Title
Wireless Telecommunications Facilities on City Property Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on progress the Drinking Water Utility is making to draft new lease language for cellular antennas and associated equipment located on water storage tank sites.
Report
Issue:
Briefing on progress the Drinking Water Utility is making to draft new lease language for cellular antennas and associated equipment located on water storage tank sites.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works Drinking Water Utility, 360.753.8321
Presenter(s):
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia’s Drinking Water Utility (Drinking Water Utility) has lease agreements with telecommunications companies which allow the use of a portion of several water storage tanks sites for siting antenna facilities and associated equipment. In nine (9) cases, leases have expired, and the carriers have been informed that they are now considered to have month-to-month tenancy pending new lease development.
In August 2023, the Drinking Water Utility executed a contract with Gunnerson Consulting and Communication Site Services, LCC (Gunnerson) for assistance with the following general items:
• Review of communications equipment placed on Drinking Water Utility property.
• Review of existing lease agreements/amendments and development of new lease agreement language, including lease rates.
• Development of a relocation strategy for Boulevard Tank.
• Assistance with new siting inquiries and telecommunications company management.
Drinking Water Utility staff will provide an overview of Drinking Water sites with cellular antennas and associated equipment, issues the Drinking Water Utility faces associated with such facilities and assistance provided to-date by Gunnerson.
Climate Analysis:
Cellular antennas and associated equipment located on Drinking Water property, including on water tanks, do not have a direct effect on greenhouse gas emissions. As new lease language is developed, Olympia could consider a provision requiring the purchase of green power to operate equipment on City property in the event telecommunications companies do not otherwise do so.
Equity Analysis:
The revenue received from telecommunications 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 companies. People who live by or frequent the area surrounding Drinking Water Utility property with telecommunications equipment may be disproportionately impacted by the antenna facilities located at the sites due to aesthetic considerations while the greater Olympia community benefits from the cellular technology supported by the antenna facilities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Drinking Water Utility occasionally receives complaints from neighbors in proximity to water storage tanks with telecommunications antennas and associated equipment regarding early morning, weekend or after hour work being done by cellular companies or their contractors.
Financial Impact:
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 providing to the Drinking Water Utility by Gunnerson Consulting and Communication Site Services, LLC will be reimbursed through new lease rates.
Options:
1. Receive the briefing.
2. Do not receive the briefing.
3. Receive the briefing at another time.
Attachments:
None