Department of Public Services Director Lee Hayes Monday told the Hastings City Council  that ACD.net, a Lansing based broadband service, has agreed to sign an agreement with the city putting its pole antenna system under a new ordinance and to begin the monthly fee payments.

In 2014, ACD was the first company to install the Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), pole antennas to boost cellular coverage and capacity, in Hastings street’s rights-of-way. The council approved the installation of eight pole antennas on the mistaken information that it was governed by the Metro Act and had to be allowed.

It was not covered by the Metro Act, and Hastings, working with other Grand Valley Metro Council members and attorneys, developed the new ordinance and fee schedule for companies that apply to install the new technology in Hastings. The monthly fee schedule ranges from Tier 1, at $25 in rural or low traffic areas; to Tier 2, at $75 in residential or moderate traffic areas; to Tier 3, $150 in a commercial or industrial corridor.

A DAS boosts cellular coverage and capacity with the smaller pole antennas and are cheaper than the macro towers used by giant telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon. The council expects more requests for the systems, since  telecommunication provider Sprint, has said it will deliver its services by using DAS instead of the large towers.

In other business, a request by Scott TenCate of Kisscross Events for city police help for the Fall Fondo was approved. The police normally use on-duty staff at the event so there are no additional costs to the city.

The council also voted unanimously that incumbents Jason Eppler, city manager of Ionia; Ken Hibl, city manager of the City of Clare; Sue Osborn, mayor of the City of Fenton and David Post, village manager of the Village of Hillman, return as board members of the Michigan Municipal League Liability and Property Pool.

Also, Mayor David Tossava’s recommendation of Tracy Baker as alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals for a partial term ending Dec. 31, 2017 was approved.