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Council directs staff to use lighting grant equipment and pursue a program to light downtown alleys
Summary
Council discussed string lighting, fixed fixtures and liability concerns for downtown alleys. Staff has a $131,000 equipment‑only grant; council favored using it to acquire equipment and pursue either city installation or a property‑owner equipment program, with staff to resolve liability, power and maintenance questions.
Staff presented a downtown lighting and safety plan recommending a layered approach to illumination—roadway, pedestrian, storefront, placemaking and alleyway lighting—to improve safety and night‑time economic activity. A $131,000 equipment grant was available but cannot be spent on installation. Staff reviewed two primary alleyway approaches: string lighting (lower impact, aesthetic) and fixed or pole lighting (higher cost and complexity).
Costs and approaches discussed included a city‑led in‑house phased installation (estimated $86,000) or an all‑at‑once contractor installation (estimated $218,000). Staff also proposed a grant program to supply lighting equipment to property owners who would install and maintain fixtures; proponents said that approach reduces city liability and accelerates installation where owners are ready. Legal staff cautioned about risks of attaching fixtures to older private façades, ownership of anchors, power sources and long‑term maintenance obligations.
Property owners, the Latin Business Association and Main Street advocates urged rapid action and suggested pairing city equipment purchases with a Main Street–style program to coordinate installation and funding. Council direction: use grant money to buy equipment and support a program enabling property owners that are ready to install lighting; staff will draft participation agreements, evaluate liability and code changes, and return with an implementation plan and recommended priority alleyways.
The council indicated that a phased, in‑house installation could proceed where feasible but favored a hybrid approach to move quickly where owners are ready while protecting the city from undue liability. Staff will also assess modified code language to enable alley lighting and will coordinate with utilities and property owners during implementation.
