Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.gov/pw
Item # 18
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
September 15, 2026
TOPIC: Ground License Agreements for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities at Madison Park and Riverview Park
AGENDA TITLE
Ground License Agreement for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities at Two Existing Cell Tower Sites at Madison Park and Riverview Park
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a ground license agreement with CCTM1 LLC (CCTM), a Crown Castle subsidiary, for wireless telecommunication facilities on City property at Madison Park located at 1528 ½ S. Standard Avenue beginning October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2036, with provision for three, five-year extension options, for total revenue, including all extensions, in the amount of $2,106,682 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX).
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a ground agreement with T-Mobile West Tower LLC for wireless telecommunication facilities on City property at Riverview Park located at 1817 W. 21st Street beginning October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2036, with provision for three, five-year extension options, for total revenue, including all extensions, in the amount of $2,163,571 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The City currently has 14 existing wireless telecommunications facility lease agreements for cell towers on City park properties. The lease agreements that were executed between 2001 and 2012 contain varying terms, conditions, and formats.
Therefore, the Public Works Agency (PWA), in coordination with the City Attorney’s Office (CAO), developed a standardized ground license agreement to establish consistent terms for the use of City property by wireless telecommunications providers.
The City began transitioning agreements to the standardized ground license agreement in March 2025. Rather than continuing to extend longstanding agreements under their existing terms, the City is revisiting these agreements as renewal opportunities arise to
Ground License Agreements for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities at Madison Park and Riverview Park
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align existing facilities with the City’s current legal, operational, and financial requirements. This approach provides the City with greater control over its property, consistent agreement terms, updated risk management provisions, and additional opportunities to generate revenue from future colocation. Key provisions of the standardized ground license agreement include:
Maximum term of 25 years,
The City retains rights to relocate towers if needed for redevelopment, Wireless carriers must notify the City before modifying equipment, 4% annual increase of the license fee,
The City must approve any future colocation requests,
The City will receive 50% of all future collocation revenue, Additional license fee charged when extra land is needed for colocation, Updated insurance requirements, and
A one-time additional payment of $3,500.
CCTM1 LLC (CCTM), a leading wireless infrastructure provider, manages five existing wireless communication facilities located on City property at El Salvador Park, Jerome Park, Madison Park, Riverview Park, and the Santa Ana Stadium. On March 18, 2025, the City Council approved new standard license agreements for three of the five facilities at El Salvador Park, Jerome Park, and the Santa Ana Stadium. Staff is now recommending to transition of the remaining two facilities at Madison Park and Riverview Park to the City's current standard ground license agreement (Exhibit 1).
Madison Park has two cell tower installations. The existing facility consists of two “monopalm” trees located between the two baseball fields with an equipment room located adjacent to the wireless towers, and no modifications or additional equipment are proposed at this time. The existing lease agreement for the wireless communication facility at Madison Park was executed on December 5, 2005. If all renewal options are exercised, the existing lease agreement would expire in 2030. The current monthly rent of $4,208 exceeds the minimum initial license fee of $4,000/month established by the City's standard license agreement. Accordingly, the proposed license agreement maintains the existing monthly license fee of $4,208 and provides a 4% annual increase. In addition, CCTM will provide the City with a one-time payment of $3,500 in consideration for transitioning to the City's standard license agreement.
Riverview Park has one cell tower installation. The existing facility consists of a “monopine” tree located near the basketball court with an equipment room located adjacent to the wireless tower, and no modifications or additional equipment are proposed at this time. The current agreement for the existing cell tower at Riverview Park was entered into on July 19, 2010. This agreement is with T-Mobile West Tower LLC, and the facility is operated by Crown Castle. If all available renewal options are exercised, the existing agreement would expire in 2035. The current monthly rent of Ground License Agreements for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities at Madison Park and Riverview Park
September 15, 2026
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$4,322 exceeds the minimum initial license fee established under the City’s standardized ground license agreement. Accordingly, the proposed ground license agreement maintains the existing monthly license fee of $4,322 and provides for a 4% annual increase. T-Mobile West Tower LLC will also provide the City with a one-time payment of $3,500 in consideration of transitioning the facility to the standardized agreement.
The proposed agreements for both facilities incorporate the City’s current provisions governing insurance, risk management, equipment modifications, relocation, and future colocation. Future colocation requests will require City approval, and the City will receive 50% of applicable future collocation revenue. These provisions provide the City with greater flexibility and potential revenue opportunities while maintaining the existing license revenue for both facilities.
Financial Benefit
The proposed ground license agreements maintain the existing monthly license fees for both facilities while providing for a 4% annual increase. The first-year license fees are as follows:
Site/Park Monthly License Fee for
First Year
Yearly License Fee for First
Year
Madison Park $4,208 $50,501
Riverview Park $4,322 $51,867
**Figures rounded to the nearest dollar
In addition, the City will receive a one-time payment of $3,500 for each facility in consideration of transitioning to the standardized ground license agreement. Revenue generated by these ground license agreements will be utilized exclusively for the maintenance and capital improvements at City parks. Staff recommends approving the license agreement with CCTM1 LLC for Madison Park (Exhibit 2), and the license agreement with T-Mobile West Tower LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, by and through CCTMO LLC for Riverview Park (Exhibit 3).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Revenues from these new agreements will be deposited into the following account for the specified years.
Ground License Agreements for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities at Madison Park and Riverview Park
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Fiscal Year
Accounting
Unit –
Account No.
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account Description Amount
Initial Term
FY 26-27
(Oct-Jun)
05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$83,777
FY 27-28 05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$105,441
FY 28-29 05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$109,658
FY 29-30 05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$114,044
FY 30-31 05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$118,606
FY 31-32 05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$123,350
FY 32-33 05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$128,284
FY 33-34 05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$133,416
FY 34-35 05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$138,752
FY 35-36 05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$144,302
FY 36-37
(Jul-Sep)
05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$36,426
Optional Three, 5-year Extensions
FY 36-37
(Oct-Jun) to
FY 51-52
(Jul-Sep)
05113002-
57363
Capital
Outlay Fund
Miscellaneous
Revenue, Cell Tower
License Agreement
$3,034,197
TOTAL $4,270,253
Ground License Agreements for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities at Madison Park and Riverview Park
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Funds will be appropriated exclusively for the maintenance and capital improvements at City parks during the City’s yearly budget process.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Site Plans and Photos – Madison Park and Riverview Park
2. License Agreement – Madison Park
3. License Agreement – Riverview Park
Submitted By: Rodolfo Rosas, P.E., Acting Executive Director of Public Works Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager