Council to discuss Mill pond lights, new signage this week

Published 7:18 am Sunday, July 5, 2015

The Austin City Council will talk lights, signs and economic development action during a work session Monday.

Council members will discuss potential lighting options for the Mill Pond area to improve safety along the pond’s walking trail at night. The city could replace the 29 current lights with 250-watt bulbs, remove trees to better illuminate the path, add seven new lights or get LED lights. The 250-watt bulbs could cost the city as little as $1,250 with an additional $150 per year in electricity, while the LED lights could cost as much as $43,500 to install.

In addition, the council will review the Vision 2020 Gateway To Austin plan to replace and add signs throughout the city that would keep with the theme and style of the group’s planned future bridge replacement projects along Interstate 90.

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A subcommittee has worked on a proposal since last fall. which includes renderings of the sign and a list of nonprofits and attractions to feature. No businesses will be featured in the new signage, however.

The council will also discuss renewing its status as a Shovel-Ready City through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The municipal certification program shows businesses certain locations which have completed planning, zoning, surveys, title work, environmental studies and more before the site goes up for sale. Austin officials hope to renew its shovel-ready status on the Cook Farm Industrial Park site, which the council approved in 2012. The city would split the $3,250 certification cost with the Development Corporation of Austin.

The city council meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday inside the City Council Chambers.