The agreement leaves room for the telecom giant to pursue the installation of small cells in city parks and on other public rights-of-way. If approved, Verizon will still have to submit an application to the city for each device that it wants to put up.

Applications would then have to be approved by city staff, Cushman said. Requests to install a small cell on a city-owned streetlight or pole would require an engineering review to determine whether one could bear the additional weight. The company can alternatively request to build a free-standing small cell or replace existing poles at its own cost.

In return, Verizon will pay the city $165 per device per year in addition to application fees, although Cushman said the arrangement isn't likely to be a "money-maker."

According to the city memo on the agreement, Verizon plans to mount small cells in "high demand areas" such as downtown Rapid City. Cushman said that Verizon officials indicated the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center as another possible location.

Although Flato said it's too soon to speculate on the number of small cells that could be installed, Cushman said applications to mount the devices are expected to come shortly after the agreement is authorized.

Cushman noted that AT&T has approached the city about installing small cells of their own, which would require a separate agreement.

— Contact Matt Guerry at matthew.guerry@rapidcityjournal.com

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