6.1. SR 07-18-2005
Elk River ___
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Item # 6.1.
phone: 763.441.2020
Fax: 763.441.8099
July 13, 2005
To: Elk River City Council
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From: Bryan Adams
Subject:
Telecommunications Antennas on Water Towers
In the process of trying to locate additional telecommunication towers in Elk River, it is
the desire of this council to revisit the issue of locating telecommunication antennas on
our water towers as an alternative.
This issue was first discussed in 1997 and again in 2000. Attached is a memo dated
March 29,2000 addressing this issue. With the enactment of the Federal Bioterrorism
Act, all water utilities serving populations in excess of 3,300 are required to do a security
vulnerability self assessment and submit it to the Minnesota Department of Health and
the U.S. EP A administrator. Elk River has done this assessment and attached is the
"Certification of Completion of Assessment." This vulnerability assessment and
associated procedures for access to water towers is now raised to a new level.
Currently the Elk River Municipal Utilities does allow 2-way radio antennas on our water
towers for the Sherburne County Sheriff/Elk River Police Department, Elk River Street
Department and Elk River Municipal Utilities. These organizations are allowed on the
towers because they are local known entities and we can control the access. Security
issues are a much less concern with local law enforcement agencies.
The security issues can be resolved with a number of strategies. They are as follows.
1) Utilize a non-operational water tower such as the tower on Jackson Street.
Telecommunication companies have been reluctant to use this tower
possibly due to location, age, or not tall enough.
2) Antennas being located on the outside of the tower in the fluted area below
the bowl where inside access is not required. This may not be acceptable due
to not being high enough.
3) Some telecommunication companies have begrudgingly offered to pay for a
utility employee to be on site while they do the installation and ongoing
maintenance. Unfortunately this is not so much of a money issue as a time
issue. Currently the utility does not have adequate personnel to watch over
telecommunication contractors do their work. It is necessary to do background
checks on the telecommunication contractors and does the police department
have time to do them?
In conclusion, telecommunication companies have not shown any interest in the first two
alternatives. In regard to the last alternative, what the telecommunication companies
want to pay and what the Elk River Municipal Utilities needs to mitigate the last
alternative have not converged.
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ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
322 King Avenue
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Phone (612) 441-2020
Fax (612) 441-8099
March 29th, 2000
To: John Deitz
From: Bryan Adams rbi~
I
Subject:
Telecommunication Antennas on Water Towers
As you are aware, Sprint desires to place a telecommunications antenna on one of our
water towers. The issue was discussed at our July 9t\ 1997 and March 14th, 2000 Elk
River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) Commission meetings. I have been dealing with Philip
Carlson, Sight Acquisition Specialist, with the Everest Group. Also attached is a letter
dated March 1 ih, 2000 from David Huihui of the Everest Group addressing the same
Issue.
There is no question that good cell phone communication is an attribute to Elk River.
Current cell phone reception in this area is marginal. The question is how can we
accommodate these companies while preserving our interests. I have taken a strong
stance to deny placing an aerial on our three active water towers for the following
reasons:
1) The parties who have antennas on the tower need access to their equipment,
which mean~ they need keys to the tower. ERMU will then loose control of who
has access to the tower and loose the security of the water system. Access to the
water system is obtained by roof hatches in the same area as the antennas. They
also require a 15' by 15' space inside or outside the tower. We do not have
adequate room for this. Both city and utility equipment are stored under the
towers.
2) If we let one company use the tower for antennas, we must then allow access to
all other telecommunication companies (AT&T, US West, Aerial, etc.).
3) The presence of antennas increase costs of maintenance on water towers. Cables
running up the dry well make it more difficult to blast and paint around. The dry
well is already a difficult area for painting systems. Also, water tight roof
penetration must be added. Another source of maintenance and painting failure.
4) The City and Utilities are considering a GIS system for Elk River. A GIS base
station would be required and the water towers provide an ideal location.
Interference with an existing telecommunication signal may preclude this option.
5) Allowing third parties to have access to the water towers will increase
City/Utilities liability in case of an accident. Even though a tight indemnity clause
can be incorporated in a lease agreement, the City/Utilities will still be part of any
legal proceedings.
6) The $500/month lease payment is not nearly enough to offset the risks contained
in item #'s 1-5, particularly item #1, at what price do we sacrifice security of the
community's water system?
We are also sensitive to aesthetics in Elk River. Elk River already has three mono poles
to be used for telecommunication plus numerous radio towers in Northern Elk River.
Opportunities to utilize these facilities also exist. I have taken the time to show Everest
Group other possible areas in our community and offered the use ofthe two out of service
water towers (Jackson Ave across from Fire Station, Water tower north of Crete x
Concrete plant). Sprint was not interested in these other options either.
cc: James Tralle
George Zabee
file
2
Certification of Completion of Assessment
A final step in completing the "Security Vulnerability Self-Assessment Guide for Small Drinking Water Systems Serving Populations
Between 3,300 and 10,000" is to notify the Minnesota Department of Health that the assessment has been conducted. Please fill in the
following information and send this page only to the appropriate Minnesota Department of Health contact. so that this certification can be
included in the records that the state maintains on your water system.
· DO NOT send the completed vulnerability assessment (VA) to the Minnesota Department of Health unless your state requires VA
submittals.
DO send the completed VA to the U.S. EPA Administrator by June 30, 2004 to satisfy the requirements of the Federal Bioterrorism
Act. You must also certify to the U.S. EPA Administr~tor that you have developed or updated your emergency response plan
based on yourVA within six months of submitting your VA to the U.S. EPA. The Agency will be providing instructions to water
systems to follow when submitting your VA and certification. Please follow these U.S. EPA procedures when released.
Public Water System
(PWS) 10: Number:
System Name:
Address:
Town/City:
ZIP Code:
Phone:
Email:
Person Name:
Title:
Address:
Town/City:
ZIP Code:
Phone:
Email:
.
171004
Elk River Municipal Utilities
322 King Ave.
Elk River
State: MN
55330
763-441-2020
Fax: 763-441-8099
Bryan Adams
General Manager
322 King Ave.
.
Elk River
State:
MN
55330
763-441-2020
Fax: 763-441-8099
24 Hour Emergency Contact Information for Your System:
Bryan
Contact Person: First Name: Dave
Daytime Phone: 763-441-2020 Fax: 763-441-8099
Emergency Phone: 763-441-2020 E-mail:
Cell Phone: 612-859-9666 (Adams)
612-845-6190 (Berg)
I certify that the information in this vulnerability assessment has been completed to the best of my knowledge and that the appropriate
parties have b otified of the assessment and recom ended steps to be taken to enhance the security of the water system.
Furthermo ,a copy f the completed asses . el)J will b retained at the pubic water system, in a secure location, for state review as
requested ~) ~/. / . /
Signed L ) V~
Adams
Last Name: Berg
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Date
29