RPVCCA_CC_SR_2015_05_05_04_Letters_Opposed_Proposed_LA-RICS_MonopoleMEMORANDUM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: CAROLYNN PETRO, AICP, DEPUTY CITY MANAGE
DATE: MAY 5, 2015
SUBJECT: LETTERS IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED LA-RICS
MONOPOLE AT UPPER POINT VICENTE
REVIEWED BY: DOUG WILLMORE, CITY MANAGER (/A,^�
Project Manager: Kit Fox, AICP, Senior Administrative Analyst
RECOMMENDATION
Consider authorizing the Mayor to sign letters to the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and other interested agencies and persons, expressing the City's
opposition to the proposed monopole for the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable
Communication System (LA-RICS) project on the Coast Guard property at Upper Point
Vicente.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council continued its deliberations in this matter on April 7, 2015, to get
additional details about the LA-RICS proposal at Upper Point Vicente, and to reach out
to surrounding neighborhoods. LA-RICS' consultants have met with Staff to discuss the
specifics of the proposal, and Staff has sent courtesy notification to surrounding
homeowners' associations. Therefore, Staff presents this matter for further City Council
consideration and direction.
BACKGROUND
The City Council previously considered taking a formal position in opposition in the
proposed LA-RICS monopole on the Coast Guard property at Upper Point Vicente at the
meeting of April 7, 2015. This monopole would be part of the voice (i.e., LMR) component
of the LA-RICS system. However, in late correspondence present to the City Council that
evening, LA-RICS asked for the matter to be continued, and provided some additional
1
MEMORANDUM: Opposition Letters for LA-RICS Monopole
May 5, 2015
Page 2
information about the proposal. The City Council directed Staff to work with LA-RICS to
"flesh out" the details for its proposal at Upper Point Vicente, and to reach out to
homeowners' associations in surrounding neighborhoods to advise them of this proposal.
On April 22, 2015, LA-RICS' consultants met with Staff at the site. Staff was provided
with general, verbal descriptions of the scope of the proposed LMR project, and was
subsequently provided with the attached document which includes a preliminary project
plan. On April 23, 2015, Staff sent a courtesy notice to the homeowners' associations for
the Oceanfront Estates, Villa Capri, La Cresta Pointe and Sunset Ridge neighborhoods,
advising them of the City Council's consideration of this matter at tonight's meeting.
These four (4) neighborhoods surround and/or overlook Upper Point Vicente.
DISCUSSION
Project Description
The April 7t" letter from LA-RICS indicated that the damaged "40 foot guyed tower" would
be "replaced" with a "modern steel tower." The letter also indicated that "there are two
other towers that can be removed from service if this new tower is installed." At the time,
it was not clear what the height of the replacement tower would be, nor was it clear where
the additional towers to be removed were located. Therefore, on April 15, 2015, Staff
invited LA-RICS and/or its consultants to meet at the site to clarify the scope of the
proposed project. This site meeting was held on April 22, 2015.1
Attached to tonight's Staff report is a presentation received from LA-RICS on April 28,
2015 entitled "Land Mobile Radio System — Point Vicente Tower Site." The site meeting
and the attached presentation clarifies that there are two existing wooden towers on the
property (identified as Pole 1 and Pole 2). Based on the site meeting and the attached
presentation, the proposed LMR project would include the following components:
Replacement of the eighty foot (80') tall guyed wooden pole (Pole 1) with existing
Coast Guard and County antennas with a new seventy foot (70') tall steel
monopole, of an unspecified diameter (probably at least eighteen inches (18")
across)
Installation of a fifteen foot (16) tall lightening rod on top of the new monopole, for
an overall maximum structure height of eighty five (85') feet
1 During the April 22nd site visit, it was noted that the existing antennae on the Coast Guard property
are non-functional since the coaxial cables connecting them to the equipment inside the bunker have been
severed. Based upon photographs taken by Staff in September 2014, it appears that these antennae have
not been functional for at least the past eight (8) months, and possibly for much longer.
