Agenda - Council - 04/24/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

-178- Verizon Wireless is proposing to install a total of twelve (12) 8-foot by 12-inch antennas on the City water tower located at a height of approximately 96-feet (see site plan). The applicant is also proposing to construct a t2-foot by 30-foot (360 square feet) equipment building on the City property. The building exterior is proposing to consist of river rock, which meets B-1 Business exterior wall material requirements. The site plan indicates that a fence will be constructed around the AJC units that are outside of the building. Staff is recommending that the fence be constructed out of a wood privacy material or materials that closely match the exterior wall finishes on the building. The applicant is proposing to utilize an existing driveway to access the equipment building. There will be no personnel stationed at the site on a permanent basis. Verizon Wireless is currently proposing to enter into a lease agreement with the City of Ramsey for water tower and equipment space in the amount of $12,732.00 annually. The City Attorney is drafting a lease agreement that he will be prepared to review with the City Council on April 24. The City Council discussed the conditionaI use permit request at a Council work session. The Council directed Staff to obtain a quote from a consultant who could advise the City on how many more potential cellular providers could locate on the City's water tower, if the City would be better served by constructing a building to house the equipment of all potential providers, and how large of a building would be required for such a use. Staff contacted Mr. Jeff Nelson and Mr. Chuck Beisner as potential consultants. Jeff Nelson sent an email to Staff stating that he is very busy right now and is not able to research the City's request at this point in time. However he would be willing to look at the City's request during the summer months if the City's request is not time sensitive. Chuck Beisner called Staff on April 19, 2001 and recommende'd that Staff contact Oarrett Lysiac, from Owl Engineering. Mr. Beisner stated to Staff that Mr. Lysiac has worked with several Cities in the past regarding technical telecommunication issues. Staff contacted Mr. Lysiac on April 19, 2001, he was very helpful in answering Staff's questions. Mr. Lysiac offered some preliminary information, it is his opinion that the City is not charging enough for the leasing of water tower space and City property. At a very minimum the City should be charging $18,000 a year (Andover currently collects $24,000 per year). It is also Mr. Lysiac preliminary opinion that the City should not construct an equipment building for all potential users. He stated that there are other methods to protect the property from a mini village of equipment b~_uildings. If the City were to construct an equipment building there would be liability and security issues to deal with. Mr. Lysiac is willing to analyze the water tower site to better answer the Council's questions at a Price not to exceed $5,000 dollars. Also during the work session the Council discussed the idea of requesting Verizon Wireless to install temporary equipment structures until the City could better determine whether or not it is in the City's best interest to construct an equipment building for all potential users. I I I I '1 I I I I ! I I I I I I I