The Hartselle City Council is considering a conversion to LED lighting to save an estimated $36,000 annually on energy costs.
Consultants with Southern Lighting Source touted the merits of making such a move to council members at a work session before a regular meeting Nov. 12.
Consultants recommended replacing existing lighting in all city-owned buildings and ballfields with longer-lasting and more energy efficient LED equipment. The project would be financed using a low-interest loan over a 10-year period at a cost of about $1.2 million.
“Your savings should be more than your loan payments,” said Hal Hinton, one of the consultants.
He also called attention to the findings of an evaluation he made of ball-field lighting.
“You don’t have enough lights, and I have a concern over the condition of some of the light towers,” he said. “Their replacement, if needed, could be covered in an alternative cost package.”
At the request of Councilwoman Virginia Alexander, the consultants agreed to provide a spreadsheet to show total costs, savings and references.
In the meeting, the council:
•Introduced an ordinance to annex a 15-acre tract on Parker. The parcel adjoins the current city limits on three sides and is within a priority two-annexation area in the current comprehensive plan. The planning commission recommended annexation 5-0-1.
•Introduced an ordinance to rezone the aforementioned Parker Road property from single family residential to AG-1.
•Approved a job description for a deputy fire chief.
•Authorized the mayor to sign a temporary employment agency agreement with Express Employment Professionals.
• Approved quarterly safety winners: Margaret Stinson, Brandon Turrentine, Mark Edmondson, Brad Freeman and Reford Williams.
•Approved a special events permit for the Hartselle Christmas Parade Dec. 12.
•Approved a budget transfer of $425 from Building and Grounds to Furniture and Fixtures in administration to cover the overage in the amount spent on Christmas decorations for downtown.
•Approved a budget transfer request of $992.82 from Capital Projects-school allocation to cover the cost in what was budgeted for the 15 percent alcohol taxes to be shared with the school system of $38,000 and the actual amount collected of $38,992.82
•Approved a budget transfer request of $2,681 to cover the balance of the total invoice from Covington Flooring for the new gym floor in the civic center.
•Approved a budget adjustment request of $11,500 by the police department for a replacement HVAC system.
•Approved changing the date for the second council meeting in December to Dec. 17 at 9 a.m.
The council adjourned the meeting after conducting an executive session to discuss a purchase of property.