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Home My WebLink AboutItem UAGENDA REPORT DATE: May 14, 2001 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council THRU: John B. Bahorski, City Manager FROM: Dan Dorsey, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: AUDIT REPORT REGARDING RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY EMISSIONS AT ZOETER FIELD SUMMARY OF REOUEST: Pursuant to their regularly- scheduled meeting of March 26, Council Members requested that staff meet with Verizon Wireless in order: 1. For the City to retain an independent telecommunications consultant to measure radio frequency (RF energy) emissions from the recently - installed Verizon wireless facility at Zoeter Field. 2. To discuss the feasibility of Verizon re- locating its wireless facility to another site in Old Town. I.]iy IV11111►`II� ELECTROMAGNETIC MEASUREMENTS AT ZOETER FIELD: Lawrence Behr Associations (LBA), a telecommunications consulting company, was retained by the City of Seal Beach in order to measure the entire electromagnetic environment at Zoeter Field. Verizon's monopole was activated on April 18, 2001, and LBA performed its measurement assessment on April 23, 2001, between the "busy" hours of 4:00 — 6:00 PM. The subsequent audit provides a measurement of the "maximum permissible exposure" (MPE) limits of RF energy —in accordance with FCC standards and regulations. The MPE limit is defined as a reading of "100 percent" on the emissions monitor. Any measurement below the 100% standard indicates a safe level for human exposure. RF energy measurements were performed inside the Under the Rainbow day care facility as well w numerous outdoor sites surrounding the monopole. In addition, Seal Beach resident Jenny Evans was present in order to monitor the measurement activities performed by LBA. Agenda Item: LBA performed 35 separate MPE measurements at Zoeter Field (Annex 1.0 — Audit Report). The readings were consistently between five and six percent of maximum permissible exposure levels (Annex 2.0 — Audit Report). Accordingly, Lawrence Behr Associates has concluded that the Verizon wireless facility at Zoeter Field "is in compliance with the FCC RF exposure regulations," and that "no mitigation is required or recommended at this time." Mr. Adrian Harvey, who performed and wrote the Lawrence Behr Audit Report, is available to answer any inquiries from members of the Council. FEASIBILITY OF VERIZON R&LOCATING ITS WIRELESS FACILITY: Staff met with several representatives from Verizon Wireless on April 6, 2001, in order to discuss the feasibility of re- locating the wireless facility to another site in Old Town. Verizon Wireless is cognizant of public concerns about possible health effects associated with human exposure to radio frequency fields. However, the Verizon representatives stated that it would be inappropriate for the company to attempt to re- locate its wireless facility as tong as Verizon complies with all FCC regulations and standards governing RF energy. Based on the results of the attached Audit Report, Verizon Wireless contends that there is no justification for re- locating its wireless facility. FISCAL IMPACT: None. Verizon Wireless will pay for the Lawrence Behr Audit Report as well as a future, second audit performed by another telecommunications consultant. RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file. �� J /) P"dq Dan Do hey Assistant to the City ger Lawrence&hr&soc&s, Inc. Verizon Wireless Site: NWS Zoeter Baseball Field 11'" SL and Landing Ave. Seal Beach, California Apri130, 2001 3400 Tupper Drive Greenville, North Carolina 27834 252 -757 -0279 800- 522 -4464 252 -752 -9155 FAX Email: Ihaasc ®Ihagmup.Com Verizon Wireless Irvine, Califomia This work is based upon our best interpretation of available information. However, these data ' and their interpretation are constantly changing. Therefore, we do not warrant that any undertaking based on this report will be successful, or that others will not require further research ' or actions in support of this proposal or future undertaking. In the event of errors, our liability is strictly limited to replacement of this document with a corrected one. Liability for consequential damages is specifically disclaimed. Any use of this document constitutes an agreement to hold Lawrence Behr Associates, Inc. and its employees harmless and indemnify it for any and all ' liability, claims, demands, litigation expenses and allomeys fees arising out of such use. Work product documents released prior to account settlement remain the sole property of ' Lawrence Behr Associates, Inc. and must be returned on demand. Underlying work notes and data relating to this document remain the property of Lawrence Behr Associates, Inc. This document shall not be reproduced in whole or part without permission of Lawrence Behr Associates, Inc. Any dispute hereunder shall be adjudicated in North Carolina. Any use or ' retention of this document constitutes acceptance of these terms, the entire work product, and all charges associated therewith. 