To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
United States Coast Guard Tower Telecommunications License at Shelter Cove
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair of the Board to sign the United States Coast Guard Telecommunications License at Shelter Cove.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Communications (3521151)
Radio Upgrade Project
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department currently operates an analog, very high frequency (VHF) conventional radio system dispersed amongst seven (7) remote sites throughout the county, including, but not limited to Shelter Cove.
The radio system is seeing a reduced level of service, particularly with in-building coverage. Due to the general age of the system and its components, some portions of the system may have reached an end-of-life status with regards to vendor support. The radio system at Shelter Cove is out of date and does not provide sufficient coverage in the area of Shelter Cove.
Motorola has been chosen as the entity to implement the project management plan to upgrade the radio system amongst the seven (7) sites. Antenna installation on an existing tower at Shelter Cove will be required to fulfill the needs of the plan. This work requires permission from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), owner of the tower. The USCG has prepared a Telecommunications License at Shelter Cove to provide this permission. (Attachment No. 1 - License, Exhibit A - Premises and Exhibit B - Co Location Application and Tower Modification Drawings Plan).
The new antenna will be an upgrade to the radio system and improve functionality with radio coverage. A USCG condition for placement of the antenna on their tower requires tower foundation work to reinforce the tower’s structure for the new antenna placements, which is made a part of the new license agreement.
Staff requests that your Board approve and execute the attached Telecommunications License with USCG.
New radios will also be needed at Shelter Cove to accommodate the plan. Staff is presently working with the State of California General Services Department on a new license to add radios within their equipment building containing their radios, or more commonly known as their shelter. This new license with the State will be presented to your Board for requested approval at a later date.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The funding associated with work to be done at the Shelter Cove radio site was approved by your board on April 26, 2022 and will not require any further funding to implement the Shelter Cove license with the United States Coast Guard (Exhibit C - Staff Report).
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt County Public Works
Humboldt County Information Technology
Humboldt County Sheriff Department
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve the License, however that would not be advised as lack of radio coverage in parts of the county.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 - License
Exhibit A - Premises
Exhibit B - Co Location Application and Tower Modification Drawings plan
Exhibit C - Staff Report
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: H-2
Meeting of: 2022-04-26
File No.: 22-470