Proposed 250-foot 5G tower presented to Trussville council; attorney says lease terms competitive, residents raise safety concerns

At an April 14 agenda workshop, attorney Seth Cohen presented a proposed rental agreement involving the City/IDA and a private party for a new 250-foot tower intended to bring 5G wireless service to Verizon customers and allow co-location by other carriers.

Cohen told councilors he negotiated terms comparable to those obtained by other municipalities and that the lease would provide monthly rental income to the city and the IDA. Councilors asked questions about material, placement and lease timing; Cohen confirmed the proposed lease would appear on the council’s April 28 agenda for further consideration.

During the regular meeting’s public-comment period, several audience members addressed tower-related concerns. Former Councilor Jef Freeman suggested the city require tower owners to post a bond to cover eventual removal costs. Resident Kristi Kourmoulis expressed health worries, stating, "the public is not being told the real side effects of living near such towers." The council did not take action on the lease at the April 14 meeting; the item remains scheduled for April 28.

The attorney’s representation that terms are comparable to other municipalities was presented as his negotiating position; no technical health or safety experts spoke at the meeting and no studies were cited. The council should expect additional public comment and questions when the lease returns to the agenda.

Next step: the proposed lease will be considered at the April 28 council meeting.