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Streets and Alleys committee approves Sterling Street light upgrade, defers Rockwell Road request; no action on 7th–Hennepin stop signs
Summary
At its Jan. 6 meeting the LaSalle Streets and Alleys Committee approved increasing wattage and adjusting an existing light on Sterling Street north of 11th, deferred a $6,122 Ameren-requested new light at Rockwell Road and U.S. 6 for more staff input, and took no action on a resident request to make 7th and Hennepin a four-way stop.
The LaSalle Streets and Alleys Committee on Jan. 6, 2025 approved increasing the wattage and adjusting the aim of an existing street light on Sterling Street north of 11th Street and instructed staff to coordinate with Ameren on the work. The committee deferred a separate request for a new light at the Rockwell Road–U.S. 6 intersection to get more information from staff and the requester, and it took no action on a resident’s request to add two stop signs at 7th and Hennepin.
The approved Sterling Street change involves increasing the fixture’s brightness on an existing pole and asking Ameren about relocating or aiming the fixture slightly farther south to better illuminate the intersection. Committee discussion identified an upfront equipment/installation figure of about $250 for the brighter fixture and noted that increasing wattage would raise the monthly electricity cost “a little,” though no firm monthly estimate was given. The motion to authorize staff to work with Ameren and pursue the wattage increase passed by voice and roll call.
Brian Brown, a city staff member who participated in the discussion, told the committee that Ameren estimated $6,122 for a new light at the Rockwell Road–U.S. 6 location. The committee did not approve that expenditure. Members discussed alternatives — repainting markings at the state-controlled U.S. 6 intersection, adding reflectors to signs, and whether the city could aim existing lights — and agreed to postpone action until the next Streets and Alleys meeting so Brian Brown or other staff could be present and the original requester, Leonard Keenan, could explain his concerns in person. The committee chair and clerk endorsed bringing the item back in two weeks for further consideration.
A resident who spoke during the stop-sign discussion described frequent fast-moving traffic and large vehicles on 7th Street and said near-misses and at least one crash had occurred in the past year. The resident said, “I have a dog now. So I’m out all hours, day and night, walking this dog. And a lot of times, we’re all headed in 7, and I am seeing so many cars, especially going east and west... I’m just tired of seeing near accidents.” Committee members noted the police chief had been asked to check crash records and that no formal accident record was found in that review. When asked if anyone would move to pursue stop-sign installation, no member made a motion and the item died for lack of motion.
The meeting also recorded procedural approvals: the committee approved the Dec. 9, 2024 meeting minutes and voted to allow Alderman Crane to attend remotely for this meeting. The committee adjourned after hearing general comments.
What’s next: Staff will work with Ameren on the Sterling Street fixture increase and return updates to the committee. The Rockwell Road–U.S. 6 lighting request will be returned to the next Streets and Alleys agenda with staff input and, if available, remarks from the requester.
