Item H05H.5
t, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
County of Monroe Mayor David Rice, District 4
IleOI1da Keys l'U� Mayor Pro Tem Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
�pw° Danny L. Kolhage, District I
George Neugent, District 2
Heather Carruthers, District 3
County Commission Meeting
November 20, 2018
Agenda Item Number: H.5
Agenda Item Summary #4345
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: Information Technology
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Alan MacEachern (305) 295-5110
11:00 A.M.
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion and Direction Regarding a Proposed Tower To Be Built
on Cudj oe Key
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The item was previously discussed as item D11 in the December 13th 2017 BOCC meeting and then
as part of item D13 in the May 16th 2018 BOCC meeting. During the May 16th meeting, the BOCC
directed staff to agenda a further discussion for the July meeting in Marathon so the Board could
respond to the proposer. A Summary has been provided and is attached to the Agenda Item
documentation, but the proposer will present their full presentation on the benefits of the proposed
tower at the November meeting. The attached documents are labeled with a preface of May for
documents included in the original May meeting and a preface of "Nov" for additional documents
added for the November meeting.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
During the December 13th, 2017 BOCC meeting, staff was directed to find appropriate expertise to
validate whether the proposed tower would have solved communication issues post Irma.
During the May 16th, 2018 BOCC meeting, Mr. Horan and Mr. Baker presented a desire to build the
tower and their belief that it would benefit the county. The BOCC asked for a follow up agenda item
in July in order to respond to that belief.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
Packet Pg. 1121
H.5
Nov - Proposed Cudjoe Key Tower - Executive Summary Benefits
May - Proposed Cudjoe Key Tower Talking Points - Proposer Provided
May - Proposed Cudjoe Key Tower - site plan
May - Proposed Cudjoe Key Tower - Marathon ASR Application A0871380
May - Proposed Cudjoe Key Tower - EMail Addendum
May - Proposed Cudjoe Key Tower - December BOCC Meeting Request
May - Proposed Cudjoe Key Tower - ASR Registration 1061464
May - New Tower Proposal Presentation
May - New Tower Implementation in Monroe County
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date: N/A
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract: N/A
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
N/A
REVIEWED BY:
If yes, amount:
Alan MacEachern
Completed
Assistant County Administrator Christine
Hurley
11/01/2018 3:45 PM
Christine Limbert
Completed
Budget and Finance
Completed
Maria Slavik
Completed
Kathy Peters
Completed
Board of County Commissioners
Pending
11/01/2018 3:17 PM
Completed
11/05/2018 11:52 AM
11/05/2018 2:02 PM
11/05/2018 2:30 PM
11/05/2018 3:07 PM
11/20/2018 9:00 AM
Packet Pg. 1122
MacEachern-Alan
From:
Karen R. Horan <karen@horanNgguns.corn>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 10:19 AM
"ro:
MacEachern--AOan; Darren M. Floran; Davd P. Floran
Cc:
Fiudey-Chdsfine
SubJect:
RE: Cudjoe Tower - Agenda Itern # ---
M
We appreciate your helpin outlining the "Executive Summary" you have requested for the November
20'u'Coo nrnission agenda.
The various interest groups that will benefit from the tower include, but are not limited to, the following:
I.. Law Enforcement
a. ITS Coast Guard Florida Keys District (including INS)
b. Florida Fish and Wildlife (Keys Sector)
c. Florida Highway Patrol (Monroe County)
donroe County Sheriffs Department
e. Muni ci pal Law, Enforcement (Coordination with other law, enforcement agencies)
f. Individuals needing to report criminal. activity.
2. Emergency Services
a. Hospitals, Ambulances (SMR, VHF and ('..'ellular Communication)
3. Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
a. "rhe Aqueduct's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition "SCA.D.A." system that monitors
pressures (leaks), valves, pumps, reserve water tanks, rnonitors remaining water reserves, etc.
b. Communication (VHF and SMR) with FKAA. vehicles during emergencies.
4. Electrical Power -
a. KeysEnergy (using the same communication network as the MCSD) and Florida Keys
Electric ("ooperative (using VHF and SMR) with vehicles.
5. Commercial and Recreational Fishery
a. At the present tirne cell, VHF and SMR (push to talk) range is lost approximately 8 — 10
miles from land. 'The Dirico tower will provide coverage to approximately 50 miles. This
safety issue is not closely related to emergency services, bt.itis a major concern to our fishing
industry.
Our power, water, law enforcement agencies, (.immediately following the communications breakdown
during and fo.1lowing Irma) have explored various plans that would provide dependable emergency
communication. The solutions come at as high price to taxpayers and rate payers, but none of the various plans
.................. —
or proposals have the survivability of the proposed Dirico tower, Most of the various plans by our agencies are
limited to "line of sight" and require multiple powered (repeater) stations.
