Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee on 2015-03-10 1:00 PM

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee met on March 10, 2015, at 1:00 p.m., with Farmer presiding. The committee addressed five agenda items, all of which were approved. During the meeting, the committee took 12 motions and votes and heard 13 public comments.

The approved agenda items included:

• Streetlights – Analysis of lighting types, installation/lease costs, etc.
• Safe Routes to School (Ford)
• Speed Reduction on Cromwell Way (Mossotti)
• UK Forest Health Research & Education Center (Gibbs)
• Items Referred to Committee

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on March 10, 2015:

• Farmer
• Stinnett
• Kay
• Moloney
• Ford
• Gibbs
• Evans
• Brown
• Mossotti
• Lane

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included twelve votes, eleven of which passed and one that failed.

Passed Motions (Voice Votes):

• Motion to move funding mechanism for streetlights to Budget and Finance Committee for recommendation before August, moved by Stinnett 37:02

• Motion to approve resolution supporting the Safe Routes to School program, moved by Ford 58:24

• Motion to approve resolution supporting the Forest Health Research and Education Center, moved by Gibbs and seconded by Lane 1:08:48

• Motion to approve resolution reducing speed limit on Cromwell Way to 25 mph, moved by Mazzotti 1:10:23

• Motion to remove capacity analysis from committee agenda, moved by Stinnett 1:11:33

• Motion to consolidate snow removal and snow and ice control plans, moved by Stinnett 1:16:51

• Motion to remove Woodland Avenue pedestrian enhancements from committee agenda, moved by Ford 1:19:29

• Motion to remove Columbia Heights item from committee agenda, moved by Gibbs and seconded by Stinnett 1:20:01

• Motion to remove Ferndale Pass from committee agenda, moved by Gibbs 1:20:01

• Motion to remove West Second from committee agenda, moved by Ford and seconded by Kay 1:20:01

• Motion to adjourn, moved by Brown and seconded by Mossotti 1:21:07

Failed Motion (Roll Call Vote):

• Motion to remove distillery district update from committee agenda, moved by Akers 1:14:43

This motion resulted in a 5-5 tie vote. Voting in favor were Akers, Brown, Ford, Gibbs, and Lane. Voting against were Kay, Moloney, Mossotti, Stinnett, and Evans. The motion failed due to the tied vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included discussion of a capital purchase for downtown infrastructure improvements.

Streetlight Purchase

The council approved a purchase of streetlights for Granville downtown in the amount of $475,000. The purchase was to be made from KU.

Public Comment

The meeting included thirteen public comments addressing streetlight policy, funding mechanisms, and maintenance priorities.

Streetlight Policy and Decision-Making

Massadi asked about the decision-making process for streetlight styles and whether neighborhoods can petition for different styles before installation [00:11:30]. Evans sought clarity on what answer to give constituents requesting decorative lights instead of standard Cobra heads, noting that no defined option exists but a backdoor process does [00:25:16]. Akers asked who decided to allow multiple streetlight styles, noting the change occurred in the mid-80s when funding was sufficient [00:32:15].

Funding and Policy Concerns

Stinnett expressed concern that the lack of consistent policy leads to inequity and frustration among council members and residents, calling for a formal policy and funding mechanism [00:16:56]. Maloney recalled a past meeting where the council struggled to afford expensive lights and had to revert to standard ones due to budget constraints [00:26:21]. Maloney also questioned whether the 1% franchise fee increase was intended to fund streetlights and expressed concern that the money was not fully used to resolve the deficit [00:39:41].

Franchise Fee and Developer Input

Lane asked which utilities are subject to the franchise fee, clarifying that it applies to electricity and gas but not cable, telephone, or water [00:45:11]. Kay asked whether franchise fee money can be earmarked for specific uses like streetlights, noting that it may not be legally possible [00:47:33]. Mazzotti asked whether developers are consulted about lighting choices during subdivision planning to help avoid neighborhood disputes [00:38:04].

Snow Removal and Tree Health

Brown suggested that school bus routes should be prioritized for snow plowing and paving, and asked that this be considered in the Safe Routes to School program [00:58:59]. Brown also stressed the need to include pedestrian pathways and parks in snow removal plans, noting that Parks and Rec did not clear Thoroughbred Park [00:17:56].

