Council hears proposal to site two monopole towers to improve weak cell service in Tribute and Stuart Peninsula

City staff presented a proposal to place two monopole cell towers on city-owned property to address longstanding cellular coverage gaps in the Tribute and Stuart Peninsula neighborhoods.

Ron Hartline, public works director, told the council that engineering and tower firms contacted by the city identified the Tribute Pump Station and the Parks Administration/Stewart Creek site as the only feasible city properties. He said the carrier interest comes from AT&T and Verizon and that T‑Mobile was still evaluating sites. "They did get with AT and T and Verizon, to determine if we did really have, you know, poor service in these areas. They determined according to them, they've talked to both Verizon and AT and AT and they do see a need," Hartline said.

The firms proposed a 95‑foot monopole at the Tribute Pump Station and a taller monopole (about 140 feet) at the Parks Administration/Stewart Creek location, with each lease footprint roughly 60 by 60 feet including an equipment enclosure and security fencing. Hartline said the carrier or tower company would cover construction costs and the city would negotiate a ground‑lease payment similar to past agreements.

Council members framed the issue as a tradeoff between aesthetics and public safety. One councilmember said coverage failures had created dangerous situations: "There's literally people in Stuart Peninsula that can't use that have AT and T that can't use their cell phone in their living room," and urged prioritizing residents' ability to call for emergency services over visual impact. Other members pressed for details on required variances and on how siting would affect park amenities and sight lines.

Staff asked for direction on whether the council is willing to consider two variances: (1) allowing monopole antennas outside the city’s currently designated locations and (2) allowing monopole heights greater than the 20‑foot threshold in the zoning code. Hartline said he would stop discussions with the tower company if council did not want to pursue variances. Council did not take a formal vote; members asked staff to continue negotiations and return with draft lease and variance language for formal consideration.

Next steps: staff will continue contract and site‑plan discussions with the tower company and carriers, prepare variance and lease language if directed, and return to council with more detailed cost, visual mitigation and contract proposals.