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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, August 23, 2010 Page 8 b. Public Hearing for Streetlight Utility Ordinance Finance Director Chris Miller and Public Works Director Duane Schwartz pro- vided additional information as previously requested by Councilmembers for con- tinued discussion and consideration of a potential street light fee and ordinance as an alternative revenue source, including tonight's scheduled Public Hearing to so- licit public comment, as detailed in the Request for Council Action (RCA) dated August 23, 2010. Mr. Miller noted that staff had identified five (5) potential rate structures for City Council discussion and consideration. Discussion included rationale for distinctions between single-family and multi- family rates, based on current solid waste recycling rate structures and compari- son with peer communities and their rates ranging from 50% and higher for multi- family rates compared to single-family rates; commercial rates developed on an acreage basis similar to storm drainage fees. Councilmember Pust questioned the proposed rate structure differentiating be- tween single-family and multi-family rates as proposed; since everyone benefitted from street lights and signal lights, whether in their neighborhoods or throughout the community. Councilmember Ihlan suggested that commercial properties may serve as the largest consumers of street lighting, specifically in commercial areas, and should possibly pay more based on that argument. Further discussion included exemptions for those property owners or homeowner associations currently owning and maintaining light systems on City rights-of- way, such as Applewood Pointe at Terrace and Arona, with them paying for the lights and related energy costs; and other situations for payment by those prefer- ring decorative fixtures above and beyond the minimum standard fixture costs and the City picking up the energy usage costs. Councilmember Roe suggested an ordinance language providing for a differential fee, from a policy point of view, for those areas with petitioned special street lighting needing exemption beyond normal utility rates of property tax levies for lighting. Councilmember Roe further clarified with staff that city-owned property was exempt from water, sewer, storm sewer, as well as lighting, fees. Councilmember Pust clarified any public misconceptions that this was a separate tax for street lights, noting that everyone benefited from street and signal lights from a safety standpoint; and that this proposed fee was not tied to whether or not there were street lights in front of a particular home or business. Councilmember Pust spoke in support of taking over the lighting for Applewood Pointe consisten- cy, based on that concept, rather than carving them out as an exception.