HomeMy WebLinkAboutAcknowledge and accept the North 7th Urban Renewal Board’s decision to install bobcat blue1
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Debbie Arkell, Director of Public Services
SUBJECT: Acknowledge and accept the North 7th Urban Renewal Board’s decision to
Install “midnight (Bobcat) blue” (rather than black) light fixtures on North
7th Avenue
MEETING DATE: July 23, 2012
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent
RECOMMENDATION: Acknowledge and accept the North 7th Urban Renewal Board’s
decision to install “midnight (Bobcat) blue” light fixtures on North 7th Avenue
BACKGROUND: The North 7th Urban Renewal Board (NSURB) is planning the
replacement of the street lights on North 7th Avenue, with phase 1 of the project to be bid early
this fall. The Board is requesting that the new street lights be dark blue. A sample light pole is
currently in front of the Comfort Inn, but the style will change to extend the light arm as noted in
the attached rendering.
In May 2010 the Commission directed a change to the City’s street lighting policy. One of the
changes is that unless a variance is granted, all future arterial and collector street and signal light
poles and fixtures shall be “Hunter Green”, excepting that all future street and signal light poles
and fixtures in the Downtown Business district and North 7th Avenue TIF District shall be black,
and further accepting that entryway streets into Montana State University (i.e. South 8th, College,
Kagy, 11th, others?) may/could be dark Bobcat Blue.
Although our design standards have not been officially amended, these policy changes were
immediately implemented. Because the design standards have not been amended, an official
variance is not required. However, we are asking the Commission to acknowledge and accept
the NSURB’s request to allow the new street poles on North 7th Avenue to be “midnight
(Bobcat) blue” rather than black.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None.
FISCAL EFFECTS: There is no cost difference between a black fixture and a blue fixture.
Cost of new fixtures is included in the NSURB budget.
ALTERNATIVES: 1. Require the fixtures to be black in color.
2. As suggested by the City Commission.
Attachment: Rendering
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