City Has Other Plans for Street Light Funds
The city may be able to divert some tax money designated for street lighting and use it to install traffic signals and park lighting, officials told the City Council this week.
A 1919 state law specifies that money collected for street lighting may not be used for any other purpose, Public Works Director Mark Christoffels said.
“This was not surprising due to the fact that traffic signals and athletic field lighting were not significant needs when that act was created,” Christoffels said at Monday’s council meeting.
Christoffels said the city had approached former Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress) last year about seeking a change in the state law, but Allen was recalled in November before any action was taken.
City Atty. John E. Cavanaugh told council members that they don’t need the Legislature’s help.
His research indicates that a charter city such as Cypress can adopt ordinances that supplement or modify some state codes, Cavanaugh said, including the state street-lighting statute, by passing a local ordinance.
The council then gave tentative approval to an ordinance that would allow Cypress to tap street-lighting tax money for traffic signals and park lighting.
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