CONCLUSION'
Packet Pg. 1123
The proposed Dirico tower provides approximately 50 mile "line of sight" capability, is self -powered
and when augmented by "line of sight" microwave from the mainland, it provides the most dependable
emergency communication capability and is offered at the limited expense of placing individual agency
antennas.
Rcspecff'i,iffly,
David Paul Horan,
(Dictated By fkivid Paid Horan)
Horan
lu
LIJI
608 Whilehead Stireet
Ke % We,,A, Florida 33040
(305) 294-4585 (Telelphone)
005) 29.1-7822 (Facsinifle')
2
Packet Pg. 1124
H.5.b
Tower talking points
We are proposing to construct a tower in the lower Keys that would provide state-of-the-art facilities for communications
services. The construction of the tower would result in the availability of a communications hub in the lower Keys that can
facilitate enhanced television, radio, UHF, cellular, and emergency (police, fire, and other agency) communications. The
entire facility would be constructed to withstand category 5 hurricane conditions, providing for greater availability of
communications before, during, and after a sustained weather event.
1. Location
The proposed wireless communications facility will be located at the borrow pits on Cudjoe Key, off Blimp Road.
2. Who is building the facility?
The project will be developed by long-time resident and philanthropist Frank Dirico of Key Largo.
3. Zoning
The property is zoned industrial. A wireless communications facilities constructed on industrial -zoned land is
considered a minor conditional use.
4. No -Fly Zone
The property is located within an FAA -mandated restricted no fly area and clearly marked on the Miami sectional
aeronautical chart.
5. Permitting authorities
The project has already been approved by The Army Corp of Engineers, South Florida Water Management
District, The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, The Federal Communications
Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration, and coordinated with The US Fish and Wildlife
Service. A conservation easement has been created on the property, located outside of the development area.
6. Coverage area
The proposed tower will be 300 meters AGL. The height will provide a line -of -site radius of 54 miles — any radio
service with antennas mounted at or close to the top of the tower should be capable of communicating as far as
Lower Matecombe, and up to 50 miles at sea in every direction. This distance is calculating by line of site, but will
be increased based on the power, and technology of each radio service, combined with stratospheric refraction.
7. Co -Location for future carriers
The tower will provide co -location to any carrier that we can adequately accommodate.
8. Wind loading
The tower will be designed with a sustained wind load in excess of 180 mph, and capable of withstanding gusts
meeting or exceeding 200 mph.
9. Redundant back haul
Along with a fiber link to the site, the tower will also have a measure of redundancy by supplying a microwave
backhaul to Dade County. This will be achieved with a network of microwave hops.
10. Ground facilities
The windowless supporting building at the base of the tower will be constructed with 12-inch reinforced concrete
walls, and be elevated above flood level. Facilities for supporting technicians will be provided in the event that a
weather event requires prolonged maintenance at the site.
11. Back-up power
2EA 100 Kilowatt diesel generators are designed into the system to provide backup power to the carriers at the
site. Fuel for 7 days will be stored on the site, with a provision to helicopter more in as needed during a prolonged
weather event.
12. What we need
To accommodate the proposed communications hub, the county will need to remove or replace the following
from the Monroe County Land Development Regulations: "146.7 (f): No variance granted pursuant to this section
shall be granted to allow an overall height of greater than 330 feet."
Please consider these points when discussing the tower project. I will make myself available to explain the benefits of
this project at any time, in any forum. I will also be attending upcoming scheduled commission hearings.
Packet Pg. 1125
V
Ui
(aamol AoM aofpno posodoad BulpjeBoN uoi;oaai® pue uoissnosi®) ueld a;is - aamol AoM aofpno posodoad - Aepy :;uawyoe;;V
�
- q� '6u�uoZ �ua�ofpy • L ,J
i
?
c
o
�
a
�� d8
till
i
p
a
O
O E
O =r 0w
`�
i✓
C
00 O O ?
�j o of aoo.
