09/23/1997 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Molder's tecluucal notes, the power density standards are stricter for cellular fiequencies than for PCS fiequencies because huinans aUsorbs radio waves inore at 860 megahertz. N1r. Lendex responded that he could not speak to Ms. Cox's coimnents regarding tests done in a foreigu company, because he did not kuow what fiequency range they were tallcing about. It could be 60 hertz, which is what the power liues are at, and it there is conceiu about those for human beings. He stated that they are 25 times below the standards set by the EPA, if a person stands next to a inicrowave oven, he would get 250, if he stood next to the tower he would get 10. Tle tlu-eshold for safety is about 290. There tower is safer than a microwave oven. Mr. Maiwing asked what tlie effect would be if a person with a pace- maker stood next to the tower. 1VIr. Lendex refei7ed to page 03/14, 3 or 4 lines down, wluch stated "...the general populatiou may iuclude sensitive individuals such as cluldren, the elderly, or the iufum." He considered the pacemalcer issue as infirm. He does not laiow what range she was talking about, but this clearly states those things ui that range and these frequencies have been used and he believed that this is scientific proof that this is the case. Ms. Del Valle stated that must operate in accordance with the FCC standards which are included in tlie Telecoimnunications Act. Ms. Cox read a report by the FCC that stated the FCC liceuses and approves equipment of facilities that generate RF and microwave radiation, altliough the FCC would not knowingly authoi-ize a facility or device that would resulted in health hazards, the FCC's primary jurisdictiou does not lie in the health and safety area, therefore they are not eaperts ui tlus area. Agaiu she coinpared tlus with the cigarette industry of 30 years ago when they assured people that everytlung was fine. She stated that effects are being seen where things are happeniiig iu the general population when they are exposed to cellular phone radiation. She does not believe it is up to the public to prove there is something wrong, the companies should prove that there is notlung wrong. Mr. Lendex repeated that they are below the EPA standards and lower than microwaves, FM radios, and he does not believe tlus is an issue. Chairman Tallon asked what the effect would be if tlus tower were lowered it to the height of the one in Clague Park. He stated that it would probably result in dropped calls aud they would need another two towers east and west of tlus one. The Clague Park tower probably would not work since it was more to the north. If there was a 125 foot towei- in North Oltnsted there would have to be oue about 1 mile east and 1 mile west. He agreed that tlie tower at the aiiport was lower and is the closest one to North Olmsted, and the system does not work in tlus area. He maintained that the Telecoi-ninwucations Act provided that if the city gave a tower to one carrier they had to accoinmodate another so that one would not have a conapetitive advantage over the other. Mr. Tallon disagreed, if they could not work on a 125 foot pole, they should get a different systein. Mr. Dubellco read a portion of this act. He stated that this is a relatively recent law, and there have been no cases to test it. He believed that it was up to the city to make a determination based on what the developer tells thein; and it would be fair to say that it would be all right if they dropped calls. It would be up to the city to provide coverage the same as any other provider. Mr. Leudex stated that they could not put a pole one mile east or west of the recreation center because that would impact the opposite direction. A pole on the recreation center would cover the eutire area. Ms. Cameron Alston asked if it were the standard in the industry to have 100% coverage. Mr. Leudex explained where their poles were and stated that if they got only 90% coverage, calls would drop, and the company would fail. Tlieir objective is 100% coverage in their footprint. Mr. Lendex claiified that a 150 feet lugh pole, give or take 1 or 2 feet, would probably give them 100% coverage, but he could not really guarautee that. Mr. Dufala only cared about what was in his back yard, not what they cau cover. N1r. Herbster noted that if the commission approves anythiug above 125 feet, they will have to approve it for anyone else who comes into North Olmsted. W. Tallon stated it would either be that or more poles. Mr. Mauuing stated that the FAA standards limit a pole to 160 feet, if the pole is lugher than that, it will have to Ue painted and have a beacon on top; he thiuks that should be the limit, uot approving an additional 25 feet. Iu response to questions, Mr. L.