1 COPYRIGHT 2000 BY LAWRENCE BEM ASSOCIATES, MC. GREENVR.LE, NORTH CAROLINA 1 1 1 1 EME Audit Report Site: NWS Zoeter Baseball Filed Seal Beach, Calitomia Verizon Wireless Irvine, California Introduction Lawrence Behr Associates, Inc. (LBA) has been retained by Verizon of Irvine, California to perform electomagnetic environment (EME) measurements at Zoeter Baseball Field, in Seal Beach, California on April 23, 2001. This audit provides measurement assessment of the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits for uncontrolled exposures around the Vedzon monopole and includes photographs and annotated maps, where required. Our assessment included, where possible, an evaluation of non - Verizon transmitters that could contribute to the Verizon MPE limits in accessible areas. Site mitigation options have been assessed and recommendations made where the uncontrolled MPE could be exceeded in accessible areas. For the study, we considered the entire area to be a general population/uncontrolled area as defined by the FCC. An MPE limit of 0.59 milliwatts per square centimeter (MW /cm') was used for the Verizon Wireless 800 MHz cellular facilities as prescribed in OET 65. All measurements were performed using a Narda 8718 radiation monitor with an 8742D isometric probe. Both meter and probe were factory calibrated September 26'°, 2000. This system is considered an "industry standard" for making EME measurements. Measurements were taken as a percent of MPE for the general population /uncontrolled standard. 'Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radlofrequency Electromagnetlo Fields, OET Bulletin 65, Edition 97 -01, August 1997. 'RoofView. Version 4.11, Richard Tell Associates, Inc. 01997,1998, 1999, 2000. UWNENUBVIRAff"RES, /NC IGrsemi /k, Nl 1 Assessment of Verizon Site NWS — Seal Beach — Zoeter Baseball Field • This Verizon site is a 50ft monopole with provision for lighting fixtures, located at the norm comer of a baseball field. For the study, we considered the entire accessible area to be a general population /uncontrolled area as defined by the FCC. • There are no other antennas sufficiently close to the Verizon antenna array locations that appear to impact Verizon MPE. • The MPE at ground level, over the adjacent property and classrooms was measured and levels were not exceeded, as shown in the measurement chart and the measurement location map. • There is not a contribution of 5% or greater of MPE to any areas that are in excess of MPE. There is no shared responsibility concerning MPE on the site. • LBA used a Model 8718 NARDA meter with a Model B8742D probe for the measurements. Both meter and probe were factory calibrated September 26' 2000. This system is considered an "industry standard" for making EME measurements. Measurements were taken as a percent of MPE for the general population /uncontrolled standard. • Measurements were made during the busy time of day between 4 and 6 PM when the site will be operating at maximum power as stated by Verizon. Recommendations for Verizon Site NWS- Seal Beach - Zoeter Baseball Field • This Verizon site is in compliance with the FCC RF exposure regulations as indicated in this report. No mitigation is required or recommended at this time. I4WRENCE8ENR45SOU4TfS, INC TE/f1OMM4N1CAD0NSCONStl[TANTS 6reenv0 /e, NC Annex 1.0 Measurements Site: NWS Verizon Wireless livine, Califomia /NC &nSa GNC - -- o-.. 31 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY 29 T Q� *REMENT I M - - TIONS BUILD-IINGa L. 26 13 34 30 � 19 20 21 22 � 12 CLASSROOMS CHURfH ', • PLAYGROUND � 11 19 I 35 9 i 2 9 VERIZON _ MPNOPQLE ' 7 5 v I _.' T i BASEBALL FIELD I i I I square= I am ;' I I I I I /NC &nSa GNC II II Annex 2.0 Measurement Chart sue: NWS I' Verizon Wireless Irvine, Cafifomia [1 r r 1 r VERIZON SITE- NWS- Zoeter baseball fleltl - Seal Beach Map Lacatl.. Readings taken Ap,1123,d 2001 4:00 - 698 pm PERCENTAGE OF MPE ene.al o uladon /unmM lle 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 B 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2O 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 592% 5.86% 5.98% 6.05% 6.00% 690% 5.77% 596% S."% 593% 697% 5.98% 592% 6.18% 6.16% 6.01% 5.79% 5.62% 592% 5.70% 5.71% 5.71% 5.03% 6.18% 693% 6.05% 6.30% 6.52% 5.86% 594% 697% 6.81% 6.35% 6.16% IAWRE U9M)RASSOMMS, /NC T E L E C O M M d N/ G l T /O N S C O N S O[ TAN T S 6reen✓i //e NC II Annex 3.0 Photographs Site: NWS I' Verizon Wireless Irvine, Califomia View looking north across baseball field to Verizon monopole. April 23, 2001 I4WRENCEBEHBA55"TES, INC � TrrECaaxuxru�mNSrarwvaxn GrzrmNe NC Annex 3.0 Photographs Site: NWS Verizon Wireless Irvine, California View looking northeast to Verizon Monopole April 23, 2001 LOWREREEREHRAff"IFS,, 1hr 7 H K O M 14 a v 14 AO N S C W WV 'A A7 S &W&19S K ft 11 Annex 3.0 Photographs Site: NWS I' Verizon Wireless Irvine, Califomia 1 1 1 1 View looking southwest from Pacific Coast Highway to Verizon monopole April 23, 2001 UWRER(EBfRRAfS00, Ia Or 7 S ECO M M/ F Y v m V Y a YS N[ 7, W 7S Orremffle Nc