COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

 

DATE:

October 21, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 10, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Steve Alms, Manager, Real Property Division

SUBJECT:

SubPermit with the National Park Service for the installation, operation and maintenance of a radio communications facility at North Peak on Montara Mountain, in unincorporated San Mateo County. (Permit No. 5330)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution:

    1. Authorizing and directing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute a SubPermit with the National Park Service, for the installation, operation and maintenance of a radio communications facility at North Peak on Montara Mountain in unincorporated San Mateo County, based on reimbursement for shared utility and other costs, for a term of ten years with one option to extend for an additional ten years, and

    2. Authorizing the County Manager or his designee to execute notices, options and documents associated with the SubPermit including, but not limited to, extension or termination of the SubPermit under the terms set forth therein.

 

BACKGROUND:

In 1963, the County and the City and County of San Francisco under jurisdiction of the Water Department (now the SFPUC), entered into a Revocable Permit (Master Permit) allowing the County to utilize approximately 4000 square feet on Montara Mountain for the operation of a radio communications facility. The facility includes a tower structure and shelter that support radio communications equipment for numerous other agencies and governmental entities. In addition to the Master Permit, the County has an agreement with ATC Holding Inc. (ATC) that is needed for access to the North Peak site and to provide power to the facility.

The SubPermit with the National Park Service (NPS) will allow NPS to replace the County’s aging antenna tower and to install their antennas and to locate NPS radio/microwave equipment in the County’s existing equipment shelter at the site. The NPS radio system will provide more assurance that critical communication facilities remain operational following a major seismic event.

The new tower will replace the County’s tower which is at the end of its useful life. The tower will serve the needs of the County and the other existing and future users, including federal, state and local public safety and land management agencies. The tower will remain the property of NPS, but may be transferred to the County at a future date on terms based upon applicable laws and regulations.

SFPUC approves of the use contemplated under the SubPermit and is in the process of finalizing a new master permit with the County that includes more comprehensive terms and conditions.

 

DISCUSSION:

Real Property Services has negotiated a SubPermit for a term of ten years, providing NPS one option to extend for an additional ten years, which will be contingent upon the extension of the master permit with SFPUC and rights to access and power provided by ATC. There is no permit fee for the SubPermit with NPS; however, NPS will reimburse the County for shared utility and other costs.

 

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the SubPermit Agreement as to form. The Chief Information Officer concurs in this recommendation.

 

Approval of this SubPermit contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Collaborative Community by allowing federal, state and local entities, including law enforcement, fire, parks, fish and game, Caltrans, and other local governmental agencies to cooperatively utilize a new radio communications tower and thereby better serve the needs of the region and our community.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Information Services Department will be responsible for temporarily relocating existing users. There are otherwise no costs associated with the issuance of this SubPermit.