GARDEN GROVE : Probe of Street Light Billing Goes Private

The efforts by some residents to review the city’s street lighting system will continue, but their work will no longer be sanctioned by the city.

The City Council on Tuesday approved dissolving a special committee on street lighting at the request of the committee members who said that their work could become a burden to city employees.

Former councilman Ray Littrell and two other committee members said that because of the requirements of the state public meetings law, city employee support would be necessary to carry out the committee’s work.

But that would mean taking time away from more pressing duties, Littrell said. Instead, he said the former committee members would have to work as private individuals, and at no cost to the city.

The other members are residents Jack Schild and Tom Petrosine.

The council created the panel earlier this month to review the street lighting billing system, including reports that the Southern California Edison Co. may have double billed the city for some street lights.

The city has more than 7,800 street lights. Some have electric meters and others are paid at a flat rate. The city has been doubled billed--at a flat rate and a metered rate--for at least nine street lights at a parking lot on Garden Grove Boulevard.

It has not been determined yet how much the city was overbilled, but Brad Martin, the Edison area manager, has offered to pay back the excess charges.

The committee also was expected to investigate whether the city is being billed for some street lights located in neighboring cities.

Although the committee has now been dissolved, Littrell and his group will continue to receive help from city employees whenever possible, officials said.