CC PACKET 04092019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 26, 2019 Page 3 wireless services (called 5G) will require wireless providers to install a large amount of lower 1 hanging antennas that are connected to fiber optic cable allowing wireless providers to provide 2 significantly higher internet speeds. The facilities needed to provide 5G service are called small 3 wireless facilities. 4 5 City Manager Casey provided a high-level summary of the small wireless facility ordinance. He 6 noted that items D and E on the agenda are also related to this and suggested talking about them 7 together but taking action separately. 8 9 Councilmember Gray stated his understanding that most of this is covered under State Statute 10 that was passed a few years ago. 11 12 City Manager Casey stated that was correct and was also overseen by Federal regulations. 13 14 Councilmember Gray confirmed that the goal of this then is to manage it the best way possible 15 within the City’s rules. 16 17 Councilmember Stille stated that he does not want the public to be surprised when this rolls out. 18 He noted there could be more antennas seen around town than there are currently. He stated that 19 the upside of more antennas is access to 5G service, but the downside is that in some cases, it 20 won’t just be an antenna and there will be a refrigerator-sized box at the base located within the 21 right-of-way. 22 23 City Manager Casey stated this was correct and noted that the size of the nodes that are not 24 attached will be disbursed throughout the City. He stated that there are still many “unknowns” 25 but the City does not have the authority to have the nodes buried so they will need to be above 26 ground. 27 28 Councilmember Stille explained this is in reaction to an FCC ruling and State law which means 29 the City cannot do anything about it. He asked when this would take effect. 30 31 City Manager Casey stated the FCC ruling takes effect beginning April 15, 2019. 32 33 Councilmember Stille noted that the third reading of the ordinance is scheduled for April 23, 34 2019 and asked about the possibility of waiving the third reading in order to meet the April 15, 35 2019 deadline. 36 37 City Manager Casey stated that staff’s recommendation is to waive the second reading and go 38 straight into the third reading for action because of that reason. 39 40 Councilmember Stille stated this is a very in-depth ordinance and confirmed that the City worked 41 in conjunction with the League of Minnesota Cities to draft the ordinance. 42 43 City Manager Casey stated the City did work with the League of Minnesota Cities as well as a 44 variety of resources that provided guidance. 45 46 13