{"id":2934,"date":"2020-09-27T19:08:14","date_gmt":"2020-09-27T19:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techclot.com\/index.php\/2020\/09\/27\/council-poised-to-battle-5g-tech-to-whatever-extent-it-can\/"},"modified":"2020-09-27T19:08:14","modified_gmt":"2020-09-27T19:08:14","slug":"council-poised-to-battle-5g-tech-to-whatever-extent-it-can","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techclot.com\/index.php\/2020\/09\/27\/council-poised-to-battle-5g-tech-to-whatever-extent-it-can\/","title":{"rendered":"Council poised to battle 5G tech to whatever extent it can"},"content":{"rendered":"

Council poised to battle 5G tech to whatever extent it can<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

CYNICAL RUSE Items left out as \u201cfree\u201d for the taking, like this couch near Bayside Road apartment buildings, are often unusable, the offer just an evasion of responsibility for disposal. KLH | Union<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Electeds ponder roadside debris, hear APD reforms<\/b><\/h2>\n

Kevin L. Hoover
<\/b>Mad River Union<\/b><\/p>\n

ARCATA \u2013 The City Council on Sept. 16 continued the Local Emergency related to the COVID-29 pandemic, as it does every two weeks in order to respond pro-actively, and to potentially gain reimbursements. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is still a significant threat to our community from the emergency,\u201d states a staff report.<\/p>\n

It then proceeded to process several substantive agenda items, starting with reform of the city\u2019s waste disposal policies and procedures, continuing on to 5G regulation and police reform. <\/span><\/p>\n

On Sept. 2, the council heard a state-of-the-waste briefing from Linda Wise of Recology Arcata covering recycling, program functionality and contamination of garbage recycling carts. In the offing are changes and amendments to the city\u2019s agreement with Recology, with last week\u2019s discussion setting the stage for negotiations.<\/p>\n

Subscribe to the Mad River Union and enjoy online access to the full print edition for just $20\/year!<\/i><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Issues identified by staff started with the omnipresent discards \u2013 from clothing to housewares to furniture \u2013 that find their way onto Arcata\u2019s roadside, often under cover of night. To reduce the illicit and illegal <\/span><\/p>\n

dumpage, which costs the city to clean up, free, twice-yearly pickups of bulky items could be expanded to multifamily dwellings such as apartment buildings. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe that a lot of the roadside furniture, mattresses and things of that nature may be coming from the multifamily sector,\u201d said Environmental Services Director Mark Andre. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, the expanded service could require changes to rates charged for such dwellings. <\/span><\/p>\n

With participation key to keeping costs down, up to 350 residential parcels in Arcata don\u2019t get or have \u201copted out\u201d of curbside collection service. However, the city can revoke the exclusions if the property owner is found caught dumping, as has happened. <\/span><\/p>\n

Andre said the city has \u201cconcerns\u201d about some of the exemptions, and that compliance is hard to verify. <\/span><\/p>\n

A voluntary pilot green waste program currently has about 500 participants, or 10 percent of eligible residences, who pay $4 a month for bi-weekly pickup of a 96-gallon container. That could be made a regular voluntary service, as the pilot program has demonstrated the need. \u201cIt fills gaps for sure in green waste diversion,\u201d Andre said.<\/p>\n

Other tweaks include increasing education about recycling contamination, charging a fee for recycling that contains garbage, and providing smaller recycling bins for those with reduced need.<\/p>\n

Andre said the city is discussing street sweeping service with Recology, as Arcata\u2019s latest street sweeper is aging. An electric version is being researched as well.<\/p>\n

Councilmember Paul Pitino was concerned about trash receptacles being left out all the time in many areas, blocking sidewalks. He wanted businesses and residences that don\u2019t take them in to face potential fines. Andre said loose bins violate the Arcata Municipal Code, and can be more vigorously enforced. <\/span><\/p>\n

City Manager Karen Diemer said that duty might possibly be transferred to Recology, but Pitino was skeptical. Wise said Recology could charge customers extra for bins habitually left out, based on citizen reports.<\/p>\n

Councilmember and Humboldt Waste Management Authority Boardmember Sofia Pereira said that agency\u2019s staff has been asked to look into regional CRV redemption options, and that Recology could play a role. <\/span><\/p>\n

Councilmember Brett Watson was interested in expanding CRV redemption options in Arcata. Andre said staff would explore ways to improve CRV redemption accessibility. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mayor Michael Winkler wanted to know if Recology could handle graffiti removal, a particular interest of his. Wise referred the city to a company called Cleanscape in Seattle that does that.<\/p>\n

Diemer said staff would firm up possible amendments and bring them back to the council. <\/span><\/p>\n

Small cell wireless (5G)<\/p>\n

The next item, which brought the most public comment, was regulation of 5G or small cell wireless installations.<\/p>\n

In August, an appeals court issued a ruling, which could still be revised by further litigation. The ruling severely limits the city\u2019s power to regulate 5G. <\/span><\/p>\n

As it presently stands, the city may reasonably regulate small cell installations for aesthetic reasons \u201cas long the requirements do not unreasonably discriminate between small cell facilities and other wireless technologies,\u201d states a staff report. <\/span><\/p>\n

That, said City Attorney Nancy Diamond, could require revisions of the Land Use Code to enshrine whatever aesthetic criteria the city wishes to enforce.<\/p>\n

However, the city has no power under current federal law to prohibit construction, other than some limited control on city-owned property. Further, it must process applications within 60 days for existing infrastructure and 90 days for new installations.<\/p>\n

