Council tables decision on Edward Ray Park communications tower to explore alternative sites

The council tabled action on a proposed contract to build an emergency communications monopole at Edward Ray Park and directed staff to survey alternative on-city-property sites before awarding the work.

Staff presented the low responsive bid from Howe Communications in the amount of $185,760 and said the monopole would be a roughly 20-foot tower designed to carry public-safety radio equipment and multiple carriers; the project is funded by Measure Inn (as shown in the staff report). Jason (city staff) and Chief Palmer explained the site was chosen to provide direct line-of-sight back to the police department’s antenna and to achieve coverage on the city’s west side. Chief Palmer described multiple recent radio-coverage constraints and said the planned location offered the necessary access and vehicle lift accommodation for maintenance.

Several residents and council members questioned locating the pole in the park’s active area near playgrounds and ballfields; commenters asked whether other city properties, a different placement on park land, or a taller tower could meet the technical requirements without being so visually prominent near play areas. “I was just questioning if you guys look at other areas besides the children's park for a large tower like that,” a resident said. Staff and vendors noted drone surveys and line-of-sight testing had informed the site selection but agreed to run another drone survey and revisit potential foul-line or outfield locations.

Council resolved by consensus to table the award to the next meeting, direct staff to run additional site checks (including drone line-of-sight tests), and to track the bid timeline so the city does not forfeit the contractor’s pricing; if relocations require higher design or construction costs, change orders would return to council. No award was executed at the meeting.