HomeMy WebLinkAbout20. 12-236
MAY 9, 2012 12-236 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED__7-0___LOST_______LAID OVER______WITHDRAWN_____)
PURPOSE: ACCEPT GIFT OF BRIDGE LIGHTING ON JACKSON
STREET / OREGON STREET BRIDGE
INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WHEREAS a donation has been made by Progress Oshkosh for the purchase
and installation of decorative LED profile lighting for the Jackson Street/Oregon Street
Bridge; and
WHEREAS, the donation is harmonious with a similar bridge lighting system
approved by the Oshkosh Common Council in December 2008 for the Main Street
bridge; and
WHEREAS, the City has adopted a gift policy which allows the City to take on
future maintenance costs related to a gift upon consideration of the community’s need
or desire for the donation; whether and to what extent the proposed donation provides a
new or diverse experience for the community and its visitors; the financial capacity of
the donor; the ease of maintenance and repair; and whether the annual maintenance
cost is so low as to be negligible; and
WHEREAS, city staff has evaluated the proposed donation and has determined
that the utility and maintenance costs are so low as to allow them to be absorbed into
the current streetlighting operating budget;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, by the Common Council
of the City of Oshkosh that, on behalf of the residents of this community, the City
accepts with deep gratitude and appreciation the generous donation from Progress
Oshkosh and that the proper City officials are authorized and directed to take those
steps necessary to accept this donation and to properly maintain such donation during
its useful life.
CitCity of Oshkosh- Transportation Department OIHKOIH
y p p ON THE WATER
926 Dempsey Trail, Oshkosh,WI 54902 (920) 232-5342 (920)232-5343 fax
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Christopher Strong, P.E., Director of Transportation
DATE: May 3, 2012
RE: Resolution to Accept Gift of Bridge Lighting on Jackson Street/Oregon Street Bridge
Background
Progress Oshkosh donated and installed LED lighting on the profile of the Main Street bridge in
2009. The group has now raised funds to pay for a similar lighting system to be installed on the
Jackson Street/Oregon Street bridge. In the intervening years, the Common Council adopted a gift
policy, to which this donation is subject. This resolution would accept the gift of this bridge lighting,
according to the terms and conditions of the gift policy.
Analysis
The gift policy lists a number of criteria which may be considered in determining whether and under
what conditions a donation should be accepted. Staff's review of the criteria identified at least two
criteria which apply to the proposed bridge lighting system:
• Whether the proposed gift/donation provides a new or different experience for the public, and
• Whether the proposed gift/donation compliments or is harmonious in quality, scale and character
with existing improvements and features in the area
The proposed system provides a different experience for the public who is looking at the bridge from
the water or the riverfront. At the same time, it is harmonious with the existing Main Street bridge
lighting system.
The gift policy states that donors are generally asked to contribute enough money to cover long-term
maintenance costs, relocation and removal, if reasonably anticipated. The policy states that the City
may agree to take on future maintenance costs based on criteria such as:
• The community's need or desire for the donation or improvement;
• Whether, and to what extent, the proposed gift/donation provides new or diverse experiences for
community members and visitors;
• The financial capacity of the donor;
• Ease of maintenance and repair; and
City of Oshkosh—Transportation Department 1
Resolution to Accept Gift of Bridge Lighting on Jackson Street/Oregon Street Bridge/May 3,2012
• Whether the annual maintenance cost is so low as to be negligible.
Staff analyzed the donation against the last two criteria in this list. The LED lights themselves have an
estimated burn life of 10-15 years, with minimal maintenance anticipated in the mean time. The
brackets which attached the lights to the bridge structure have been reviewed by the Wisconsin
Department of Transportation and City staff, and are expected to withstand effects of typical bridge
usage. Therefore, the system is envisioned as requiring limited maintenance and repair. The City has
various types of access equipment that could support the safe maintenance of this system. Since there
is some difficulty in using this access equipment, staff recommends that bulbs be replaced only when
at least two are out at one time. If only one bulb is out, the lighting system's aesthetics can be
preserved through controlling individual lights.