2
MEMORANDUM: Opposition Letters for LA-RICS Monopole
May 5, 2015
Page 3
• Installation of a total of three (3) parabolic dishes on the new monopole. One dish
(2' in diameter) installed at a height of twenty five feet (25') and two dishes (2' and
4' in diameter, respectively) installed at fifty five feet (55') above the ground.
• Installation of a total of three (3) omnidirectional whip antennae on the new
monopole. One (1) whip antenna installed at thirty feet (30') in height and two (2)
whip antennae installed at sixty feet (60') above the ground.
• Installation of antenna equipment and back-up generator, ideally inside of the
existing bunker
• Connection of antennae to equipment via coaxial cable, ideally in an underground
trench
• Installation of security fencing around new monopole
• Removal of the guyed wooden pole with no existing antennae (Pole 2)
While some of the project parameters are generally known (as listed above), a number of
factors remain unknown, subject to additional technical analysis and coordination with the
Coast Guard. These include, but are not necessarily limited to:
• Will the Coast Guard and/or the County
functional antennae on the new monopole?
• Will the Coast Guard permit the removal
want to include their existing, non -
of the second guyed pole from their
property?
• Is it technically feasible to install the antenna equipment and/or back-up generator
in the existing bunker?
• Will the new monopole require lights and/or markings in order to comply with FAA
regulations?
• To what extent will sensitive biological and historical resources on the Coast Guard
property be affected by the construction and operation of the new monopole?
Neighborhood Outreach
Four (4) homeowners' associations (HOAs) surrounding Upper Point Vicente have been
notified of the City Council's consideration of this matter. These HOAs were similarly
notified by Staff in September 2014 about the preparation of a draft Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) for the LA-RICS project. The Oceanfront Estates HOA acknowledged
receiving the previous notice regarding the proposed monopole at Upper Point Vicente.
Since the second notice was mailed on April 23, 2015, the La Cresta Pointe HOA has
submitted the attached email strongly objecting to the proposed project. Any further
communications received after the preparation of this staff report will be provide to the
City Council through later correspondence.
9
MEMORANDUM: Opposition Letters for LA-RICS Monopole
May 5, 2015
Page 4
Draft Opposition Letter
Staff appreciates the additional project details that LA-RICS has been able to provide up
to this point. However, Staff does not believe that this additional detail alleviates the City's
concerns about the project's impacts upon aesthetics and visual character, biological
resources or historic resources. Therefore, the attached draft opposition letter to the U.S.
Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other interested agencies and persons,
remains the same as previously presented to the City Council at the April 7t" meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LA-RICS LTE System Changes
On April 14, 2015, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a scaled-down
proposal for the wireless broadband (i.e., LTE) component of the LA-RICS system (see
attached Board letter). The reduced project has eliminated LTE sites previously proposed
at County Fire Station No. 83 in Miraleste Plaza and the County antenna farm on
Crestridge Road, as well as at other County fire stations on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
However, these changes do not affect the proposed LMR sites that are being proposed
at several locations, including the Coast Guard property at Upper Point Vicente.
Status of Draft EIR for LA-RICS LMR System
In September 2014, Staff submitted comments on the scope of the draft EIR being
prepared for the LMR component of the LA -RIGS system. Staff's scoping comments
largely mirrored the issues that are raised in the draft opposition letter presented for the
City Council's consideration at tonight's meeting. Staff has been advised that the draft
EIR might be released for public review and comment in the near future. At that time, the
City would have the opportunity to respond to LA-RICS' assessment of the environmental
impacts of the LMR system, both at Upper Point Vicente and at two (2) other proposed
locations in the City. If the Draft EIR is release soon, the City Council may wish to hold
off taking a formal position regarding the Upper Point Vicente site (and other sites) until
after Staff has had the opportunity to thoroughly review the Draft EIR. However, if the
Draft EIR is not released soon, there is probably no benefit in waiting to make the City
Council's concerns about the LMR monopole at Upper Point Vicente known.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Staff recommends that the City Council consider authorizing the Mayor to
sign letters to the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other interested
11
MEMORANDUM: Opposition Letters for LA-RICS Monopole
May 5, 2015
Page 5
agencies and persons, expressing the City's opposition to the proposed LA-RICS
monopole on the Coast Guard property at Upper Point Vicente.
