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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-08-2022 Residential Neighborhoods (Signed) StandingOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK DAWN K JONES, CITY CLERK RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS MARCH 8,2022,4:00 P.M. Committee Members Present: Karen L. White, Canneth Lee, Sheila Niezgodski, Henry Davis Jr. Committee Members Absent: None Other Council Present: Sharon L. McBride, Rachel Tomas Morgan, Lori K. Hamann, Troy Warner Other Council Absent: Eli Wax Others Present: Dawn Jones, Bianca Tirado, Victoria Trujillo, Bob Palmer Presenters: Finn Cavanaugh, Eric Horvath Agenda: Update — Street Light LED Conversations, Eric Horvath Committee Chair Karen L. White called to order the Residential Neighborhoods Committee meeting at 4:00 p.m. Full audio dialogue of the meeting is available upon request from the City Clerk's Office. Finn Cavanaugh, Project Engineer, with offices on the thirteenth (13th) floor of the County -City Building, reported that an LED test pilot had been undertaken with American Electric Power (AEP). A survey was posted in the Tribune and circulated to neighborhood associations. Finn Cavanaugh provided an overview of the light specifications. Committeemember Sheila Niezgodski asked if the number of kelvins is adjustable and if the lights are physically adjustable. Finn Cavanaugh responded that kelvins are not adjustable once the lights are implemented. Three thousand (3,000) kelvins are consistent with city lights. Physical adjustments can be made to an extent. AEP has its own technicians who work on the lights should a resident complain. Committeemember Sheila Niezgodski asked how many additional lights there would be for areas that do not currently have lighting. Finn Cavanaugh responded that nine thousand (9,000) existing lights will be converted. Then, additional requests will be reviewed as the Light Up South Bend project starts again. Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan stated she hopes Council can spread the word on the survey and asked about the feedback from the nine (9) participants who did not visit on site. EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County -City Building 227 W Jefferson Bvld South Bend, Indiana 46601 p574.235.9221 f574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 wwwsouthbendin.gov •CCITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK Finn Cavanaugh responded that questions on color temperature had been received from the Dark Sky community; however, the International Dark -Sky Association has approved the color temperatures selected. Many respondents said they would like new lights in their neighborhoods. Council President Sharon L. McBride asked about priority for installation. Finn Cavanaugh responded that orders have begun to be placed for larger corridors like Lincoln Way and downtown. Areas that receive lighting complaints will be prioritized. Council President Sharon L. McBride stated that trees obstruct some lights. She asked if trees would be trimmed during installation. Finn Cavanaugh responded that the City Forester would assist on a case-by-case basis, but this will not be handled immediately unless it impacts an electrical wire or prevents installation. Chair Karen L. White asked what Council could do to spread the word about the survey. Finn Cavanaugh responded that directing constituents to the article in the Tribune could help. Direct mailers have been sent to neighborhoods where lights will be installed. Residents can contact AEP or 311 to report non-functioning streetlights. Councilmember Lori K. Hamann requested confirmation that installations will occur between Spring 2022 and August 2022. Finn Cavanaugh responded affirmatively. Eric Horvath, Public Works Director, with offices on the thirteenth (13th) floor of the County - City Building, added that this is crucial so that priorities can be identified and bulbs changed. Committeemember Henry Davis Jr. asked if the workforce must be expanded to maintain the lighting being established in the city. Finn Cavanaugh responded that AEP is responsible for maintaining its lights, but it is the responsibility of the city and residents to report which lights are out. Eric Horvath responded that maintenance would be required much less than before, and AEP will have a timeline to handle lights that are out. With no further business, Chair Karen L. White adjourned the Residential Neighborhoods meeting at 4:40 p.m. Respect ly Submitted --�7 Karen L. White, Committee Chair EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County -City Building 227W. Jefferson Bvld South Bend, Indiana 46601 p574.235.9221 f574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 2