Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ann M. Stillman, Director of Public Works
Subject: Installation of Two Additional Streetlights on Devonshire Avenue in the Menlo Park Highway Lighting District - North Fair Oaks Area
RECOMMENDATION:
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Acting as the Governing Board of the Menlo Park Highway Lighting District, adopt a resolution authorizing the installation of two streetlights on Devonshire Avenue in the Menlo Park Highway Lighting District.
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BACKGROUND:
Under California Streets and Highways Code sections 19000 et seq, the “Highway Lighting District Act,” the Board of Supervisors serves as the governing board (body) of the Menlo Park Highway Lighting District (District). Section 19160 provides that the governing board of a highway lighting district may consider the installation of additional streetlights if a written request, signed by two members of the governing body, is filed with the district’s governing body.
The Department has received a written request dated April 3, 2023 (attached), signed by two members of the Board of Supervisors, for the installation of an additional streetlight on the above-named street in the vicinity of 180 Buckingham Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
District staff has evaluated the existing streetlights and facilities and recommends the installation of two additional streetlights in the vicinity of 180 Buckingham Avenue on Devonshire Avenue in order to provide the desired outcome of enhancing the illumination and safety conditions of the area.
District staff recommends the installation of Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures at the proposed streetlight locations as all the streetlights in this area have been converted to LED through the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company’s Turnkey Program. LED lights are more energy efficient and last longer than the other lights. Taxpayers within a 300-foot radius or to the end of the block, whichever is longer, were notified of where the proposed streetlights are being considered for installation.
We believe there is sufficient evidence for this Board to make the necessary findings that it is just and equitable and in the public interest for the additional cost of installing and maintaining additional streetlights at the proposed locations to be paid by the District as a whole:
a. Taxpayers or residents have expressed concerns that additional lighting is needed to improve safety in the area; and
b. Other streets within the District have an equivalent density of streetlights as would exist with the addition of these streetlights; and
c. To date, the District has not received any objections to the two proposed streetlights from taxpayers that were notified.
The proposed streetlights will be installed on existing PG&E poles on Devonshire Avenue, as shown on Exhibit “A”.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost associated with the installation of the two streetlights is $8,000. The energy cost for two LED streetlights based on PG&E’s current rate schedule is $6.76 ($3.38 each) per month. Sufficient District funds are available to pay for the initial cost of the installation and future energy and maintenance costs for these streetlights.
There is no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments: Letter Requesting a New Streetlight on Devonshire Ave., Menlo Park dated April 3, 2023
Exhibit A - Vicinity Map