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Council approves downtown lighting study, defers north‑of‑tracks analysis
Summary
The council approved a contract to analyze downtown street‑lighting needs (roughly half of a $58,009.20 proposal) and deferred the north‑of‑tracks portion until staff and council weigh urban‑renewal and in‑house options.
Caldwell City Councilors on Aug. 18 approved a professional services engagement for a photometric lighting analysis of downtown — but declined at this meeting to authorize the matching analysis for the area north of the railroad tracks.
Public‑works staff proposed a two‑area study: (1) downtown (south of the tracks, roughly between 5th and 10th streets) and (2) the area north of the tracks between Centennial and the freeway. The entire proposal from a firm on the city’s on‑call list totaled $58,009.20. After council discussion about in‑house capacity, the timing of urban‑renewal work and budget availability, council voted to proceed with the downtown portion now and defer the north‑of‑tracks analysis for later consideration.
Public‑works staff said the downtown study would help identify gaps in coverage, appropriate fixture spacing and whether adjustments to wattage or fixture location are preferable to new poles. Councilors said downtown lighting is a priority for worker and pedestrian safety and that the city must coordinate any north‑side work with prospective urban‑renewal plans and available funding. Staff noted the FY2026 budget includes a separate $50,000 allocation for north‑side lighting and that urban‑renewal revenue would not be available until subsequent tax cycles if a district is created.
Outcome: council unanimously approved authorizing staff to execute a contract for the downtown lighting analysis (approximately one‑half of the total study cost) and directed staff to return with options and potential funding for the north‑of‑tracks work.
