Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: APRIL 16, 2024
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: STEPHEN BISE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
PREPARED BY: STEPHEN BISE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: SERIES STREET LIGHT UPDATE
SUMMARY
The City has approximately 7,000 street lights with about half on high-voltage (series) circuits. Southern California Edison (SCE) no longer supports the transformers that power these circuits. Staff is exploring options to address the antiquated circuits.
PROPOSED MOTION
Receive and file.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
This report is intended to update the City Council on the Series Street Lights. We also are looking at 2 conversion methods for two areas. One would be a Solar retrofit and the other would be an SCE Conversion.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
This item generates no fiscal impact. Staff would submit separate agenda reports for City Council consideration if and/or when staff proposes alternatives for implementation.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Fullerton has approximately 53 high-voltage series circuits throughout the City, which consist of about 3000 street lights (Attachment 2). The technology utilizes SCE-owned electrical transformers and City-owned lighting circuits and fixtures, all of which have become antiquated and no longer operate reliably or cost-effectively and the City cannot maintain. SCE says transformer manufacturers no longer produce and/or support the Regulated Output (RO) transformers which these circuits rely on. The original design utilized mercury vapor (MV) lamps are banned due to environmental concerns and no longer available.
Fullerton replaced lamps in the 1980s with high pressure sodium vapor (HPSV) lamps which do not have the same electrical performance characteristics as MV lamps. This increased failures of the SCE-owned RO transformers due to increased current as street lights turn on each night. This older technology uses a series circuit wiring between the lamp fixtures and the SCE transformer. Modern street light designs and equipment rely on parallel circuit wiring. SCE would need to replace transformers and the City would need to replace City-owned circuit wiring and light fixtures to make the switch to modern street light technology, Staff and SCE have explored the following options to address this issue.
Option 1: Conventional Conversion
No outsourcing - Fullerton replaces outdated circuit wiring and fixtures while SCE replaces transformers. LS-2 flat rate plan of $5 to $8 per month per street light.
Advantages
Fullerton retains control of street light operation, maintenance and reliability Lower long-term monthly cost due to lower SCE LED rates and fees Utilizes energy-efficient technologies, resulting in drastically reduced City electricity usage and SCE expenses Common approach by other cities
Disadvantages
Highest upfront capital cost to the City (approximately $15,000 to $20,000 per light) Long-term labor remains a maintenance requirement
Limited long-term inventory remains a maintenance requirement Option 2: SCE Conversion
Outsource - SCE takes complete street light system ownership and maintenance, including fixtures, poles and circuit wiring. SCE would install LS-1 street lights, including marbelite (concrete) street light poles and overhead wiring. LS-1 flat rate plan costs approximately $11 to $17 per month per street light.
Advantages
No capital cost to the City
No long-term labor required for maintenance
Limited long-term inventory required
Utilizes energy efficiency technologies
Disadvantages
Variable long-term cost pending SCE rate and fee increases Fullerton becomes reliant on SCE performance, yet retains all public accountability for performance Must replace poles with SCE LS-1 street light poles
Requires overhead wiring, which may not be popular or well received by the public.
NOTE: The City recently partnered with SCE to perform a pilot conversion of the Lillie Circuit (see image below). Staff determined the pilot successful and SCE has secured additional funding for 2024. (Construction photo of 2023 Lillie Circuit conversion)
Option 3: Solar Retrofit
No outsourcing - Utilize solar technology, retrofit existing street light poles and abandon all other infrastructure.
Advantages
Get “off the grid”
No long-term monthly rates and/or fees per light
Sustainable technology, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change Nominal short-term capital cost to retrofit poles and install solar units (approximately $3500 per light) Nominal long-term maintenance ($700 per street light every 10 to12 years) Disadvantages
Limited to areas with minimal tree canopy
Not applicable for circuits with ten-foot historic pedestrian level light poles Long-term labor remains a maintenance requirement
Limited long-term inventory remains a maintenance requirement.
NOTE: Staff determined the existing “all-in-one” solar pilot within the Evergreen circuit area insufficient for long-term lighting output. Staff is coordinating with LA Bureau of Street Lighting (LABSL) who recently approved a solar fixture for roadway purposes (see following rendering). The City would rely on testing and research performed by LABSL for this application, if this option moves forward.
Cost Comparison
Capital cost per light
Monthly cost per light
Option 1
$15,000
$5 to $8*
Option 2
$0
$11 to $17*
Option 3
$3,500
$5**
* Rate varies based on light wattage and level of service **Power supply (including battery) requires replacement every 10 to 12 years at $700 per light.
Short-Term Recommendation
Address the following two most problematic circuits as soon as possible. 1336 Evergreen (Attachment 3)
606 to 548 West Orangethorpe (Attachment 4).
SCE has secured funding to convert one of these circuits in 2024 (Option 2). The City has sufficient funds set aside to perform a solar retrofit (Option 3) for one circuit. Staff would present the options to the Infrastructure and Natural Resource Committee (INRAC) and subsequently perform community outreach in both areas to obtain public input. staff would take a recommendation to City Council for consideration thereafter.
Long-Term Recommendation
The City has two viable options to replace the series circuits. The successful SCE Lillie Circuit conversion has paved the way for future conversions. The advancement of solar technology and available funding for sustainable infrastructure has also gives the City options for solar retrofit conversions. However, the City would find it challenging to obtain funding for conventional conversions (Option 1) in the historic neighborhoods with pedestrian (acorn top) lights as these conversions do not have a path forward and will require significant investment to address.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – PowerPoint Presentation
Attachment 2 – Series Street Lighting Map
Attachment 3 – 1336 Evergreen Circuit
Attachment 4 – 606 - 548 West Orangethorpe Circuit
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Series Street Light Update
April 16, 2024 - Page PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 2