SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. — Proposed legislation that would regulate the way Missouri municipalities control the placement of cell towers has seen significant pushback from cities in the Lake area.
At the Sunrise Beach Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, Feb. 10, City Planner Roger Corbin reported to the board of trustees on the status of proposed wireless legislation at the state level which Corbin says would remove local oversight of cell tower placement.
Corbin summarized a Missouri Municipal League (MML) press release, which claimed the state bill—SB650—diminishes and undermines municipality’s responsibility for land use and zoning regulations. According to the MML, the bill allows a cell phone provider to replace or upgrade equipment used to provide wireless telecommunications services on original existing structures with no local government zoning review or even a public hearing.
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Brad Lager.
Earlier that day, Missouri officials from the cities of Osage Beach, Gladstone, Kansas City and Cape Girardeau, along with the MML, had testified against HB 1454, a bill similar to SB650. According to the MML, the two bills come from model legislation created by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC has historically been tight-lipped about its membership, but MML says ALEC members include AT&T, Verizon, CenturyLink and some cable companies.
“Similar bills have passed in more than half of the U.S. states,” Corbin reported to the board. He noted city officials had made it clear in three state house hearings that local governments support and welcome wireless expansion and upgrades, but not at the expense of well-established land use and zoning practices that protect the quality of life of their residents.
However, District 124 State Representative Rocky Miller, who supports the house and senate bills, says the cities’ analysis of the legislation is incorrect, and they actually will retain control of tower placement.
In light of the bill, jurisdictions at the Lake looking at their zoning ordinances to see what revisions can be—or will need to be—made pertaining to cell tower placement.
An organization called Scenic America provides tips for communities to work with regulations and laws to preserve the beauty of landscapes while also allowing for the growth of cellular networks. For more information, visit www.scenic.org.
Other Meeting Business
Ambrosia Annexation Approved
In other business, the board approved an ordinance for the voluntary annexation of properties located in the Ambrosia Lane subdivision, with the verification that petitions have been signed by all of the owners of the annexed area. Of particular interest is the portion of the ordinance which states the city will service normal municipal service to the area “within a reasonable amount of time.” The annexation requires property owners in the area to “bear and pay for their proportionate share” of the cost of extending water service to the area. The extension of sewer service to properties “presently located” within the municipal limits is the first priority for Sunrise Beach; the new properties will receive municipal sewer utility service in the future.
Frankie and Louie’s biker bar update
Roger Corbin gave an update on the biker bar that has been proposed by the owners of Frankie and Louie’s, to be located on Route TT. Corbin said the site does not currently have water and sewer, and the traffic study he has requested a copy of has been completed. Camden County will hold the final plat until the engineering and water plans are approved, Corbin said.
Personnel
In closed session, Mayor Curt Mooney stated that Jeni Hamm would be promoted to City Clerk following Connie Sadler’s retirement Thursday, Feb. 6. The board approved a pay increase for Hamm and she moved from hourly pay to salary.
The board also approved, in closed session, Sunrise Beach Police Chief David Slaven’s request to move part-time officer Lawrence Deves to full-time.
The board approved giving Mayor Curt Mooney the authority to investigate the procedure for public works employee Greg Opfer to obtain his license to operate the city sewage works. “It is crucial during the start-up to have a licensed operator at all times,” Board Trustee Ray Kline stated. “The Department of Natural Resources wants everything handled properly in order to consider us for Phase 2 Sewer funding.” The board also discussed having a second licensed sewage works person for back-up, possibly hired from a local municipality.
Police
The Sunrise Beach Police Department issued 55 warnings and 71 citations, and handled 207 report calls in January.
Finances
The total village income in January was $52,747.60, expenses were $110,605.83 leaving a net ordinary income of -57,858.23.
The next meeting of the Sunrise Beach Board of Trustees is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, March 10 at the Sunrise Beach City Hall.
