CC 04-13-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - APRIL 13. 1998 4 . The second clarification was in regard to the waiving of the monthly service charge for the portable telephones. Mr. Ringwald explained that Nextel would not waive its monthly service charge for the portable telephones even if both parties desired to do so. Mr. Ringwald stated that the staff recommends approval of the requested modification including the removal of the three whip antelUlaS conditioned on painting of the three sets of three antennas to match the water tower, and provision of two ESMR portable telephones to the City. Mr. Ringwald introduced Mr. Bill Buell, representing Nextel Commnnications, and stated that Mr. Buell was supportive ofthe Staff recommendations. Councilmember Malone asked if the proposed antennas could be supported by rails upon which thcy arc placed and whether the winds would cause damage to the antcnnas and the water tower. Mr. Buell responded that the antennas can be lowered and thc bottoms of the antennas would be placed as close to the bottom of the tank as possiblc. Mr. Buell stated that Nextel Communications would assess thc strcngth ofthc rail by having a structural cnginecr study the appropriate structure and providc rcsults ofthc study to the City, Mr. Buell also explained the construction of thc pancls and adviscd that thc antennas would be bolted to the top and bottom of thc rail and they would submit dctailed attachments plans. . Councilmember Malone stated that he wanted to minimize the visual impact ofthe taller antennas sincc one is able to sce the top of the water tower clearly from 1-694. Mr. Buell agrecd to inform Nextel Communications about minimizing the visual impact ofthc antennas. Mayor Probst asked Mr. Buell about thc possibility of painting the antennas in the same color as the rest of the water tower. Mr. Buell stated that Nextel Communications would paint the antennas to match the color of the watcr tower. Mr. Ringwald prcscnted the diagram of the previous antennas, Exhibit B (marked "null and void"), and thc diagram of the proposed antennas, Exhibit B. Mr. Buell stated that the proposed antennas would need to be placed higher on the water tower, for example, on the top instead of under the bowl, than the previous agreement allowed. This would clear room on the side of the water tower for other companies to leasc space for antennas and potentially raise future revenues for thc City. Mr. Buell also explained that Nextel had continued to pay for lease spacc of nine antennas even though only three antennas wcre installed. This was done in order to reserve space for future antennas. Mayor Probst inquired about the monthly lease cost that Nextel currently pays and the possibility to increasing the lease in the future. Mr. Buell explained that the City's agreement with Nextel based the lease cost on the quantity of antennas, not the height of the antennas. Since the proposal did not increase the total quantity of . antennas, the lease cost should remain the same. Mayor Probst inquired about thc current market price for leasing space for antennas.