REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 31, 2019
FROM: BRYON HORN, Chief Information Officer
Information Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the First Amendment to the License Agreement with New Towers LLC., to modify equipment for radio public safety at the tower facility located in Southeast Fresno.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the Chief Information Officer to execute a First Amendment to the License Agreement between the City of Fresno (City) and New Towers LLC (New Towers) to modify equipment for radio public safety at the tower facility located in Southeast Fresno. Monthly license fees will increase $822.50 per month for a new monthly lease payment of $2,461.59. Lease payments will be shared evenly by the Police and Fire Departments.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Police and Fire departments utilize a public safety radio network as a means to conduct their daily operations. Presently, equipment that is located on the tower that is owned by New Towers, also known as American Tower, is serving expanded radio needs. As part of the Public Safety Network upgrade, this equipment is in need of replacement/upgrade. This amendment allows for the upgrade of this equipment.
BACKGROUND
On April 16, 2015, City and New Towers entered into a License Agreement for use of a certain portion of the Tower Facility located at 4605 East Vine, Fresno, California. The City entered into this agreement to enhance radio coverage for Public Safety.
On June 6, 2016, a System Evaluation Report for the City’s public safety radio system determined that implementing 700 MHz/P25 Trunked System would allow all City radio systems to use one frequency, thereby increasing efficiencies. This is a large scale project and requires the upgrade of the City’s current Microwave Network.
On December 14, 2017, City entered into an agreement with Nokia for the upgrade of equipment for the Microwave Network. The implementation commenced in January 2018. This upgrade necessitates the need for this First Amendment to upgrade and replace equipment on the Tower Facility. Nokia will install and replace this equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this is an amendment to an existing agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The lease payment will increase $822.50 per month for a total monthly payment of $2,461.59. There is an annual 3 percent (3%) escalator for each subsequent year of the original 15 year lease.
With regard to increased cost of the lease payments for the remainder of the fiscal year, the Police and Fire Departments have agreed to evenly share the costs within their respective budgets and both have identified funds within their current fiscal year budgets sufficient to cover the additional charges. Future funding will be accounted for in the budget process. Memorandum of Understanding has been developed defining the cost sharing obligation for each respective agency.
Attachment:
First Amendment to License Agreement
License Agreement - 2015