ALTERNATIVES
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council's consideration:
1. Do not authorize the Mayor to sign opposition letters regarding the proposed LA-
RICS monopole on the Coast Guard property at Upper Point Vicente.
2. Defer taking a formal position on the proposed LA-RICS monopole until the Draft
EIR for the LA-RICS LMR system is released for public review and comment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with authorizing the Mayor to sign letters opposing
the proposed LMR monopole at Upper Point Vicente. During Staff's meeting with LA-
RICS on March 11, 2015, it was noted that the LA-RICS Board would be considering
another alternative for the funding plan for the system, this one to be based upon the
number of "subscribers" (i.e., data units and radios) used in and/or by each participating
jurisdiction rather than the population and geographic area of participating jurisdictions.
If this change is approved by the LA-RICS Board, it remains unclear if this new formula
will come any closer to providing the City with a meaningful estimate of the full cost of its
participation in LA-RICS. The adoption of a revised funding plan may (or may not) result
in a further extension of the "opt out" period. Staff expects to return to the City Council
with a further update on the status of the LA-RICS funding plan sometime before
November 24, 2015 (i.e., the end of the current "opt out" period).
Attachments:
• Draft Opposition Letter regarding LA-RICS monopole at Upper Point Vicente (Page
6)
• Diagram of Coast Guard property at Upper Point Vicente (Page 8)
• Land Mobile Radio System Point Vicente Tower Site from LA-RICS (received
4/29/15) (Page 9)
• Late Correspondence from LA-RICS (received 4/7/15) (Page 17)
• Previous City Council Staff report (dated 4/7/15) (Page 20)
• Board of Supervisors report (dated 4/14/15) (Page 24)
• Correspondence from La Cresta Pointe HOA (dated 4/28/15) (Page 27)
MAMunicipal Services\Emergency Communications\LA-RICS\20150505_LA-RICSMonopoleOppositionLetters_StaffRpt.docx
5
May 5, 2015
[addressee]
[agency]
[street address]
[city, state & ZIP]
SUBJECT: Opposition to Proposed LA'-RICS Monopole on U.S. Coast Guard
Property at Upper Point Vicente in Rancho Palos Verdes
Dear [addressee]:
As you may (or may not) be aware, the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable
Communications System (LA-RICS) authority is proposing to install a 70- to 180 -foot -tall
antenna structure (monopole or lattice tower)on U.S. Coast Guard property at Upper
Point Vicente in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. The 4.50 -acre Coast Guard property
is surrounded by the City's Point Vicente Park/Civic Center property at 30940 Hawthorne
Boulevard. On behalf of the City Council and residents of Rancho Palos Verdes, I write
to express our deep concerns about LA-RIC'S'.selection of this location for the installation
of an antenna tower, in hopes that you may be able to assist the City in eliminating it from
further consideration. Our specific objections include:
• The proposed location for this antenna tower is a visually -prominent site
surrounded by the City's civic center and a portion of its nature preserve. There
are also residential neighborhoods surrounding this site where ocean views would
be degraded by the addition of an antenna structure and related support
equipment. The addition of an antenna structure and related support equipment
is also likely to degrade the character of the open space areas surrounding this
site. The City believes that the construction and operation of the proposed antenna
tower is likely to have significant adverse impacts upon scenic vistas and the visual
character of the site and its surroundings.
As mentioned above, the proposed location for this antenna tower would be
surrounded by the Alta Vicente Reserve of the City's Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve. The nature reserve property is enrolled as a part of the City's Natural
Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP). The City believes that construction and
operation of the proposed antenna tower is likely to have significant adverse
impacts upon sensitive species and habitat, and that it may conflict with our NCCP.