Gibbs highlighted the threat to urban trees, especially ash trees, and emphasized the need for proactive research and education to combat invasive species [01:02:16]. Lane offered to help draft a resolution supporting the Forest Health Research and Education Center [01:07:15].

Contested Items

Streetlight Funding and Policy

Council members were divided on whether to allow multiple streetlight styles and how to fund them. The disagreement centered on concerns about equity and long-term sustainability of different funding approaches. A vote on removing the distillery district update resulted in a 5-5 split, indicating the council was evenly divided on this aspect of the streetlight policy.

Franchise Fee Use and Earmarking

A heated discussion emerged regarding the use and earmarking of franchise fees. Council members debated whether franchise fee increases were intended to fund streetlights and whether funds could legally be earmarked for specific purposes. This disagreement created confusion about financial accountability and the proper allocation of revenue sources.

Streetlights – Analysis of lighting types, installation/lease costs, etc.

Dowell Hoskins Squier and Jeff Neal presented an analysis of streetlight styles, lease rates, funding mechanisms, and installation status [00:00:00].

The presentation covered several key topics:

Lighting Types and Styles The analysis examined different streetlight options available to the municipality, comparing various lighting styles and their characteristics.

Financial Considerations The presenters discussed lease rates and installation costs associated with different streetlight types, addressing the financial implications of various options.

Funding Mechanisms The presentation included an overview of how streetlight projects could be funded, examining different approaches to financing lighting improvements.

Current Installation Status The analysis provided information on the existing streetlight installation across the municipality.

Process Gaps A key issue identified was the lack of a formal process for neighborhoods to request alternative lighting styles. This gap was highlighted as a challenge in responding to community preferences for different streetlight options.

Financial Challenges The presentation noted the financial difficulties associated with funding different styles of streetlights, indicating that cost considerations significantly impact the ability to accommodate varied lighting preferences.

LED Retrofitting Opportunity The analysis highlighted the Granville streetlight purchase and discussed the potential for LED retrofitting as a path forward for improving the streetlight system.

Outcome The agenda item was approved.

Safe Routes to School (Ford)

51:48

Myron Thompson and Dowell Hoskins Squier presented the Safe Routes to School program to the council. The presentation emphasized the program's multiple benefits, including health improvements for students, reduction in traffic congestion, and enhanced safety in school zones.

The presenters discussed a Transportation Alternatives Program application focused on school zone improvements. This application represented a key component of the initiative's implementation strategy.

The council was asked to provide support for the program and the associated application. Following the presentation and discussion, a resolution was brought forward for referral to the council.

Outcome: The resolution was approved for referral to council.

Speed Reduction on Cromwell Way (Mossotti)

Mazzotti presented a traffic analysis supporting a proposed speed reduction on Cromwell Way from 35 mph to 25 mph 1:09:19. The presentation cited several justifications for the reduction:

• Residential nature of the area
• Low traffic volume
• Alignment changes on the roadway

The resolution to reduce the speed limit was approved.

UK Forest Health Research & Education Center (Gibbs)

1:02:16

The meeting included a presentation on the Forest Health Research and Education Center initiative. Red Baker, Bert Abbott, and Dana Nelson were the key speakers on this agenda item.

The presentation highlighted threats to native tree species and emphasized the need for proactive research to address these challenges. The initiative was presented as a collaborative effort involving the University of Kentucky, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF).

The resolution regarding the UK Forest Health Research & Education Center was approved by the meeting participants.

Items Referred to Committee

1:11:01

The committee reviewed and voted on several items that had been previously referred for consideration. The discussion involved speakers Stinnett, Akers, Brown, Gibbs, and Lane.

The committee took action on the following matters:

• Capacity analysis — removed from the agenda
• Distillery district update — removed from the agenda
• Ferndale Pass — removed from the agenda
• West Second — removed from the agenda

Additionally, the committee consolidated snow removal and ice control plans into a single item for consideration.

The committee also made staffing assignments for ongoing work:

• A new lead was assigned for the urban forestry analysis
• A new lead was assigned for the streetlight analysis

The item was approved by the committee.