City moves step closer to cell phone tower
The City of Hillsboro is one step closer to having crystal-clear cell phone reception.
Alltel representative Ben Harlow was on hand at the City Council's biweekly meeting on Tuesday afternoon. He shared information about a cellular phone tower that his company plans to build on the northeast corner of the city's AMPI property.
Alltel is working with the city to lease an area 40 feet by 40 feet where they'd place the tower and equipment. The company first considered placing the tower on the grain elevator but there was no room for equipment, Harlow said.
The proposed tower would have the technology to service both analog and digital phones, he said. The signal would not be restricted to just Alltel customers.
The tower would be about 150 feet tall, and as a "monopole" it would have no guidewires. The area around the tower on the ground would be fenced in and landscaped according to the city's wishes. Alltel would pay for all expenses and upgrading of the tower, including the electricity it uses.
The company would enter into a 25-year lease agreement, separated into five-year increments, Harlow said. But before the final lease contract can be signed, everything must be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration so the tower doesn't interfere with local flight patterns.
Right now, the city and Alltel haven't decided on a final amount for the monthly lease, but $300 a month had been discussed informally, according to City Administrator Steve Garrett. Alltel would pay a 10 percent rental increase every five years.
Alltel would also install minimal lighting on the tower, Harlow said. FAA regulations don't require lights on towers under 200 feet.
The final contract will probably be signed at the next council meeting, Garrett said. He didn't know how long it would be until the tower was finally installed.
In other City Council business:
— The city has decided to finance $400,000 of the Main Street revitalization project through bonds.
Last week the city awarded the project to APAC Construction for $697,000, which was to come from the capital improvement fund. But because interest rates are so low, the city is going with bonds, said financial consultant Jerry Rayl.
The bonds can be purchased by the public, but bids must be submitted to the city by Tuesday, May 6, at 4 p.m.
— The city authorized payment for work done to four houses involved in the housing rehab project. It also gave the go-ahead to receive bids on two additional homes in the project that are rentals.
According to the housing rehab project guidelines, rental houses whose landlords don't meet low- to moderate-income guidelines must contribute 25 percent of the cost of the project. As of the council meeting, the landlords hadn't agreed to the cost.
— The citywide cleanup week is scheduled for April 28 through May 2.
