Cable & Telecommunications Commission

MEETING MINUTES CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION March 24, 2015 The Cable and Telecommunications Commission met in the Community Conference Room of the Village Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. In attendance were: Present: Paul Diambri, Chair Alan Barasky John Chaput Greg Lapin Steven Robinson Adam Simon Ken Urbaszewski Absent: Neil Charak John Sanner Also Present: Bob Benton, Village Board Liaison, Ex Officio Member Andrew Lichterman, Assistant to the Village Manager Minutes A motion to approve the minutes from the December 9, 2014 meeting was made by Commissioner Lapin and seconded by Commissioner Sanner. Commissioner Lapin made a correction to the minutes noting that Frank Deuel of Comcast was also present. Commissioner Urbaszewski made corrections on page 2. The motion passed unanimously as amended. Public Comment There was no one present for public comment. Comcast Update Chairman Diambri noted the 2014 and 2013 Comcast Annual Reports were included in the distribution. He noted that 96 complaints were reported in 2014 compared to 212 complaints in 2013. Commissioner Barasky questioned what triggers a complaint to be included in the report Commissioner Robinson stated that he assumes the reports reflects escalated complaints only. Commissioner Simon noted that both Comcast and AT&T are required to provide these reports by State statute and the law also establishes the type of complaints that must be included in the report. Chairman Diambri requested Mr. Lichterman to invite Frank Deuel of Comcast to attend the next meeting so that he can walk us through the report and respond to questions. Verizon Lease Proposal Chairman Diambri noted that the lease is nearly complete and expressed his thanks to Attorney Coblentz and Mr. Lichterman for getting the lease to this point. He suggested a few additional language changes to pursue during negotiations. He recommended adding a clause permitting a Page 1 of 3 Cable and Telecommunications Commission March 24, 2015 review of the insurance limits to the lease as $1 million in insurance may be insufficient in the out years, since the lease has a potential term of 25 years. He suggested ensuring that new antenna installations do not interfere with existing communications and that an engineering study demonstrates structural integrity. Lastly, he recommended only allowing Verizon to cancel at the end of a five year option period, rather than at any anniversary date. Mr. Lichterman reminded the Commission that the monthly rent is $2,880 with a 3% annual escalator. He noted the Village also requested a $5,000 signing bonus but is still awaiting a response back from Verizon on this particular request. Commissioner Simon provided an example of a water tower lease agreement (#279495) that included a $4,500 signing bonus. Commissioner Lapin noted a typo in Paragraph 14 of the lease. Chairman Diambri also recommended including a request for Verizon to pay expenses associated with hiring an Engineer to oversee construction/installation of the new antenna facilities. Mr. Lichterman noted that it is also a good idea for staff and the petitioner to notify Coromandel of the proposal prior to a public hearing. Commissioner Lapin made a motion to recommend approval of the Verizon lease as drafted by Village Attorney with any additional amendments that can be incorporated as recommended by the Commission. Commissioner Urbaszewski seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Barasky, Chaput, Lapin, Robinson, Simon, Urbaszewski, Diambri (7) Nays: none (0) T-Mobile Monopole Proposal Commissioner Lapin and Commissioner Simon recused themselves from the discussion since they both have duties to the Park District and it was determined that the proposed site for the monopole is owned by the Park District, not the Village. Chairman Diambri reported that T-Mobile is proposing installation of a 120 ft. monopole at the Village’s east side pump station, 297 River Road. Mr. Lichterman noted that the Village has an easement agreement to operate a sanitary sewer station at this location; however, the owner of the property is the Deerfield Park District. The Commission reviewed the proposed site sketch and propagation maps, which illustrated a lack of cellular coverage in the vicinity of the subject location. Mr. Lichterman noted that this location mostly in the floodway and there is only a small portion of the property that is outside the limits of the floodway. T-Mobile cannot erect a monopole anywhere in the floodway and this greatly limits their available space to build. Page 2 of 3 Cable and Telecommunications Commission March 24, 2015 Chairman Diambri requested that Mr. Lichterman notify the Park District of this request. Chairman Diambri noted that if the Park District wants to consider the proposal from T-Mobile then the Commission will offer advice and support as best they can. Other Items Mr. Lichterman reported that AT&T and ComEd have advised the need to conduct utility relocation work along Deerfield Road beginning this spring, in advance of the Deerfield Road reconstruction work slated for 2016. He noted AT&T will be relocating utilities along the north side of Deerfield Road and ComEd will be relocating their poles to the back of the newly proposed sidewalk on the south side of Deerfield Road. Adjournment Commissioner Barasky made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Chaput. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Andrew S. Lichterman Assistant to the Village Manager Page 3 of 3