of o o a
o as
A f$f$jgi .�pgp $[y
bdSEt�`R1
a g
u � .IPZ °
`o v
N IfiY LH�o d�i�
Fa
c
o�
\ K
O C a
M �
x
B
All
go` It
r
cL
a`
t
� r
° M °
to
q;r
f
r
s
SS '6u!uoZ }uaoofpy
`WAYN11U
ASR Application A0871380
H.5.d
ASR Application Search
Application A0871380
VD t a r
File Number A0871380
Registration
Number
NEPA
�'I I Lro-� rf.t,ri.r. iirrtri.i:�� rcar��
Status Inactive
Purpose New
Mode Interactive
Structure Type POLE - Any type of Pole
Location (in NAD83 Coordinates)
Lat/Long 24-43-03.4 N 081-04-07.2 W
City, State Marathon , FL
Zip 33050
Center of
AM Array
Heights (meters)
Elevation of Site Above Mean Sea Level
1.0
Overall Height Above Mean Sea Level
42.4
Proposed Marking and/or Lighting
FAA Style E
FAA Notification
FAA Study 2011-ASO-2453-OE
/CV.ro:11 Rio C011.r1 Ct V.r,
FRN 0015991391
Owner
Keys Wi-Fi, Inc.
Attention To: Rick Richter
104 Palmetto Avenue
P.O. Box PO Box 999
Taverier , FL 33070
Contact
Richter , Rick
Attention To: Rick Richter
104 Palmetto Avenue
P.O. Box PO Box 999
Tavernier , FL 33070
Constructed
Dismantled
EMI No
Received 01/10/2014
Entered 01/10/2014
Address 273 64th Street Ocean
County MONROE
Position of Tower
in Array
Overall Height Above Ground (AGL)
41.4
Overall Height Above Ground w/o Appurtenances
39.6
FAA Issue Date 04/16/2013
Owner Entity Corporation
Type
P: (305)852-8171
F:
E: keyswifi@gmail.com
P: (305)852-8171
F:
E: keyswifi@gmail.com
Does the applicant request a Waiver of the
Commission's rules for environmental notice?
Is the applicant submitting an Environmental
Assessment?
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UIsApp/AsrSearch/asrApplication.jsp?applKey=4234336&callingSystem=NNR&printable I Packet Pg. 1127
1 /23/2018 ASR Application A0871380
No No
Is another Federal Agency taking responsibility for Does the applicant certify to No Significant
environmental review? Environmental Effect pursuant to Section
No
Reason for another Federal Agency taking
responsibility for environmental review
Name of Federal Agency
National Notice Date
01/14/2014
yap 1 r,,l [ i C,.,r,,li0l./
Authorized Party Richter, Rick C
Receipt Date 01/10/2014
Comments
None
Hf St 011'
Date
01/10/2014
Date Description
None
pie a di
Pleading Type
None
Date Description
None
Type Description
None
Basis for Certification
Local Notice Date
Title
Event
New Application Received
Existing Value
Description
19
Requested Value
Date Entered
Date Entered
H.5.d
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UIsApp/AsrSearch/asrApplication.jsp?applKey=4234336&callingSystem=NNR&printable I Packet Pg. 1128
MacEachern-Alan
From:
MacEachern-Alan
Sent:
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 7:48 AM
To:
County Commissioners and Aides
Cc:
Gastesi-Roman; Hurley -Christine; Wilson -Kevin; Shillinger-Bob; Senterfitt-Martin; Rick
Ramsay Rice -Mike; White -Laura
Subject:
FW: Technical Review - Proposed Cudjoe Key Tower
CornimissIoneirs,
I received a question regarding the proposed toweir's irnpact on internet aind telephone connectivity via microwave
transrnission and forwarded it on to Mark Monday night. He provided the response below in black italics;
To address the concern about telephone and internet we have to consider how these services arrive at the customer's
site. In the Florida Keys most services are provided via cable of one form or another. These are routed either by pole or
underground. This includes "the last mile" where the service enters the customer premises. Any service provided by
these methods is su&,ect tapo-vdinF, and wind damage. A stem on the _y�royosed towers would allxw
(telephone or internet) to be transported to various points that could distribute the signals to the end users. However,
even with these towers there is not a route that can bring the signalsfrom the mainland. This problem arises because
microwaves do not travelfar. In a practical sense the range will not be viable after 40 to 50 miles. For high speed data
this range is further reduced. That eliminates the use of the proposed Card Sound Tower which is more than 60 miles
from the Marathon site and more than 80 milesfrom the Cudjoe Key site. An alternative would be to install a microwave
system at all of the existing tower sites of the radio system and then hop the microwave signal along them to the Key
Largo radio site and then to the Card Sound tower where it could be fed by the service providers on the mainland.
If you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to either Laura or me and we will
coord4iate further with Mr. Pallans to ensure a Urnely response.
Alain MacEachern
IT Director
Monroe County BOCC information"'T"echnology
1020SO Overseas Highway, MINA 1015
Key Largo, l:1 33037
Office (305) 453-8792
Cell (305) 363-9109
Email Imaceachern-allan@
Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from the County
regarding County business are public record, available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail
communication may be subject to public disclosure.
