Okaloosa County BOCC — February 4, 2014 — Action Item Printout

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: February 4, 2014 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Dino J. Villani SUBJECT: Communications Tower Document for Verizon Wireless DEPARTMENT: Public Safety BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Approval of the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Verizon Wireless for the Communications Tower in Shalimar to bring Verizon Wireless regulatory compliance up to date. BACKGROUND: In May 1995, Okaloosa County entered a lease agreement with Centel Cellular for communications services. Okaloosa County agreed to have Centel demolish and remove an antiquated communications tower and erect a monopole communications tower in its place. The location of the tower site is behind the Courthouse Annex in Shalimar. Upon completion of the monopole tower, Centel transferred ownership to Okaloosa County for emergency communication services in exchange for Centel to place cellular antennas and an equipment shelter for their wireless business purposes. Centel Cellular became Alltell Wireless, which is now Verizon Wireless. Verizon intends to add three (3) new antennas and three (3) new amplifiers on the tower, as well as one (1) new equipment rack inside the existing shelter. According to the lease and existing amendments, a new amendment would be required if the number of antennas exceeds 9 or exceeds 351 lbs in aggregate. The total number of antennas following the changes will be 9 and the total aggregate weight will be 343.2 lbs, both of which are under the allowable limits. Verizon has also provided a structural analysis, which takes into account the proposed changes. In order to bring Verizon Wireless regulatory compliance up to date, the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement (NPA) requires the signature of the tower owner, which would be the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. This agenda request is to have the Chairman execute the NPA document. OPTIONS: Approve or disapprove. RECOMMENDATIONS: Approve the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement with Verizon Wireless. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: Ernie Padgett, County Administrator