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St. Joseph County approves amendment with American Tower to support outdoor warning sirens
Summary
The county approved a second amendment to a 2014 tower lease with American Tower Corp. to host a digital repeater for the outdoor warning siren system; EMA director said the amendment clears longstanding documentation issues and will cap county payments at about $28 per month.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on March 11 approved the second amendment to the county’s tower agreement with American Tower LLC to host a digital repeater for the county’s outdoor warning siren system.
Al Kirsitz, director of the St. Joseph County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), told commissioners the amendment resolves documentation gaps and allows the county to replace older equipment on the tower. He said the amendment will cap the county’s payment at about $28 per month, with an annual 3% increase.
“This is the second amendment to the original contract from 02/2014,” Kirsitz said. He noted the first amendment was in 2019 and was signed by Commissioner Castellni. Kirsitz said American Tower required the amendment because the county was replacing older equipment rather than adding new gear, and the company preferred an amendment rather than redoing a 35-page agreement.
Kirsitz credited county counsel and outside project partners for helping finalize the deal: “Phil [Garrett] worked hard on this with us…DLC Michael Christman has been phenomenal, our project manager. And Westshore Services has been real good working with us on this,” he said.
Kirsitz also told the board the county will not participate in the statewide tornado siren drill at 10:15 because it had tested sirens the prior Thursday, and he announced a National Weather Service storm-spotter class next Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Luther Taylor training facility.
Commissioners voted to approve the amendment by recorded aye votes from Commissioner Hazen, Commissioner Morton and Commissioner Maxmeier.
Action details
Motion: Approve second amendment to the American Tower lease to permit placement of the county’s digital repeater for the early outdoor warning siren system; payment terms to cap county bill at about $28 per month with a 3% annual increase. Mover: not specified. Second: not specified. Vote record: Commissioner Hazen — yes; Commissioner Morton — yes; Commissioner Maxmeier — yes. Outcome: approved.
Why it matters
EMA staff said the amendment clears a “stumbling block” that had delayed upgrades to the county’s early warning siren system. The change is an administrative step the director said should allow the contractor to proceed with equipment replacement and final installation.
