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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0004_2_Streetlight Procedures Ordinance - Exhibit AATTACHMENT A CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE STREET LIGHT ORDINANCE AND PROCEDURE BACKGROUND Currently there are over 3,600 streetlights within the City of Lake Elsinore boundary and it continues to increase with more developments and public requests. Not all the streetlights are owned and maintained by the City, most are owned, operated and maintained by Southern California Edison (SCE). The City pays SCE approximately $12 a month for the energy cost, operation and maintenance of each light pole. The cost for energy, operation and maintenance are outside of City’s control and it increases every year at the discretion of SCE. On January 24, 2017, the City Council approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement for the acquisition of all the sellable streetlights from SCE in order to control and reduce cost for energy consumption, operation and maintenance of the streetlights. City anticipates the new energy cost, operation and maintenance of each light pole will be approximately $7, a reduction of about 40%. Acquisition of the SCE streetlights will provide the City with an opportunity to control certain costs, create revenue generation opportunities, increase public safety and assist in meeting local and statewide energy and greenhouse gas goals. All new street lights currently under design or proposed in the future that are within the City Boundary and within the Right of Way or Easements shall be transferred to the City of Lake Elsinore upon energizing, regardless of the entity proposing the new streetlights. PURPOSE The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a policy and process for acceptance of a streetlight installed by an entity (residents, business or developers) other than the City of Lake Elsinore. STREET LIGHT POLICY The purpose of streetlights is to provide for traffic and pedestrian safety along public ways. The major objective is to reduce motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents by illuminating hazards. Prior to requesting a streetlight, the requestor shall know that streetlights are provided for traffic safety, not property security. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY The City of Lake Elsinore pays for all the streetlights within the public Right-of-Way, which includes the cost of energy, operation and maintenance. These costs do not include the cost for design and installation of new streetlights and/or existing streetlight upgrading. Typically, the design and installation of a new streetlight can be up to several thousand dollars depending on the location and type of construction associated with the installation (i.e. existing power). If the streetlights are proposed by DEVELOPER/S, the developer shall comply with the City of Lake Elsinore’s Municipal Codes including but not limited to Chapter 16.44 Street Improvements. The developer is required to bear all costs associated with design and installation of all the street lights required in accordance with the City Standards. The developer shall also be required to pay the City the estimated cost of the illumination energy and maintenance charges to be incurred for a period of one year following the anticipated date of energizing the streetlights. The charges shall be paid prior to the exoneration of said bonds posted by the developer. If the street lights are being requested by public (Residents or Businesses), the City requires the cost for design, installation and maintenance be paid by the residents benefiting from the new streetlights. Request for new streetlights where no lighting exists will first be evaluated for the need to install a light system on the roadway or development, in accordance with the City of Lake Elsinore’s Municipal Code. Installation of a single independent light will only be approved on a case by case basis and upon the approval of the City Engineer, Director of Community Development and Public Works Manager. If the street lights being requested by public (Residents or Businesses), the City will assume financial responsibility for design, installation and maintenance upon approval of the City Engineer, Director of Community Development and Public Works Manager and under the following circumstances. 1. Lighting an intersection of a public way 2. Bad curves or other serious road hazards where increased illuminations would ease the traffic hazard; 3. Lighting of areas with heavy evening pedestrian traffic. Upon installation of the new streetlights in a new subdivision, a new Zone will be created and added to the LLMD, and maintenance cost will be levied by the City for that Zone. Upon installation of the new street light/s as requested by the public, a new Zone will be created and added to LLMD, and maintenance cost will be levied by the City for properties benefitting from the new streetlights. Upon installation of the new streetlights by the City, the maintenance cost will be added to the Citywide LMD or CFD 2015-02. PROCESS FOR NEW STREET LIGHTS Developers – Shall design the streetlights in accordance with the City requirements and standards. Developer shall work with and provide the necessary information and completed forms to the energy provided (SCE) for electrical needs, sizing and required facilities to operate the streetlights. Upon energizing the streetlights, the developer is required to maintain responsibility for the streetlights until one year after the improvements have been accepted by the City. The streetlights shall be transferred to the City once one year has passed from improvement acceptance. Public – The City of Lake Elsinore will work with the energy provider (SCE) for new streetlights to ensure electrical needs, sizing and required facilities are designed and constructed. The City will complete all the necessary applications needed by SCE to start the design and subsequently the installation. Upon energizing the streetlights, the streetlights shall be transferred to the City for ownership, operation and maintenance. Prior to the City reaching out to SCE, the requester shall provide the following information. 1. Requester’s name, address, telephone number, and reason for requesting the street light installation; 2. Exact location (street address) of the requested street light (e.g. pole between 130 and 132 S. Main Street); 3. Pole number for the adjacent existing street lights; 4. Petition with the names, addresses, phone numbers, and signatures of residents on both sides of the street within 200 feet of the proposed street light, whether in support or opposed to the installation of the street light; Important: The petition must indicate at least a 75% majority of residents support the requested installation of the street light. The property owners shall provide the necessary utility easements for electrical service to the light at no cost to the City of Lake Elsinore. Upon approval of the installation of the street light by the City Engineer, Director of Community Development and Public Works Manager, the City will request necessary easement at no cost to be provided to the appropriate electric company for the purpose of installing the street light.