REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 24, 2026
FROM
TERRY W. THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
LYNN FYHRLUND, Chief Information Officer, Innovation and Technology Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Lease Agreement with Western Summit Enterprises, Inc., for Rack and Antenna Space at Turquoise Mountain Communication Site near Baker
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that approval of Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement No. 04-1263 with Western Summit Enterprises, Inc., for the non-exclusive use of rack and antenna space at Turquoise Mountain Communication Site near Baker, is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1).
2. Approve Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement No. 04-1263 with Western Summit Enterprises, Inc., for the non-exclusive use of rack and antenna space at Turquoise Mountain Communication Site near Baker to:
a. Extend the term of the Lease Agreement for five years, through County’s exercise of its first of two five-year options to extend, for the period of June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2031.
b. Increase the total contract amount by $302,772, increasing the total contract from $783,532 to $1,086,304.
c. Update standard Lease Agreement language.
3. Direct the Real Estate Services Department to file the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Terry W. Thompson, Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The total Lease cost for Amendment No. 3 (Amendment) to Lease Agreement No. 04-1263 (Lease) over the five-year term is $302,772. Lease payments will be paid by the Innovation and Technology Department (ITD) (1200304042). Annual fees are as follows:
|
Lease Year |
Monthly Lease Payments |
Annual Lease Payments |
|
July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 |
$4,752 |
$57,024 |
|
July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028 |
$4,895 |
$58,740 |
|
July 1, 2028 - June 30, 2029 |
$5,042 |
$60,504 |
|
July 1, 2029 - June 30, 2030 |
$5,193 |
$62,316 |
|
July 1, 2030 - June 30, 2031 |
$5,349 |
$64,188 |
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Total Lease Cost |
|
$302,772 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On December 14, 2004 (Item No. 41), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the 15-year Lease with Western Summit Enterprises, Inc (WSE) for the County’s use of rack space in WSE’s equipment shelter and antenna space on WSE’s antenna tower which enhances the first responder emergency radio communication coverage provided by the County’s Public Safety Communication system near Baker (Premises). The original term of the Lease was for the period of December 1, 2005 through November 30, 2020. In the 20 years since the Lease was originally approved, the Board has approved two Amendments to modify equipment at the site and adjust the rent schedule. All other lease terms remained unchanged.
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Amendment No. |
Approval Date |
Item No. |
|
1 |
December 19, 2017 |
49 |
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2 |
May 18, 2021 |
64 |
On August 21, 2025, the Innovation and Technology Department (ITD) requested that the Real Estate Services Department (RESD) negotiate for an Amendment covering the term from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2031. All other terms and conditions of the Lease will remain unchanged.
The recommended action will extend the Lease with WSE for the non-exclusive use of rack space in the equipment shelter and antenna space at the Premises. The Amendment extends the term for the period from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2031, utilizing the County’s exercise of its first of two five-year options to extend, adjusts the rental rate schedule and updates standard Lease agreement language. All other Lease terms will remain unchanged.
The project to approve this Amendment with WSE was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be categorically exempt under Section 15301 - Class 1 Existing Facilities because approval of a Lease Amendment for existing facilities is an exempt activity under CEQA. There is no possibility that the leasing of the subject property will have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, the activity is exempt from the provisions of CEQA.
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Summary of Lease Terms |
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Landlord: |
Western Summit Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation dba Mountain Investments (Chris Killian, President) |
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Location: |
Turquoise Mountain Communication Site, near Baker |
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Size: |
N/A |
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Term: |
Five years, from July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2031 |
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Options: |
One remaining five-year option available |
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Rent: |
Monthly: $4,752 |
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Annual: $57,024 |
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*Mid-range for comparable facilities in the San Bernardino area per the competitive set analysis on file with RESD |
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Annual Increases: |
Approximately 3% |
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Improvement Costs: |
None |
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Custodial: |
None |
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Maintenance: |
Provided by County for antennas, radio equipment and generator |
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Utilities: |
Provided by County |
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Insurance: |
The Certificate of Liability Insurance, as required by the Lease, is on file with RESD |
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Holdover: |
Upon the end of the term, if permitted by Lessor, the Tenant shall continue on a month-to-month term upon the same terms and conditions which existed at the time of expiration |
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Right to Terminate: |
The County has the right to terminate with 90 days’ notice |
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Parking: |
None |
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, Deputy County Counsel, and Bonnie Uphold, Supervising Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 26, 2026; Innovation and Technology Department (Lynn Fyhrlund, Director, 387-7906) on January 27, 2026; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on January 21, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Kathleen Gonzalez, 387-5412, and Eduardo Mora, 387-4376, Administrative Analysts) on February 6, 2026.
(CM: 840-266-0977)