A federally operated maritime surveillance system that would deploy cameras and other monitoring sensors on a hilltop in San Clemente and likely at the city’s pier could be up and running as soon as the City Council signs off on an up-to-30-year lease with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The City Council gave City Manager Andy Hall the go-ahead this week to negotiate the final contract with the federal agency to install its $1 million system on a hilltop at the Avenida Salvador Reservoir, an area where there are already other lease agreements with commercial, utility, nonprofit and governmental groups for communication equipment.

The agreement includes the city leasing a 12-by-12-foot spot on the hill to the federal agency for $10 a month, ensuring the agency has guaranteed access to

See Full Page