STAFF REPORT: CREST MONOPOLE INSTALLATION
Report recommending the authorization of a 47-metre monopole at the Public Safety Building property for the CREST emergency radio system.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COUNCIL REPORT
TO: Council
DATE: March 15, 2018
FROM: Kim Anema, CAO
MEETING DATE: March 20, 2018
CREST MONOPOLE INSTALLATION
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Town of View Royal authorize the installation of a 47 metre monopole to be located at the Public Safety Building property located at 333 Island Highway as part of the CREST Emergency Radio Communications System;
AND FURTHER THAT the Town of View Royal enter into the Telecommunications Agreement substantially in the form attached to the CAO report dated March 15, 2018.
RCMP OIC’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the Recommendation. Staff Sargent, R. Sandhu
DIRECTOR OF PROTECTIVE SERVICE’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
To establish authority for the installation of a CREST monopole to be installed at the Public Safety Building located at 333 Island Highway.
BACKGROUND:
The issue of emergency response radio communication gaps has come to light on a number of occasions. A report regarding 94 Talcott tabled in March 2017 included statements from the Fire Department and RCMP as follows:
Comments from Director of Protective Services:
The CREST radio system does not facilitate communication with our dispatch centre when Fire crews are inside the buildings; this challenge is not unique to Fire, as Police and BC Ambulance encounter similar gaps in coverage. Fire has modified their response plan to include sending a minimum of 3 staff to the site for medical calls and remaining on scene with BC Ambulance staff to the conclusion of the call. The elevated staff response includes a communication plan that enables contact with dispatch.
Comments from OIC, West Shore RCMP:
“I am writing as requested outlining outstanding concerns or issues around Choices and policing. Various issues continue to exist which are having an impact on policing and the response by West Shore RCMP members to Choices. These issues include:
Communications
This is an issue that remains for our operational members. This is a building construction issue and we are working with our radio technicians, CREST, and BC Housing. We have a work around solution, however, this still leaves us exposed at an Officer Safety level and we will be continuing to send 3 members to calls for service. A permanent solution may be possible but is expensive and the resolution resides with CREST and BC Housing. If we were able to resolve this and have reliable radio communications on our main radio channel then we would be in a better position to respond to the facility based on the call for service and risk assessment, and may reduce the initial number of members needed to respond. This item remains outstanding and I am advised that the resolution may be in the range of $350,000 and not implemented by CREST until the conversion to the new radio systems in the next 18-24 months.”
This item has been on Council agendas including presentations on the issue as follows:
Excerpt from September 12, 2017 Committee of the Whole minutes:
“G. Horth, General Manager, Capital Region Emergency System Telecommunications Inc. (CREST), Re: Network Upgrade – View Royal Site
Mr. Horth stated that the RCMP requested CREST to investigate the possibility of installation of a monopole tower to improve emergency communications, and therefore safety, for responders. The Town’s Public Safety Building property meets CREST’s siting criteria.
The Committee and Mr. Horth discussed criteria for site selection; alternative sites; potential location of the tower at the Public Safety Building; schematics of CREST’s High Rock Park site in Esquimalt; and community engagement.
THAT the Committee recommend to Council that Capital Region Emergency System Telecommunications Inc. (CREST) proceed with an open house to receive feedback regarding the possibility of siting a tower and associated facilities shelter on the Town of View Royal Public Safety Building property (333 Island Highway).” COW-17-17
Excerpt from September 19, 2017 Council minutes:
“THAT the Capital Region Emergency System Telecommunications Inc. (CREST) proceed with an open house to receive feedback regarding the possibility of siting a tower and associated facilities shelter on the Town of View Royal Public Safety Building property (333 Island Highway).” CARRIED
Excerpt from February 13, 2018 Committee of the Whole minutes:
“G. Horth, General Manager, CREST, Re: Major Network Upgrade – Placement of Tower at the View Royal Public Safety Building
Mr. Horth updated the Committee regarding CREST’s major network upgrade, including feedback from the open house held in the fall of 2017 regarding the monopole tower proposed for 333 Island Highway. Subsequent to the open house, CREST learned that the monopole tower must be 47m as opposed to the originally contemplated 40m. Mr. Horth discussed proposed siting, installation methodology, accessory equipment, radio frequency level, and seismic rating. He indicated a desire to install the monopole tower beginning in the summer of 2018 with completion anticipated by the end of 2018.
