City tries to figure out way to finance lights project

With a sample streetlight under his arm, Libby Main Street representative Trent Oelberg hoped to find answers among city council members Tuesday night.

Oelberg had moved forward with the purchase of lights as part of the Streetscape plan. But a major snag was discovered.

“As I recall, we spoke about purchasing lights … I asked three times if there was sufficient money to continue the project this year, and I thought I heard a yes,” Oelberg told the council, referring to an Aug. 4 meeting. “On Aug. 6, I found out there was not sufficient money in the budget to continue the project this year and we would have to wait until the fiscal year 2010 budget to be approved.

“That means as you're in the process now of the fiscal year 2009 budget, the earliest possible time to do work would be spring 2010,” he added. “We're talking 18 to 20 months late.”

To resolve the problem, Oelberg suggested that Main Street receive a $39,000 grant from the Lincoln Area Development Corp.

“We have money in that LADC fund and it would be appropriate to spend it downtown,” Oelberg said. “I can tell you the merchants downtown would be in total agreement … they have been from the start.”

Oelberg had urgency with his request because of an expected rise in the cost of the lights.

“Technically, from grant requests in the past, we've never approved it the night it was requested,” council member Doug Roll said.

After further discussion, Roll later suggested that a loan might be more appropriate than a grant.

“I don't have a problem of going to LADC for a loan and maybe look at paying some of that back,” Roll said.

Although the idea of completing the project in phases came up, Oelberg said it was necessary to take care of everything in one shot.

“There's absolutely no way we can start and do only part of the project,” Oelberg said. “When opening the sidewalks and streets, you have to continue with the water, electrical ….”

In the end, the council scheduled a work session meeting for this coming Tuesday at 6 p.m. If all can agree, then a vote could occur at the next regular meeting.

In other business:

€ County planner Lisa Oedewaldt briefed the council on the “Townsend Subdivision,” which involves what she called a routine split of two commercial lots. A bank/credit union is going on one of those lots.

€ The council approved the first reading of the Lincoln County Air Pollution Control Ordinance. The proposed ordinance changes involve enforcement procedure language in two sections - wood-burning stoves and outdoor burning activities. The final reading is planned for Oct. 1 at the county commissioners' meeting.

€ The council approved the preliminary fiscal year 2009 budget. The issue will now go to a public hearing.

€ The council denied a variance request in the city's pit bull ordinance and gave a local family 30 days to relocate their two dogs.