CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: July 15, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Department: Economic Development
Subject: Approval of the Municipal Facilities License Agreement (MLA) Between the City of San Bernardino and Verizon
Wireless for the Installation of Small Cell Facilities on Municipal Facilities (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2026-111, Approving the Municipal Facilities License Agreement between the City and Verizon Wireless for the installation of small cell wireless facilities on municipal structures.
City Manager's Comments
The City Manager recommends approving the Municipal Facilities License Agreement.
With Verizon Wireless for installation of small cell wireless facilities.
Executive Summary
This action will authorize a Municipal Facilities License Agreement (MLA) between the City of San Bernardino and Verizon Wireless, granting Verizon Wireless the right to use eligible City-owned facilities (streetlights, and utility poles within the public right-of-way) and property for the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade of wireless communications equipment. The agreement will support the expansion and enhancement of wireless telecommunications infrastructure throughout the City, improving network coverage, capacity, and reliability for residents, businesses, visitors, and public agencies. By allowing the use of existing municipal facilities, the agreement promotes efficient utilization of public assets, generates recurring revenue for the City, and encourages private-sector investment in modern communications infrastructure that supports economic development, public safety, and long-term connectivity needs. No specific properties have been identified and/or designated. The MLA is a master framework; specific sites get added later via individual Supplements (Exhibit A) after a site-specific Application (Exhibit B) per MLA Section 4.2.
Background
To meet the increasing demand for 5G wireless connectivity, Verizon Wireless seeks to expand its network by deploying small cell technology on existing City-owned infrastructure, such as streetlight and utility poles. Verizon will employ the use of small cell equipment — antennas, equipment cabinets, and associated fiber/wiring — attached to existing streetlights and utility poles. The Municipal Facilities License Agreement (MLA) allows for streamlined installation of Verizon's small cell equipment on municipal assets in compliance with applicable FCC guidelines. Under the FCC's 2018 Small Cell Order and California PUC franchise authority, wireless carriers have a statutory right to apply for right-of-way access for telecommunications infrastructure; municipalities don't run a competitive procurement to "select" a carrier the way they would for a vendor contract. The City's role is to approve standardized access terms within FCC shot-clock deadlines (60–90 days), not to choose among bidders. This MLA does not itself authorize installation at any specific location. Each site requires a separate Supplement following City review and approval of a site-specific application. The number and location of initial sites is estimated to be between five (5) and fifteen (15), pending Verizon’s applications and confirmation from Public Works/Economic Development Further, the City anticipates entering similar agreements with other licensed carriers under comparable terms in the future.
Discussion
This Municipal Facilities License Agreement (MLA) is with Verizon. The proposed MLA establishes terms for Verizon to access and install wireless communication equipment on select City-owned poles and facilities. The 15-year initial term (with one 5-year renewal option per MLA Section 2.1) reflects standard industry practice for wireless infrastructure amortization and is consistency with comparable agreements the City has entered into in the past. As permitted by the FCC Small Cell Order (2018), cities must act within short deadlines (60–90 days) when reviewing wireless facility applications. An MLA streamlines this process and avoids presenting each individual site for separate Council approval.
Key terms include:
•15-year initial term with provisions for site-specific supplements. Automatically renewed for one (1) successive five (5) year renewal term. •Annual rent is based on the FCC's safe-harbor rate of $270/year/facility established under Declaratory Ruling FCC 18-133 (effective Jan. 14, 2019), which the FCC presumes to be cost-based without requiring a separate City cost study.
This rate is subject to a 3% annual escalator (MLA Section 5.2.6); per Exhibit C of the Agreement, the effective rate for 2026 is $303.89 per site, rising to $396.51 per site by 2035. The $1,500/year Alternate Rent applies only if the FCC's cost- based rent framework is ever stayed, vacated, or invalidated (MLA Section 5.2.5); it is not currently in effect and would not apply unless that regulatory change occurs.
•Insurance, indemnification, and damage repair obligations clearly defined.
Compliance with City aesthetic and design standards per Resolution 2021-151. •Verizon retains no possessory interest or special development rights without permitting.
Strategic Targets and Goals
This action supports the City’s 2021–2025 Strategic Targets, particularly: Key Target 1:
Improved Operational & Financial Capacity, and Key Target 4: Economic Growth & Development
Fiscal Impact
Per Sections 5.1.1–5.1.3 of the MLA Verizon is responsible for One-Time Fees, Permit Fees, and license/Supplement processing fees for the current year, each licensed site generates $303.89 in annual revenue under the Agreement's rent schedule.
Staff estimates that between five (5) and fifteen (15) sites will be installed initially. At the low end of that range, five sites in Year 1 would generate approximately $1,519.45 in annual revenue (5 × $303.89). This revenue would be deposited into the General Fund.
Per Exhibit C of the Agreement, the per-site rate escalates 3% annually through 2035, rising from $303.89 to $396.51 per site over that period, and future-year projections should be calculated using this schedule rather than a flat figure. On the cost side, Sections 5.1.1 through 5.1.3 of the MLA assign Verizon responsibility for all One-Time Fees, Permit Fees, and License/Supplement processing fees, which are intended to offset City staff time associated with reviewing and approving site applications. No specific properties have been identified or designated for installation at this time; site locations will be determined as individual Supplements are executed.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2026-111, Approving the Municipal Facilities License Agreement between the City and Verizon Wireless for the installation of small cell wireless facilities on municipal structures.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Resolution No. 2026-111
Attachment 2 – Verizon MLA Agreement
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
None
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager