HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-2019 - Study Session MinutesMINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION/OPEN FORUM OF THE
COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The Study Session was called to order by Mayor Foley at 5:07 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at Costa Mesa City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Chavez, Council Member Genis, Council Member
Reynolds, Mayor Pro Tern Stephens, and Mayor Foley.
Absent: Council Member Mansoor and Council Member Marr.
STUDY SESSION ITEM:
1. WIRELESS FACILITIES INCLUDING SMALL CELLS
Staff presentation by Ms. Le, Assistant Director of Development Services, and
Jonathan Kramer, Ph.D., consultant with Telecom Law Firm.
Discussion ensued on 4G v. 5G, RF emission limits, cumulative effects, several sites
on one pole, comparison to other local government ordinances, discretionary review,
and shot clocks.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Robert Fiskin, Costa Mesa, spoke on close proximity to home, microwave radiation,
notification, and safety.
Brian Estrada, Costa Mesa, spoke on the National Toxicology program by the National
Human and Health Services, study on RF effects, and harm by long term exposure at
low levels.
Monica Draghici, Costa Mesa, spoke on noise, property values, overloading utility poles,
setbacks, the National Toxicology report, notifications, and a revised ordinance.
Ray Wallace, Costa Mesa, spoke on setbacks, consider side and back yards, and a
revised ordinance.
Speaker, Costa Mesa, spoke on concerns on RF emissions.
Mr. West, spoke on the need for cells to be equally spaced, advocated for a different
approach where all carriers map out cell sites, and have uniform and preferred
locations.
Minutes — Study Session — August 13, 2019 — Page 1
Robin Leffler, Costa Mesa, spoke against cell sites, noise, and that employees do not
want located at fire stations.
Speaker, expressed pleasure that the City Council was addressing the health and
safety concerns.
Discussion ensued on FCC regulations, key court decisions, litigation, shot clocks, fees,
minimum and reasonable distances, underground wiring, accessibility and landscaping,
map of locations, legislation, noticing, application process, and best practices.
7:10 p.m. - The meeting moved to an open forum in Conference room 1A and the City
Hall lobby where members of the public were able to share their thoughts and provide
input on small cell facilities with Council Members individually, the consultant, and
representatives from cell phone carriers.
ADJOURNMENT — Mayor Foley adjourned the Study Session at 7:30 p.m.
Minutes adopted on this 2"d day of March, 2021.
Brenda Gree , City Clerk
Minutes — Study Session — August 13, 2019 — Page 2