From: MacEachern-Alan
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2018 5:10 PM
To: County Commissioners and Aides
Cc: Gastesi-Roman; Hurley -Christine; Wilson -Kevin; Senterritt-Martin; Rick Ramsay; Rice -Mike; White -Laura
Subject: FW: Technical Review - Proposed CudJoe Key Tower
I Packet Pg. 1129 1
H.5.e
During the December BOCC meeting, the Iboard directed staff to review whether a proposed communication tower on
Cudjoe Key would irnprove communications capal3ilities after another significant event like Irma (text of the meeting
request attached as BOCC I° eeting.doc ). II...aura White and the Sheriff s department has an existing relabonslhipa wM') a
coirrnrn'nuncations expert familiar with the Monroe County infrastructure (Mr. Mark IFallans) and Mr. Pallans has prepared
the attached report (New Tower h,riplernentation in Monroe County.p df) for your review.
if you Ilhave any questions or cornnments, please feel free to reaclln out to eitl°ner Laura or r ne and we will coordinate with
Mr. IPallans to ensure a timely response,
Best Illegards,
Alan IIacEacherrn
lT Director
Monroe County IBOCC IInformation Technology
102050 Overseas l iighway, MM 102.5
Key Largo, FL 3303
Office . (305) 453.37 2
Cell ; (305) 353.9105
Email m aceach ,.r „-«�l n.
Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from the County
regarding County business are public record, available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail
communication may be subject to public disclosure.
Friday,From: MacEachern-Alan
r
To: 'MarkLBaker'; 'David P. Horan'
•o! Rice -Mike; White-Laur?
Subject: Technical Review - Proposed Cudjoe Key Tower
! ! !L MIT
County. Should you wish to discuss it in further detail, please let me know and I will set up a conference call with Mr.
Pallans at the earliest possible opportunity.
Alan MacEachern
IT Director
Monroe County BOCC Information Technology
102050 Overseas Highway, MM 10.5
Key Largo, FL 33037
2
Packet Pg. 1130
H.5.e
Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from the County
regarding County business are public record, available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail
communication may be subject to public disclosure.
Packet Pg. 1131
H.5.f
BOCC MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2017
Item D.12
D12 The following individual addressed the Board concerning direction to staff to investigate
and report to BOCC regarding the issue of a possible communication tower on Blimp Road
property, Cudjoe Key, and how it could aid the County with emergency communication during
hurricane aftermath such as we just experienced in Hurricane Irma: Rick Richter, representing
Key West Telco. Kevin Wilson, Assistant County Administrator; Roman Gastesi, County
Administrator, Bob Shillinger, County Attorney; and Steve Williams, Assistant County Attorney
addressed the Board. After discussion, motion was made by Commissioner Murphy and
seconded by Commissioner Carruthers directing staff to bring in the experts in this field to study
the situation and come back to the Commission with a response. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion:
Mayor Rice: Let's hear the public speaker please.
Pam Hancock: Rick Richter. They might not come up if I pronounce their names wrong. Sorry
And he is representing Key West TelCo.
Rick Richter: Hi, good morning, Commissioners. I would just like to say a couple of words on
this project. I think it is in the early stages and I am excited to see what's going to come of it. I
know this project down in that area has a long history in the keys I just want you to know you
have a lot of local support and expertise available as the project goes forward and we look
forward to seeing what the applicant comes up with. Thank you.
Mayor Rice: OK. That's the only speaker, Pam?
Pam Hancock: Yes, sir.
Mayor Rice: Let me give a little background here. As we all know, during the storm,
communication was one of our largest problems. And of course, one of the objectives that we
are dealing with now is to establish some modifications whatever they may be, uh, to prevent
that type of problem in the future. It was not fun, for any of us. And I did have an individual
who came forward with the idea of building this tower, which he indicates would solve that
problem for us. Now, I am not, nor do I think we have any experts in this room that can
independently verify the fact that it would solve the problem. I see this as a very preliminary
step to answer that question, and if the answer is yes, it would solve the problem. This
alternative could become one of the choices that we have before us to resolve that risk in the
future. It is certainly not a commitment to build a tower; it is simply to answer the question,
would it do the job? And what I imagine the staff will need to do is to bring in experts in this
field to study the situation and come back to the commission with a response.
Packet Pg. 1132
H.5.f
Commissioner Carruthers: Obviously communication was a huge problem, but I need to know
that building a tower of this height means that it's hurricane -proof. If that gets knocked over,
we are still in the same boat.
