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Anita Rasmussen
<br />City of Ramsey
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<br />Anita:
<br />
<br />DSU is pleased to assist the City of Ramsey in research, analysis, and ordinance preparation in relation to wireless
<br />telecommunications facilities. The rapid increase in this technology has created an enormous challenge for cities in
<br />responding to the physical location of antennas, towers and equipment. Of course the federal government also stepped
<br />into the equation with the 1996 Telecommunications Act ("rCA) which limits cities' ability to regulate the industry. I am
<br />sure that Ramsey, like most cities, wants to benefit from the spread of wireless technology, but also wants to be
<br />responsible to its citizens in protecting the landscape from the unlimited proliferation of towers and equipment.
<br />
<br />DSU proposes to assist the City of Ramsay, in close consultation with City staff and the City Attorney, with the following
<br />services:
<br />
<br />ORDINANCE ANALYSIS:
<br />
<br />1) We will research current City ordinances for existing regulations relating to towers, antennas, and similar facilities.
<br />These regulations may vary in different zoning districts. A clear summary of these provisions and their locations in the
<br />City will be essential before taking the next steps.
<br />
<br />2) We will research other city ordinances, the League of Minnesota Cities, and other sources for model
<br />telecommunications ordinances to use as a template for Ramsey's ordinance,
<br />
<br />MAPPING ANALYSIS:
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<br />3) We will locate on a City map existing tower and antenna facilities in the City and in adjacent cities immediately outside
<br />Ramsey's borders, We will also locate other tall structures, such as water towers, utility towers, light poles, tall buildings,
<br />or other such structures that might offer potential locations for antenna facilities.
<br />
<br />4) We wilt also locate on a map existing City-owned property, including parks, maintenance facilities, and other City
<br />properties, since these might be potential sites for antenna and tower facilities.
<br />
<br />5) We will map the existing and future major highway corridors in the City, as these will be the first areas served by
<br />wireless companies. We will also map concentrations of population and businesses which might need wireless services,
<br />which are not within a mile or two of major highway corridors.
<br />
<br />6) In consultation with City staff we will analyze potential locations for future tower and antenna facilities, either as new
<br />facilities or co-locations on existing towers or structures, attempting to create a grid of potential locations at a spacing of
<br />one to two miles serving the major highway corridors, and business and population centers.
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<br />RECOMMENDATIONS:
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<br />7) Based on the above research, analysis and consultation with City staff and City Attorney, we will prepare a draft report
<br />and ordinance for Ramsay addressing wireless telecommunications facilities, The ordinance will include appropriate
<br />definitions, processes, and standards for such facilities,
<br />
<br />8) We will present our findings and draft ordinance to the Planning Commission and City Council for review and approvaL,
<br />or assist the City staff in preparing for and presenting them.
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<br />9) We will revise the report and ordinance based on the above discussions, or assist City staff to make the necessary
<br />revisions as appropriate.
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<br />COST ESTIMATE:
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<br />We estimate the cost for the above services to be $4,000 to $7,000, depending on the level of detail required, the issues
<br />uncovered in our initial analysis, and the extent of City staff assistance in all parts of the work. We will not exceed this
<br />estimate without prior explicit approval of the City. Our services will be charged on a time plus materials basis, with hourly
<br />rates ranging from $75/hour to $90/hour for a Senior Planner down to $45/hour for support staff. Expenses associated
<br />with the project will be charged at our typical rates, and will include mileage, fax, xerox, delivery charges, and'other
<br />normal and typical expenses associated with this type of planning work. We will bill the City monthly for the costs incurred
<br />during the previous month. To all invoices more than thirty days past due a service charge of 1.5% per month will be
<br />added.
<br />
<br />We will proceed with verbal approval of this agreement, unless the City would like to have a written signed letter of
<br />agreement in advance, which we will be happy to provide in a few days.
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