Title
a. Authorize the Chief Information Officer to execute a non-standard Radio Site Lease Agreement with Heartland Mark LLC retroactively from September 1, 2024, through October 31, 2036, increasing annually with a 3% escalator and a total not to exceed amount of $409,093; and
b. Accept non-standard provisions as recommended by the Chief Information Officer; and
c. Authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments, subject to County Counsel review, provided the amendments do not significantly change the scope of work and do not alter the non-standard terms of the Radio Site Lease Agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Chief Information Officer to execute a non-standard Radio Site Lease Agreement with Heartland Mark LLC retroactively from September 1, 2024, through October 31, 2036, increasing annually with a 3% escalator and a total not to exceed amount of $409,093; and
b. Accept non-standard provisions as recommended by the Chief Information Officer; and
c. Authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments, subject to County Counsel review, provided the amendments do not significantly change the scope of work and do not alter the non-standard terms of the Radio Site Lease Agreement.
SUMMARY:
The non-standard Radio Site Lease Agreement (the Agreement) between the County of Monterey and Heartland Mark, LLC, permits the County to continue to use space at Assessor’s Parcel Number 080-037-006, hereinafter referred to as the “Pinball Radio Site. " This Agreement secures a twelve (12) year lease term retroactively from September 2024 through October 2036 with a 3% annual escalation.
DISCUSSION:
The Pinball Radio Site has been a County-leased site since the year 2000. The Pinball Radio site is a critical communications facility that supports two-way radio coverage in South Monterey County. The site has provided reliable public safety communications for more than two decades for Monterey County Parks Rangers, reservoir operations staff and emergency responders operating in the region.
In 2022, Heartland Mark LLC purchased the property that includes the Pinball Radio Site and required a new agreement (board action A-16039) to allow the operation of communications equipment on privately owned property. Through collaboration between the County Information Technology Department (ITD), County Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) Department, Monterey County Water Resources Agency (WRA), and the property owner, the parties have negotiated an Agreement establishing a new twelve (12) year lease term retroactively from September 1, 2024, through October 31, 2036, with an annual lease rate beginning at $25,000 and escalating by 3% annually.
WRA is concurrently negotiating the Nacimiento Grazing Lease 5 (NAC-5) on an adjacent property with Heartland Mark LLC. The NAC-5 lease will be under consideration by the County Board of Supervisors as a separate item.
This Radio Site Lease Agreement will allow continued operation of the radio site while avoiding the need for costly relocation or development of multiple replacement sites that would otherwise be required to achieve comparable coverage. This Pinball Radio site enables radio interoperability coverage for Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties’ first responders, emphasizing stable radio communication for South Monterey County.
The Chief Information Officer recommends entering into this Agreement to continue to provide public safety radio coverage for all affected first responders, law enforcement, fire and ambulance services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to form. The Auditor-Controller’s Office reviewed the contract but does not agree to the non-standard payment provisions. The PWFP Department and Water Resources Agency assisted with the development of the Agreement.
FINANCING:
The retro amount of $55,041.67; covering the period of 9/1/24 through 10/31/26; was paid in FY 2025/26 by PWFP department 3200 appropriation unit PFP058. The FY 2026/27 amount of $31,522.50 has been included in the FY 26-27 Approved Budget for the Information Technology Department, Fund 1001, Department INF000. Transactions relating to future fiscal years will be included in each respective Recommended Budget based upon the anticipated utilization of the services.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This radio site will continue to provide critical radio communications for Monterey County and enhance public safety for all first responders and the local communities.
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
X Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
____ Administrative
Prepared by: Teresa Meister, Management Analyst II, 759-6938
Approved by: Eric A. Chatham, Chief Information Officer, 759-6920
Attachments:
Heartland Mark LLc Agreement