Al
•
• The proposed antenna location would be on the site of an existing World War II -
era bunker and the remains of gun batteries at Point Vicente. The bunker and
batteries are associated with Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. Furthermore, the
surrounding civic center property is a former, Cold War -era Nike missile base,
which includes the intact missile silos. Finally, the site would be located within a
Y2 -mile radius of the Point Vicente Lighthouse, which is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The City believes that the construction and operation
of the proposed antenna tower is likely to cause a substantial adverse change in
the significance of a historical or archaeological resource, either on the project site
or nearby.
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes expects to continue to participate in the CEQA review
process for this proposed antenna site, including the submittal of comments on the Draft
EIR once it is released. We hopeful that LA-RICS will not attempt to circumvent the CEQA
process for this proposed location by seeking to apply the special, temporary CEQA
exemption granted to LA-RICS by the State legislature in 2012. It is clear to the City that
there are numerous "unusual circumstances that apply to this site that would make the
application of a categorical exemption from CEQA completely indefensible.
trust that that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes may rely upon your support to ensure
that LA-RICS' proposal for an antenna tower at Upper Point Vicente is never brought to
fruition. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to
Senior Administrative Analyst Kit Fox in the City Manager's Office at (310) 544-5226 or
via e-mail at kitf@rpvca.gov.
Sincerely,
Jim Knight
Mayor
cc: Rancho Palos Verdes City Council
Doug Willmore, City Manager
Carolynn Petru, Deputy City Manager
Kit Fox, Senior Administrative Analyst
Pat Mallon, Executive Director, LA-RICS
Wendy Stallworth-Tait, Executive Assistant, LA-RICS
MAMunicipal Services\Emergency Communications\LA-RICS\20150505_LA-RICS_UPVOppositionLetter.docx
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LAA-RICS
PATRICK J. MALLON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
April 7, 2015
LOS ANGELES REGIONAL INTEROPERABLE
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AUTHORITY
2525 Corporate Place, Suite 100
Monterey Park, California 91754
Telephone: (323) 881-8291
http://www.la-rics.org
The Honorable Jim Knight
30940 Hawthorne Boulevard
Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275
Dear Mayor Knight:
SENT CORRESPONDENCE BY:
E-MAIL
We were made aware today of a pending item on the City Council agenda to oppose an
installation of an Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System Authority
(LA-RICS) monopole at Upper Point Vicente (Point Vicente). We respectfully request
that the item be continued as there appears to be a major misunderstanding with regard
to the construction of 70 foot — 180 foot poles or towers.
The LA-RICS Program is proposing to replace an existing 40 foot guyed tower at
Point Vicente that has a broken guyed anchor support and is in need of repair. The
tower is dangerous to climb and maintain and needs to be replaced. Through the Land
Mobile Radio (LMR) Project the faulty tower can be replaced with a modern steel
tower. The facility will be upgraded to modern standards and will be operationally safe
to maintain. As part of this implementation there are two other towers that can be
removed from service if this new tower is installed. LA-RICS has been in contact with
the land -owner, the Coast Guard, and they are in favor of this plan.
There are distinct advantages to replace the tower:
1. It will be safe for installation and maintenance programs.
2. It will reduce the number of tower poles currently operating at the site and reduce
clutter at the site.
3. It replaces an alternate site initially proposed at Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall
site.
4. The mountain top facility provides public safety radio coverage throughout the
Rancho Palo Verdes area and Catalina Island.
5. It provides the Public Safety community a redundant microwave ring that will
protect the public safety system against multiple radio system failures.
