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ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES <br /> <br />March 29th, 2000 <br /> <br /> 322 King Avenue <br />Elk River, Minnesota 55330 <br />Phone (612) 441-2020 <br /> Fax (612) 441-8099 <br /> <br />To: John Deitz <br /> <br />From: Bryan Adams <br /> <br />Subject: <br /> <br />Telecommunication Antem~as on Water Towers <br /> <br />As you are aware, Sprint desires to place a telecommunications antenna on one of our <br />water towers. The issue was discussed at our July 9th, 1997 and March 14th, 2000 Elk <br />River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) Commission meetings. I have been dealing with Philip <br />Carlson, Sight Acquisition Specialist, with the Everest Group. Also attached is a letter <br />dated March 17th, 2000 h'om David Huihui of the Everest Group addressing the same <br />issue. <br /> <br />There is no question that good cell phone communication is an attribute to Elk River. <br />Current cell phone reception in this area is marginal. The question is how can we <br />accommodate these companies-while preserving our interests. I have taken a strong <br />stance to deny placing an aerial on our three active water towers for the following <br />reasons: <br /> 1) The parties who have antennas ot~. the tower need access to their equipment, <br /> which means they need keys to the tower. ERMU will then loose control of who <br /> has access to the tower and loose the security of the water system. Access to the <br /> water system is obtained by roof hatches in the same area as the antennas. They <br /> also require a 15' by 15' space inside or outside the tower. We do not have <br /> adequate room for this. Both city and utility equipment are stored under the <br /> towers. <br /> 2) If we let one company use the tower for antennas, we must then allow access to <br /> all other telecommunication companies (AT&T, US West, Aerial, etc.). <br /> 3) The presence of antennas increase costs of maintenance on water towers. Cables <br /> running up the dry well make it more difficult to blast and paint around. The dry <br /> well is already a difficult area for painting systems. Also, water tight roof <br /> penetration must be added. Another source of maintenance and painting failure. <br /> 4) The City and Utilities are considering a GIS system for Elk River. A GIS base <br /> station would be required and the water towers provide an ideal location. <br /> Interference with an existing telecommunication signal may preclude this option. <br /> <br /> <br />