HomeMy WebLinkAbout19970623_specialMINUTES
OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
JUNE 23,1997 -- 5:OO P.M.
ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Faust, Hovland, Kelly, Maetzold and Mayor Smith.
Mayor Smith noted the purpose of the meeting was a work session with the City’s consultant radio
frequency engineer to learn about personal communication system (PCS) technology.
RADIO FREQUENCY CONSULTANT PRESENTATION Planner Larsen noted the PCS providers
were in attendance because of their interest in the issue. Planner Larsen introduced Jeff Nelson,
of W.M. Montgomery & Associates, as the radio frequency engineering consultant for the City. Mr.
Nelson has twenty years experience with radio frequency technology and twenty-one years
experience in government.
Jeff Nelson thanked Council for the opportunity to work with them. He outlined the agenda he
hoped to cover: Wireless Chronology & FCC Actions, Terminology, System Design Considerations,
and a review of Site Photos.
Wireless Chronology
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1983 Cellular network construction starts in Twin Cities. “Mobile” coverage. Each market
offers service from “A” and “B carriers.
1984-96 Cellular network build-out proceeds. In 96 there were 40 million cellular units
and 22,000 cell sites operating in the U.S., its possessions, and territories.
1993 FCC designates spectrum for PCS service.
1995 FCC auctions licenses for 51 major trading areas (MTA). FCC collects billions in
revenues from the auction of licenses. A total of six licenses (A through F) are possible
for each MTA.
1996 Twin Cities PCS build-out starts.
1996 FCC adopts Telecom Act of 1996.
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Telecom Act of 1996
I. Universally available wireless services.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Factors affecting co-location:
No unreasonable discrimination in construction of facilities.
No unilateral prohibition of wireless services.
Consideration of construction permit applications in reasonable time frames.
Denials in writing and based on substantive evidence.
Local bodies cannot deny construction applications based on radio frequency emission
criteria if system meets FCC regulations.
Wireless industry seeks rapid approvaVconstruction cycles.
a) Structural capacity,
b)
c) d) Interference issues,
e) 9 Competition,
g)
Individual site for PCS are not licensed; however, both cellular and PCS carriers must notify
FCC if proposed sites have an environmental impact.
Continuity of service (overlap and no coverage zones),
Available heights on support structure,
Target market and compatibility of services,
Dynamic nature of business market.
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MinuteslEdina City CouncilNune 23.1997
Terminology:
Cellular: Mobile telephone systems utilizing frequency re-use within a single geographic
area. Characterized by ability to automatically pass calls from one cell to another.
PCS: Similar to cellular except PCS uses different frequencies, digital transmission
schemes, higher capacity, and combination voice/data services.
Paging: Traditionally one way signaling (voice, data, or beep).
SMR: Specialized Mobile Radio - some features similar to cellular or PCS but offers “one to
many” communications (e.g. dispatch applications)
Private Radio: Police, business, industrial, radio services.
Mr. Nelson explained how the radio frequency spectrum is currently divided among the various
entities using radio waves. A.M. Radio uses the lowest frequencies to the highest frequency being
used by the VSAT satellite. He described cellular/PCS designs and technical needs for cell site
antennas. Mr. Nelson completed his presentation by showing photos of various antenna locations
using existing towers, monopoles, and erector type towers with a number of different antenna
designs.
Council discussed with Mr. Nelson considerations of Edina’s proposed ordinance including: various
pole designs, co-location issues, radio frequency emissions, antenna technology, and market
trends of the industry, and regulatory abilities of local government relative to the cellular/PCS
industry.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:lO p.m. with no formal action taken.
v 0 City Clerk
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