Minutes 02-04-2020 Business Meeting

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8 Michael Harvey said there are towers throughout the County, but there are still coverage gaps, and a lack of partnerships with private property owners. He said staff does remain hopeful. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if staff has a sense of how long it might take before tower developers start putting up towers. Michael Harvey said each year he is required to hold a meeting with all teleproviders, but none have attended for the last three years because providers are changing their models. He said teleproviders are petitioning the state to allow small cell sites in public rights of way, which would eliminate the need for towers altogether. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the expectation is this will engender more interest. Michael Harvey said he hopes so, but with the changes forthcoming in this industry in the next 15-20 years, he expects there will be a massive change in how the telecommunication tower industry handles its business and installs infrastructure. He said he hopes companies will still take a look at the Cedar Grove Community Center. Commissioner Dorosin said last week the BOCC heard from Jim Northup, Chief Information Officer, about the broadband project and the issues around that and trees getting in the way. He asked if there is any overlapping collaboration between these two projects. Michael Harvey said everyone tries to coordinate, but his staff has not been as involved in the process as it would have hoped. He said there are several applications being reviewed currently, but these applications contain major issues, which staff is working through. He said the taller the structure, the better the signal will be. Commissioner Dorosin said the changes in the industry are important to keep in mind, but asked if should Board to consider how dire the situation is, and whether it would be worthwhile to incentivize meeting critical needs. He asked if the County has authority to erect a tower, if the need were deemed dire enough. Bonnie Hammersely said yes. Michael Harvey said the County has been to the 5-yard line with this type of action before, but not to the end zone. Commissioner McKee said this been has part of the conversation since 2012-2013. Michael Harvey said his department has a stellar working relationship with Emergency Services, and tries to coordinate whenever possible. He said as interest increases, he hopes that all emergency communication needs can be addressed. Chair Rich asked if Commissioner Dorosin would like to put this topic on a work session. Commissioner Dorosin said yes, and that it may be useful to have information from the Sheriff's Department, EMS, and Jim Northrup about the urgency of getting this infrastructure in place. He said it sounds like the Planning Department is doing all it can to engage private entities, and he wonders if there is anything more the County should be doing. He said this, coupled with the broadband issue, impacts a lot of people. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Bedford for the Board to open the public hearing. VOTE: UNANIMOUS NO PUBLIC COMMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner McKee to close the public hearing.