The Sioux City Community School District board unanimously approved a five-year lease with Verizon Wireless for a cellular communications tower at Prairie Creek Elementary on Sept. 8.
What board members were told: Tim Paul presented the project and staff said the installation would include an access road and site security; the fencing would be more like a privacy fence rather than a chain-link enclosure. The tower will be a “stealth” design intended to resemble a flagpole, according to staff. Director Greenwell said she understood Verizon would remove the tower and restore the site to its prior condition if the company did not renew the agreement.
Financial terms and local concerns: Board members stated the district would receive $10,000 a year from the lease. Director Greenwell said the deal was better than a prior, longer-term agreement the district holds on the west side property.
Public input and outcome: No members of the public spoke at the hearing. The board voted 6-0 in favor of the five-year lease.
Next steps: The lease agreement will be executed consistent with the board’s approval; staff noted they had provided public notice in advance of the hearing and that any final contract documents would be available for review through the purchasing manager’s office.
Ending: The board moved on to scheduling and other routine business after approving the lease.