AGENDA #5c

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Northside Lighting Update

 

DATE:             February 11, 2002

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The purpose of this memorandum is to present to the Council a status report on lighting improvements in the Northside neighborhood. 

 

   BACKGROUND

 

On September 24, 2001, residents of the Northside community petitioned the Council to address their concerns regarding crime and disorder in their neighborhood.  Their concerns included inadequate street lighting and a lack of maintenance of existing lights. 

 

      DISCUSSION

 

Representatives from the Public Works and Police Departments conducted lighting surveys in early December and documented outages, overgrown foliage, and areas with inadequate lighting.  As a result of the surveys, orders for (10) new light poles and fixtures were forwarded to Duke Power, along with repair orders for (9) non-functioning fixtures.  The Public Works Department trimmed overgrown trees on five streets. 

 

Representatives from the Public Works and Police Departments conducted a follow-up survey on January 22, 2002.  It was determined that all repairs requested of Duke Power had been performed.  Additional outages were noted and repair requests forwarded to Duke Power. 

 

Duke Power representatives anticipate that the new streetlights will be installed by March 15, 2002.  The cost for the repair of existing lights is included in the Town’s rental agreement with Duke Power.  The cost for additional lighting is included in the annual budget, as needed for crime control.    

  

CONCLUSION

 

The Police Department has provided status reports to both the Sykes Street Steering Committee and the Northside Neighborhood Watch group.  Residents will be encouraged to report outages to Police and Public Works officials.  Additionally, regular lighting surveys will be performed by the Police Department.       

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.    September 24, 2001 petition from Northside residents (p.3). 

2.    Request order to Duke Power for streetlight additions (p.4).

3.    List of streets for Public Works tree trimming (p.6).