08-09-1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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From 1968 to 1985 there were annual assessments to property owners for street light operating costs. These assessments varied depending on the number of people served by each street light. We can not find records of any assessments for the installation of street lights besides the Navarre business district street lights. It is possible that there could be some street lights on private roads, in the rural area, which are being maintained by property owners or homeowner's associations. We do not maintain any records of street lights on private roads, but there are not many street lights in the rural areas of the City. Survey of Street Lighting Policies from Neighboring Cities Staff was unable to find any street lighting policies for the City of Orono, and have surveyed area cities regarding their street lighting policies. Twelve surveys were sent out and we have received responses from five cities; Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, and Spring Park. The surveys returned represent a good sample of different size cities. Minnetonka is the only city that returned a written street light policy with the survey form. Copies of the survey forms are attached. All of the cities pay the operating costs for standard street lights from the General Fund. Minnetonka requires neighborhood funding for decorative lights. Orono is currently paying for street light operating costs from the General Fund. NSP owns the 95% to 100% of the street lights for all of the cities, except Spring Park where NSP owns 70% of the street lights. In Orono NSP owns 55% of the street lights. City policies vary for the funding of new street light installations in existing neighborhoods In all surveyed cities, for new developments the developer pays for the street light installation. Long Lake, Mound, and Spring Park pay for the installation of new street lights in existing neighborhoods. In Long Lake if a different style light is requested, the neighborhood pays for installation. In Minnetonka, the benefitted property owners will normally be required to assume any cost over $500 for installation of a new street light. Minnetonka has a written policy regarding ciiteria for the placement of street lights. Excerpts from vieir policy are listed below. Backgrorji*d The City of Minnetonka provides street lighting of various types to promote safe travel on City streets of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The City provided street lighting is not intended for the purpose of deterring criminal activity. .Standard Street Lighting The City Engineer shall consider the authorization of placing street lights in the City only at intersections, end of cul-de>sacs, at sharp turns or steep hills along City streets, or the entrance to or within publicly-owned parking facilities, except when the strict application of such criteria would not be in the best interest of residents of the City. In such instances, an alternative location may be approved.