09-10-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD AUGUST 21, 1990 STREET LIGHTS - LIVINGSTON AND LYRIC AVENUE Gerhardson reviewed the information in his memo dated August 23, 1990. Mayor Grabek asked whether the City has paid for street lights from the general fund in the past. Gerhardson replied, "Not that I can recall. We do have street lights that are paid from the general fund because of a change in the law. The law used to allow the City to hold one Public Hearing to forever assess the cost thereafter. now states that a Public Hearing must be held every year." Mr. Theran Hokanson, 3695 Lyric Avenue, said, "The lights were on at the time we purchased our property. We came back from vacation and they were off. We call.ed Northern States Power and they said the lights were not pc-.id for. That is when we contacted the City. We have submitted a petition of the area residents that wish to have the lights on. There are lights on the corner Lyric and Blaine which are paid for by the City. We assumed that was the case with the lights in our neighborhood. The lights would cost approximately $27.00 per month.” Mayor Grabek questioned whether approving this request would set a precedent. He said, "On the other hand there is just the cost of $27.00 per month, which will not have a financial impact on the City." Mr. Terry Beich, 3697 Lyric Avenue, said, "That area has become a good party spot. I believe that turning the lights on will put an end to the congregating and partying that is taking place. It will make the neighborhood safe again." Mayor Grabek asked who is responsible for maintaining the street lights. Gerhardson replied, "NSP is responsible for maintenance." Mayor Grabek asked staff if they are aware of any other locations where this same situation may exist. Gerhardson replied, "This situation could occur anywhere in the City." Callahan asked Gerhardson to explain the City’s expenditure of $8,000 to $10,000 for lighting referred to in his memo. Gerhardson replied, "That covers all of the street lights that have either been placed publicly or are paid for publicly. The lights on County Road 15, the lights in the Navarre parking lot and lights around a traffic semaphore are examples. It includes the other 67 lights that are in residential areas - 17 -