Stop "small cells"/5G in Malibu!          MalibuforSafeTech.org

Dear Mayor/Council Members,
During the Aug. 24th hearing re: small cell installations, many Malibu residents and professionals in the telecom field, presented facts to you re: this time-sensitive issue. You were also provided a proposed ordinance, written by a noted telecom attorney to help expedite updating of the current ordinance and save the City and Staff, time and expense.
The Council and City Attorney appeared supportive of limiting deployment/installation of these “small” (and not-so-small) cell sites. City Staff is now preparing a set of proposals. We have some continuing concerns however, re: pending/new applications that are or will be in process before a new ordinance is adopted. The FCC "shot clock" gives very little time re: decisions on site applications. With more than 60 permit applications now pending, time is of the essence and this process must be expedited. We also feel the consulting firm currently under contract is not the best choice for Malibu. We therefore ask that:
1) The City schedule a study session asap with experts who spoke at the Council meeting, to gather essential information and expedite this issue.
2) The City instruct Staff to rigorously evaluate each pending application to ensure Applicant has proven the site is truly needed to fill a significant gap, is the least intrusive means to do so and is located in the most appropriate place. The City be fully indemnified for all potential liability including coverage against injury claims. The Staff also work closely with the County Fire Department during the application stage to obtain all necessary measures to minimize fire hazards and obtain permit conditions that ensure ongoing monitoring and fire prevention for duration of permit.
3) The City protect its residents from the harmful effects of the current, newly installed, or pending cell sites and replacements/modification sites as much as possible under the law, which only account for voice - no data
4) This issue be an ongoing Council meeting agenda item and that progress on the ordinance be announced at each meeting along with the number of new cell site application/installations indicating all pertinent info, i.e, address, project description, case number, reason for approval, etc.
5) The City discontinue its contract with TLF, PC and retain another consultant. TLF was retained over three years ago to develop a new wireless facility ordinance. It failed to deliver, leaving Malibu with an outdated and inadequate ordinance under which our City has seen unchecked proliferation of “small cell” antennas. Moreover, we doubt TLF will zealously promote or defend the range of available actions the City can take to preserve local control and protect the City and its residents.
6) A representative of the residents be given time to speak at all meetings on this issue, in an amount of time equal to the time allowed to TLF and to respond to any statements or recommendations made by that firm to the City.