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Council renews cellular lease at Bedford water tower; city to keep 10% escalations
Summary
Council approved an amendment renewing the lease with Singular Wireless PCS LLC for equipment at the Bedford water tower; staff negotiated a 25‑year renewal with five‑year increments and 10% escalations and said current rent is $4,372.52 per month and annual tower-lease revenue is budgeted at about $272,400.
Assistant City Manager Karen Riggs brought an item to new business Dec. 9 to amend and renew the lease with Singular Wireless PCS LLC for equipment on the water tower at 537 Bedford Road. Riggs said the agreement is a renewal several years ahead of the 2027 expiration so the carrier can plan if the city chooses not to renew.
Staff said the negotiated renewal extends the lease 25 years with five‑year options and uses a 10% escalation schedule (staff said the carrier initially sought 15%). Riggs said the city kept rent flat for the first five years before escalations. The current monthly payment for this tenant is $4,372.52, and the city’s budgeted tower-lease revenue across agreements is about $272,400 for the year.
Council asked whether the market is competitive and whether the carrier could leave for higher rent elsewhere; staff said that is possible but common for municipal leases and that tower locations are constrained. Council voted to approve the renewal unanimously.
Council did not require additional action beyond authorization to execute the amendment; the item will be managed by staff and reflected in upcoming budgets.