Fiscal Impact
No arrangement has been made for payment of maintenance and utilities costs for the proposed
lighting system. Without a separate agreement, the maintenance and utilities costs will be borne by the
City.
Based on the estimates of the costs of the Main Street lights, the annual utilities costs for these lights
are estimated at$450 per year, compared to a streetlighting budget of approximately$1.1 million.
This annual utility cost is equivalent to the cost of between one and two utility-owned streetlights.
Maintenance costs depend in large part on the cost of the LED replacement bulbs. The cost of the
bulbs may drop considerably by the time that replacement is required, and it is possible that the bulbs
will last longer than the 10-15 year estimate. Because of this uncertainty, the cost of buying
replacement bulbs was not included.
Recommendation
This gift is consistent with the Main Street bridge lighting system and, as such, is recommended for
acceptance by the Common Council.
Under the gift policy, the Council may oblige the City to take on future power and maintenance costs
based on a variety of factors such as the community's need or desire for the donation or improvement
and the financial capacity of the donor. The resolution is written such that the City will pay for these
ongoing costs. This is consistent with the understanding under which the Council approved the Main
Street bridge lighting system in December 2008. The Council may, at its discretion, amend this
resolution to state that the City will accept the gift pending agreement with an outside party to pay for
power and maintenance costs.
Respectfully submitted, Approved:
fx"?.0,/fr
stopher Strong, P.E. Mark A. Rohloff
Director of Transportation City Manager
City of Oshkosh—Transportation Department 2
DONATION FORM FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS,
MEMORIALS, TRIBUTES, WORKS OF ART
(Including Funding Proposals for the above purposes)
DONOR INFORMATION
Name: Progress Oshkosh /Jeremy Monnett
Address: PO Box 2521, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Phone: 920-231-8297 (Sonex Aircraft, LLC-Jeremy Monnett)
Email: jeremv( monnett.com
hereby makes a proposal to fund and/or construct a Public Improvement Project,
memorial, tribute, or work of art consisting of decorative LED bridge lighting to
be attached to the Jackson Street/Oregon Street bridge
The intended purpose of this donation is to illuminate the exterior bridge
structure at night as an artistic feature, to complement a similar lighting scheme
on the Main Street bridge
Proposed location Jackson Street/Oregon Street bridge over the Fox River
This Donation subject to the following restrictions/conditions (if any): City will be
responsible for operation and maintenance of decorative lighting system.
Will the City be required to expend funds or otherwise participate in the donation
or gift? If so, please identify the City's anticipated participation: No
Will a Donor Recognition Object be requested as part of this gift/donation? If so,
please include a description of the proposed object: No
Condition, Conservation and Maintenance Requirements: City will replace lights
when two or more are non-functional. This maintenance will be subject to the
availability of suitable maintenance equipment, will not supersede electric
division activities related to public safety, and may be subiect to the navigability
of the river.
What type of materials will be used in the proposed Project? Please see
attached.
What is the intended lifespan of the Project? Brackets intended to last until
bridge needs to be constructed. Lights are expected to last 10-15 years without
replacement.
What short and long-term maintenance may be required and what is the
anticipated cost of such maintenance? City will be responsible for programming
and modifying lighting sequences, replacinq liqhtinq fixtures, and paving for
electricity costs. Lighting sequences have been previously programmed for Main,
Street bridge, so no additional cost is expected. A 10-year bulb replacement
cycle is anticipated. Electricity costs are estimated at $450 per year if the lighting
burns for 5 hours per night.
The City of Oshkosh will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the intended
purpose of the donation but reserves the right to utilize, relocate and/or dispose
of any item funded through donated funds as the City of Oshkosh may deem fit.
This agreement shall not take effect until the Common Council for the City of
Oshkosh has specifically accepted this donation.
67,47-00 I 2-,
zrrh47onor Date
Donor Date
Reco ndecjt
D art ent Head Date
Accepted:
City Manager Date