Council receives update on three proposed outdoor siren sites, asks staff to refine locations and cost details

Consultant HQE and city staff presented three candidate locations for additional outdoor emergency sirens intended to close coverage gaps identified during prior tests. The council received the update and asked staff to provide refined siting options, cost detail, maintenance estimates, and a plan for homeowner-association and resident outreach.

HQE told the council it had narrowed the earlier set of potential siren locations to three sites after updated acoustic modeling and field testing. The consultant described approximate locations as follows: a Chesterfield Road site near the intersection with Chuckwagon Road; a site on Portuguese Bend Road near Pine Tree Lane (location may vary slightly depending on underground utilities); and a Ringbit Road West location near the cul-de-sac.

HQE said staff had planned to bring the item earlier, but additional modeling and a funding change prompted the updated report. The consultant presented a materials-and-equipment cost estimate for the three new poles of $68,969.23 (line items include LS30 sirens, amplifiers, controls, solar and battery backup, and communications components). HQE representative stated the company would cover labor and other direct installation costs while asking the city to cover equipment and materials. HQE also said the company had offered initial warranty and quarterly maintenance visits as part of the deployment timeline.

Council members and residents raised site-visibility and neighbor-notification concerns for the proposed locations and asked whether sirens could be placed on private property within canyons; HQE noted lower-elevation or canyon siting can be less effective for sound propagation. Councilmembers asked whether indoor radio/receiver boxes previously discussed would work independently of additional poles; HQE said indoor receivers could provide coverage where exterior siren sound does not reach but that coverage improves as additional poles are added.

Council directed staff to return with the following: (1) a precise cost breakdown per pole, including long-term annual maintenance estimates; (2) confirmation whether the indoor receiver option can be deployed immediately and per-unit cost; (3) the degree of siting flexibility (approximate feet of allowable adjustment around each suggested location); (4) whether any of the proposed poles could be placed on private property and, if so, how land-use and easement/deed considerations would be handled; and (5) confirmation of RHCA (Rolling Hills Country Association) input and whether the RHCA would approve or formally comment on proposed locations. The council received and filed the consultant's presentation on a motion and voice vote.