Title
Cell Antenna Equipment/Leases on Water Tanks briefing
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on cell antenna equipment/leases on City of Olympia Drinking Water Utility property, including water tanks.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works Drinking Water Utility, 360.753.8321
Presenters:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia’s Drinking Water Utility (Drinking Water Utility) has lease agreements with cellular companies which allow the use of a proportion of several Drinking Water Utility water storage tank sites for siting antenna facilities and associated equipment.
In August 2023, the Drinking Water Utility executed a contract with Gunnerson Consulting and Communication Site Services, LLC (Gunnerson) for assistance with the following general items:
• Review of communications equipment placed on Drinking Water Utility property.
• Review of existing lease agreements and amendments and development of new lease agreement language.
• Development of a relocation strategy for Boulevard Tank.
• Assistance with new siting inquiries and cell company management.
During the November UAC meeting, staff will provide an update of the work Gunnerson is doing to assist the Drinking Water Utility to address year-2023 expiring leases and to generally assist with cell company management. An overview of Drinking Water sites with cellular antennas and associated equipment and issues the Drinking Water Utility faces associated with such facilities will also be provided.
Climate Analysis:
Cell towers located on Drinking Water Utility property, including on water tanks do not have a direct effect on greenhouse gas emissions. As new master lease language is developed, Olympia could consider a provision requiring the purchase of green power in the event cell companies do not otherwise do so.
Equity Analysis:
The revenue received from the cell companies leasing space on Drinking Water Utility property goes into the Drinking Water Utility’s operating budget thereby helping to reduce rates that are charged to water customers. People who live by or frequent the area surrounding Drinking Water Utility property with cell equipment may be disproportionately impacted by the antenna facilities located at the sites due to aesthetic considerations while the general greater Olympia community benefits from the telecommunications technology supported by the antenna facilities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Drinking Water Utility receives occasional complaints from neighbors in proximity to water storage tanks with cellular antennas and associated equipment regarding early morning, weekend or after hour work being done by cellular companies or their contractors. As drinking water storage tanks are critical infrastructure, it is imperative to public health and safety that access to such sites is made known to the Drinking Water Utility.
Options: N/A, informational only
Financial Impact:
None. The Drinking Water Utility currently receives approximately $300,000 in annual revenue from existing leases. It is anticipated that most of the expenses incurred for the expertise provided to the Drinking Water Utility by Gunnerson will be reimbursed through new lease rates.
Attachments: None