The city does have some wiggle room, but that\u2019s about it. \u201cWithout further action by the City, installations of small cell facilities on City-owned property would be subject to the City\u2019s encroachment permit process and to the fee structure imposed by the FCC Small Cell Order,\u201d reads a staff report. \u201cA City ordinance could provide greater detail to the processing of the encroachment permit process especially for small cell installations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Councilmembers acknowledged the limits on the city\u2019s regulatory power, but were interested in maximizing whatever discretion it may have.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only thing I know, is I want as much control as I can get,\u201d Pitino said. <\/span><\/p>\n

He wanted more detail on the physical appearance and locations of the small cell installations in order to make aesthetic judgments, with maximum distance between any transmitters and schools and hospitals. He also wanted more information on a new fiberoptic cable being installed and soon to reach our shores and possibly passing through Arcata.<\/p>\n

Pitino further questioned the need for 5G. \u201cReally, why do I want 5G anyway?\u201d He asked. He said he and his \u201ccompatriots\u201d were doing fine with the present level of connectivity.<\/p>\n

5G, or fifth-generation wireless technology, offers expanded speed, bandwidth and reach. Advocates say it will help make possible new technologies such as driverless vehicles, augmented and virtual reality, telemedicine and more, plus improved reliability and lower latency. It is already available in other areas of the U.S. and other countries.<\/p>\n

Also discussed \u2013 but not defined for the viewing public \u2013 was a possible \u201cdig once\u201d policy. Such policies involve installing fiberoptic cable and conduit during construction projects, reducing the need for future installation work.<\/p>\n

Options for a \u201cdig once\u201d policy are being developed by staff for future council consideration.<\/p>\n

Councilmembers agreed to focus on aesthetic standards and make modifications to the Land Use Code to bring it into alignment with 5G law and policy.<\/p>\n

Members of the public urged the council to look into potential health impacts of 5G technology.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would urge you guys to do whatever you can to keep this out of our community,\u201d said Suzanne Nye. She said 5G is untested, not proven safe and poses a threat to the public, with proliferating cell towers \u201csurrounding us with untested and unsafe radiation.\u201d<\/p>\n

She called 5G \u201ca dangerous and grand experiment\u201d that would only benefit large corporations and billionaires.<\/p>\n

R.D. Fiero said 5G is \u201cpotentially dangerous to every life form\u201d and could be \u201cweaponized.\u201d He called for special meetings to discuss the issue.<\/p>\n

 <\/span>A woman named Holly urged the council three times to \u201cdo your research\u201d by consulting Internet sources. She was concerned about radiation absorption, saying 5G hasn\u2019t been evaluated for environmental impacts. <\/span><\/p>\n

She said a petition drive is underway to oppose 5G and referred to other communities that have acted against the new technology.<\/p>\n

Kent Sawatsky said aesthetic requirements could be used as a \u201cmonkeywrench,\u201d to minimize profit margins and retard 5G expansion.<\/p>\n

Chelsea Kimzey was dismayed that money was being invested into 5G when homelessness remains rampant, and that health impacts weren\u2019t more throughly discussed. \u201cI do not agree with any sort of 5G in this community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Abigail Porter urged the council to exert maximum control, and was concerned over health risks. <\/span><\/p>\n

A man named Anthony said 5G is \u201cbeing forced on us,\u201d and wanted to know who owns the facilities and their potential for surveillance.<\/p>\n

Christopher Kieslhorst was \u201cAdamantly opposed\u201d to increased cellular activity, preferring fiberoptic cable as a \u201csafe and proven method.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diamond said a \u201ccomplete and total ban\u201d isn\u2019t possible, but that some areas might be potentially placed off limits pending further research. She said health impacts are solely determined by the FCC, calling that an \u201cunfortunate restriction on local cities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to look closely at what a ban means,\u201d she said, before attempting such a thing in Arcata.<\/p>\n

Watson again called for \u201cmaximum control\u201d over the new technology, and said a petition was a \u201cgreat idea\u201d that could clarify community will.<\/p>\n

Winkler said he was OK with restrictions as long as they were \u201clegally justifiable\u201d and didn\u2019t contradict case law.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny way we can control or restrict this, I\u2019m completely for that,\u201d Pitino said.<\/p>\n

Winkler said he was willing to have Arcata go to court to defend any restrictions citizens want and that the city might pass.<\/p>\n

Arcata Police Department<\/p>\n

Police Chief Brian Ahearn offered another monthly update on the continuing program of reforms underway at APD. He cited \u201csignificant advancements\u201d to be detailed in next month\u2019s report regarding procedural justice training, racial profiling and implicit bias training.<\/p>\n

He said de-escalation training and  <\/span>APD\u2019s use of force policy have seen progress with assistance from the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and use of APD\u2019s Mobile Options Simulator (MOS) scenario training.<\/p>\n

De-escalation training gets underway this week, and will be ongoing. States a staff report, \u201cThe de-escalation training consists of classroom training on use of force principles, recent use of force legislation, case law, legal update, use of force policy review all followed by the practical application of use of force concepts through the MOS scenarios.\u201d<\/p>\n

Use of Force policies are being reviewed by the Public Safety Committee (see page 2),<\/i> which meets tonight. The committee will also report on post-COVID restructuring of APD and Campaign Zero, 8 Can\u2019t Wait and 8 To Abolition platforms for police reform.<\/p>\n

Written communications to the Public Safety Committee urged adoption of \u201c8 to Abolition\u201d and other police defunding initiatives. These would reallocate funding for law enforcement to social service and other community resources, plus removing police from schools and establishing community-response groups.<\/p>\n

\u201cArcata has led the way in many environmental efforts in the past: let\u2019s lead the way now to what an equitable and just community can look like,\u201d stated citizen Marley Jarvis.<\/p>\n

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Published at Sun, 27 Sep 2020 15:45:00 +0000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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