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<br />:(/" '-'\ <br />~ I <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />-~~ <br /> <br />... <br /> <br />ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES <br /> <br />322 King Avenue <br />Elk River, Minnesota 55330 <br />Phone (612) 441-2020 <br />Fax (612) 441-8099 <br /> <br />March 29th, 2000 <br /> <br />To: John Deitz <br /> <br />From: Bryan Adams rbi~ <br />I <br /> <br />Subject: <br /> <br />Telecommunication Antennas 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 9t\ 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 1 ih, 2000 from 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 on the tower need access to their equipment, <br />which mean~ 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 />