Agenda Memo

City of Boulder City Council Agenda Item Meeting Date: June 18, 2026 Agenda Title Consideration of a motion to approve to the allowance of Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless Company’s (“Lessee”) communications facility/equipment to continue to reside on the property located at 3000 63rd Street, Boulder, Colorado 80301, (the “Property”) for an additional five (5) years, with two (2) optional renewal periods of five (5) years each

Staff Contact • •

Rhonda McManus, Operation Support Coordinator, Facilities & Fleet Joanna Crean, Director, Facilities & Fleet

Draft Motion Language Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion: Motion to authorize the city manager to enter into a lease agreement with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless Company for continued use of the telecommunications site located at 3000 63rd Street, ensuring continued operation of existing communications infrastructure and ongoing lease revenue to the city.

Executive Summary The purpose of this item is to consider the extension of an existing lease on city-owned property located at 3000 63rd Street to support and maintain communications infrastructure that serves both municipal operations and broader telecommunications needs. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless Company (“Verizon”) is an existing tenant at this site under prior lease agreements that have supported communications services at this location. Verizon has requested to enter into a new lease agreement to continue its use of the property. The proposed lease establishes an initial term beginning July 1, 2026, and continuing for a period of five (5) years, with the option for two (2) additional five (5)year renewal terms, which may extend the total lease duration. The updated lease terms include an initial annual rent of approximately $1,273.34, paid in equal monthly installments, with a 3% annual increase beginning July 1, 2029, and continuing annually thereafter. The lease provides Verizon with the ability to continue to install, operate, maintain, and modify its communications equipment on the premises as needed to support ongoing operations and evolving technological requirements. The agreement also includes provisions addressing access, maintenance, insurance, termination, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Because the total potential term of the lease, including renewal options, may extend beyond twenty (20) years, and involves the lease of an interest in City-owned property, City Council approval is required under the City Charter prior to execution of the agreement.

Council Action Options Option

Outcome

Approve motion language as drafted

If the motion is approved the city manager will be authorized to enter into the lease agreement with Verizon Wireless, allowing continued operation of the telecommunications facility at 3000 63rd Street. This will ensure uninterrupted communications service, maintain existing infrastructure, and preserve the city’s ability to support ongoing and future communications needs at the site.

Define and adopt a modified motion

Council may propose modifications or amendments to the draft motion language, including changes to lease terms, duration, or conditions of use. Any substantive changes may require staff to revise the agreement and return to council with an updated version for consideration and approval.

Deny the motion or take no action

If the motion is denied or no action is taken, the city would not enter into the proposed lease agreement. This could result in the eventual removal of Verizon’s telecommunications equipment from the site and may impact existing communications services or limit future infrastructure opportunities at this location.

Refer back to staff

City staff recommends moving forward with the lease agreement: Motion to authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless Company for continued use of the site at 3000 63rd Street, ensuring uninterrupted telecommunications service, avoiding potential removal of existing infrastructure, and preserving future communications planning opportunities.

Alignment with City Plans and City Council History Sustainability, Equity and Resilience (SER) Framework and Citywide Strategic Plan Alignment SER Framework Goal Area The proposed lease agreement supports several elements of the City’s Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience (SER) Framework, particularly within the following goal areas: Safe Maintaining telecommunications infrastructure at this site supports reliable communication systems that are critical for emergency response, public safety operations, and community connectivity. Continued operation of this facility helps ensure consistent service and supports the City’s ability to respond to emergencies and serve the community effectively. Accessible and Connected The agreement allows for the continued use and potential modernization of existing

communications infrastructure, supporting evolving technology needs and ensuring that systems remain functional, reliable, and adaptable to future requirements. Citywide Strategic Plan The proposed lease agreement supports the Citywide Strategic Plan by maintaining critical communications infrastructure that enables effective service delivery, public safety operations, and coordination across departments. Continued operation of this facility helps ensure reliable systems that support day-to-day operations as well as emergency response. This action also supports the City’s goals related to organizational effectiveness and infrastructure stewardship by formalizing the use of City-owned property, providing predictable revenue, and allowing for the continued maintenance and modernization of communications equipment as technology evolves.

