Montrose weighs Excel prepaid streetlight plan as 142 fixtures face expiry by 2032

Staff member briefed attendees on a vendor proposal described in the packet (referred to in the transcript as 'Excel') that offers a prepaid replacement option: Excel would install, own and maintain streetlights for a 25‑year term while the city would pay an upfront cost in exchange for lower recurring charges. "Excel installs, owns, and maintains streetlight for another 25 years," the Staff member said while reviewing the spreadsheet of locations and contract options.

Staff walked the group through an inventory and expiration schedule, saying 142 lights (about 86% of the identified set) are scheduled to expire by 2032 and discussing the city's choices: renew prepaid contracts, take ownership and begin metering and paying electricity and maintenance directly, or do nothing (which would result in inheriting the light and maintenance responsibility). Staff cited an illustrative near-term figure that replacing 26 lights next year could cost about $208,000 upfront and noted two different monthly-cost framings in the packet—one passage lists a $26 per light per month 'standard replacement' figure (including electricity and maintenance) while another section references approximately $6 per light per month tied to the replacement/prepay option. Committee members asked staff to obtain a clearer breakdown from Excel before council consideration; staff said they will return with a recommendation and precise cost details.