Commission approves $30,425 downtown lighting procurement amid debate over bollards and truck signage

The commission voted March 9 to approve payment of a $30,425.22 invoice from SESCO Lighting for bollards, bases and a pedestrian street light ordered last year.

Public Works staff member Josh (speaker 10) told the commission the order had been placed in August but arrived in January. He described the procurement as part of the downtown streetscape program and said the bollards are intended to keep trucks off sidewalks and protect signals and benches. "The bollards are really there to not be expendable... they're the things that were okay with them being hit," Josh said, noting a breakaway design was required by the state and that the city intends to keep a small inventory of spare bollards and bases.

Commissioners debated the timing and sequencing of signage and replacements. One commissioner recorded a negative vote: "I'm a no. I want to wait for the new sign," said the commissioner who declined (speaker 11). City staff said the invoice reflects a prior order and is not being submitted solely because of a recent collision that damaged downtown hardware; staff also described ongoing efforts to add truck-route signage and to work with mapping companies, trucking apps and regional partners to reduce truck traffic through downtown.

A motion to approve resolution 2026030906 (downtown lighting procurement) was made and passed by voice vote with one recorded dissent. Staff said insurance and claims would cover costs related to a recent incident that damaged several fixtures, and staff will continue to pursue signage and other measures to reduce truck impacts.

Next steps: staff to continue signage work, track downtown assets, maintain a small stock of replacement bollards and pursue insurance reimbursement for collision damage.