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Town Councilmembers were like surprised cats suddenly learning of 100,000 available canaries at their Feb. 26 meeting. The agenda item: “presentation Crown Castle, cell tower lease and tower point” was completely different from September, when Councilmembers admonished company representatives for being in arrears on an existing lease.

Mayor Ramon Hayes made the introduction, saying the company had paid its bill. He later stated the new terms: “Crown Castle will write a check to the Town of La Conner for $100,000 to the general fund.” There is a monthly rental fee and a 50-50 split on new revenues from cell phone service providers leasing space on the tower. The lease increases 2.5 percent annually.

Last fall Council’s major concerns was the visibility of a 20 foot extension on the existing Pioneer Park cell tower, sight pollution. A refractive film wrap, a 3M product, will effectively camouflage it, Crown staff explained. Someone alluded to stealth bombers. Hayes called it a wonderful solution.

Councilmember Marylee Chamberlain brought up possible erosion at the tower’s base. She was assured a structural analysis will be down and company liability would be written into the contract.

Councilmember Mary Wohleb raised questions about visibility and effectiveness of masking it

Councilmembers Jacques Brunisholz and John Leaver had financial questions, Brunisholz asking about the rate of increase for the lease and Leaver the terms for length and renewals. Hayes responded that details were negotiated, leading to the $100,000 figure. Finance Director Maria DeGoede and Town Administrator Scott Thomas assisted in working out the terms, he said.

Leaver supported the agreement, asking “where do we sign?” and remarking “the financial benefit is worth the 20 foot addition.”

Crown must make an application, file building permits and execute the agreement. Thomas thought it might be May before it comes to Council for their approval.

Like others, Crown Castle likes La Conner’s location. Hayes said, “They wanted this contract. We needed this contract as well. It had to be mutually beneficial. We feel confident we are getting a good deal.”

Crown Castle is a Houston based corporation with revenues of $5.4 billion in 2018.

Council gave Hayes approval to sign for $99,847 for a front end loader used in composting operations and approved completion of the State Street sidewalk and compost pad projects. They also agreed to a new contract for cleaning the First and Morris Street restrooms through October with Frontline Cleaning Services.

Hayes and Wohleb recognied Ollie Iversen for his fundraising efforts and the success of a Feb. 22 fundraiser at Hellam’s Vineyard for the waterfront park pavilion, which is now funded..

Council again went into executive session to discuss a property transaction. No decision was announced.

Bill Stokes missed the meeting. His absence was excused.