CITY COUNCIL: Policy Direction on Proposed Extension of Holiday Season for Placement of Lights

Meeting Date: November 3, 2009
Prepared by: Rich Guillen

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of Receive report and provide policy direction on proposed extension of the holiday season for placement of lights.

Description: City policy defines the “holiday season” for the purpose of placing lights in the public right-of-way and in or on commercial property as beginning on the third Wednesday in November and continuing until the second Wednesday in January. The holiday season, as defined, has been staff’s guideline for to place and remove the Ocean Avenue median lights.
This guideline also applies to commercial properties and the staff code enforcement officer inspects after the second Wednesday in January to ensure that the holiday lights are removed in a timely manner (see the attached policy).

This proposal would define the “holiday season” as beginning on November 27, 2009 (the day after the Thanksgiving Holiday) and ending on February 14, 2010 (the last day of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am).
Overall Cost:

City Funds: $200 more than holiday season 2008-09 (23 additional days)
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Review the report and provide direction.

Important Considerations: The minimal additional energy cost is a small price to pay for Ocean Avenue to appear more festive. The additional lighting also enhances public safety and security during the “holiday season”.

Decision Record: None.

Reviewed by:

_____________________________ __________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: NOVEMBER 3, 2009
SUBJECT: RECEIVE REPORT AND PROVIDE POLICY DIRECTION ON PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR PLACEMENT OF LIGHTS

RECOMMENDATION
Review Policy No. C95-08 regarding Holiday Lights and provide policy direction.

BACKGROUND
City policy for placement of Holiday Lights in the public right-of-way and in or on commercial property defines the “holiday season” as beginning on the third Wednesday in November and continuing until the second Wednesday in January. The holiday season, as defined, has been staff’s guideline for placing and removing the Ocean Avenue median lights.

This guideline also applies to commercial properties and of those properties which do install holiday lights, the staff code enforcement officer makes an inspection after the second Wednesday in January to ensure that the holiday lights are removed in a timely manner (see the attached policy).

STAFF REVIEW
In past years, staff has administratively extended the time for the holiday lights to remain.

Generally, this decision has been met favorably by business owners. For the upcoming holiday season, staff is proposing to extend the period for the placement of holiday lights.

This proposal would define the “holiday season” as beginning on November 27, 2009 (the day after the Thanksgiving Holiday) and ending on February 14, 2010 (the last day of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am).

There is no provision in the Zoning Code or the Local Coastal Plan that requires a special permit. The decision to extend the “holiday season” is a policy that can be revised by the City Council at its discretion. In light of the challenging economic times, the added time for the holiday season can help attract business and improve community safety in the business district.

FISCAL IMPACT
Last holiday season in little under 60 days of having lights placed on the Ocean Avenue medians, the energy costs increased approximately $550 or the equivalent of $9/day. Under the current policy, the holiday season would start on November 18, 2009 and end on January 13, 2010 for a total of 57 days. The proposed holiday season as stated above would be for a
total of 80 days, which is an additional 23 days from last year. Using the $9/day energy cost increase when the Ocean Avenue median lights are illuminated, the energy cost for the added days is approximately $200 total.

SUMMARY
The minimal additional energy cost is a small price to pay for Ocean Avenue to appear more festive. The additional lighting also enhances public safety and security during the “holiday season”.