HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Emergency proceedings for Unit No. 8 Battery Replacement for Power Plant RESOLUTION NO. 12-606
RESOLUTION INSTITUTING EMERGENCY PROCEEDINGS FOR
UNIT NO. 8 BATTERY REPLACEMENT FOR POWER PLANT
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, a cell in the Power Plant's Unit No. 8 Station Battery recently failed, and it
leaked about four gallons of acid which was cleaned up and caused no further damage; and,
WHEREAS,the broken cell was bypassed,and the battery set is now operating with 59 cells
instead of 60; and,
WHEREAS, a thorough inspection of all battery cells was made looking for signs of other
imminent failures, and three other cells were found with cracked tops; and,
WHEREAS, the station battery is used to run emergency and control equipment during a
power disruption; and,
WHEREAS,repairs would require at least a two-week outage and would cost approximately
$200,000 to open the turbine and generator to assess the damage and determine a course of action;
and,
WHEREAS, these batteries are nearly 15 years old, and there is now no confidence or
assurance that these batteries are capable of providing emergency backup power needed to prevent
serious damage to the Plant facility; and,
WHEREAS, Brown Engineering was called in by Plant staff to inspect the batteries and
assess their condition, and it recommends immediate replacement to prevent a potential loss of
critical Plant equipment; and,
WHEREAS,the Iowa Code,states that"when an emergency repair of a public improvement
is necessary and the delay of advertising and a public letting might cause serious loss or injury to the
city, the governing body shall, by resolution, make a finding of necessity to institute emergency
proceedings under this section;" and,
WHEREAS, further, "the governing body shall procure a certificate from a competent
licensed professional engineer or registered architect,not in the regular employ of the city,certifying
that emergency repairs are necessary;" and,
WHEREAS,in accordance with this requirement,Brown Engineering Company has certified
that emergency proceedings are necessary to avoid the risk of serious loss to the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that instituting emergency proceedings for the Unit No. 8 Battery Replacement for the Power Plant
is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 27th day of November, 2012.
C�ff�' LY-d& A.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
Introduced by: Davis
Seconded by: Wacha
Voting aye: Davis, Goodman, Larson, Orazem, Szopinski, Wacha
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 27"' day of November, 2012.