REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 23, 2026
FROM
TERRY W. THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
DON LE, Interim Chief Information Officer, Innovation and Technology Department
SUBJECT
Title
Revenue License Agreement with Parallel Broadcasting Inc., for Rack and Antenna Space at Bertha Peak Communication Site in Big Bear
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that approval of Revenue License Agreement with Parallel Broadcasting Inc., for the non-exclusive use of rack and antenna space at Bertha Peak Communication Site in Big Bear, is an exempt project under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1).
2. Find that approval of the Revenue License Agreement with Parallel Broadcasting, Inc. is in the best interest of the County and will not substantially conflict or interfere with the County’s use of the property.
3. Find that the Revenue License Agreement with Parallel Broadcasting, Inc., including the below-market license rates and repayment structure associated with historical holdover occupancy costs accrued under prior Revenue License Agreement No. 18-866, serves a public purpose and meets the public safety needs of the population of the County, pursuant to California Government Code section 26227 because Parallel Broadcasting, Inc. provides radio broadcasting and emergency communication services benefiting residents of the Big Bear mountain community, including dissemination of emergency alerts and public safety information during adverse weather and emergency events.
4. Approve Revenue License Agreement with Parallel Broadcasting Inc., for the non-exclusive use of rack and antenna space at Bertha Peak Communication Site in Big Bear to:
a. Approve Revenue License Agreement with a term commencing July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031.
b. Approve a total contract amount of $44,906, inclusive of historical holdover occupancy costs incurred from January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026, under prior Revenue License Agreement No. 18-866, holdover cost from the prior agreement will be amortized into the new Revenue License Agreement and repaid in equal monthly installments during the first 12 months of the Revenue License Agreement term.
5. 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
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Improve County Government Operations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total revenue under the Revenue License Agreement (License) over the five-year term is $44,906. The total amount includes $13,790 of historical fees accrued under the prior License Agreement No. 18-866, as well as a one-time $500 Contract Administration Charge payable upon commencement of the new License. The holdover rent balance will be repaid by Parallel Broadcasting, Inc. (PBI) in 12 equal monthly installments during the first 12 months of the License term. Revenue from this License will be deposited in the Real Estate Services Department (RESD) Rents budget (7812001000). Annual revenue is as follows:
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License Schedule |
Annual Revenue |
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*January 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026 |
$13,790 |
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July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 |
$5,709 |
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July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028 |
$5,909 |
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July 1, 2028 - June 30, 2029 |
$6,116 |
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July 1, 2029 - June 30, 2030 |
$6,330 |
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July 1, 2030 - June 30, 2031 |
$6,552 |
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One time Administration Charge |
$500 |
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Total License Revenue |
$44,906 |
*The License fees for the period of January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026 reflect historical holdover fees accrued under the prior License Agreement No.18-866 and are memorialized in the new license for historical and audit purposes only.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PBI has occupied radio rack space within the County-owned equipment shelter and antenna space at Bertha Peak Communication Facility in Big Bear (Bertha Peak) since 2014. PBI provides radio broadcasting and emergency communication services to the residents of the Big Bear mountain community, including the dissemination of alerts and public safety information during adverse weather events.
PBI has occupied the rack space at Bertha Peak for 12 years. In that time, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved three license agreements with PBI. On October 21, 2014 (Item No. 37) the Board approved License Agreement No. 14-872 for two years, from November 1, 2014 through October 31, 2016. On December 20, 2016 (Item No. 66), the Board approved License Agreement No. 16-970 for two years, from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019. Lastly, the Board approved License Agreement No. 18-866 on December 4, 2018 (Item No. 61), for a five-year term, from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2023.
Following the expiration of License Agreement No. 18-866 on December 31, 2023, PBI remained in occupancy of the space under holdover status while the County and PBI negotiated the terms of a successor agreement, including the license fee structure and repayment of accrued occupancy costs. During the holdover period, the County continued to track and account for all occupancy charges, which totaled $13,790, for the period of January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026. The proposed License memorializes these accrued holdover charges and provides for repayment through equal monthly installments of $1,149 during the first 12 months of the new License term.
The recommended action will approve the five-year License with PBI for the use of radio rack space and antenna space at Bertha Peak, for the period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031, with no options to extend. The License includes repayment of accrued holdover occupancy charges and updates to the County’s standard Revenue License Agreement language.
The project to approve this License with PBI 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 License for existing facilities is an exempt activity under CEQA. There is no possibility that the licensing 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 License Terms |
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Licensee: |
Parallel Broadcasting, Inc. Rick Herrick, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Location: |
Bertha Peak Communication Site, in Big Bear |
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Size: |
N/A |
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Term: |
Five years; July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2031 |
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Options: |
None |
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Fees: |
Monthly License Fee: $475.75 |
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Annual License Fee: $5,709 |
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*Low-range for comparable communications facilities in the Big Bear area per the competitive set analysis on file with the Real Estate Services Department (RESD) |
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Annual Increases: |
Approximately 3.5% |
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Improvement Costs: |
None |
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Custodial: |
None |
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Maintenance: |
Licensee responsibility |
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Utilities: |
Provided by County |
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Insurance: |
The Certificate of Liability Insurance, as required by the License, is on file with the RESD |
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Holdover: |
Upon the end of the term, if permitted by Licensor, the Licensee 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
California Government Code section 26227 authorizes the County to permit the use of County-owned real property by private entities for activities that serve public purposes, including public safety and public service communications benefiting County residents.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 22, 2026; Innovation and Technology Department (Don Le, Interim Chief, 388-0556) on May 21, 2026; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on May 20, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Guy Martinez, 387-5428, Principal Administrative Analyst, and Eduardo Mora, 387-4376, Administrative Analysts) on June 4, 2026.
(CM: 840-266-0977)