Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Streets And Lighting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mantorville leans toward acorn-style Main Street lights; council requests two cost estimates
Summary
After reviewing Xcel Energy quotes and a public survey, the council asked staff to get two estimates for Main Street lighting—one matching the acorn-style proposal favored by 77.6% of respondents and one adding two extra acorn lights at the crosswalk; motion passed 4-0.
The Mantorville City Council on Nov. 27 heard a presentation from City Engineer Scott Huneke (WHKS) on three Xcel Energy lighting options for Main Street (Highway 57 between 4th and 6th Streets) and asked staff to obtain two cost estimates based on public feedback.
Huneke presented three Xcel Energy price points: a $68,831 package that includes ten 14-foot aluminum Washington poles with acorn-style fixtures and outlets (lights staggered on both sides of the road; estimated monthly rate $4.90 per light); a $35,088 option with four 30-foot poles and cobra-style fixtures (lights on one side; monthly rate about $6 per light); and a $13,528 option to reinstall wooden poles with standard fixtures (monthly rate about $11 per light). The packet included Xcel work-order drawings with conduit and feedpoint details.
Members of the Mantorville Restoration Association, including business owner Lynette Nash and Jane Olive, urged the council to pick the acorn fixtures to preserve a historic downtown character and to allow hanging banners and decorations. The Mantorville Chamber of Commerce also voiced support. Staff reported results from an online survey of 174 respondents: 77.59% favored the acorn-style Option 1.
Audience member Jim Potter said selecting the acorn option would amount to about "$125 per taxpayer," a citizen estimate recorded in the minutes; the council did not verify that per-taxpayer calculation during the meeting. Potter also asked why the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) did not require lighting at the crosswalk; Huneke said he would follow up with MnDOT and provide clarification. Councilmember Lyle Hoaglund requested pricing that includes two additional acorn lights at the 5th Street/Hwy 57 corners and the crosswalk.
Councilmember Jeffrey Ingalls moved, and Councilmember Hoaglund seconded, that staff obtain two estimates: one matching the acorn lights as presented and a second that adds two additional acorn lights; the motion carried 4-0. The council will review the estimates at a future meeting before selecting an option or committing to installation.
