COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

DATE:

January 27, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 25, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Chris Flatmoe, Assistant Director, ISD

SUBJECT:

Emergency Services Council Joint Powers Authority and County Radio/Microwave System Site at 700 Crestview (Site 60)

Recommendation

Accept this progress report about the exploration of alternative locations for the 700 Crestview radio/microwave site.

Background

As part of the Emergency Services Council Joint Powers radio/microwave project, new equipment was installed at the public safety radio facility at 700 Crestview, San Carlos. The upgrade consisted of a new 10' x 20'equipment shelter with generator, a propane tank and a sixty-foot high tower (replaced an existing 40' tower). As part of this radio site upgrade four eight inch diameter, twenty-foot long Bogner antennae were installed on the radio tower. Property owners near the 700 Crestview site became concerned about the radio site and asked that the site be relocated.

Discussion

On November 12, 2002, your Board reaffirmed that the use of 700 Crestview radio/microwave site is a necessary and essential site to ensure the effectiveness of the overall radio/microwave system and support the addition of the final four radio antennae to the tower.

Dr. Neil Robinson, 24 Quail Lane in San Carlos, has addressed your Board to express his concerns about this communications site installed at 700 Crestview. His property is adjacent to the site. In his communications, Dr. Robinson has objected to the antenna installed on the tower, the stability of the tower itself and the process for deciding that the project would move ahead.

Your Board appropriated $15,000 for exploring alternative single site solutions for the possible relocation of the 700 Crestview radio site to a suitable spot on SFPUC property on Pulgas Ridge in San Carlos near the intersection of Los Vientos Way and Crestview Drive. Your Board requested a progress report within 90 days.

This alternative radio/microwave site project was assigned to the County's Information Services Department (ISD). ISD staff reviewed the background and requirements of this radio/microwave site. In order for City, County of San Francisco to begin the review process for a radio/microwave site on Pulgas Ridge, they would need a clear and complete description of the proposed project. This description would include, but is not limited to engineered drawings, including site plan and elevations, grading plans, view-shed study and environmental review.

ISD staff met with Dr. Robinson at Pulgas Ridge on December 6, 2002 to discuss possible locations for the facility. In addition to providing suggestions for locations on Pulgas Ridge, Dr. Robinson asked about locating the site at Heather School, Edgewood Park, Big Canyon Park or 280 rest stops. ISD staff did a propagation study of each site and compared the study with a propagation study of the 700 Crestview site.

From a purely technical perspective, the Pulgas Ridge site proved to be the best possible alternative radio/microwave site reviewed. Staff determined a specific spot on Pulgas Ridge that should meet the technical requirements for a new site. The next step is to visually verify that a microwave path exists between East Palo Alto and the proposed new location. This step is scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2003.

ISD staff is currently working with Public Works staff to develop engineered drawings of the new site. Environmental Services staff will be consulted for questions about a view-shed study and environmental review issues.

Vision Alignment

The radio/microwave replacement project is essential to effective emergency communications among police, fire, ambulance and other critical services and thus meets the intent of goal number 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors. Additionally the system, used in cooperation by all of the public safety agencies in the County meets the intent of goal number 22: County and local governments effective communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County.

Fiscal Impact

The alternative radio site project is currently on schedule and on budget.