HomeMy WebLinkAboutA031 - Hearing on Fire Alarm Upgrade for the Power PlantITEM #:32
DATE:07-08-25
DEPT:ELEC
SUBJECT:FIRE ALARM UPGRADE FOR POWER PLANT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Fire risk mitigation is important to the operation of the Power Plant to ensure employee safety
and to protect equipment. The fire protection standards of today are more rigorous than the
requirements when the Power Plant was originally built. The City’s insurance carrier has made
some loss prevention recommendations for the Power Plant. To address fire risks and
possible equipment loss events, staff has a contract with a consulting engineering firm to
provide fire protection engineering, contract administration, and possible field installation
oversight for the Power Plant.
On June 11, 2024, City Council awarded a contract renewal to Burns & McDonnell of
Bloomington, Minnesota to design an upgraded fire alarm system in the Power Plant. The fire
alarm system upgrade will add smoke detection over motor control centers and consolidate
existing fire alarm zones into one system that will improve notification to the control room in
the event there is an issue. The engineer's estimate for this project is $530,000.
On May 27, 2025, City Council approved preliminary plans and specifications for the Fire
Alarm Upgrade for the Power Plant. An Invitation to Bid was advertised on the Current Bid
Opportunities section of the Purchasing webpage and a Legal Notice was published on the
websites of a contractor plan room service with statewide circulation.
On June 25, 2025, one bid was received from Van Maanen Electric Inc, of Newton, Iowa, in
the amount of $359,895 (inclusive of sales tax). Staff reviewed the bid and determined it is
acceptable. Funding for the Fire Alarm Upgrade will come from the Power Plant Fire
Protection account where there is a current balance of $925,665.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can do the following:
a. Approve the report of bids.
b. Approve final plans and specifications and award a contract to Van Maanen
Electric Inc. of Newton, Iowa in the amount of $359,895.
2. Do not proceed with the project at this time.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This work is necessary for fire risk mitigation (fire detection, alarm, and suppression) to
improve protection of personnel and critical plant equipment. A loss event resulting
from a fire could be catastrophic because of the potential to injure personnel and halt
electric production. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City
Council adopt Alternative No. 1 as stated above.
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