Image courtesy Village of Gambier
Gambier Village Council has approved new sign designs from Signline Graphics of Mount Vernon, including the largest sign for the Gambier Community Center, which houses village offices and a library. They will soon be constructed and cost $2,500. Other signs include the dog park entrance.
And once again, council unanimously turned down AT&T’s request by a 6-0 vote, citing the leasing contract has been renewed every five years, with the current lease not set to expire until 2021.
AT&T currently pays about $21,000 per year to lease the water tower and wants to see the amount lowered to a “competitive rate” of $15,000 annually.
Village Solicitor Clinton Bailey, however, noted that AT&T’s most recent letter, dated May 2, is nearly identical to one received just a few years ago from AT&T. The older, undated letter Bailey shared with council seeks to negotiate new cell tower lease terms within 90 days, and preferably 60 days, “or AT&T will continue to evaluate alternative site locations.” The newer letter also states the village’s inability to negotiate a new lease within 90 days “will trigger AT&T’s review of alternate locations.”
Bailey advised council members not to give in to the company’s pressure and to maintain the $21,000 in annual rent being paid now. Mayor Kachen Kimmell said because Gambier is located on a hill, the lofty water tower is one of the tallest places in the county to place a cell phone tower — something of real value.
AT&T’s May 2 letter, sent to Village Administrator RC Wise, is even more specific about proposing a re-negotiated lease term. In fact, under an “Option B,” AT&T proposed offering the village “a one-time lump sum payment of $185,250. In return, you will grant a ninety-nine (99) year easement on your property and assign the lease rights and rental income under your lease with AT&T” to the cell tower provider.
Option A offered the city $15,000 in annual tower rental commencing July 1; a five percent rent increase every 5 years commencing in August 2021; a lease extension through July 2046; and lease provisions including a right of first refusal that would give AT&T time to match any outside offer for water tower use.
In addition to staying with its current lease term, council turned down all proposals. Kimmell said AT&T’s urgent strong-arm tactics did not take village council members unawares this time. The current lease contract, as it stands, is strong, she added.
Gambier Village Council also took other action this week, including sign design approval recommended by the Buildings and Grounds Committee and its chair, Liz Forman. The new signs all involve a theme featuring the same font used for lettering, and the village of Gambier logo.
The largest sign, for the Gambier Community Center, will be about five feet wide and will have at the top wording in large letters, “Community Center,” and on a line below it, “Villages Offices - Library,” Below that line, the words “children’s playground,” “playing fields” and “dog park” will have directional arrows. There will also be signs for Quarry Park Trail, the Dog Park entrance, and Quarry Park entrance.
The signs will soon be constructed and put in place by Signline Graphics of Mount Vernon. The company is to receive $2,500 for its work through a purchase order, Wise said.
