TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: John Morgan, Director of Environmental Services
THROUGH: Donald B. Cooper, City Manager
DATE: August 16, 2016
Title
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH AND THE SCHOOL BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY FOR CITY INSTALLATION OF ANTENNA EQUIPMENT ON SCHOOL BOARD COMMUNICATION TOWERS
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Delray Beach and the School Board of Palm Beach County to allow the installation of Advanced Water Metering Infrastructure antenna equipment onto School Board Communications Towers.
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Background:
In January 2013, the City initiated a water meter replacement program utilizing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology, programmed as a phased project over six years. In mid 2015, the project was accelerated with an anticipated completion for the end of 2016. To date, approximately 70% of the City’s water meters have been replaced.
Part of the AMI systems involves the use of data collector units (DCU’s) to retrieve and send water usage information back to the City’s main server. Per the equipment vendor’s initial propagation study, assuming installation heights between 30’ and 50’, the study identified 36 locations, strategically placed, for deployment of DCU’s for obtaining adequate coverage throughout the City. As much as possible, existing City infrastructure was utilized, such as sport light poles, towers at the police and fire facilities, City buildings, and the elevated water tower. Beyond that, antenna heights would be achieved through the installation of either 30’ wood poles or 50’ steel mono-poles, installed mostly at City owned lift station sites; currently specified at 23 locations. However, achieving installation heights greater than 50’ would provide greater coverage, thereby requiring fewer pole locations. In reviewing available existing infrastructure within the City’s limits, staff contacted the Palm Beach County School Board to inquire about the feasibility of utilizing the communications towers at the school properties. The schools in the western areas of the City were determined to be the most feasible site: Banyan Creek Elementary, Orchard View Elementary, and Carver Middle School. The towers at these schools range in height from 50’ to 100’. By utilizing these existing communication towers, as well as other City owned infrastructure, the number of poles required at lift stations within neighborhood communities would be reduced.
The attached Interlocal Agreement, “Agreement Between the City of Delray Beach and The School Board of Palm Beach County For Antenna and Equipment on School Board Communications Towers”, will allow the City to install DCU’s associated with City’s AMI project, onto existing communication towers at public schools within the City’s boundary, at a cost of $10 per month, per site. Initially, staff is recommending three sites, but others may be added.
The agreement will have an initial term of five (5) years, and may be renewed for four (4) additional five (5) year renewal terms. The terms and conditions have been vetted by the Palm Beach County School Board and the City Attorney’s Office.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Finance Department Review:
Finance recommends approval.
Funding Source:
Funding is available from Account No. 441-5123-536.34-90. (Water and Sewer Fund - Other Contractual Services)
Timing of Request:
This request is time-sensitive as it keeps the project on schedule.