On a motion by Mayor Michael D. Antonovich, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to end the immediate construction of a network of antenna sites proposed as part of a dedicated emergency communication system, officials said Wednesday.

Citing health risks to firefighters and local residents, along with local community concerns and a lack of transparency, Mayor Antonovich’s motion calls for an outreach campaign and a legislative effort to extend the grant funding deadline, among other things, according to a news release.

“While a reliable communications platform is vital to preserve life and property during times of natural or manmade disasters, our employees and residents need to be assured that there are no health risks, and adequate notification should be made to local communities and impacted homeowners on planned cell towers,” Antonovich said.

Related: County Plan For Saugus Tower On Hold Pending Outreach

The motion calls for the Board to send a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and Congressional representatives, as well as meetings during the Board’s upcoming trip to Washington D.C. to extend the grant deadline of September 30, 2015, according to a news release. It also requests the Joint Powers Authority, in coordination with the Fire Chief and Sheriff, to host regional community meetings with current and former member cities, impacted residents and employees.

Today’s action also permitted the construction for only those sites that do not have any opposition from residents or employees, according to a news release. A progress report on alternative revenue sources and models for back-up systems will be delivered to the Board of Supervisors in 30 days.

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Los Angeles County officials put plans for an emergency-communication tower on hold March 10, after a contingent of Saugus residents sounded off to Santa Clarita City Council members and Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office.

The residents were upset because county officials never began outreach regarding the construction of a 70-foot structure at Fire Station 108 in Saugus.

The Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System, or LA-RICS, informed the city of the planned installation of seven LA-RICS wireless telecommunications facilities on county-owned properties within the city.

City officials previously noted Santa Clarita doesn’t have the ability to “opt-out” of the system because the city part of the county’s consolidated emergency fire protection zone.

Dozens of residents again expressed their displeasure with the large emergency tower at a meeting in Valencia last Monday. 

County Supervisor Michael Antonovich had construction halted immediately, after his office was made aware of the dearth of outreach, said Anna Mouradian, public safety deputy for Antonovich.

“We did not have advanced notification of this construction site starting,” she said. “The supervisor’s position is that there should be outreach, and the construction was immediately halted as soon as the the supervisor’s office was notified.” 

LA RICS is comprised of two distinct, but compatible projects: a Land Mobile Radio (LMR) communications system and a Long Term Evolution (LTE) broadband communications system, according to the system’s website. It was approved as a contract for Motorola in March.

The system is intended to provide improved radio and broadband communication for the public safety providers of the greater Los Angeles region.

A county fire official from the area, as well as a union representative for firefighters, in addition to about a half-dozen residents, spoke about concerns over the towers usefulness and safety.

Click here for the frequently asked questions page on the LA RICS network. 

Santa Clarita city staff created several recommendations for City Council’s consideration, including: a request that the county conduct public outreach to nearby residents for all of the LARICS sites; a request for a tower to be placed somewhere other than Fire Station 108; a request the county prohibit the co-location of towers; and opting out of the system, which city officials have said is not an option for Santa Clarita.