City Council History This item has not previously come before Boulder City Council as the city purchased the property after the establishment of the original lease. The telecommunications facility at the Valmont Butte site was originally approved by the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners in 1996 through a Special Use Review and Site-Specific Development Plan, which allowed multiple telecommunications providers to co-locate on a single site. A development agreement was executed in 1997 between Boulder County and the then property owner to establish the terms and conditions for construction, operation, and ongoing use of the telecommunications facility. The current action represents a continuation of telecommunications use at the site under a new lease agreement for the now City-owned property.

Analysis Approving the proposed lease agreement with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless will establish a new lease term beginning July 1, 2026, for an initial five (5) year period, with up to two (2) additional five-year renewal terms. The agreement includes annual rent starting at $1,273.34, with a 3% annual escalation beginning in 2029. Approving this agreement means the city will continue generating a stable rental

income and continued operation of existing telecommunications infrastructure at the site.

Equity Analysis The primary beneficiaries of this agreement are the broader community and city operations, as the lease supports continued telecommunications infrastructure that contributes to reliable communication systems. This includes support for emergency response and public safety communications that serve all community members. No specific population group is disproportionately burdened by this agreement. The positive impacts of this agreement include maintaining continuity of existing communications infrastructure, supporting reliable service, and enabling ongoing operations that benefit the community as a whole. Potential negative impacts are minimal, as the agreement represents a continuation of an existing use and does not introduce new physical changes or service disruptions.

Fiscal Note The lease will lead to an increase of $1,273.34 in additional revenues in 2026, increasing by 3% each year. Current Year Estimated Fiscal Impact Fund(s): Facility Renovation & Replacement Department(s): Facilities & Fleet Program(s): N/A

FY 2026 Budget

FY 2026 Estimated Impact

FY 2026 Net Change

Beginning Fund Balance

$339,797

$0

$339,797

Total Forecasted Revenue

$3,528,479

$1,273

$3,529,752

Item

Total Estimated Expenses

$3,274,270

$0

$3,274,270

Ending Fund Balance(s) After Reserves

$0

$1,273

$1,273

FTE

3.15

0.0

3.15

Three-Year Estimated Fiscal Impact

Item

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

Total Forecasted Revenue

$1,273

$1,311

$1,351

Total Estimated Expenses

$0

$0

$0

Net Estimated Impact

$1,273

$1,311

$1,351

Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability Considerations The proposed lease agreement represents a continuation of an existing telecommunications use and does not introduce new construction or significant changes to the site. As such, there are no direct climate or sustainability impacts associated with this action. From a resilience perspective, maintaining telecommunications infrastructure at this location supports reliable communication systems that are critical for emergency response, continuity of operations, and coordination across departments. Continued operation of this facility contributes to the city’s ability to respond effectively during emergencies and service disruptions.

Community Engagement None.

Workplan Considerations This lease renewal is within the existing staff workplan.

Next Steps for City Council If approved, the city manager will be authorized to execute the lease agreement with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless. Following execution, the agreement will take effect on July 1, 2026, and staff will continue to manage the lease in accordance with its terms. No additional council action is anticipated at this time. Staff will return to council in the future if any significant amendments, renewals beyond the authorized term, or changes to the use of the site require council review or approval.

Accessibility Statement The City of Boulder is committed to digital accessibility. Some content may not be fully accessible due to technical limitations or issues. For alternate formats or accommodations, please visit Accessibility | City of Boulder or contact accessibility@bouldercolorado.gov.

Attachments Attachment A - Lease and Agreement 2026 Attachment B - Original Option and Lease Agreement Attachment C - 1997 Boulder County Special Use Agreement