Mayor Rice: Yes. I would assume that that would be about the first question that would be
addressed by any expert in responding to our question. There are many more issues, of course,
but I think it's apparent that if it's laying on the ground, at the end of the storm, it is not going
to be much help. So, we have a motion (Commissioner Murphy) and a second (Commissioner
Carruthers). Mr. Kolhage?
Commissioner Kolhage: Mr. Administrator, what staff person would be involved in this?
Mayor Rice: I think it has engineering written all over it.
Roman Gastesi: I'm not sure what the answer is to that —it would have to be multiple agencies
because the sheriff operates the communication towers —I think it would probably be some
combination of us, both engineering and planning, because I don't know the restrictions out
there, plus emergency management would probably be taking the lead, if that's what we're
talking about. But we'd have to interact with the sheriff's department.
Commssioner Carruthers: What about IT?
Roman Gastesi: And IT as well.
Comissioner Kolhage: The reason why I ask is because we had an (offer?) from the HAM radio
operators in this county, and they have an organization that deals specifically with
emergencies. We should try to incorporate them, if we can, as much as possible. They're
volunteers.
Kevin Wilson: I think that is a reasonable request. In my humble opinion I think that the lead on
this needs to be a combination of emergency management and the sheriff's office, because
that is what we are talking about, is emergency communications.
Commissioner Kolhage: OK.
Mayor Rice: Well let me say, I would feel more comfortable if I left this meeting today, and
we're talking about the county, not necessarily the sheriff's department, of course they are
going to be a part of it. But who's going to represent the County Commission's interest, here?
Who is going to be the person in charge? I think it is wise to know that.
Roman Gastesi: Sure, that's always me, right? I'll be discussing it with you all. I'm the one
responsible.
Packet Pg. 1133
H.5.f
Mayor Rice: Yeah, and I think you know about as much about this as I do.
Roman Gastesi: A big, tall tower.
Mayor Rice: OK, we'll look to you, Roman.
Commissioner Carruthers: Of course, now that we're talking about it, I have other questions. Is
this tower going to be used for other commercial uses? When it is not being used for
emergency management?
Mayor Rice: I think that'll be one of the issues that will come out in the study because I would
assume we would hire an expert who would probably spend quite a bit of time discussing the
project with the individual who is willing to build it. That'll be a part of the report.
Carruthers: Would this individual be willing to (carry?) fiber optic cable throughout the county,
instead?
Bob Schillinser: Mr. Mayor, we would like to point out some legal issues that are emerging on
towers.
Steve Williams: There is a whole new array of federal oversight that will allow the commercial
use of the tower vs. strictly emergency use of the tower. They have 2 separate tracks of where
you can go, what you can do, and restrictions, timelines, and federal oversight. So if it's strictly
emergency, is goes down a greased path, when you open it up for commercial, it is a whole new
set of standards.
Commissioner Neugent: Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Rice: Yes?
Commissioner Neugent: Commissioner Kolhage talked about the ham radio operators and I
don't know enough about it to know what the ham operators could have done for us when we
lost our cell phones, which 90% of our communication takes place over a cell phone. And if this
tower cannot provide some level of certainty that it's going to maintain our cell phones, which
is out main line of communication, because we only had a few landlines that were available.
And I don't know if ham operators fill that gap to establish that kind of line of communication
between all the first responders and key essential personnel, and the county commissioners,
and emergency management department. And just look at what happened to us when we lost
our communication —I mean, we were dead in the water, and it was a terrible feeling not to
know what all of our different groups were doing. And I don't think, and correct me if I
misspeak, that the ham operators can fill that type of a situation. I think our focus should be on
maintaining a line of communications with as many people as we can, and for me that's
through cell phones and/or satellite phones.
Packet Pg. 1134
H.5.f
Commissioner Carruthers: Well, I also think redundancy is important. And one ham operator
who can get to somebody who does have service can do the same thing.
Commissioner Neugent: I'm not saying they don't provide a service, I know they provide a
service, but it's not the level of service that we need in the aftermath of a storm.
Commissioner Kolhage: What we are talking about here is supplemental. It is not meant to
replace anything. They can provide point to point communications, continuously, with
generators and so forth, that is not dependent on lines, or any of that. But, it's only
supplemental, and I just don't think we should turn away any offer of assistance.
Commissioner Neugent: Oh, of course not, and they're operating 24/7 at the emergency
operations center.
Mayor Rice: Do we have any opposition? The motion stands approved.
