Some street lights will be turned back on

Some of the street lights shut off by Brainerd Public Utilities will be turned back on.

At the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting preceding Monday's council meeting, Brainerd Public Utilities Superintendent Tom Phelps said plans are to turn about 40 to 50 of the 474 streets lights that were shut off in an effort to reduce the street light budget by $91,000. There are 1,600 street lights in the city.

The lights being turned on were identified by council members during a city tour at the end of June and during a public hearing on July 8.

The areas where street lights turned back on are in selected spots in downtown, including in some alleys, but at a reduced wattage; on South Seventh Street from Quince to Paul streets; N and J streets at midblocks; Fourth Avenue Northeast from B to G streets; and at cul-de-sacs and other areas at Buffalo Hills Lane, Graydon Avenue, and several other southwest Brainerd streets.

Phelps also said the utility also will look at Quince Street between 15th and 16th streets and areas near Evergreen Cemetery.

"The project is ongoing and a lot of tweaking will occur," committee chairwoman and council member Mary Koep said.

Alternatives, Phelps noted, included reduced wattage when lights are replaced - 100-watt lights to 70 watts, 150-watt lights to 100 watts and 200-watt lights to 150 watts. It's part of a five-year plan for the reduction, Phelps said.

Also discussed was the use of timers for major entrances to the city - Washington Street, Mill Avenue, South Sixth Street and Oak Street - and in downtown.

"But that's down the road. (Phelps') crew can't do everything in one day," said downtown property owner Ed Menk. Menk said Phelps' crews and staff has been doing an excellent job with the street lights.

The committee also discussed the possibility of a new utility rate for street lights, as many residents suggested at the public hearing, and incentives for residents to install motion-sensor or security lights on houses but took no action. Phelps said it was his opinion that the cost and installation of such lights should be the homeowners' responsibility and the committee's consensus was to not offer it at this time.

Other discussion was held on having new street lights included in project costs for street reconstruction, which would save money. The city already requires developers to pay for street light installation in new developments.

Brainerd resident Gerald Doyle has been opposed to shutting off any street lights and on Monday suggested the city charter states the city was wrong to shut them off.

Doyle said, according to the charter, the mayor has to sign off on the budget. He said when he asked, Mayor James Wallin told him he wasn't aware street lights would be turned off. Since the mayor hadn't approved the action, the street lights should be turned back on.

"I don't think it's any secret that I am vehemently opposed to the entire process," Doyle said. "What I'm trying to do is get a complete reversal, not withstanding the good work being put in by the public utility.

"Just turn the lights back on."

Koep said ordinances and resolutions need to be signed by the mayor, not motions such as the one authorizing public utilities to cut $91,000 from its street light budget.

However, Koep asked Doyle to be at the council's Aug. 2 meeting, where he can tell his concerns to City Attorney Tom Fitzpatrick and Fitzpatrick can give the council an opinion.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.