17
The Honorable Jim Knight
April 7, 2015
Page 2
If you have any questions, please contact Fritz Rote at (434) 229-8159 or at
frote(cD-fedeng.com
Respectfully submitted,
PATRICK J. MALLON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WST:pI
XAPriscilla Larat2015 Correspondence\Mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes letter 04 07 2015 docx
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CITYOF
MEMORANDUM
,i,NCHO PALOS VERDES
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: CAROLYNN PETRO, AICP, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
DATE: APRIL 7, 2015
SUBJECT: LETTERS IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED LA-RICS
MONOPOLE AT UPPER POINT VICENTE
REVIEWED BY: DOUG WILLMORE, CITY MANAGER
Project Manager: Kit Fox, AICP, Senior Administrative Analyst
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Mayor to sign letters expressing the City's opposition to the proposed
monopole for the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communication System (LA-RICS)
project on the U.S. Coast Guard property at Upper Point Vicente.
BACKGROUND
In March 2009, the City Council executed a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) authorizing
the City's membership in the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications
System (LA-RICS) Authority. LA-RICS was established to engage in a region -wide
cooperative effort to plan and establish a wide -area interoperable public safety
communications network. When commissioned, the system is intended to provide first
responders with the technology to communicate, in real time, to coordinate their response
during times of emergency. The system is expected to include a network of Land Mobile
Radio (LMR) sites (i.e., voice) and Public Safety Broadband Network -Long Term
Evolution (LTE) sites (i.e., data). The system assumes the need to install a 70 -foot -tall
monopole (or equivalent) or a 180 -foot -tall lattice tower (or equivalent) at each LTE and
LMR site. At present, LA-RICS has identified four (4) proposed antenna sites in the City
(i.e., Fire Station No. 83 in Miraleste Plaza for an LTE site, the County "antenna farm" on
Crestridge Road for both LTE and LMR sites, the FAA radar facility at the top of San
Pedro Hill for an LMR site, and the Coast Guard property at Upper Point Vicente for an
LMR site). Staff last reported to the City Council on LA-RICS in the Weekly Administrative
Report of April 1, 2015.
As the City Council may recall, the LA-RICS Board of Directors adopted a funding plan
for the system on May 28, 2014. With this action, LA-RICS initiated a 180 -day "opt out"
period during which participating jurisdictions could withdraw from the JPA without
financial obligation. The "opt out" period was originally set to end on November 24, 2014.
20
MEMORANDUM: Opposition Letters for LA -RIGS Monopole
April 7, 2015
Page 2
However, since both Staff and the Emergency Preparedness Committee had serious
reservations about the City's continued participation in LA -RIGS, Staff presented a
resolution to the City Council on August 19, 2014 to consider withdrawing from the JPA.
At the last minute, LA-RICS agreed to a 1 -year extension of the "opt out" period (now set
to end on November 24, 2015) and waived of any financial obligation by participating
jurisdictions for FY 2014-15. Therefore, the City Council agreed to take "wait and see"
position on the City's continued participation in LA-RICS.
On March 11, 2015, LA-RICS provide Staff with a status update on several components
of the project, including the following:
• In late January 2015, the County issued the building permit for the LTE monopole
at Fire Station No. 83 (FS 83) in Miraleste Plaza. Since that time, there appears
to have been little visible evidence of construction. At the March 11th meeting,
Staff was advised that the FAA has "flagged" the building permit, and installation
of the monopole at FS 83 is on hold until this issue is resolved with the FAA. We
have asked LA-RICS to keep us apprised of any changes to the FS 83 installation
that may arise from the FAA's review.
• LA-RICS had previously proposed an LTE monopole at Fire Station No. 53 (FS 53)
on Palos Verdes Drive South, which would have required the City to issue a coastal
permit. At the March 11th meeting, LA-RICS advised Staff that FS 53 is no longer
included in the LA-RICS proposal for either LTE or LMR systems.
