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Radio board to pin down tower contract dates, explores alternate tower and sublease options
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Summary
The Ocean Shores Radio Board discussed uncertainty in its current tower lease, including the contract commencement (NTP) date and automatic renewal language, and directed staff to confirm key dates and begin price discussions with the tower operator while exploring a possible new tower site near the south-end fire station.
The Ocean Shores Radio Board examined its existing tower lease and asked staff to confirm the contract commencement (NTP) date that determines when the agreement and any automatic renewals expire.
Board chair Darryl Prowse said the contract appears to run through 2028 under the five‑year term and noted the agreement allows for three additional five‑year renewal periods. “I need to find out for sure when is the actual date, you know, that expires,” Prowse said, adding that the board wants to make sure it does not get locked into an automatic renewal.
Prowse described a recent meeting with the fire chief and emergency-management staff about longer‑term tower planning and said members are considering a potential new tower at the south end near a new fire station, though he called that a preliminary idea. “Maybe putting a new tower down on the south end…by the new fire station somewhere maybe,” Prowse said.
Board members discussed options including negotiating an exit, subleasing the space, or assuming different pricing arrangements. A board member noted the practical cost trade-offs: “Why are you gonna spend $200,000 to build a tower when you know I got one already built?” the member said, urging the board to weigh cost and signal benefits.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: staff were asked to (1) identify the tower agreement’s exact commencement/NTP date and whether renewal language triggers automatically, (2) involve city contacts (Scott) and seek legal or city‑attorney input about exit options, and (3) reopen pricing discussions with the current tower operator and potential alternate providers.
The board did not take a final vote on the tower lease at the meeting; members said they would pursue the factual contract date and follow up with negotiation and pricing work.
