ARD Board approves AT&T cell equipment at Recreation Park

The Auburn Recreation and Parks District (ARD) Board of Directors voted Aug. 29 to move forward with an agreement with AT&T for an equipment tower at Recreation Park in Auburn. The telecommunications company approached ARD regarding the addition of cellular equipment on an extended portion of an existing cell/light tower located in the left-field corner of Recreation Field within the park. According to the staff report, the tower currently holds lights for the ball field and cell equipment for Verizon, which pays the district $2,870 per month in rent with a 3-percent annual increase. The staff report notes AT&T initially proposed $2,500 per month for rent, to which the ARD board directed staff to move forward with negotiating $3,000 per month with a 3-percent escalator. Kahl Muscott, administrator for ARD, introduced the item by confirming AT&T responded to negotiations advising it would most likely approve paying $3,000 per month in rent with a maximum annual increase of 2.5 percent. Muscott advised over the course of 25 years, AT&T's offer would produce $1.229 million, roughly $26,000 under what Verizon's current offer brings in. Director Gordon Ainsleigh said the district should not favor one company over the other, as they are in competition. Director Mike Lynch noted the companies were not side-by-side for them to pick one and the deal with Verizon was negotiated 10 years ago. "The problem, to me, of comparing what we did; we bargained the best thing we could get at the time we did the first one and circumstances change," Lynch said. "... You bargain with what you have available to you and try to get the best rate you can, so I don't think anybody disagrees that we all want to try to get the best rate from them." The board received one comment noting the monthly fee to be paid is appropriate, and inquired if AT&T would be paying Verizon to piggyback on its equipment. Muscott confirmed AT&T would piggyback on ARD's tower, not Verizon's equipment. Director Sue Ingle read a comment from Director Scott Holbrook into the record, as he was absent. Holbrook's comment noted the funds received over 17 years has a great value and the deal would generate an additional $36,000 in the first year and increase thereafter. Ainsleigh noted the addition of the equipment could increase the visibility of the tower, which would impact the viewshed. Following deliberations, the board approved moving forward in a 3-1 vote, with Ainsleigh providing the dissenting vote. Muscott confirmed a use permit from the city of Auburn and permission from State Parks are needed for the project to be completed.