AgdaPkt 2011-07-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1.1. - Page 1 REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager July 11, 2011 SUBJECT Acceptance of Grand Jury Report on Wireless Cell Towers RECOMMENDATION Approve the Grand Jury report dated May 19, 2011 with the finding that the Grand Jury recommendations have been implemented by the City of Redwood City. BACKGROUND On May 19, 2011 the San Mateo County Grand Jury released a report regarding the regulation of cell tower installations in San Mateo County (Attachment 1). This report responds to public opposition on how cell towers regulations were being processed and identified a need for providing clear information to the public. The report also prescribes that specific maintenance and upgrade requirements be included in lease agreements for cell tower installations that are a source of revenue for cities and the County. Information collected by the Grand Jury in 2011 indicates that San Mateo County and eighteen out of twenty cities in the County reported public opposition to a cell tower application within the past five years. The County and six out of twenty cities reported public opposition to cell tower applications more frequently than once a year. The report also found that some cities did not require service providers to maintain cell towers and or remove installations when they are no longer used, become obsolete or the permit expires. Public opposition occurs most often from individuals living in close proximity to a proposed cell tower site. To date, per the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, concerns about electromagnetic radiation are regarded as scientifically unproven. Federal law also governs some cell tower decision - making authority; for example, each application by a service provider must be considered on an individual basis and one government entity cannot favor one telecommunications provider over another. City staff have reviewed the Grand Jury report in detail and prepared a response to the Superior Court of California, San Mateo County, (Attachment 2). Responses are due within 90 days from the date of the Grand Jury finding (no later than August 17, 2011). As indicated in the City's reply letter to the Grand Jury, Redwood City is in agreement and in substantial compliance with the Grand Jury recommendations, and confirms that the specific Grand Jury recommendations have been implemented as follows: