TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a Site Access Agreement with the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Authority to install network antennas on existing City-owned communication towers to support the Public Safety Broadband Network, and to execute any needed subsequent amendments. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council authorization is requested to execute a Site Access Agreement with the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) to install network antennas on existing City-owned communication to support the Public Safety Broadband Network. LA-RICS is planned as an integrated system serving the Los Angeles County region through voice and data radio communications systems. These systems constitute an interoperable communications network that could improve communications for first responders in real time and across jurisdictional boundaries for emergency response. LA-RICS is made up of two independent systems; the Public Safety Broadband Network Long- Term Evolution (LTE- data) and the Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems. Allowing our regional partners to install LA-RICS antennas on existing infrastructure will strengthen the ability of participating agencies to communicate with one another in the event of a regional disaster or mutual aid situation.
LA-RICS has retained Motorola to design and construct a regional interoperable LTE-data system as part of the LA-RICS integrated system. The LTE-data system is a broadband wireless network technology that will provide day-to-day data communication service for individual public safety agencies, provide emergency responders with high-speed access to life-saving multimedia information, and support the National Public Safety Broadband Initiative. The LTE-data system will provide a secure 4G data network to provide high-speed video and data access that is exclusive to public safety response. Motorola has identified four sites in Long Beach where the installation of a network antenna system would support the LTE-data portion of the integrated system. The proposed sites, all existing City-owned communication towers or structures, are Fire Station 5, Fire Station 12, the Emergency Communications and Operation Center, and the roof-top of the Police Department Headquarters building. LA-RICS will design and install the antennas and any associated equipment at their own expense. Commercial users are not permitted at these sites through this process.
To implement these proposed systems, the LA-RICS Authority must enter into a Site Access Agreement (Agreement) with the City. The Agreement is necessary to allow Motorola and LA-RICS subcontractors access to City property to install and maintain the antenna systems, including equipment cabinets. The antenna systems plans and designs were reviewed through the City's site plan review process. As provided by LA-RICS, approval and execution of the Agreement, and all work at the LTE sites covered by the Agreement, are statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Additionally, an Intermodulation (IM) study of the communications facilities at the selected sites was conducted. The IM study evaluated the potential for interference to existing receivers and antennas from the proposed LTE-data systems. The study concluded that the chances of actual interference between these systems will be remote, because of the mutual protection of the filtering systems used by each of the existing and proposed antennas. In the event of actual interference, LA-RICS, at its sole cost, will be required to correct or remove the equipment.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra Carney on February 17, 2015 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on February 18, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 17, 2015 to allow for the timely construction of the LTE-data systems.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact and no local job impact associated with this recommendation. There is no cost to the City for the construction, maintenance or removal of the antenna systems.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Reginald Harrison
DIRECTOR, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
MICHAEL a. Duree
Fire Chief
Chris Wilding
Director, technology and innovation
Robert Luna
POLICE CHIEF
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER