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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 02/16/1999 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL/STAFF WORKSHOP TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 16, 1999 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Jean Harris,Sherry Butcher- Younghans,Ronald Case,Ross Thorfinnson,Jr., and Nancy Tyra-Lukens CITY COUNCIL STAFF: City Manager Chris Enger,Parks & Recreation Services Director Bob Lambert, Public Safety Director Jim Clark,Public Works Services Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development and Financial Services Director Don Uram,Management Services Director Natalie Swaggert, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Council Recorder Barbara Anderson TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: Gary Therkelsen,Deb Scott,Jean Johnson,Barb Cross, George Esbenson, and Steve Nelson I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER—MAYOR JEAN HARRIS Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 5:25 p.m. H. OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATIONS—CITY MANAGER CHRIS ENGER Enger noted there would be discussion on the Broad Band Communications Network that evening. No one signed up for the Council Forum that evening, so that time could be used for discussion of workshop items. III. CELL TOWER ORDINANCE-JEAN JOHNSON Johnson reviewed the history of the task force that was established to deal with the ramifications of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. She discussed the features of the Act,which allow for co-location of antennas,which means multiple antennas can be located on single structures. These were included in the ordinance which was adopted in 1997. She described the requirements of the Ordinance and the review process. She discussed the statistics regarding the numbers of towers in Eden Prairie and the entire Twin Cities area. She showed pictures of the different kinds of antennas and various CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP AM'q-t ES February 16, 1999 Page 2 structures where these antennas could be located. Revenues generated from leases for antennas was discussed, and it appeared the average lease generated revenues of about $15,000 per year. She noted the aesthetics of towers in Eden Prairie was a major concern when the Ordinance was written,but the design of the antennas has changed and most of them are now smaller,more compact, and shorter in height, and less intrusive to the observer. The ordinance favors locating the towers away from residential areas. Staff believes that towers will continue to be lower in height,but there will be more of these,which will be less intrusive. Discussion ensued regarding the Ordinance criteria. Ric Rosow discussed the lease structure as opposed to a rental structure. The term of the agreement is often an issue, and some towers may require adjacent accessory structures. Enger noted staff was in the process of assembling a fee schedule to cover staff time which is used whether it results in a lease being signed or not. Discussion ensued regarding ways in which the cellular telephone industry is working to make these antennas as unobtrusive as possible. The Federal Government has mandated that the City cannot deny the location of towers within their boundaries just because they don't like it, but they have to have a valid reason to deny them. Most communities have restrictions that would not allow for the satellite dishes but people want them so they look the other way. The balance of aesthetics and quality of communication in the City must be weighed carefully because it will be an issue in the future. Staff believed that as long as residents like the technology they should move towards getting the revenues from leases as long as there are no other problems. IV. BROADBAND COMMUNICATION NETWORK—Chris Enger, Gary TherkeIsen, Deb Scott Enger reviewed the history of the fiber optic technology in Eden Prairie and the consideration of Eden Prairie as a provider of fiberoptic utilities. Fiberoptic cable will replace the coaxial cable in the Southwest Metro Area when Paragon Cable begins this project during the summer of 1999. He described the applications of having access to a fiberoptic network and the possibilities that exist in relation to the City,the public,the school district and local businesses. Staff believes there is a market for these within the City and they have been looking at ways to develop this. The ultra high speed would allow for video conferencing, access to information, etc. at a phenomenal speed, and would make access to information much easier for City residents. Paragon Cable will be making fiberoptic cable available to homes which would give residents access to the high-speed service. Discussion ensued regarding the proposal from KMC regarding how much of the network they will be installing and the cost of this to the City. The Twin Cities Metro Area is a high market area for this type of system. Uses could include such things as expanded availability of services, seamless flexible organization, connection from remote locations and video conferencing. These are many ways that it could be used to facilitate City business without the travel time and effort. Utilizing CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES February 16, 1999 Page 3 surveillance at intersections and buildings throughout the City could also enhance security. Remote technology today is too slow and this would make things like getting ready for a City Council meeting much faster. Enhanced entertainment,telecommuting (remote work), distance learning, information at anytime from anywhere,video conferencing, and home businesses would all benefit from the fiberoptic network. Case commented that if communities are not able to offer these technologies to their residents it will have a definite impact on businesses that want to locate within that community, as well as the residents. He believed they should take steps to have this technology available in Eden Prairie. Harris commented the question may arise in the future as to what kind of services the City will want to support as a provider of this high technology. V. OTHER Enger noted the next meeting will focus on a technology training campus and ways in which it could be connected will be explored. VI. COUNCIL FORUM—6:30 PM—6:55 PM VII. ADJOURN Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.