| To: |
Mayor Collins and City Commissioners |
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| From: |
Sheila Danielson, Finance Director |
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| Subject: |
Consider a resolution of intention to create Special Lighting Improvement District No. 399 in the City of Helena, Montana |
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Present Situation:
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The City of Helena has before it a request by Northwestern Energy pursuant to §7-12-4301, MCA, to create a special improvement lighting district for existing streetlights adjacent to 105 properties north of Road Runner Street both sides of Curlew Street, Blackhawk Street, Blue Heron Street and the north and eastern parts of Sand Piper Loop in the Skelton Addition Phase II, Sequence I, II, and III as shown on Certificate of Survey Nos. 3042671, 3042672, 3050715, 3089412.
Fifty (50) lighting units were installed with underground wiring, fiberglass or metal poles for 14-foot mounting lights and decorative Acorn style horizontal cutoff luminaries with 100-watt, high pressure sodium vapor lamps in 2003 and 2004 but a special lighting improvement district was not created.
Northwestern Energy is currently paying for the maintenance and operation, and electricity for the streets and has been for over 15 years.
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Background Information:
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With the consent of this Resolution of Intent, the City will notify all property owners affected explaining the general character of the lighting district proposed to be created, the estimated costs of the lights, estimated cost of maintaining the lights and supplying electrical current for the lights. The notice will designate a time and place to hear public comment regarding the potential creation of the District.
The City will allow a 15-day period from the date of first publication of the notice to the property owners in the potential district to provide written protest against the creation of the District.
If owners of a majority of the properties within the proposed district deliver written protests, the City Commission may not consider the creation of the district for six months.
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Proposal/Objective:
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With the consent of this Resolution of Intent, the City will notify all property owners affected explaining the general character of the lighting district proposed to be created, the estimated costs of the lights, estimated cost of maintaining the lights and supplying electrical current for the lights. The notice will designate a time and place to hear public comment regarding the potential creation of the District.
The City will allow a 15-day period from the date of first publication of the notice to the property owners in the potential district to provide written protest against the creation of the District.
If owners of a majority of the properties within the proposed district deliver written protests, the City Commission may not consider the creation of the district for six months.
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Advantage:
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The benefits of street lighting are the convenience, safety, and security of property and improvements.
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Notable Energy Impact:
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N/A |
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Disadvantage:
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Property owners may determine the creation of the lighting district to be a cost burden.
Northwestern Energy will have to continue to absorb the cost of installing and maintaining lights.
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Notice of Public Hearing:
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Attached
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