On April 4, 2017 City Council adopted Resolution No. 2017-15 which stated the City's opposition to then-HB 687 regarding wireless communication facilities.  Since that time, the Bill moved through the legislature, was signed by the Governor and became Section 2017-136 in the Laws of Florida on July 1, 2017.  The new law, entitled the "Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act," establishes a process by which wireless providers may place certain “small wireless facilities” on, under, within, or adjacent to certain utility poles or wireless support structures within public rights-of-way that are under the jurisdiction and control of an “authority” (i.e., a county or municipality.)  The law provides that the City may not prohibit, regulate, or charge for the collocation of small wireless facilities in the public rights-of-way, except as specified in the legislation.

Due to the impacts that this new law may have in our community, staff is requesting that City Council impose a temporary moratorium for 180 days in order to allow staff sufficient time to study the new legislation and prepare any amendments to the City's Code of Ordinances as needed.  The moratorium would be effective immediately and would expire on January 3, 2018.  A copy of the legislation is attached to this agenda item for City Council's review.