DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Hugh Miller
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Lease Agreement with Graham Media Group, San Antonio, Inc. d/b/a KSAT-12 Television Station (KSAT-12)
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing a Lease Agreement to allow the relocation of vital communications equipment that supports the City’s Public Safety Radio System from its current location at 326 W. Jones Avenue. The proposed Lease Agreement is for 20 years at a cost of $180,000 in the first year of the 20 year term.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City’s current radio communications equipment environment provides public safety grade two-way radio communications for the City of San Antonio and surrounding Bexar County participating agencies. The radio system currently manages an average of 400,000 calls per day from approximately 7,100 radios, which includes thirty-five (35) external multijurisdictional agencies. The radio system is available in over 1,200 square miles of Bexar County and provides the single source of communications to dispatch all Police and Fire/EMS in the City and County in response to any emergency. This vital radio communications equipment, including radio antennas and radio ground shelter, is currently located on a tower and ground space owned by CPS Energy located at 326 West Jones Avenue.
CPS previously notified the City of its intent to de-commission the West Jones Avenue tower and related ground space and vacate the premises as part of the continuing development of areas along the San Antonio River Walk. In the interim, CPS has extended the City’s use of the tower and ground shelter while a plan and budget were formulated for a move that would provide minimal disruption to the City’s Public Safety Radio System.
The transmitting and receiving radio frequency antennas, microwave dishes, coaxial cables, and related antenna equipment will be moved to a nearby tower owned by KSAT-12 located at 1408 N. St. Mary’s Street. However, because of limited ground space at the KSAT-12 location, the radio communications ground shelter and related equipment supporting the radio antennas will be located on an adjoining property owned by the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) at 317 Arden Grove. Thus, the move from the CPS Energy Tower will require the City entering into two lease agreements, one with KSAT-12 (antennas and related equipment) and another with SAMA (ground shelter and related equipment).
ISSUE:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is a 20 year Lease Agreement at a cost of $180,000 for the initial year of the Lease Agreement between the City of San Antonio and KSAT-12 to provide the San Antonio Police and Fire Departments, through the Information Technology Services Department - Radio Services Division, with an agreement to install radio communications antennas and related equipment at the KSAT-12 property located at 1408 N. St. Mary’s Street.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council could elect not to approve this Lease Agreement and have ITSD Staff continue to explore other communications tower arrangements while continuing on a month-to-month lease at the current CPS Energy location.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a 20 year term lease agreement and the rent for the initial year is $180,000. Funds are available from the FY2016 ITSD Operating Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Lease Agreement.