Kingsburg committee approves funds for solar path lights, directs remaining budget to police drone program

The Kingsburg Public Safety Committee on May 11 approved spending up to $2,000 to buy and install trial solar lights along the walking path on 10th Avenue north of Stroud, and voted to transfer the committee's remaining small balance to the police department's drone program and safety helmet purchases.

Daniel Galvez, Kingsburg's public works director, told the committee he was asking for five solar fixtures as a trial at the 10th Avenue walking path and that the city could mount them to existing utility poles without new PG&E hookups. "We're asking to get 5 lights; we're looking at about $950," Galvez said, describing the fixtures as motion-activated (dimming to 25% when idle and rising to full output on motion) and estimating they can operate eight to ten hours per full charge.

Galvez said the city already uses similar solar fixtures at Athwal Park, the dog park and the library parking lot. He estimated fixture heights at 12 to 13 feet, said the supplier offers about a six-month warranty and gave a rough life-expectancy estimate of three to five years for the units in regular use. He also noted larger solar bollard-style path lights exist but would require additional mounting work and cost more.

The committee questioned technical details. One member asked about lumen output; Galvez said he did not have a confirmed spec at the meeting but estimated "about 10,000" (he did not confirm the unit of measure). Members asked that staff provide exact specifications and confirm warranty terms before purchase.

Committee members discussed other candidate locations, including areas near Bicentennial Park, Lake Street and the public works yard, and whether to buy spares. With available funds and the current fiscal-year deadline, a member moved to authorize up to $2,000 so public works could purchase and install up to 10 lights; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Separately, the committee reviewed the remaining small balance in its discretionary fund. Members recalled a prior allocation of about $317.90 toward helmets; the committee moved to apply the remaining balance (stated in discussion as approximately $266.29) to ongoing drone-program and helmet expenses. The motion to transfer the remaining committee funds to the police drone program and related safety equipment was seconded and approved by voice vote.

During public comment earlier in the meeting, resident Chris Peterson urged attention to a different intersection, saying the corner of 14th and Sierra is dark and "that's always been a dangerous corner" and recalling a family accident years earlier and a crash after last September's Crayfish Festival. The chair noted traffic-safety matters are handled by a separate traffic-safety committee and suggested the commenter bring the concern to that body, but committee members and staff acknowledged the lighting concern as relevant to pedestrian safety.

The committee set its next regular meeting for Aug. 11 and Daniel Galvez said staff met recently with Flock about possible downtown camera locations and would return with any revised submittal. Members asked for fuller technical and cost details if a future request for body cameras or related funding is brought forward.

The meeting adjourned with the committee having approved the solar-light purchase authorization and the transfer of its remaining discretionary funds.