Title
Approval of Alley Lighting License Agreements Resolution
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution to enter into necessary Alley Lighting License Agreements with private property owners to complete Phase 2 of the Downtown Alley Lighting Project and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary license agreements.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the resolution allowing staff to pursue Alley Lighting Access License Agreements with private property owners.
Staff Contact:
Ladd F. Cluff, PLS, City Surveyor, Public Works Engineering, 360.753.8389
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia entered into a contract with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) in 2014 to fund Downtown Safety Improvement Projects. The agreement provides federal funds from the Section 108 loan guarantee program. One of the safety improvement projects is to install lighting in the City’s downtown core. Staff has identified alleys with heavy pedestrian traffic that experience relatively high amounts of criminal activity for this project.
In November 2014, the Community Planning and Development Department entered into an agreement with the Public Works Department to complete the project.
The license agreements authorize the City to access and use the building area needed to attach the exterior lighting fixtures. The City will retain ownership of the lighting fixtures. The building owner will be responsible for the electrical payments to Puget Sound Energy.
The City completed Phase 1 of the project in summer 2015. That phase installed lights in seven downtown alleys. Construction of Phase 2 will start in summer 2016 and the City anticipates lighting nine alleys.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The project will increase safety by adding lighting to alleyways in the downtown core that are experiencing relatively high levels of criminal activity. As a result, pedestrians will be more likely to use alleys as a means of getting around downtown.
The Downtown Safety Improvement Projects are supported by the Olympia Downtown Association and are of interest community-wide.
Options:
1. Approve the resolution to enter into necessary Alley Lighting License Agreements with private property owners to complete Phase 2 of the Downtown Alley Lighting Project and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary license agreements.
a. Will allow the project to move forward as planned.
b. Will improve downtown safety and security.
c. Will increase pedestrian options downtown.
2. Do not approve the resolution to enter into necessary license agreements.
a. The project would be stopped.
b. Could affect the downtown building owner’s ability to secure and protect their properties.
c. Affects the general public’s choices for walking downtown.
Financial Impact:
Section 108 loan funds will be used to complete the alley lighting project downtown.
Attachments:
Resolution
Alley Lighting Access License Agreement (Template)
Vicinity Map