2012-11-27_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Schwartz called to the PWETC's attention impacts of the CIP recommendations specifically pursuant to the Street Condition Pavement program. Member Stenlund, on lines 284 and 298 (pathway/parking lots, street lighting), questioned if the PWETC would have additional opportunity to explore LED lighting as previously discussed. Mr. Schwartz noted that the recommended $25,000 annually was intended for that purpose; and included studying alternatives for replacement with LED fixtures, rebate programs, and other applications. Member DeBenedet, with consensus of the body, suggested future presentations by vendors who could and would provide an optimistic analysis of operations and maintenance savings, and payback, for retrofitting LED lighting when replacing fixtures, from an engineering perspective, beyond the presentation recently given by Xcel Energy. Mr. Schwartz clarified that the City owned a very small portion of the overall street lights in the City; however, he expressed staff s willingness to contact other vendors to provide additional analysis and research for the PWETC. Member Stenlund noted a previous reference by Ron Leaf(S.E.H. Engineers) to someone from their firm available to provide additional information about street lights, and suggested contacting that firm to provide additional education for the PWETC; and from a feasibility study perspective, determine the best way to replace street lights with more efficient fixtures while still providing the utmost safety for citizens. Further budget-related discussion included declining gas tax revenue funds and impacts on property tax levies; legislative initiatives to address funding outside the property tax venue and impacts for long-term decision-making; assumptions built into the City budget modeling street funding based on MSA funds and City funds; and the ongoing need to find additional revenue resources. Mr. Schwartz specifically reviewed the Pavement Management Program (PMP) on page 6 of 10 (lines 192, 204-213) and CIP Task Force recommendations for the street fund as bonds are paid off in 2016 and beyond in order to address predicted PCI levels needed to maintain the overall street system. Chair Vanderwall suggested a bar chart, similar to that provided for water/sewer discussions, to allow the public and the PWETC an awareness of impacts if and when infrastructure improvements are continually deferred, and only negatively impacting and delaying problem areas. Page 6 of 11