REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Set a Public Hearing to Consider the Proposed Rate for Small Cell Attachments to City Owned Electric Wooden Utility Poles
Report
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Public Utilities Code, Division 4.8, Publicly Owned Utilities, PART 2. Utility Poles and Support Structures, Section 9510-9520 ( Assembly Bill (AB) 1027), publicly owned electric utilities are required to make appropriate space and capacity of utility poles available to third party communication companies. Third party communications companies have requested to attach small cells to City owned electric wooden utility poles. Small cells differ from traditional towers or rooftop installations and are typically installed at the top of utility poles, rather than below the utility's primary and secondary electric equipment. They use low-powered nodes and would be installed at multiple locations throughout the City. By locating small cells within closer proximity to potential users than traditional towers, they will provide faster data speeds to their customers.
AB 1027 imposes conditions on how usage fees may be applied and indicates publicly owned electric utilities should recover actual costs without subsidizing for-profit cable television corporations, video service providers, and telephone corporations.
DISCUSSION
In response to third party communication companies' requests staff conducted a cost study on small cell attachments, and pursuant to AB 1027, the City is required to set a public hearing to present its findings on the proposed small cell rate and at which time oral or written presentations relating to the fee or term or condition of access may be made. At least thirty (30) days after the public hearing Council may take action related to setting the rates for small cell attachments. Action may be in the form of an ordinance, resolution, or approval of contract.
The small cell cost study followed the same methodology as the 2016 approved pole cable attachment rates....
Click here for full text