M
Packet Pg. 1135
H.5.g
1/23/2018 ASR Registration 1061464
ASR Registration Search
Registration 1061464
" � Mao Registration
Reg Number 1061464 Status Granted
File Number A0132803 Constructed
EMI No Dismantled
NEPA No
;,I rI�Irr�I>>r,G,�Gb
Structure Type TOWER - Free standing or Guyed Structure used for Commu
Location (in NAD83 Coordinates)
Lat/Long 24-40-20.0 N 081-30-06.0 W Address BLIMP RD
City, State CUDIOE KEY , FL
Zip 33042 County MONROE
Center of Position of Tower
AM Array in Array
Heights (meters)
Elevation of Site Above Mean Sea Level Overall Height Above Ground (AGL)
1.5 318.2
Overall Height Above Mean Sea Level Overall Height Above Ground w/o Appurtenances
319.7 304.8
Painting and Lighting Specifications
FAA Chapters 4, 9, 13
Paint and Light in Accordance with FAA Circular Number 70/7460-11
FAA Notification
FAA Study 98-ASO-6675-OE FAA Issue Date 02/10/1999
0 a "1 ,v 1 & c„ l l i r,�f"'ct 1 1 r "u'ril',<l I o In
FRN 0015315880
Owner
INDUSTRIAL COMMUNICATIONS & ELECTRONICS INC
Attention To: ENGINEERING DEPT
40 Lone Street
Marshfield , MA 02050
Contact
Delaney , Kevin P
Last ii i 1 m I r i,5
Status Granted
Purpose Admin Update
Mode Interactive
I', ei i d A -i,II :atI o it/S
07/21/2000 A0132803 - Admin Update (AU)
Owner Entity
Type
P:(781)319-1111
F:
E:
P:(781)319-1111
F:
E: kevindelaney@induscom.com
Received 07/21/2000
Entered 07/21/2000
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=621365&printable 1 /2
Packet Pg. 1136
H.5.g
1/23/2018 ASR Registration 1061464
02/23/1999 A0071950 -New (NE)
COI „r"r l i I r $1, ',`s
Comments
None
I Sr" a I Y
Date
Event
07/26/2006
FRN Re -association Letter sent
07/23/2001
Construction Reminder Letter Sent
07/21/2000
Registration Printed
All History (5)
„rear ba.
07/26/2006 FRN Re -association, Reference 517505
07/23/2001 Construction Reminder, Reference 148507
07/21/2000 Authorization, Reference 64582
All letters (4)
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=621365&printable 2/2
Packet Pg. 1137
E
Commu Packet Pg. 1138 s
H.5.h
The proposer wishes to erect two
towers in Monroe County for
c'
commercial purposes. These could
also be used by the County for CL
0
0
emergency communications
0
support
Pallans Associat$s
Commu Packet Pg. 1140 s
24.717611 N, -
81.068667W
24.672222N, -
81.501667W
135
1043
0-
0
L_
CL
E
�-
Commu Packet Pg. 1141 s
x
4
E
affi-SIMM.
Commu Packet Pg. 1142 s
as
Ll The Cud *oe Key tower would enable services
6
o *ts upper half to prov*de more range or
n 1
coverage than any existing tower.
fie
Ll Services such as marine radio, cellular, UHF,
television and others would benef it locally - ion
the coverage area of the proposed Cud* oe Key
tower. 0
A QUALIFIED NO I
Ll The towers being discussed would form a
as
0
strong base for a new microwave internet
connection to be created.
Ll A new microwave internet connection would be
benef icial to Monroe County as an addletional
1:1 ans Ass Ss
internet backup
as
as
__
® Commu Packet Pg. 1143 s
PaHano A000datee
COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS
i : 0
OW1191WA NO] � I MIA 11ME1 III 041PY&I NA ky,
The proposer has indicated that, if permitted, its towers will support emergency
communications for Monroe County. Pallans Associates, Communication Consultants,
has been requested to determine if these towers would, in fact, adequately support the
County radio system during a disaster such as the last year's hurricanes that
devastated parts of the County. In addition, we have been asked to comment on other
alternative communication solutions for use during emergencies.
In order to determine if the proposed towers will benefit the County it is necessary to
understand how the radio system operates and where its weaknesses, if any, lie. The
current Motorola P25 trunked radio system was installed in 2015. It replaced the
Motorola radio system originally purchased in 1999. The old system and its analog
technology was obsolete and no longer supported by Motorola. The new system is
completely digital, state of the art, with technology designed specifically for public safety
use.
Figure 1 shows the location of each of the radio sites. Radio coverage extends from
Key West through Key Largo. All of the Florida Keys enjoy good public safety radio
communications with the exception of the northern end of North Key Largo and areas of
Card Sound Road where coverage is marginal.
FIGURE 1 - MONROE COUNTY RADIO SITES
All of these sites work together in order to provide countywide coverage for all radio
system users.