As mentioned above, LA-RICS also proposes to establish a countywide land
mobile radio (LMR) system for emergency voice communications. In September
2014, Staff submitted comments on the scope of the environmental impact report
(EIR) being prepared for the LMR system. The LMR system proposes three (3)
antenna sites in the City: the County "antenna farm" on Crestridge Road, the FAA
site at the top of San Pedro Hill and the Coast Guard property at Upper Point
Vicente (which is surrounded by City Hall and the nature preserve). LA-RICS Staff
has advised us that the County -owned Crestridge Road site has been determined
to be exempt from CEQA, and will proceed under County permits for both LMR
and LTE installations in advance of the completion of the EIR. The other two (2)
sites—which are both located on Federal property—are not expected to be exempt
from CEQA, and should be addressed in the Draft EIR. LA-RICS anticipates that
the Draft EIR could be released by late spring/early summer 2015. Staff intends
to review and comment upon the Draft EIR once it is released.
The Palos Verdes Peninsula News recently reported on the controversy that
LA-RICS' proposed LTE/LMR monopole at Fire Station No. 56 (FS 56) in the City
of Rolling Hills has raised in that community. At its meeting of March 9, 2015, the
Rolling Hills City Council passed a resolution on a 3-2 vote, stating its opposition
to this proposed monopole. It should be noted, however, that Rolling Hills' position
with respect to FS 56 is similar to our position with respect to FS 83, which is
exempt from both our City's zoning and building regulations and CEQA because it
21
MEMORANDUM: Opposition Letters for LA-RICS Monopole
April 7, 2015
Page 3
is County -owned property and covered by LA-RICS' temporary CEQA exemption
(granted by the State legislature in 2012).
Mayor Knight has expressed serious concerns about the LMR monopole proposed for the
Coast Guard property at Upper Point Vicente. As such, he has asked Staff to prepare
letters expressing the City's opposition to this specific proposal, to be addressed to the
Coast Guard, Federal and State resource agencies and other appropriate agencies and
legislators in advance of the release of the Draft EIR for the LA-RICS LMR system. Staff
has prepared a draft opposition letter for the City Council's consideration.
DISCUSSION
The draft opposition letter reiterates the points raised by Staff in our scoping comments
for the Draft EIR last September. The primary issues of concern to the City are the
incompatibility of a proposed monopole on this site with the sensitive habitat in the
surrounding Alta Vicente Reserve, and with significant historic resources both on-site (i.e.,
Battery 240 and the WWII -era bunker) and nearby (i.e., the Point Vicente lighthouse and
the Nike missile base). Staff believes that the presence of these biological and cultural
resources at or near the project site will make it very difficult (if not impossible) for LA-
RICS to successfully argue that the proposal at Upper Point Vicente would be exempt
from CEQA. However, even with the preparation of an EIR, the LA-RICS Board will have
the ability to consider adopting a "Statement of Overriding Considerations" in order to
approve any proposed installation that would have significant and unavoidable adverse
impacts upon the environment.
By expressing the City's concerns about the LA-RICS proposal at Upper Point Vicente
directly to other Federal and State agencies that may have a role in reviewing this
proposal, we are hopeful to bring pressure upon LA-RICS to drop this site from
consideration. Staff is still compiling and list of agencies and person to whom this letter
would be sent, but a particular list is expected to include the following:
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• California Department of Fish & Wildlife
• National Register of Historic Places
• California Office of Historic Preservation
• U.S. Congressman Ted Lieu
• State Senator Ben Allen
• State Assemblymember David Hadley
Staff would appreciate suggestions from the City Council for any additional recipients for
this letter.
22
MEMORANDUM: Opposition Letters for LA-RICS Monopole
April 7, 2015
Page 4
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign letters
expressing the City's opposition to the proposed LA-RICS monopole on the U.S. Coast
Guard property at Upper Point Vicente.
