Memorandum 16-143 Port and Harbor High Mast LED Lights

Memorandum 16-143

TO:                       Mayor Wythe and Homer City Council   

FROM:                 Bryan Hawkins, Port and Harbor Director / Harbormaster

THROUGH:       Katie Koester, City Manager

DATE:                  September 7, 2016

SUBJECT:       Rehabbing the Port and Harbor High Mast Lights From High Pressure Sodium to LED                               

Memorandum 16-136 recommended a $30,000 expenditure on a test project to change the lights on pole #7 from high pressure sodium to LED lights to prove the theory that LED technology has improved to the point that it can be used for high-level area lighting. As you know, this is a subject that has generated a lot of conversation around town. I too have received many calls to my office since our last meeting.  Some came from industry professionals who question the suggestion to sole source the contract. They informed me that there are many lights on the market that could perform to the standard the Port and Harbor requires and they would appreciate the opportunity to compete for the work.

My original thought was that the technology needed to be proven at this height, which is why Ordinance 16-45(S) only authorizes a pilot project - switching out the light bulbs on one pole. However, I am convinced that the technology has jumped ahead to fill the need and that a competitive RFP for the entire project would ensure that the product meets the Port and Harbor’s needs. Fixtures will be replaced on one pole and tested before all seven lights are replaced regardless. 

My recommendation is to vote down Ordinance 16-45(S) and introduce a new ordinance at the September 26 meeting that funds the replacement of all high mast lighting and authorizes the City to issue a Request for Proposals for the project.

One hundred and fifty foot high mast poles are used all over the world because they are the most cost effective way of lighting expansive areas. A night drive on any highway or freeway showcases the same lights that we now are using down at the Harbor. They are good, but now we have a chance to upgrade to a higher quality and lower cost light making what was good even better.

Goals for the high mast light replacement project:

Lower operating costs. LED lighting will use half the electricity of existing lights. Port and Harbor budgeted $535,600/yr. for electricity in 2016.  Projected savings of changing the highmast lights over to LED is $33,000/yr., or 7% savings overall in electricity costs.  These savings will net the Enterprise an impressive 4-year return on investment for the project.
Lower maintenance costs. The average life of a high pressure sodium bulb is 2 to 4 years. The life span of LED lights are about 20 years. This factor is not even considered in the ROI because it’s too difficult to quantify, but less maintenance is certainly a positive factor.
Lower the City’s carbon footprint.
 Recognizing the importance of area lighting as it pertains to the City’s most valuable asset, we will maintain or improve the level of lighting on the Spit for our customers.
 Follow the guidelines laid out by AMA for outdoor lighting to reduce any potentially harmful human and environmental effects of high intensity street lighting.  
Lower glare caused by undirected light by only considering dark sky compliant fixtures that will direct light to the ground with permanently affixed visors on the lights.    

Recommendation:

Vote down Ordinance 16-45(S). Approve a new Ordinance that authorizes funding to upgrade all seven highmast lights to LED lighting and directs staff to draft an RFP to advertise using the stated goals in this memo (Introduction September 26). Staff will develop grading criteria to compare proposals in both performance and costs. The estimated overall project cost is $180,000. Staff recommends funding for the project to come from the Port and Harbor Reserves (456-380 GL). 

Enc: AMA Press Release: “AMA Adopts Community Guidance to Reduce the Harmful Human and Environmental Effects of High Intensity Street Lighting” www.ama-assn.org