1
I Packet Pg. 1144 1
Faflano Aeeocla-tee
COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS
How the Radio System Works
All radio system traffic (voice messages) flows between all sites in the system. This
allows users to communicate with each other no matter where they are in the coverage
area. All of the radio sites are linked to the system "Master Site" through a leased T-1
data line. The computers at the Master Site control all communications between all of
the radio sites. These computers determine which users can speak to each other and
which sites should be activated for these conversations to take place. P25 is a standard
developed specifically for public safety communications equipment users to
communicate with each other using "Internet Protocol" or IP. This is the same
technology that allows smartphones and computers to communicate with each other.
What Are the Weaknesses Of The Radio System?
Monroe County has relied upon radio towers for many years and all have survived
multiple hurricanes. If a tower is lost then there would be no radio coverage in that
portion of the County. Typical radio coverage from each radio site is 10 to 15 miles in
each direction. Thus, the loss of a tower would result in no coverage for some 20 to 30
miles along the Keys.
A more likely scenario is that the data lines connecting the sites will fail. The result is
that control data will no longer be passed between radio sites and one or more sites will
be isolated from the main system. The result is that one or more radio sites will lose the
ability to communicate beyond its primary coverage area. The radio sites are designed
to continue operating in their local area even when the control data is lost.
Figure 2 shows how each radio site contributes to full coverage of the Florida Keys. If
any site loses the network connectivity required for full county coverage then each site
will only cover the indicated area.
FIGURE 2 - FLORIDA KEYS RADIO SYSTEM COVERAGE
I Packet Pg. 1145 1
PaHanry Aeooclat;er,
COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS
The sites overlap each other to a small degree in order to maintain constant contact for
units in the field. As an example of the impact to coverage if a site fails is shown in
Figure 3. This simulation clearly shows the loss of coverage if a site such as Marathon
fails.
FIGURE 3 - FLORIDA KEYS RADIO SYSTEM COVERAGE WITH LOSS OF MARATHON SITE
Can the Proposed Towers Benefit Monroe County Emergency Communications
The proposed towers are located on the mainland side of Card Sound Road, in
Marathon and on Cudjoe Key. The site information is shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1 - PROPOSED RADIO TOWER SITES
Site Name
Coordinates
Height (feet)
Card Sound Road
25-22'18.83"N, 80-25'24.32"W
500
Marathon
24.717611N, -81.068667W
135
Cudjoe Key
24.672222N, -81.501667W
1043
The developer is proposing to construct these sites in order to lease space to
commercial radio services and wireless service providers in order for them to serve the
Florida Keys market. The developer has stated that these sites can enhance
emergency communication services for Monroe County. Figure 4 shows the locations
of the proposed towers with respect to the existing County radio sites.
Two of the proposed sites are located near existing Monroe County tower sites. The
proposed Cudjoe Key site is less than a mile from the Sugarloaf Key site and the
proposed Marathon tower is less than a mile from the County's Marathon radio site.
The Card Sound proposed site is located on the mainland.
3
I Packet Pg. 1146 1
PaHano A000clatco
COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS
FIGURE 4 - PROPOSED RADIO TOWER SITES
Analysis of the proposed towers
The following analyses of the proposed sites considers what the benefits to the
County's emergency communications may be. Since Pallans Associates is not a
structural engineering firm this document addresses only the potential County use of the
towers and does not comment on the tower structures themselves. One issue that can
be addressed is the tower construction standards to be used during the County
approval process. TIA 222 is the industry standard. The new version, TIA-222H went
into effect on January 1, 2018 and is currently being implemented nationwide. The
standard addresses hurricane environments more than in previous editions.
One overarching aspect to this report is that use of these towers may require a
significant amount of additional communication infrastructure to be procured and
installed at these sites. This will entail a substantial cost investment by the County
unless there are agreements with the proposers to provide that infrastructure should the
towers be approved.
Because the County's primary radio system is so robust none of these three sites will
benefit the County on a day to day basis but each of them could provide emergency
coverage to sections of the County if the Primary radio system or parts of it fail in an
event such as the 2017 hurricanes.
Card Sound Road site
This location is in Miami Dade County east of Card Sound Road and approximately 6.5
miles north of Alabama Jack's. It is proposed to be 500 feet tall. If it were equipped
4
I Packet Pg. 1147 1
F'Allatio Aoeioclateo
COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS
with two backup radio channels this site could provide localized radio coverage from the
northern tip of Key Largo south to approximately Tavernier. This coverage would
include the Coral Reef Club, all of Card Sound Road and Highway LIS-1 from Florida
City southward to Tavernier.
