Update on Small Cell Installation Approved for Creston and Rosemont StreetsCopyrighted
April 6, 2020
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 15.
ITEM TITLE: Update on Small Cell Installation Approved for Creston and
Rosemont Streets
SUMMARY: City Manager providing an update on the installation of a
small cell that had previously been approved by City
Council but voluntarily delayed by the carrier that is now
seeking to move forward with the installation at Creston and
Rosemont Streets.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Update on Small Cell Installation Approved for
Creston/Rosemont-MVM Memo
Update on Small Cell Installation Approved for
Creston/Rosemont Memo to the City Manager
Type
City Manager Memo
Staff Memo
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All-A.aia City
111111
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Update on Small Cell installation Approved for Creston/Rosemont
DATE: March 31, 2020
Information Services Manager Chris Kohlmann, Civil Engineer II Dave Ness and
Sustainable Innovation Consultant Dave Lyons are providing an update on the
installation of a small cell that had previously been approved by City Council but
voluntarily delayed by the carrier.
Nature of the technology. It was confirmed that none of the requested small cell
installations to date in Dubuque (including Creston/Rosemont) were 5G
millimeter devices. Instead they were 4G small cells using existing wavelengths
and designed to augment the existing wireless systems and technologies.
Nature of City Authority. It continues to be the consensus that City governments
are pre-empted by both State and Federal law from denying small cell
placements (even those using millimeter wave technology). Dubuque continues
to track court actions challenging the extreme level of pre-emption in the area of
telecommunications in the public right of way.
Verizon is now seeking to move forward with the approved small cell installation at
Creston/Rosemont. This would be in addition to the many similar 4G small cells that
have continued to be installed in the City by multiple carriers.
In the City's process for small cell applications, carriers are required to inform the City if
a requested small cell would be designed to use 5G millimeter wave technology. To
date there have been no such requests.
7--
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Chris Kohlmann, Information Services Manager
Dave Ness, Civil Engineer II
David Lyons, Sustainable Innovation Consultant
2
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dave Ness, Civil Engineer II
Chris Kohlmann, Information Services Manager
David Lyons, Sustainable Innovation Consultant
Dubuque
uI-Ameriw City
111111
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
Update on Small Cell Installation Approved for Creston/Rosemont
March 30, 2020
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to provide an update on the installation of a small cell that
had previously been approved by City Council but voluntarily delayed by the carrier.
BACKGROUND
A small cell is a radio access point with low radio frequency (RF) power output, footprint
and range. They can be deployed indoors or out and are used to augment existing
wireless network coverage. Think of them as "spokes" collecting and pushing local data
back to the "hub" of a larger, traditional telecommunications tower.
Verizon was the first wireless provider to begin placement of small cell technology in
Dubuque. Their early applications were reviewed and approved by the City.
Subsequently concerns were raised as to the health and safety of some of the new
technology being deployed in certain 5G small cells, in particular the use of what is
termed the "millimeter wave" range. The millimeter wave spectrum operates above the
24 GHz band, with one of the greatest and most important uses of millimeter waves is in
transmitting large amounts of data. Such devices allow for data transmission at higher
wavelengths than had previously been used. Given the existence of public concern, the
City requested Verizon to voluntarily delay the installation of the one proposed small cell
that was located in a residential area (Creston/Rosemont). Verizon agreed.
DISCUSSION
Follow-up inquiry was made following Council and public discussion, including but not
limited to:
- Nature of the technology. It was confirmed that none of the requested small cell
installations to date in Dubuque (including Creston/Rosemont) were 5G millimeter
devices. Instead they were 4G small cells using existing wavelengths and designed to
augment the existing wireless systems and technologies.
- Nature of City Authority. It continues to be the consensus that City governments
are pre-empted by both State and Federal law from denying small cell placements
(even those using millimeter wave technology). Dubuque continues to track court
actions challenging the extreme level of pre-emption in the area of telecommunications
in the public right of way.
Verizon is now seeking to move forward with the approved small cell installation at
Creston/Rosemont. This would be in addition to the many similar 4G small cells that
have continued to be installed in the City by multiple carriers.
In the City's process for small cell applications, carriers are required to inform the City if
a requested small cell would be designed to use 5G millimeter wave technology. To
date there have been no such requests.
ACTION STEP
Please let us know if additional information is required.
Cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Barry Lindahl, Senior Counsel
Steve Brown, Project Engineer