Wireless Subcommittee Meeting

MINUTES WIRELESS SUBCOMMITTEE Monday, October 29, 2018 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Members Present: Breedlove, Dawson, Hansen, Nine, Olsen Members Absent: Brassfield, Peterson Staff Members Present: Community Development Director Cole, Recording Secretary Nickbarg CALL TO ORDER Chair Dawson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm CONSENT ITEMS ACTION: Continued to November 2 meeting. 1. August 23, 2018 2. August 30, 2018 3. September 6, 2018 4. September 13, 2018 PUBLIC COMMENTS Nina Beety shared information on industry response to FCC’s proposed rules, after which she expressed several concerns.  Telecommunications companies have begun to file appeals with the FCC arguing that FCC’s proposed rules are not liberal enough. Ms. Beety expects more companies, including AT&T, to file with the goal of the FCC reviewing and overturning some of its proposed rules. Ms. Beety reached out to Congressman Panetta’s office but had not received a response at the time of the meeting.  The Washington Post reported that companies are seeking to rev up 5G and deployment of small cell facilities (AT&T plans to roll out 5G soon). These facilities support many services, including smart meters installed by various utilities.  Wireless Subcommittee Minutes Monday, October 29, 2018  Small cell facilities pose a health hazard. Further, one facility may host multiple “nodes,” each node operated by a different company. Although utilities gather customer data only once a month, small cell facilities emit microwaves constantly. Ms. Beety stated the signals “travel” along infrastructure, spreading beyond the small cell equipment itself. Cal-Am’s smart meter signals travel water pipes; PG&E’s travel electrical systems. After Cal Am installed smart meter at her residence, Ms. Beety experienced nausea, headaches and sleeplessness. Cal-Am referred Ms. Beety to Catherine Stedman at the local office. Ms. Beety asked if nodes would be exempt from the City’s rules and ordinance. The Subcommittee responded that nodes would not be exempt.  Small cell facilities have adverse effects on jobs, local economy and homelessness. Utility smart meters are presently in Phase 1 in which crews drive through neighborhoods to collect data without leaving their trucks. Phase 2 is to put nodes on poles to access customer data remotely resulting in lost jobs. Ms. Beety stated the majority of job losses over the next few years would be due to these devices and the trend toward an internet of things.  Is Monterey’s intention to become a smart/5G/automated city? How will the City address joblessness and homelessness. Ms. Beety closed by stating she will send materials tomorrow. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 5. Recommend Planning Commission Adopt the Submittal Checklist ACTION: Continued to November 2 meeting. The Subcommittee held a discussion on the submittal checklist. They specified modifications, which were recorded by Staff. Discussion focused on requirements for mock-ups, compliance with FCC rules, and permit extensions. Subcommittee Member Nine suggested wireless ordinances from Rancho Palos Verdes and Palos Verdes Estates as possible models for mock-up requirements. Community Development Director Cole will follow up. *** OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT *** Derek Lever, a Golden Gate University graduate student, expressed interest in the City’s Wireless meetings due to his studies in smart city innovations and how additional capabilities may be added to lighting poles and network systems. *** CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT *** 2  Wireless Subcommittee Minutes Monday, October 29, 2018 6. Recommend the Planning Commission Recommend Additional Changes to Municipal Code Section 38-112.4 Personal Wireless Service Facilities ACTION: Continued to November 2 meeting. The Subcommittee held a discussion on Municipal Code Section 38-112.4. They asked for clarification of and guidance on several provisions, which were recorded by Staff. Discussion focused on:  Operation and maintenance of small cell facilities: ability of City to enforce safe operation, ability of City and individuals to file complaints, monitoring of radiation levels, respective roles of FCC and PUC.  Feasibility of liability insurance requirement for cell companies.  Significant gap vs. effective prohibition.  Balancing requirements specified in ordinance with those specified in checklist so City is protected yet has flexibility to change requirements as needed in the future.  Improving City website so public can more easily search checklist, ordinance, project applications, and other information and resources pertaining to Wireless. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Subcommittee Members discussed next meeting time. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:07 pm Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole Chair Community Development Director Wireless Subcommittee 3