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Resident asks about failing solar pilot; commissioners and staff cite battery costs and shade
Summary
A resident asked why a pilot of solar sidewalk lights has mostly stopped working; staff and commissioners said battery replacement and tree shade are limiting factors, and staff offered to follow up.
During the final public-comment portion of the Oct. 8 meeting, resident Ingrid Jones asked about a solar lighting pilot near her home that she said has not worked for years.
"My name is Ingrid Jones. I live at 2112 Northeast 44th Street, and we have all those wonderful solar lights that haven't worked in the past 6 years. Can you help me out on that?" Jones said at the podium. Staff and commissioners said the original test project provided limited duration and that replacing batteries is expensive; they noted tree canopy and reduced sunlight as a likely factor limiting solar-panel charging on some days.
Staff said the city has reviewed the project and that hardwiring the lights was financially infeasible; the public-works representative said they will continue to monitor and bring an update at a future meeting. Commissioners encouraged residents with concerns to report individual nonworking lights so staff can assess the scope of failures.
Provenance: The exchange occurred during final public comment when residents raised neighborhood concerns and staff responded.
