Telecorp Lease - Murhpy Park AnCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
June 22, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Telecorp Lease - Murphy Park Antenna
Cable Franchise Administrator Merrill Crawford is recommending that a public hearing
be set for July 16, 2001, to consider the lease with Telecorp to construct a cellular
antenna monopole at Mdrphy Park.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindah!, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
Preparer: Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator Address: City Hall Annex, 1300 Main
Street, Dubuque, IA 52001-4732 Telephone: (563) 589-4181
RESOLUTION NO. 300-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY'S INTENT TO DISPOSE OF INTEREST IN
PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN A LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
AND TELECORP REALTY, LLC FOR THE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF A
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa encourages the
expansion of wireless telecommunications services to its citizens, businesses,
and institutions, while at the same time minimizing safety and aesthetic concerns
posed by the construction of new towers and monopoles in residential areas; and
Whereas, Telecorp Realty, LLC is the holder of a current Federal
Communications Commission license to provide certain wireless
telecommunication services for sale in and around the City of Dubuque; and
Whereas, Telecorp Realty, LLC desires to expand its signal coverage area
and enhance the quality and capacity of its technical infrastructure by installing
and operating a wireless telecommunication antennae facility on land owned by
the City of Dubuque, identified as site L-8, and located within Louis Murphy Park
at 1700 South Grandview Avenue in Dubuque; and
Whereas, The City of Dubuque desires to lease to Telecorp Realty, LLC
certain space at site L-8 within Louis Murphy Park for the purpose of installation
and operation of a wireless telecommunication antenna facility which includes a
monopole tower, conditioned upon the terms of a lease agreement, a copy of
which is attached hereto, and which the City Council finds beneficial to the
community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the City of Dubuque, Iowa, intends to dispose of an interest
in the property described in the proposed lease agreement with Telecorp Realty,
LLC, under the conditions stipulated in the lease agreement; and
Section 2. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause a
notice to be published of the proposed lease agreement in the manner prescribed
by law.
Passed, approved and adopted this 2nd day of July, 2001.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
F:\USERS\
Cable Television Division
City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Sheet
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
(319) 5894181
June 21, 2001
MEMO TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
SUBJECT: Proposed Telecorp Lease for a Wireless Facility in Murphy Park
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this memorandum is to recommend that the City
Council set a July 16 public hearing to consider leasing land in Louis Murphy Park to
Telecorp Realty LLC, who would construct and operate a wireless telecommunication
antenna facility mounted on a monopole tower.
BACKGROUND: Telecorp Realty, LLC is an affiliate of AT&T who constructs and
operates wireless telecommunication antenna facilities and networks across the United
States. They serve the general public, business and industry with cellular telephone
service and related wireless services. Telecorp is one of at least seven such companies
currently building or considering wireless networks in and around Dubuque.
On April 2, 2001, the City Council approved a lease to Telecorp of space on and adjacent
to the City's water tower at 1525 West Third Street for a wireless telecommunication
antenna facility. Constmctinn is currently underway in accordance with that lease.
Last winter, Telecorp representatives also began looking for a site within a search ring on
high ground rOughly between Mtl Carmel and Dodge Street to provide reliable wireless
signals over the southern part of the City, and particularly along US Highway 61 in the
Kerrigan Hill ravine rutming north and south from South Grandview Avenue. They
considered private property for potential tower sites and for potential rooftop sites. They
also approached the City regarding the possibility of erecting a monopole tower, with
antennae and equipment cabinets, within and near the western border of Louis Murphy
Park, north of the tennis courts.
As Telecorp investigated its options, City staff also considered the relative merits of
various sites, particularly potential tower sites, along the scenic and view-sensitive bluffs
in the southern portion of the City. We compared the potential visual impact of the
proposed Murphy Park site to other possible locations along the ridge, looked at signal
coverage and the potential for co-location, and considered the degree of control the City
could maintain over the site as landlord, versus a similar site on private property. We
reached the conclusion that, if a communication tower needs to be placed somewhere
within the search ring along South Grandview, the proposed Murphy Park location
would clearly be the best site and a monopole would be the preferred style.
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Over a period of months, and dealing with a variety of company representatives, we
negotiated the terms of a proposed lease for a wireless telecommunication antenna
facility in Murphy Park.
Highlights of the Proposed Lease
Term: Ten years, with up to three optional 5-year extensions
Base Rent: $9,600/year (initially), payable at the beginning of each rent year
Additional Rent: $2,700/year (initially) per co-locator. Each proposed co-locator subject
to City approval
Annual Escalator: the greater of 3 percent or the CPI, applicable both to the Base Rent
and to the Additional Rent
Performance Bond: $10,000
Tower: monopole, of the maximum height permitted without requiring lights or hazard
markings, but not to exceed 190 ft. Tower and antennas painted to match the nearby
power pylons in the park.
Support equipment: in secure weathertight cabinets mounted on the ground within
security fence perimeter, with the fence and compound screened by natural shrubbery and
trees approved by the City.
Leased premises: 100' x 100' parcel, plus access and utility easements
If the lease is approved by the City Council, the proposed project would be subject to
review and approval of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Recommended Action is that the City Council, at
their July 2, 2001 meeting, set a Public Hearing for their July 16, 2001 for the purpose of
considering and acting upon the proposed lease.
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Tim O'Brien, Assistant City Attorney
Gil Spence, Leisure Services Manager
Jokn Hail, Park Division Manager