by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
After months of reviewing past policies and researching available options, City Council member Sharon Copeland may move forward with updated legislation authorizing the City to “rent public park space” to cell phone providers.
If successful, Copeland said potential revenue could be used to establish separate “park trust funds.”
“I think it’s a really exciting idea,” said Copeland. “I understand the Parks Department isn’t in the cell phone business, but depending on the location, I’m hearing annual revenues could be anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000, which is wonderful.”
Entering an “analysis phase,” Copeland will likely retain the services of attorney and independent consultant Carl Sanders and, additionally, look into costs associated with observing similar systems already in place across the country.
“We’re a lot closer than we have been in the past about getting a plan together,” said Copeland, “but we need to see what our options are.”
Partially working from legislation drafted by Council member Suzanne Jenkins two years ago, Copeland said an existing tower lease agreement used by JEA could possibly be adapted for other purposes.
“As I understand it,” said Copeland, “their lease agreements are good for 10 years before they need to be renewed, so they may also look at renegotiating the amount they charge. That may be beneficial to what we’re doing.”
Jenkins said any future legislation might be worth looking into, providing the towers were “properly camouflaged.”
In her first term, Jenkins prepared several tower-related pieces of legislation. An ordinance establishing tower regulations and standards was enacted in 2001.
“The legislation I designed two years ago was put into place so we could look into marketing our open spaces and raising funds,” said Jenkins. “I think it holds merit as long as the towers are not overly distracting like they can be.
“If they don’t look like cell towers, I’m happy. And with the technology we have now, there’s no reason they have to.”
Copeland was unsure when further research would take place. She said her Council district would likely serve as a model, providing any legislation is approved.