HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Contract for replacement of Unit No. 8 Batteries for Power Plant RESOLUTION NO. 12-607
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STAFF TO SOLICIT INFORMAL BIDS AND
ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR
UNIT NO. 8 EMERGENCY BATTERY REPLACEMENT
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, Brown Engineering Company has certified that emergency proceedings are
necessary to avoid the risk of serious loss to the City; and,
WHEREAS,staff is requesting authorization to solicit informal bids and enter into a contract
for replacement of the Unit No. 8 Batteries within seven to ten days; and,
WHEREAS, the estimated cost of the replacement is in the range of$80,000 to $100,000,
and funding is available from the Unit No. 8 Fixed Equipment Repair account in the Electric
Production operating budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that authorization to solicit informal bids and enter into a contract within seven to ten days for
Replacement of the Unit No. 8 Batteries is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 27th day of November, 2012.
j
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.