TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Kelvin Parker, Community Development Director
DATE:May 9, 2023
SUBJECT: Wireless Telecommunications Consultant Services RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the first amendment to Contract No. 13056-2022 for professional wireless telecommunications consulting services with Telecom Law Firm, P.C., effective through June 30, 2023, to add $50,000 with a revised not-to-exceed amount of $135,000 for FY 2022-23 and $305,000 over the lifetime of the agreement.
2. Authorize expenditure in the amount of $50,000 from A/C #001-4210-641-5947 (Planning, Consultant Services / Billable Time).
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. The additional requested expenditure of $50,000 from A/C #001-4210-641-5947 and minimal staff costs to prepare the amendment is included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 General Fund budget.
BACKGROUND:
On May 24, 2022, City Council approved a professional services agreement with Telecom Law Firm, P.C. (Telecom Law) for $255,000 (Attachment #1) to provide professional wireless telecommunications consultant services. The agreement states that in no event shall compensation exceed more than $85,000 per year unless authorized by the City in writing.
The City has used Telecom Law’s services more frequently than anticipated due to a 40 percent increase of wireless applications submitted. An additional $50,000 is needed to fund the consultant’s services until the agreement’s expiration on
Wireless Telecommunications Consultant Services
May 9, 2023
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3 June 30, 2023. The total amount of the agreement will not exceed $135,000 for FY 2022-23 and $305,000 over the lifetime of the agreement.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The City has utilized the services of Telecom Law to review and advise staff on wireless facility proposals for consistency with applicable federal telecommunications law and assist staff on other wireless communications matters. Telecom Law has worked on behalf of the City to ensure that applications from the wireless industry comply with all federal and state standards for these facilities and to provide the City with detailed technical evaluations of radio frequency propagation and signal emissions reports required for most site applications.
The City’s review of wireless communication proposals requires specialized expertise in complex federal law, which is the justification for using a consultant’s services to support staff review of new applications. Most of the work Telecom Law performs involves independent review of materials from wireless facility applicants, for which the City’s cost is fully reimbursed by the applicants.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
PREPARED BY: Michelle McMurtry, Office Supervisor
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Agreement with Telecom Law Firm, P.C. (Contract No. 13056-2022)
Attachment #2 – First Amendment to Agreement with Telecom Law Firm, P.C.
CDD:420-10/H:\COMMON\City Council\CC Agenda Items\2023\05092023\Telecom Amendment 1 Staff Report.docx "