Laserfiche WebLink
6 <br />thousands of dollars per year per PCS lessor is not unusual. It is crucial to establish <br />a commensurate site rental fee schedule so that the City benefits as much as is fair for <br />co -location of PCS antenna/base equipment on City property. The suggested <br />professional communications engineer can assist in the development of fee schedules <br />for ratification by each City Council. <br />Another point to consider is that the value of PCS and other business communications <br />sites is increasing more than the usual cost of living or Consumer Price Index (CPI) <br />number. Therefore, it is unwise to sign up for a long term site -use contract with a PCS <br />company. Any term of more than five years is excessive because contract renewal can <br />be coupled with a rental rate increase. In addition, the usual PCS companies <br />suggested contract has a 60 day escape clause so that they can immediately cancel the <br />agreement with the City for a variety of company controlled circumstances. In <br />summary, the value of PCS antenna sites is increasing faster than the CPI so short <br />term contracts, 5 years for example, should be used so greater rate increases are <br />possible after the initial contract period has expired. <br />ZONING CONSIDERATION <br />Those municipalities that have been most successful in revenue generation from the <br />lease of water tower antenna space have a rigorous zoning structure that strongly <br />discourages PCS antennas to be erected in residential areas. By establishing zoning <br />legislation that encourages the use of city water towers for antennas, the PCS <br />companies are encouraged to apply to the City government for antenna location. <br />Thus the City maintains control of site safety, aesthetics and radio /television <br />interference consideration and guarantees a substantial revenue stream for the City. <br />City zoning ordinances must be carefully drafted to cover all of the considerations <br />above and numerous others, such as insurance considerations, fee schedules, payment <br />process, removal of obsolete radio equipment, and transfer of leases (numerous <br />ownership changes have occurred in the wireless communications industry and many <br />more are expected). <br />SUMMARY <br />Leasing of antenna/base station sites to PCS companies and similar agencies is a <br />current "hot" topic for Minnesota municipalities. Substantial revenue can be <br />