COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

July 9, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 23, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Installation of a Street Light in the Ravenswood Highway Lighting District - 440 Oakdale Avenue - East Palo Alto

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution approving the installation of one (1) street light on Oakdale Avenue within the boundaries of the Ravenswood Highway Lighting District.

Previous Board Action

Adopted a policy of notifying property owners within 300 feet along the street where a light is proposed to be installed.

Key Facts

1.

Your Board is the Governing Board of the Ravenswood Highway Lighting District.

2.

Section 19160 of the State of California Streets and Highways Code provides that the installation and maintenance of additional lights may be initiated when :

a.

a written request signed by two members of the governing body is filed with the district's governing body; or

b.

a petition signed by twenty (20) or more property owners of the lighting district is filed with the district's governing body.

3.

A petition signed by twenty property owners requesting the installation of an additional street light has been submitted to the Director of Public Works.

Discussion

The proposed location of this new street light is the vicinity of 440 Oakdale Avenue in East Palo Alto. Property owners are concerned about security in the area as the street trees prevent full illumination of the area by the existing street lights.

We sent letters to property owners within three hundred feet of the proposed light installation to determine their opinions. No one objected and one resident responded in support of the installation of a proposed street light.

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with Goal Number 7, "maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors" of the Shared Vision Commitment to "ensure basic health and safety for all," as the installation of the additional street light may deter acts of vandalism and auto break-ins in this area.

Fiscal Impact

The installation of one (1) luminaire will cost approximately $500. The energy cost for one (1) light based on Pacific Gas and Electric's current LS-2A rate schedule, would be $2.59 per month. Funds are available in the Ravenswood Highway Lighting District to pay for the initial cost of installation and future energy and maintenance costs for this light. We do not believe the addition of one light will have a significant affect on District finances as the light represents 0.12% of the total lighting fixtures in the District.

There is no impact to the General Fund.

A form of resolution has been approved by the County Counsel.