HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2020-031Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2020-253
File ID: AB2020-253 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 06/12/2020 Entered by: SBatdorf@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Parks and Recreation File Type: Resolution Requiring a Public Hearing
Department
Assigned to: Council Final Action: 08/05/2020
Agenda Date: 08/05/2020 Enactment #: RES 2020-031
Primary Contact Email: sbatdorf@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution authorizing Whatcom County to enter into a twenty-year communication tower lease
agreement with Verizon Wireless for an existing tower site located at the Lookout Mountain Forest
Reserve
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
The enclosed lease agreement updates the terms and extends the current lease agreement with Verizon
Wireless for another twenty years. The current agreement, which expires in 2022, was transferred to
Whatcom County in 2014 from the Department of Natural Resources as part of the reconveyance of
forest lands on Lookout Mountain.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
Sent To:
07/07/2020 Council INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC Council
HEARING
Aye: 6 Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, and Elenbaas
Nay: 0
Absent: 1 Kershner
07/21/2020 Council HELD IN COUNCIL
Aye: 7 Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Whatcom County Paget Printed on 81612020
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2020-253)
07/21/2020 Council HELD IN COUNCIL
Aye: 7 Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
08/05/2020 Council APPROVED
Aye: 7 Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Attachments: Agenda Bill Master Report, Memorandum, Resolution, Communication Tower Lease Agreement,
Sheriff's Memo Verizon
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 81612020
PROPOSED BY: PARKS & RECREATION
INTRODUCTION DATE:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-031
AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A TWENTY-YEAR
COMMUNICATION TOWER LEASE AGREEMENT WITH CELLCO PARTNERSHIP d/b/a
VERIZON WIRELESS
WHEREAS, in January 2014, the State of Washington through the Department of
Natural Resources conveyed to Whatcom County, land which contained Commercial
Communication Tower Lease sites with existing established towers; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code 1.10.410 requires County Council to indicate by
resolution whether a real property lease may be awarded by private negotiation with
interested parties; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code 1.10.410 authorizes County Council approval of real
property leases; and
WHEREAS, the tower lease sites are located on Lookout Mountain and are remote
and do not impede or impact public recreation or any other County purpose; and
WHEREAS, the established communication towers are a substantial company
expenditure and commitment and long-term leases are necessary in this industry; and
WHEREAS, the prior Department of Natural Resources tower leases were for a
period of ten years and will be expiring; and
WHEREAS, Cellco d/b/a Verizon Wireless, owner of one of the towers has requested
to extend its communication tower lease for an additional twenty -years; and
WHEREAS, the new communication tower lease contains updated lease provisions
from the prior DNR leases, including lease rate increases, an annual three (3) % increase,
road maintenance fees and five-year rate reviews; and
WHEREAS, this communication tower lease appears to be in the best interest of the
County and the people thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the communication tower lease with Cellco
Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless, proposed by Parks & Recreation Department be awarded
through private negotiation with interested parties.
Page 1
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the County Executive to enter
into a twenty-year communication tower lease agreement with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon
Wireless for leased space on park property located at the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve as
outlined in the agreement.
ADOPTER, this 5th day of Au
t@
ro �
Dana",Browh ,Qa�,e ®er'k of the Council
ram`
APPROVED AS TO FO
Brandon Waldron,
vil Deputy Prosecutor
gust , 2020.
Page 2
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM C NTY, ASHINGTON
tBr ucha an, Council Chair