The Committee and Mr. Horth discussed height and width of the monopole tower and the provision of monopole renderings from various locations in the Town.
The Chief Administrative Officer noted that a formal resolution of approval would be required as well as an agreement between the Town and CREST.”
Excerpt from draft March 6, 2018 Council minutes:
“CREST Communications Tower
Councillor Rogers inquired as to other possible sites in View Royal for the proposed CREST communications monopole. He requested that when the matter comes forward again, that the pros and cons of a Nursery Hill Park siting be described.”
Excerpt from draft March 13, 2018 Committee of the Whole:
“G. Horth, General Manager, CREST, Re: CREST Communications Tower
Mr. Horth discussed that the cost of the CREST communications tower would be approximately $300,000 with View Royal’s share being $3,000. He described the rationale as to why Nursery Hill Park was not a suitable site; community public safety benefits with the installation; that a draft agreement has been provided to staff to cover off liability; and a proposed construction commencement in the spring.
The Committee and Mr. Horth discussed height of the communications tower; current gaps in service areas; approval in principle; and that a report will be provided to a future meeting of Council.”
Staff Sgt. R. Sandhu, Westshore RCMP, noted that the RCMP raised the issue of radio “dead zones” at the Choices facility, the area around Eagle Creek Village, and in the vicinity of the Casino with CREST. These gaps in service pose a safety risk to officers given the essential role of radio communications in police work. CREST is seeking to remedy the situation with this proposed installation.
DISCUSSION:
During the process to date, Council has been diligent in an effort to understand the implications of this antennae installation and the benefits to be derived.
While the monopole addresses radio reception gaps in our community, it also forms part of CREST’s emergency radio communications system. The system is currently undergoing a $24.5 million upgrade in technology. As such, the system will advance to a P25 Standard. P25 represents a suite of standards for digital radio communications used by federal, provincial/state and local emergency response agencies across North America. It is considered a world standard. Attached to this report is an update from CREST Chair of the Board, Gordie Logan (see Attachment “A”).
CREST has also agreed to install additional radio infrastructure on the tower for Town of View Royal use with no additional cost to our taxpayers. Attached is a cost estimate of $21,050 for design and installation of infrastructure that will facilitate the use of this antennae by the Fire Department and the ham radio system that would be deployed in the event of a disaster (see Attachment “B”). This new Town of View Royal installation enhances our ham radio capability significantly. The upgrades include HF (High Frequency) communication technology, UHF capability, and capabilities to connect email between Town Hall and the Public Safety Building through the use of a VHF radio system in the event internet is lost.
In addition to the Emergency Program radio upgrades, additional site surveillance cameras will be installed in the upper parking area (mounted on the pole). Previously, no infrastructure existed to run cables for these cameras at the time of construction. The installation of the mono pole and cable runs will facilitate the additional coax cable for the cameras.
CREST has provided a draft Telecommunications Agreement to establish terms under which the monopole will be installed, operated and maintained. Staff have reviewed the proposed agreement and made some changes to more comprehensively address our interests (see Attachment “C”). The foundation for this structure will be subject to a building permit.
BUDGET:
As noted by Mr. Horth during Committee of the Whole presentations, the communications tower has a cost of $300,000 with the Town of View Royal’s share being $3,000. This contribution is paid to the CRD as part of the annual property tax requisition and will not become a direct cost to our budget system.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Town of View Royal authorize the installation of a 47 metre monopole to be located at the Public Safety Building property located at 333 Island Highway as part of the CREST Emergency Radio Communications System;
AND FURTHER THAT the Town of View Royal enter into the Telecommunications Agreement substantially in the form attached to the CAO report dated March 15, 2018.
SUBMITTED BY:
Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
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