04-23-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, April 23, 2001 (Sprint Proposal, Continued) Rice stated Sprint perceives it has a gap in its coverage, and in order to meet its obligations, it needs to find a facility in this area to help close that gap. Rice reiterated Sprint is approaching the City tonight in an effort to open the dialogue in order to make that happen in a way that best serves the City of Orono as well as Sprint. Rice indicated there would be some financial incentive to the City which could be used for the maintenance of the park. Sansevere inquired what would happen if a 55 to 60 foot tower was erected in this area. Johnson stated that would necessitate the need for additional towers. Sansevere inquired what the total coverage of the tower would be. Johnson stated he could get that information. Johnson indicated he could ask Sprint's engineers to look at that option. Sansevere stated he would like the Council to consider the possibility of looking at more than one tower in an effort to reduce the height. Mayor Peterson inquired whether the other vendors have an issue with this area. Johnson stated they do. Johnson indicated'at the June 291h session of last year there were several other vendors who were present at that time who indicated they presently have gaps in this area. • Johnson stated the other vendors may not perceive this area to be a top priority. Flint inquired what an antenna installed on the Navarre water tower would do for Sprint versus this one. Johnson stated if an antenna were installed on the Navarre water tower, it would make the other sites weaker. If the towers are too close together, they do not work properly. Sansevere inquired whether there was another possible location in this coverage area outside of the park where a second tower could be erected. Sansevere commented he would like to look at other options outside of erecting an 80 foot tower. Johnson commented the possible locations for a tower are limited in this area due to the residential nature of this area. White inquired what environmental impacts the tower would have on the area. Johnson stated he is not aware of any. Johnson stated the base of the tower would be concrete and would need to be approximately 35 feet deep to keep the tower from tipping. Johnson stated the equipment itself consists of various types of electronic devices. Mayor Peterson inquired what would be located around the tower. Johnson stated there is a 15 by 15 foot station, which would be fenced off. Johnson indicated in • order to address aesthetic concerns, a cedar fence would be constructed as well as planting of trees. Page 12