09/05/2023 Meeting Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 09-05-2023 don't even know about yet. She asked who the telecommunications expert is in the Administration and within Council, that will protect "us and our children" from adverse effects of the cell tower. She has learned so much since meeting with Directors Upton and Pinchek, and she cannot eat or sleep at the thought of this being by her house. She feels the health of her grandchild is in danger from the cell tower. She would like to City to come up with a better place for the tower. Ms. English explained that her mother fought to not have a tower next to the bleachers many years ago. She also has a problem with the communication from the City as she knew nothing about this. She had issues with the minutes not being posted in the lobby or at the library. She feels the residents, her children and grandchildren deserve better than this and asked if any other areas had been considered. She asked if the City initiated the tower or if they were contacted by TowerCo. She also asked if the park was a Landmark and if it could be assigned as such, to which Councilman Limpert stated that it is not a landmark, and there are processes to be followed to verify the validity of it being a landmark. Ms. English asked if the Budget had enough money for maintenance and repairs at the park. Director Pinchek responded that the monies from cell tower, the ground lease at the Rec. Center, ARPA Funds and a potential grant, will generate the $1.1M dollars for renovations to the park. He noted that the City has not yet received approved renderings, but those are coming and there will be public meetings in October to get the public's input. Director Pinchek also added that the City is applying for additional monies from an ODNR grant and reiterating that nothing has yet been determined about the ball fields. He stated that the current fields are in terrible shape and it takes the maintenance crew a lot of time trying to maintain them. Director Upton noted that the City is required to do a new Master Plan every ten years, and that the designated Steering Committee created for that purpose, will have its first meeting the next week, and the new master plan will be completed by 2025. He also noted that the City is currently revamping its website to make it easier to find information. Director Upton stated that the City did not enter into this lightly, noting the City had their first conversation with TowerCo approximately one year earlier and that outside counsel was brought in to assist in reviewing the terms of the contract, and the compensation piece, to ensure the City was getting a good deal. Director Upton stated that North Olmsted is about 94% built -out, so that anywhere the tower would go, would most likely be by residents. He also stated that the FCC, who is the regulating body for cell towers, states the frequencies from these towers are no more harmful than a microwave or T.V., and lastly noted that this legislation was in the public space for approximately ten weeks. Councilman Glassburn noted that Little Clague Park in his Ward, has had a cell phone tower for years, which has helped fund projects for that park. He noted that he has not heard any comments from any residents, either positive or negative, in his five years representing that Ward, and believes most don't even know it is there. Councilman Glassburn asked Director Pinchek if the City is receiving any feedback about the cell tower at Little Clague Park, to which Director Pinchek said no, not to his knowledge. Connie English again approached the podium to ask Mr. Glassburn if residents have ever said they don't notice the cell tower.