Where They Stand: Streetlight Fee
The city hosts an open house tonight at Waite Park to explain a possible overhaul of the way it installs and replaces streetlights throughout the city. A proposal is being pitched to the City Council that would charge all property owners a monthly fee, likely between $8 and $12 per month. The assessment would generate 
about $16 million per year and would pay for systematically installing streetlights on all city streets and replacing them every 30 years.
Responding to an e-mail from the Northeast Beat, Council Member Paul Ostrow (Ward 1) shared his thoughts this morning:
“I will wait for public input to take a final position. That being said, the fees required to implement the more ambitious proposals are very significant and it could be argued essentially amount to an additional property tax increase by a different name. I also want to make sure that in any proposal neighborhoods and residents that have already made these investments, for example Logan Park, are treated fairly.”
Council Member Diane Hofstede (Ward 3) has not yet responded to a request for comment.ÂÂ
The community meeting for Northeast residents is 7 to 8:30 p.m. this evening at Waite Park, 1810 34th Ave. NE. More information is available at the city’s Street Lighting Policy and Information web page. Dan Haugen
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Filed under: City Hall, Logan Park, Public Safety, Taxes, Transportation, Where They Stand
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