City Council Approves Conversion to LED Street Lights and Improvements to I-5 Undercrossing Trail

At the Sept. 7, 2017, Wilsonville City Council meeting, the Council held a public hearing and adopted on first reading two ordinances pertaining to street lighting; a second reading is scheduled for Sept. 18. One ordinance changes City Code that requires the installation of long-lasting, energy-saving LED street lights rather than the older, traditional sodium vapor streetlights for new or replacement street lights. The ordinance also codifies that City-owned street lights are now maintained by the City, rather than by electrical provider PGE. The second ordinance adopted updates City Public Works Standards to require the installation of dark-sky friendly LED street lights for private and public development. The Council also adopted a related resolution that allows the City to bill customers for LED street lighting charges.

The Council approved a $254,000 construction contract for phase 1 of the I-5 Undercrossing Trail Improvement Project. The project regrades and improves the trail running under the I-5 Boone Bridge that connects Memorial Park via the Morey Landing/Kalyca Terrace neighborhoods on the eastside with Boones Ferry Park on the westside of Wilsonville. The project is to commence immediately and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

Under Mayor’s Business, the Council approved a two-year renewal of the City Manager’s contract and a letter of support for a proposed South Lake Park Project by Willamette United Football Club to build synthetic-turf athletic fields and an indoor training area.

During Communications portion of the meeting, Valentina Muggia and Teal Bohrer of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office presented on the Behavioral Health Unit that seeks to modify the behavior of law-breaking individuals in order to reduce illegal actions resulting in incarceration.

During work session prior to the meeting, the Council heard reports from staff on proposed changes to the solid-waste collection and disposal franchise agreement with Republic Services and on the proposed I-5 Undercrossing Trail Improvement Project.Community members can watch a replay of all or a portion of the City Council meeting on Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 30, Frontier Ch. 32 or on the City’s video-on-demand service at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.