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Board hears technical briefing on Grindstone site, 5G upgrades and lease issues with Verizon and AT&T
Summary
Staff updated the board on Grindstone work and telecom negotiations: AT&T declined the district's last offer; Verizon plans 5G upgrades that replace coax with hybrid fiber/DC lines and add heavier remote radio heads, prompting concerns about lease pricing calculations and structural loading for towers.
District staff provided a technical briefing on May 8 about ongoing lease negotiations and planned 5G upgrades at the Grindstone site. Staff reported AT&T declined the district’s last offer and had not responded further; Verizon likewise did not accept the district counteroffer but has committed to relocating to a new tower and completing a 5G upgrade.
Kenny (staff) explained the technology changes and structural implications: "They're going to take that away, fully and just go with, 4 hybrid lines that are approximately... That hybrid will carry fiber and DC power, and it'll break out at the top of the tower... and go to the remote radio heads that are placed on the backside of the antennas." He warned that leases historically computed on square footage must also account for added weight and ice loading because new radios and multi-port antennas can weigh substantially more. The board discussed possible revisions to lease terms to reflect weight-based charging and to ensure the district's towers are not structurally overloaded.
Staff also reported progress on Grindstone construction: grounding and backfill are complete and tower assembly is under way, with stacking and readiness targeted for late May or early June weather permitting. The board asked staff to continue negotiations and to prepare structural and lease-language proposals to address weight, ice loading and changes in equipment footprint before finalizing any upgrades or tenant relocations.
