TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steven Lederer - Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Andrea Salter, Staff Services Analyst
SUBJECT: Communications Use Lease No. 260389B at the Mt. St. Helena Communications Site with The United States of America, acting through the Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior (BLM)
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Communications Use Lease Agreement No. 260389B with The United States of America, acting through the Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior (BLM), for the term June 16, 2026, through December 31, 2039, with no rental fee, located at the Mt. St. Helena Communications Site. (No Fiscal Impact, Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) owns property located in Napa County, commonly referred to as the “Mt. St. Helena Communications Site”.
On approximately June 8, 1962, Napa County was granted a right-of-way grant authorizing the operation of the County’s communications vault and radio tower at the Mt. St. Helena Communications Site.
On December 10, 2019, the Board of Supervisors approved Communication Lease Agreement No. 8606 with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to continue use of the communications facilities and access road on the public land, at no cost, during the term December 10, 2019, through December 31, 2039. The site is currently occupied by one of the County’s safety radio towers and a communications vault to provide ongoing considerable radio coverage to support emergency communication throughout Napa County. Lease No. 8606 currently authorizes the County’s existing communications facility.
This new Communication Use Lease No. 260389B supersedes and replaces Lease No. 8606, provides for the continued operation of the communications facility, and authorizes the construction of a new communications tower to enhance public safety communications capabilities.
REQUESTED ACTION:
Approve and authorize Communication Lease No. 260389B with BLM for the term June 16, 2026, through December 31,2039 to continue use of the communications facilities and access road, and to accommodate the construction, operation, and maintenance of a new communications tower on public lands, at no cost.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
This lease allows continued operation of existing facilities and the construction of a new communications tower to enhance and expand public safety communications capabilities. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The rental fee has been waived. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The County would be unable to construct a new communications tower which could disrupt or delay public safety communications and emergency response coverage. |
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Strategic Initiative: |
Build Healthy, Connected Communities |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15301 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (State CEQA Guidelines), which exempts the operation and leasing of existing facilities.