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Columbiana discusses Alabama Power poles, transformers and salvaging older fixtures for security and field lighting
Summary
Council members and staff discussed options for adding street and security lights—Alabama Power-owned poles and transformers, use of existing novelty poles, easement needs, and salvaging bulbs from older fixtures. Musco completed an upgrade to the ball-field lights.
City officials discussed several options to add or improve street and parking lot lighting, including installing Alabama Power poles and transformers, running underground power where necessary, or using existing decorative poles if feasible.
A staff member explained that any new municipal light must be put on an Alabama Power pole and that installing a new pole would add cost because a transformer and power source must be available nearby. "It needs to be put on a Alabama power pole. If they have to put up a pole then obviously there's additional cost associated with that. The other thing is is they have to have a transformer that they can run power from to nearby," the staff member said.
Council discussion noted the possibility of using existing novelty poles in the municipal complex to reduce cost if Alabama Power can maintain and connect to them, but easement and maintenance arrangements would be required. One council speaker said using the perimeter of the lot for poles could be a cheaper option and that Alabama Power would maintain the fixtures if the city paid for installation costs.
Council members and staff also discussed salvaging bulbs and globes from older field fixtures that were stored after Musco relocated or adjusted lights. A staff speaker suggested preserving the bulbs and globes for reuse at the football field because those bulbs are "hard to find and they're expensive."
Separately, a council member reported that Musco completed an adjustment to the field lighting on Wednesday and that the field lights are now "tremendously brighter than what it was." The council did not take a formal vote on a lighting contract or capital purchase at this meeting; staff said they would contact an Alabama Power representative to review options and costs.
City staff estimated that if the city followed the existing-style installation it would likely need "6 to 8" new lights to cover the area under discussion, but staff did not provide a final cost estimate. The council directed staff to gather options and coordinate a call with an Alabama Power representative.
