Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 21, 2023
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: STEPHEN BISE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
PREPARED BY: STEPHEN BISE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: SERIES STREET LIGHT AND PILOT STREETLIGHT PROJECTS UPDATE
SUMMARY
The City has approximately 7,000 streetlights with approximately half on high-voltage (series) circuits powered by transformers that Southern California Edison (SCE) no longer supports. Staff and SCE are searching for alternatives, including two pilot programs.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
This item is intended as an informational update to the City Council.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
DISCUSSION
Communities across Southern California face the challenge to replace aging, high-voltage series street light systems. Regulated output transformers operate series systems. The City knows of only one company, Specialty Transformer from Cedar City, Utah, that manufactures these transformers. The City understands that the company will not renew or significantly repair the manufacturing equipment should something break or fail in their process, given the declining market for these transformers. This forces utilities and local governments to plan and implement series street light circuits replacements soon. Fullerton has approximately 3,000 streetlights on series circuits.
Pilot Project 1 – Solar Conversion:
Staff has installed various iterations of solar street lighting at various locations over the past several years. Some fixtures failed to provide necessary lighting while other fixtures have operated well. The City most recently installed 25 solar lights around the Rolling Hills area to circumvent a reoccurring issue with the circuit. The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting vetted the solar light fixture for temporary and/or emergency use.
Tree canopies impact solar lighting limiting the use of this type of conversion. Most series circuits encompass large areas including residential, collector and arterial streets. Converting any number of the lights impacts operation of the entire circuit.
Pilot Project 2 – SCE Conversion:
City Council approved an agreement with SCE to replace the ‘Lillie Avenue series light circuit’ on August 1, 2023. SCE will construct a new SCE owned (LS-1) street light circuit to replace 38 series streetlights in the Lillie Avenue area at no cost to the City of Fullerton.
SCE will manage and implement the conversion project and take ownership of the streetlights towards the end of the project to facilitate streetlight removal. The City may see a monthly cost reduction up to 40% for the impacted lights once completed and will have a new, modern street light system featuring LED fixtures. The new system will utilize concrete (marbelite) streetlight poles with a single overhead conductor electrical feed. SCE will design the new system working closely with Public Works staff and construct the new system before the end of 2023.
The City understands SCE may expand their efforts to replace other series circuits throughout the City if it has success with this project.
Richman Circuit Design:
The NORESCO Energy Infrastructure Project consultant provided design for a series-to-multiple conversion for the Richman Area circuit which consists of approximately 100 lights. The design explored options and a detailed cost estimate. Staff will utilize this ‘shovel ready’ design to apply for grant opportunities.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – PowerPoint Presentation
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Series Street Light and Pilot Projects Update
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