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Leon Valley hears presentation on 22 solar streetlights from Precinct 2 CDBG grant; council asks for outreach and placement changes
Summary
Bexar County Precinct 2 offered Leon Valley a 100%‑funded CDBG grant to install 22 solar streetlights in eligible census tracts. Staff said the city would maintain lights and cover replacement/maintenance costs; council asked for reduced counts or relocation in some blocks and agreed to resident outreach.
City staff told the Leon Valley City Council on May 5 that Bexar County Precinct 2 has offered a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project that would fund installation of 22 solar streetlights in CDBG‑eligible census tracts in Leon Valley.
Public Works Director David Demline said the grant covers installation costs for 22 standard single‑arm residential solar streetlights made by a Fort Worth manufacturer and that the selected locations include Old Mill (7), Castle Estates (7), Shadow Mist (5) and Bandera Pass (3). "It's a 100% grant funded project," Demline said, adding that the city would be responsible for maintenance through an interlocal agreement; he estimated replacement of a pole after damage at about $12,000–$15,000 and battery replacement at roughly $3,000 per unit despite a 10‑year warranty.
Councilmembers praised the grant but raised questions about how the county selected sites. Councilor Mersch and others noted Old Mill already has existing lights and asked whether the lights could be spread more evenly across qualifying neighborhoods. Demline and staff said Bexar County selected locations based on low‑to‑moderate income census‑tract eligibility and that the city could request a reduced number of fixtures or ask to move some pins within the eligible areas.
Council directed staff to pursue the grant but to return with options for reducing or relocating fixtures, and to perform door‑to‑door outreach in affected neighborhoods so residents understand siting and solar limitations (for instance, shaded locations might reduce solar effectiveness). City Manager Dr. Caldera and staff also cautioned that, while residents often welcome lighting, poles close to homes can cause complaints about glare and privacy; Demline said the selected fixtures are hooded to reduce light spill.
No final acceptance vote was recorded at the meeting; council gave staff authority to negotiate with the county on counts and placement and to return with recommendations.
