Lansing City Council approves changes to lighting of new bridge amid budget concerns, and approves hiring of new police officer

by Joshua Sharpe

During its regular meeting Monday, October 21, the Lansing City Council approved an amended lighting design for the new bridge being constructed at Lansing. The new design calls for multi-color, changeable lights - not “blinking” - at every panel point along the south side of the bridge, for a total cost of $143,625.

During discussion prior to the vote, council member Steve Murray clarified that the lights can be lit as all-white; or they can be lit in color, to correspond with and highlight various fundraising or other events.

Mayor Mike Verdon told the council he had been asking Clayton Burke, of the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), to help the council find ways to save the city some of the cost it will incur for the new bridge project. He said Burke presented him with a spreadsheet laying out different prices for different lighting designs, suggesting that amending the lighting design plan could reduce the city’s costs for the new bridge project. Mayor Verdon guided council members through the updated costs and options prepared by Burke.

Mayor Verdon described the council’s decision as a “practical and pragmatic solution that, while it may not please everyone, balances community preferences with financial reality.” Implementation of the revised lighting plan is set to begin November 1, with the council pledging to monitor costs closely and maintain open communication with residents as the project progresses.

CITIZEN CONCERNS
During the public comment period, resident Calvin Trepp raised concerns about potential financial burdens on homeowners due to water and sewer line improvements related to the new bridge construction. The council agreed to investigate these costs and will provide updates at future meetings.

GARBAGE RATE INCREASE
The council approved Resolution 1027, enacting a $1 increase in garbage rates. “The fee for residential refuse collection and disposal services used or available shall be $16.75, effective on November 1, 2024 and reflected on the December 2024 billing,” as stated in the Resolution.

To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, October 30, 2024 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.