This type of backup would not have any connectivity into the main radio system or and
County facilities emergency operation centers. There are design concepts that can
bring these remote communication points back into the remaining portions of the County
networks but these concepts are beyond the scope of this report.
Marathon Site
By itself this site does little to support Monroe County. It is only about a mile from the
Sheriff's Master Radio Site and is proposed to be onlyl 35 feet tall. It is likely that if the
Sheriff's system is damaged by an event then this site also would be impacted. By
equipping this site with equipment as described for Card Sound and with a directional
antenna, it could prove standalone emergency coverage to the east almost to Layton.
This type of backup would not have any connectivity into the main radio system or and
County facilities emergency operation centers. There are design concepts that can
bring these remote communication points back into the remaining portions of the County
networks but these concepts are beyond the scope of this report.
Cudjoe Key Site
The proposed Cudjoe Key tower is approximately 1.8 miles northeast of the County's
existing Sugarloaf tower. The proposed height of 1000+ feet could benefit the County
since the Sugarloaf tower height is 371 feet. If a backup repeater was placed at 600
feet on the proposed tower, its emergency coverage would extend into Key West.
Again, this type of backup would not have any connectivity into the main radio system or
and County facilities emergency operation centers. There are design concepts that can
bring these remote communication points back into the remaining portions of the County
networks but these concepts are beyond the scope of this report.
Another consideration for this site is that the County currently leases the Sugarloaf site
from a commercial provider. If the proposers offered the Cudjoe site for County use at
no charge then there would be a direct cost savings to the County. If the antennas were
installed at the increased elevation the reliability of radio communications from
Marathon to Key West would be improved on a daily basis.
The three sites combined just for emergency use as described previously would have a
coverage footprint as shown in Figure 5. They would provide reasonably good
coverage for more than 60% of the Florida Keys. They would probably cover 80% of
the Keys if noisy signals are considered.
5
I Packet Pg. 1148 1
FW[ano A000c�atea
COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS
FIGURE 5 - PROPOSED SITES AS SYSTEM BACKUP
Conclusions
As a communications consulting firm Pallans Associates can address the question of
the value of the towers to Monroe County's communications infrastructure. The
question of permitting construction versus the terms of the County's tower ordinance will
be left to the attorneys. The technical analysis is the issue that this report addresses.
The existing radio system proved its resilience during Hurricane Irma in September,
2017, one of the worst storms in history to strike the Florida Keys. The radio system
did not fail, thus proving its resilience. Statistically this reduces the probability of a
storm damaged radio system and also statistically lowers the value of the proposed
towers for the County. Backup sites only benefit the County after a major disaster. It is
something to consider.
2
I Packet Pg. 1149 1
800 MHz Users:
r
riners Hospital ER
hermans Hospital ER
y West DOT
y West Utilities
Key West Public Works
Marathon Fire Rescue
Customs & Border Protection
Dept of State
Dept of Homeland Sec
FKAA
Islamorada Fire
Keys Energy
Key Largo EMS
Key Largo Fire
Key West Fire
Key West Police
Monroe County Public Works
Monroe County Fire Rescue
Monroe County Sheriffs Office
Miami Dade Fire
State of Florida
US Dept of Justice
Florida Keys Ambulance
NAS Boca Chica
Key West Airport Fire
Marathon Airport Fire
Trauma Star
4
Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association
P.O. Box 501404, Marathon, FL 33050
Phone & Fax: 305-743-0294
E-mail: FKCFAI@hotmail.com
November 19, 2018
Mayor David Rice & Board of County Commissioners
Monroe County Florida
1100 Simonton Street
Key West, Florida 33040
Re: Proposed Cudjoe Key Radio Tower
Mayor Rice & Commissioners,
Cell: 305-619-0039
Website: FKCFA.0r9
It is our understanding an application has been made for approval to erect a communications tower.on Cudjoe
Key. According to design specifications we received, the tower would enhance communications between
emergency and law enforcement agencies and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). While the tower would not
improve vessel to vessel communications via VHF radio, it would enable vessel operators to contact the USCG by
VHF in the event of any life -threatening emergency that might arise and do so over a much broader area than
presently exists.
We have an estimated 40-50 vessels operating in the area of the"Dry.Tortugas and as far west as Pulley Ridge on a
daily basis. Some, but not all, have satellite phones.for improved communications. Considering the ability to
improve emergency communications for commercial fishermen and the general public, we support the request
for the tower construction.
Sincerely,
Capt. Bill Kelly
Executive Director
Office Physical Address: 6363 Overseas Highway, Suite 94, Marathon, FL