TOWER ACCESS ASSISSTANCE FUND REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING GRANT APPLICATIONS

Transcription

1 f TOWER ACCESS ASSISSTANCE FUND REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING GRANT APPLICATIONS TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Chairman Michael Albert Commissioner Ed Staats Commissioner Jon McKinney David Howell Member, TAAFRC January 19,20 10 TAF Wyoming 09A, Twin Falls TAF Morgan 09A, Berkeley Springs TAF Webster 09A, Hodam Mountain Wireless Tower Access Assistance Fund Grant Applications On January 15, 2010, the Tower Access Assistance Fund Review Committee (TAAFRC) reviewed grant requests for the above counties for multi-use wireless towers. The following are the results of the committee s review of these Grant requests: TAF Wyoming 09A-The Committee approved the Twin Falls request in the amount of $467, This application was previously approved pending resolution of a land issue. The original request of $390, was increased to $522, in an amended filing dated January 6, The total cost of the project is $522, and includes a 400 foot self supporting tower. TAF Morgan 09A-The Committee approved the Berkeley Springs request in the amount of #380, The total cost of the project is $440, and the approved amount of $380, is for construction only of a 315 foot self supporting tower. TAF Webster 09A--- The Committee approved the Hodam Mountain request in the amount of $374, The total cost of the project is $430, and includes a 340 foot self supporting tower. The Committee considered all aspects of these applications and requests that the Commission approve the grant requests for TAF Wyoming 09A, TAF Morgan 09A and TAF Webster 09A. I have attached a copy of the minutes of the January TAAFRC meeting and the score sheets rating these projects.

2 TAF Wyoming 09A TAF Morgan 09A TAF Webster 09A January 19,2010 Page 2 Thank you for your consideration and please let me know if you have any questions. DH/dh Attachments: Minutes from January 15 TAAFRC meeting Score sheets rating Applicants

3 TOWER ACCESS ASSISTANCE FUND REVIEW COMMITTEE (TAAFRC) MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Meeting Date: January 15,2010 Location : V erizon Headquarters 1500 MacCorkle Ave Charleston, WV Time: 1:00 p.m. ATTENDANCE: TAAFRC MEMBER ATTENDEES: Joe Gonzalez Jimmy Gianato David Howell Bob Hoge LT GE McCabe A voting quorum was established. OTHER ATTENDEES: Senator Richard Browning Dean Meadows Dave Michaels Richard Rose Tracy Dean CONFERENCE BRIDGE: Joe Divis Gary Barber The conference bridge was established at 12:55, with some difficulties. AGENDA ITEMS AND DISCUSSIONS THEREON: Jimmy Gianato made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 24,2009 meeting, seconded by Joe Gonzalez. The motion passed unanimously. The funds Balance Sheet as prepared by Bob Hoge for January 2010 was presented. Motion made by Joe Gonzalez to accept the Funds Balance sheet, seconded by Jimmy Gianato. The motion passed unanimously. MEDIA ITEMS: NONE WTAAF MATTERS DUE TO OUTSIDE CONTACT: NONE STATUS REPORTS: 0 WASHBURN POINT; (TAF Boone 06A) Nothing to report, still some delays due to corporate transitions. GRAFTON; (TAF Taylor 08A) US Cellular legal council, Matt Losivich, sending papers to Paul Bump for signature, to begin construction. 4 carriers, FAA expiring in 6 months. TWIN FALLS; (TAF Wyoming 09A) Amended application received, land issues resolved. New requested amount of $522, Funds for site and security not necessary, Dean Meadows agrees to accept $467, for Twin Falls site. Motion by Joe Gonzalez, seconded by GE McCabe to approve $467, and recommends approval to Commission. Application and scoring had been approved at previous meeting, contingent on resolving land issues. Some added expense from original application for road construction. Exceeds objective as an IRP site. Motion approved. If funds for road not needed, will return.

4 . ADDITIONAL ITEMS: Senator Richard Browning questioned wireless coverage from Kopperston site. Understood AT&T had moved out. Discussion. (Bob Hoge contacted representative with AT&T, still there, had to change locations due to structural issues, RF department looking at coverages.) Senator Browning also discussed adding another million to Tower Fund this session. Will introduce later in session. Morgan County application: Joe Gonzalez led discussion, held over from last meeting, questions about statements in letter, clarified concerns in new filing. A huge benefit for IRP system and Town of Bath and cell coverage. Has 6 frequencies available, will take some of the load off Cacapon and North Mountain IRP sites. Verizon committed to have tower completed by May. Gary Barber advised construction is scheduled to begin immediately, has MOA with Town of Bath, waiting on FCC approval to stack tower. On schedule for February start. Webster County application: Joe Gonzalez led discussion on Hodam Mtn site, excellent site in meadow, was old US Navy radio location. Has cell provider on board, trying to get another commitment. Very important for LRP coverage. Also looked at Cleveland Mtn. site and Wildcat Mtn. With PROP studies, no different coverage between 340 and 300 towers. Wanted to be absolutely sure of benefits to all players. Good microwave path to Coon Knob. Motion was made by Joe Gonzalez, seconded by David Howell to approve the proposed Morgan and Webster County applications. The motion passed unanimously. The TAAFRC then began consideration of the values of TAF Morgan 09A, Berkeley Springs and TAF Webster 09A, Hodam Mountain sites. As part of the activity, the committee rated the applications on the score sheet that has been utilized for previous applications. Both applications scored positively. A motion was made by Joe Gonzalez, seconded by David Howell, to approve the request for funding for the TAF Morgan 09A, Berkeley Springs project for $380, and the TAF Webster 09A, Hodam Mountain project for $374, and to request the WV PSC to approve the TAAFC recommendations. The motion unanimously passed. The total cost of these 3 applications is $1,222, The funds balance sheet shows a balance at the end of December of $1,250, Motion was made by GE McCabe, seconded by Joe Gonzalez to adjourn at 2:OO p.m. The next meeting of the TAAFRC would be at 1O:OO a.m. on Tuesday, February 23,2010 at the WVPSC Building (201 Brooks St., Charleston, WV) in the small first floor conference room.

5 - I ~ -_- APPLICANT Public Health ~ Enhancement --- -_IBafetyL- -_ Tn?i--~-- _-.. lw/o W4AF assistance Cost ernative Funding Ability to Operate Achieves State Improve Co-Location improve, Other Tower Guaranteed TOTAL I RANK - -- to 911 Feasibility 1 Effectiveness ' -Sources_ & Maintain IPlanning Goals (IRP) Broadband...--Cellular_ Availlbity G%%ianceBondt

6 5 ~ ~- 2.- ~ ~ - I -- -L APPLICANT Publit Health 1 Enhancement wlo WTAAF assistance Cost hlternative Funding Ability to Operate Achieves State 1- Improve 1 Co-Location Improve Other Tower Guaranteed TOTAL [ RANK - g_3afek l- to ^^ / a2 ' - 132~3 132a4 132a5 132a6 MORGANCO ~ Feasibility Effectiveness Sources & Maintain IPlanning Goals (IRP) Broadband 1 Cellular 132a7 -_ ~ 5 5 I 5 ' WEBSTER CO 5 5 ' Avalliblty IPeZrmance Bond - --I - 132all -- 1 ~-<~~--~ go _. --_-. ~ ~ _ IO-I _-.~ ~ : , _- nla ! , ~ ' -I