Council accepts $325,000 offer, converts city cell‑tower lease to 99‑year easement

The City Council voted April 2 to accept Octagon Towers LLC’s proposal to convert the city’s existing cell‑tower lease at 1299 North David Drive into a 99‑year easement in exchange for a one‑time payment of $325,000.

City staff summarized two proposals from Octagon Towers: a 40‑year extension of the current lease for a longer recurring payment option, or conversion to a 99‑year easement with a lump‑sum payment of $325,000. The city manager recommended the 99‑year easement and the council voted to accept that recommendation; the motion passed and the clerk recorded the action as approval of the second proposal. A councilmember seconded the motion and the council chair called the question; the meeting minutes record the motion passing.

Council members discussed the expected life of cell‑tower technology, whether the easement would tie up land needed for other municipal uses and the immediate fiscal benefit of a lump sum payment compared with an extended lease. City staff noted the parcel is already under lease and that the easement conversion would monetize the site now rather than extend the existing contractual arrangement.

The council did not publish a roll‑call vote in the discussion but the motion passed during the meeting. The clerk’s office will complete documentation to finalize the easement conversion and payment processing.