Highland Park approves 5-year pilot for 60 solar streetlights after months of debate

Highland Park City Council voted to approve a five-year pilot program with Solartonic LLC and Solidarity to install, operate and maintain 60 solar streetlights at no cost to the city, with the council taking the roll call and the motion passing 3-2.

Supporters said the lights offer a way to restore lighting quickly to neighborhoods that have been dark for years and that the pilot is funded so the city will not pay operating costs during the five-year period. ‘‘We have been without a significant amount of lights since, I believe, 02/2011,’’ resident Juan Shannon told the council during public comment, urging approval.

Opponents and several council members pressed for more detail on what happens after the five-year pilot. Resident Hart Swanson told the council that the agreement contains a separate 10-year term and said the city could face long-term payments: "there's a 10 year term, that the city is expected to basically remunerate this partnership at the tune of $54,000 a year for 10 years that's close to 549,000," he said. A representative for Solartonic disputed that characterization during council discussion, saying the later-year cost estimates are ‘‘about 40,000 a year’’.

Council discussion focused on liability, insurance and ownership. Councilwoman Manuka, who moved the resolution, asked whether insurers commonly underwrite solar lighting; a Solartonic representative answered that standard liability insurers (for example, commercial carriers) would provide coverage and that if the city transfers ownership after five years it would obtain insurance "as you would have insurance on any of the assets that you own as a city." Council members also discussed a proposed working group to plan a sustainable transition before transfer of ownership.

The resolution instructs the mayor to negotiate and execute agreements with Solartonic and Solidarity for operations and maintenance during the five-year pilot, and it states that consideration shall be given to transferring ownership of the poles to the city on or before the end of the pilot, "contingent upon the ability of the city to pay O&M fees for continuance of operations and maintenance." Councilmember Square (Councilwoman Square) urged that the city begin budgeting now for any future costs so the city would know whether it could afford to take ownership in five years.

Roll call on the engineering item showed Councilwoman Martin, Councilwoman Manuka and Council President Thomas voting in favor; Councilman Ashafi and Council Pro Tem Robinson voted no. Councilman Ashafi said he remained "extremely uncomfortable" and would only support the program if progress and data during the pilot supported taking further steps later.

The resolution includes language calling for immediate permitting by the engineering department for installation of the poles funded through the program, and it authorizes the mayor to finalize contracts with Solartonic and Solidarity. Supporters said Solartonic and Solidarity will cover liability and O&M during the five-year term. The resolution also directs stakeholders to form discussions about long-term sustainability and possible funding sources, including grants and budgeting over the five-year period.

Public commenters who supported the resolution emphasized safety and local economic benefits. Resident Melinda said the lights had been paid for and that Solartonic and Solidarity would maintain them during the pilot; another resident, Tracy Wooten, highlighted local employment and community benefits. Opponents warned of potential long-term financial obligations and asked the council to secure firmer written commitments about contingency plans.

The council approved the resolution after the discussion. The measure calls for Solartonic and Solidarity to maintain insurance and liability coverage during the pilot and contemplates a working group to design transition options before any transfer of ownership is finalized.