Title
Proposed Cell Tower at Albert "Ray" Massey Westside Park (NB)
This item involves a recommendation from City staff to send a letter to TowerCom regarding the status of TowerCom's unsolicited proposal to locate a cell tower at Albert "Ray" Massey Westside Park.
Explanation
The City of Gainesville has been contemplating TowerCom's unsolicited proposal to locate a cell tower in Albert "Ray" Massey Westside Park. The City Commission expressed an openness to consider an agreement with TowerCom to locate a cell tower in Albert "Ray" Massey Westside Park and empowered City staff to negotiate an agreement with TowerCom. Community concerns were raised about utilizing limited City park property in a heavily used park for this purpose. Two key issues included locating the cell tower in a location that minimizes negative impacts on the park and park users and assuring that the City receives fair compensation for use of its property.
Unfortunately, the City and TowerCom have been unable to reach an agreement that City staff can recommend to the City Commission. City staff believes the cell tower location could likely be resolved although it would still have an impact on the park. As for compensation, TowerCom communicated an inability to raise the level of compensation beyond that identified in the unsolicited proposal. Based on the current status of discussions and lacking any change in position, it does not appear that further discussions would be productive.
Staff recommends that a letter be sent to TowerCom thanking them for their interest in sharing this unsolicited proposal with the City and discontinuing discussions.
Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact is associated with this item.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) authorize the City Manager or designee to submit a letter to TowerCom regarding the status of TowerCom's unsolicited proposal to locate a cell tower at Albert "Ray" Massey Westside Park; and 2) remove this item from the Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Public Works Committee referral list.