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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, April 12, 2010 Page S Councilmember Ihlan questioned what technology was intended for this tower; how much stronger the signal would be; and whether the City had done an analy- sis of the viability of economic impacts as they related to fiber optic projects; in addition to health and safety concerns of this type of microwave signal and envi- ronmental impacts. City Manager Malinen advised that the intent for this lease agreement with Clearwire was for "wi-max" or wireless internet access signals, stronger to reach broader areas, with their ultimate intent to have a wi-fi cloud over the entire met- ropolitan area to gain internet access. Mayor Klausing noted that, as clarified in previous discussions, the actual physi- cal object was similar to, but smaller than, wireless antennas. City Manager Malinen concurred, noting that it was much smaller that a cellular antenna, as was the cabinetry at the base of the tower. Finance Director Chris Miller addressed the economic viability of this wi-max technology, regulated by the FCC who provides their own due diligence on this technology and their allowance of it; with staff relying on the FCC to advise of any .concerns from a safety and health standpoint, with their assurances that there are no definitive reasons for concern. Mr. Miller noted that this is the third such wi-max antenna array considered by the City, with other private sites also being under negotiation. Mr. Miller advised that the FCC regulated that local govern- ment could not factor in health and safety impacts as a finding for denial; howev- er, he advised that he could not speak to their environmental analysis. Councilmember Ihlan noted that the FCC regulates and limits local government in whether they can deny approvals and the basis for such denial; however, she asked if the FCC had done environmental studies as to whether that signal could interfere with other providers; and opined that she would like any public informa- tion from the FCC made available to the public on environmental issues. Coun- cilmember Ihlan reiterated her concern that the City had done sufficient market analysis on whether this was along-term good technology and that it would re- main profitable and be around in 5-6 years once the rent abatement expired and the City began to realize revenue from the lease agreement. Mr. Miller advised that staff did not have sufficient expertise; however, observa- tions would indicate that the wireless technologies continued to make significant strides in the industry, and he personally opined that he didn't see that technology going anywhere but upward in the immediate future. Mr. Miller noted that, while there was a potential for broadband and fiber optic technology, they remained emerging and expensive, and wireless was proving to be more economically via- ble for providers. Mr. Miller further opined that, once those other technologies