The trees in front of city hall will remain dark while the city waits for a spark of inspiration to illuminate another lighting option.
In the course of discussing the 2016 budget, Mayor Lyn Hall raised the issue of responding to residents' questions about the disappearance of lit trees in Veteran's Plaza.
The city stopped stringing lights in the trees after it was determined the practice was harming the boughs.
But the information staff returned to city council on Wednesday on an alternative method of brightening the branches didn't light a fire under the group.
A staff report proposed installing two or three LED floodlights at the base of each of the 10 trees at a cost of $88,576 (two lights) or $132,864 (three lights).
The cost includes the price of the light fixtures, labour, materials, tax and a contingency fund.
"This would go over like a lead balloon," said Coun. Brian Skakun.
Coun. Susan Scott proposed the city may be able to find sponsorship opportunities to pay for the lights while Coun. Jillian Merrick said she would rather see money put into lighting pedestrian walkways.