South Barstow BID Lighting Committee 7/7/2026

The City of Eau Claire’s South Barstow BID Lighting Committee met on July 7, 2026, to review downtown tree-lighting maintenance and future plans. Green Oasis maintains the lights three to four times a year under an existing arrangement. Members noted that more than $20,000 had previously been spent on electrical infrastructure and conduit, and about $14,000 on rewrapping trees after pruning. The program has generally stayed within budget and returned roughly $5,000 annually to reserves; members discussed reducing or right-sizing the lighting allocation. No contract award or formal spending vote was recorded.

Members discussed coordinating tree pruning and treatment with City Forestry, mapping trees needing attention, and obtaining an outside quote if the City does not perform the work; one estimate mentioned was about $15 per diameter inch, with treatment lasting around three years. The committee also agreed to explore alternative lighting, including uplighting or solar options, and to develop ideas for a possible building-lighting grant or pilot, with installation, maintenance, and consistent design still to be resolved. Separately, members discussed parking revenue and transparency, including $400,000 budgeted for 2026 and revenue being used for the parking ramp’s top floor. Follow-up items included contacting Forestry, mapping trees, and gathering cost and lighting-option information.