership; life-cycle analysis showed modest savings

The city will have Alliant (Alliant Energy) design and install street lighting for Haveli Phase 1 and will assume ownership of the installed poles and luminaires, the Decorah City Council voted.

City staff presented a life-cycle analysis showing the net-present-cost difference between Alliant-owned lighting and city-owned lighting over a 50-year period. Staff said city ownership is slightly less expensive in present dollars — about $2,000 in the analysis as presented — when upfront purchase and replacement cycles are accounted for, though materials in the analysis are sensitive to assumptions such as pole purchase, replacement every 10 years for luminaires, and possible Alliant pull/ownership fees.

City staff and the council discussed that Alliant can procure poles at scale and that there are trade-offs: Alliant ownership avoids upfront capital expenditures but can include ongoing pole charges and rate increases; city ownership requires higher upfront payment but gives the city full control and makes lifecycle costs more predictable, staff said. The council also noted uncertainty in Alliant's pull/ownership charges and asked staff about insurance coverage for damage to city‑owned poles.

A motion to have Alliant install and design the lights and for the city to take ownership was moved and carried by roll call. Staff noted the net present value in the provided spreadsheet and said staff will continue to monitor Alliant charges and final construction costs.