ALTERNATIVES
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council's consideration:
1. Do not authorize the Mayor to sign opposition letters regarding the proposed LA-
RICS monopole on the U.S. Coast Guard property at Upper Point Vicente.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with authorizing the Mayor to sign letters opposing
the proposed LMR monopole at Upper Point Vicente. During our meeting with LA-RICS
on March 11th, it was noted that the LA-RICS Board would be considering another
alternative for the funding plan for the system, this one to be based upon the number of
"subscribers" (i.e., data units and radios) used in and/or by each participating jurisdiction
rather than the population and geographic area of participating jurisdictions. If this
change is approved by the LA-RICS Board, it remains unclear if this new formula will
come any closer to providing the City with a meaningful estimate of the full cost of its
participation in LA-RICS. The adoption of a revised funding plan may (or may not) result
in a further extension of the "opt out" period. Staff expects to return to the City Council
with a further update on the status of the LA-RICS funding plan sometime before
November 24, 2015 (i.e., the end of the current "opt out" period).
Attachments:
• Draft Opposition Letter for regarding LA-RICS monopole at Upper Point Vicente
MAMunicipal Services\Emergency Comm unications\LA-RICS\20150407_LA-RI CS Mon opo leOppositionLetters_StaffRpt.docx
23
SACHI A. HAMAI
Interim Chief Executive Officer
April 14, 2015
County of Los Angeles
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street, Room 713, Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 974-1101
http://ceo.lacounty.gov
The Honorable Board of Supervisors
County of Los Angeles
383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisors:
REQUEST TO APPROVE THE LA-RICS AUTHORITY
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
(ALL DISTRICTS)
(3 VOTES)
SUBJECT
Board of Supervisors
HILDA L. SOLIS
First District
MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS
Second District
SHEILA KUEHL
Third District
DON KNABE
Fourth District
MICHAEL D. ANTONOVICH
Fifth District
Recommendation for approval of Corrective Action Plan allowing for 29 County owned,
operated, or controlled sites to be used as Long Term Evolution (LTE)
telecommunications site as part of the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable
Communications System (LA-RICS) Authority's LTE System.
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Approve the LA -RIGS Authority's Corrective Action Plan (CAP) permitting
construction of Long Term Evolution (LTE) infrastructure at a smaller number of
County owned, operated, or controlled sites, as identified in the LA-RICS
Authority's CAP; and authorize construction to begin or continue at those County
owned, operated or controlled sites, as set forth in the LA-RICS Authority's CAP.
PURPOSE/JUSTIFICATION OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
The purpose of the recommended action is to allow for a smaller number of County
owned, operated, and controlled sites be used as LTE telecommunications site as part
of the LA-RICS LTE System. If the Board approves the CAP, it is agreeing to allow
construction to proceed forward at the 29 Los Angeles County owned, operated, and
controlled sites. Approval of the CAP by the Board will also allow for a condition to be
met as set by the federal grantor, to allow for the current grant suspension to be lifted.
"To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service"
Please Conserve Paper— This Document and Copies are Two -Sided
Intra -County Correspondence Sent ,Electronically Only
24
The Honorable Board of Supervisors
April 14, 2015
Page 2
Implementation of Strategic Plan Goals
The proposed CAP supports the Countywide Strategic Plan Goal of Operational
Effectiveness (Goal 1). If the CAP is approved by the Board and the grant suspension
is lifted, the LA-RICS Authority will be in a position to develop a modern public safety
communication system that will maximize the effectiveness of processes, structure, and
operations to support the timely delivery of customer -oriented and efficient public
services, particularly in the areas of public safety.
FISCAL IMPACT/FINANCING
Design, construction, equipment purchase and implementation of the LTE System is
covered by the BTOP grant, including a 20% required match, made up of 10% in-kind
match and 10% cash match paid for by the LA-RICS Authority.
FACTS AND PROVISIONS/LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
As your Board is aware, the National Telecommunications Information Administration
(NTIA) issued a suspension notice to the LA -RIGS Authority on April 3, 2015
suspending the BTOP grant for the LA-RICS LTE project. The suspension notice
required that all LTE project work stop immediately, except for specified items called out
in the letter. As part of that suspension notice, the NTIA also required a CAP be
submitted on April 13, 2015, that contains a revised LTE deployment plan for
consideration by NTIA. That revised deployment plan must also receive approval by the
Board of Supervisors prior to NTIA's release of any BTOP suspension.
