TO: Mayor Collins and Town Council Members
FROM: Kevin Burke, Town Manager
DATE: October 8, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager
Staff Contact Kevin Burke, 480-348-3690
Andrew Miller, 480-348-3691
End
AGENDA TITLE:
Title
Acquisition of an Easement for the Public Safety Communications Antenna and Equipment
Body
Council Goals or Other Policies / Statutory Requirements:
Public Safety - Improve public safety services including prevention, enforcement, communication and community/victim outreach.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) - Develop and advance a Capital Improvement Program
Technology - Utilize technology throughout the organization to deliver quality services in an economic and efficient manner
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the Easement Purchase Agreement at 6824 East Highland Drive.
Background
The Town currently operates an independent radio/communication system to dispatch calls (both emergency and non-emergency) to Police vehicles on patrol within the Town. The system has both coverage and resiliency shortcomings due to the antenna’s current location. First, there are coverage gaps located along Tatum north of Lincoln and Lincoln west of Tatum. Second, the power source for the antenna is solar and not resilient to all weather conditions. Third, the system is not interconnected with adjacent jurisdictions which is critical for mutual aid and contracted fire service with the City of Phoenix.
The proposed solution has the Town joining the Regional Wireless Cooperative and adding a single antenna to interconnect with their existing system of antennas. The location of this antenna must be on this hill. Previous efforts have proved challenging in acquiring a location on this hill. Moreover, the last, best attempt was priced at over $7 million and well outside the anticipated budget for the project. This proposal allows the Town to co-locate with a new homeowner to place the antenna and supporting equipment in its associated structure on 6824 E. Highlands Drive.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The purchase agreement will obtain the easement which represents approximately 28% of the property for a fixed cost of $250,000. Of that, $5,000 will serve as earnest money. An additional $15,000 will pay for the Town’s portion of a retaining wall associated with the homeowner’s to be constructed driveway which also serves as part of the retaining wall necessary for the equipment structure.
Other conditions of the purchase include the construction of curbing along the easement and Highlands Drive; filing an application with Maricopa County to exempt the easement and its improvements from property tax assessment; and a proposal by the Town Manager in the FY17-2012 CIP for improvements of the Hillside Drive cul-du-sac.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
The Budget impact of this decision is $265,000 in cash, plus associated costs for the curbing. Soft costs include the time for staff to prepare an application to Maricopa County for tax exempt status of the easement and improvements upon the easement. Other minor costs include recordation costs and/or application fees. All money is budgeted in the FY15-16 CIP Budget under Public Safety Communications Tower.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Easement Purchase Agreement - to be provided