The revised LTE deployment plan now has, as its baseline plan, 49 sites, of which 46
are LTE sites and three (3) are microwave backhaul sites. Of the core 49 site baseline
plan, 29 are Los Angeles County owned, operated, or controlled sites. No Countyfire
stations have been included in the baseline plan. Of the 29 County owned, operated, or
controlled sites, 20 are LA County Sheriff sites, 4 are County hospitals or rehabilitation
facilities, 4 are existing ISD telecommunications sites, and the Fire Command and
Control Facility (FCCF) is included as well. All 29 County owned, operated, or
controlled sites are existing telecommunications transmitter sites. The remaining 20
sites of the 49 site baseline plan, are located in independent cities that have provided,
or are in the process of providing, the LA-RICS Authority with site access agreements
for those independent city sites.
LA-RICS staff will continue to conduct public outreach meetings, as requested by the
Board at the March 24, 2015 Board meeting, including conducting regional outreach
meetings. The public outreach will be tailored towards the remaining sites in the
baseline plan.
25
The Honorable Board of Supervisors
April 14, 2015
Page 3
Given that the baseline pian includes County owned, operated, or controlled sites, the
NTIA is requiring that the Board approve the CAP baseline plan, before it lifts any
suspension of the BTOP grant for the LTE project. If the Board approves the CAP, it is
agreeing to allow construction to proceed forward at the 29 Los Angeles County owned,
operated, and controlled sites.
The CAP also provides for additional options, if feasible, to allow for 15 State of
California sites to be used to locate temporary cell on wheels (COWS) to improve
coverage within those locations. The LA -RIGS Authority staff is currently working with
State representatives on that effort. If those sites can be used to house COWS,
coverage will be improved.
ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTATION
The LA-RICS Authority, as the lead agency, and the County, have already determined
that design, construction, implementation, operation and maintenance of the LTE
System at these sites, are statutorily exempt under Public Resources Code section
21080.25, the statutory CEQA exemption adopted specifically for LA-RICS. This action
is within the scope of the original determinations.
IMPACT ON CURRENT SERVICES (OR PROJECTS)
There will be no compromise of public safety missions or disruption of vital, existing
communication services.
Respectfully submitted,
Schi hamai
Interim Chief Executive Officer
SAH:JJ:GH
TM:cc
c: Executive Office, Board of Supervisors
County Counsel
Sheriff
Fire
Internal Services
LA-RICS
PS.LA-RICS CAP.b1.041415.docx
26
Carolynn Petru
From: Kit Fox
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 11:38 AM
To: Carolynn Petru
Subject: FW: LA-RICS LMR ANTENNA TOWER PROPOSAL
Hi Carolynn:
Can you attach this email to the LA-RICS Staff report?
Kit
Sent using OWA for iPhone
From: Jeff Cameron <capt.jeffcameron@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 9:14:24 AM
To: Kit Fox; So Kim; Mary Kessler; Jim/Jackie Smith; Kerry Young; Cam Cameron
Subject: LA-RICS LMR ANTENNA TOWER PROPOSAL
Mr. Fox
Thank you for your courtesy notification of City Council consideration of a formal position opposing a proposed Los Angeles Regional
Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Antenna Tower on Coast Guard property at Rancho Palos
Verdes City Hall. I am the President of La Cresta Pointe HOA and responding on behalf of the Association.
We have opposed previous antenna installations and strongly oppose this proposal. Please refer to the City's files and our
letters/emails (sent to sok@rpv.com). We appreciate the need for communications county -wide to facilitate the work of first
responders. That said, we oppose this proposal for the same reasons we have cited over the years concerning antennas at the City
Hall site.
Please register our strongest opposition to this proposal when the Council deliberates on May 5.
Sincerely,
Jeff Cameron
President
La Cresta Homeowners' Association
(310)561-3993
27