HomeMy WebLinkAboutA040 - Hearing on Load Center Replacement at the Power PlantITEM #:40
DATE:11-18-25
DEPT:ELEC
SUBJECT:LOAD CENTER REPLACEMENT AT THE POWER PLANT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
There are six load centers that take power off the generator bus bar and distribute it out to the
different equipment in the Power Plant. The current load centers are built for old, obsolete
breakers which makes it difficult to find replacement parts and maintain a reliable electric
source. The load centers also do not have up-to-date equipment with features that would allow
them to more easily be operated safely.
On October 24, 2023, City Council awarded a contract to Farris Engineering, of Omaha,
Nebraska to design the replacement load centers at 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 November 12, 2025, two bids were received as shown below.
VENDOR BID AMOUNT
Van Maanen Electric Inc.
Newton, IA $4,673,207
Tri-City Electric Company of Iowa
Davenport, IA $5,004,573
Funding for the Load Center Replacement project will come from the FY 2025/26 CIP account,
where there is a current balance of $1,301,130. The engineer's estimate for this project is
$560,000.
Staff plans to build new generation that will replace the capacity of Unit 7 in 2028. Once
this occurs, Unit 7 will be shut down and no longer operated. Staff would like to reject
the Load Center bids and work with the engineer to reduce the scope of the project to
only include load centers that affect Unit 8, update the engineer's estimate, and then
rebid.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the following:
a. Reject the bids for the Load Center Replacement Project.
b. Direct staff to modify the project scope to address only the load centers related to Unit
8.
2. Award a contract to the apparent low bidder and direct staff to identify additional funds to
complete the project.
1
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
While it is important that the load center equipment be replaced, the costs for
replacement are much higher than originally anticipated. Staff and the consultant will
review the project and narrow the scope to only include Unit 8 affected equipment to
reduce the cost. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City
Council adopt Alternative No. 1 a-b as stated above.
2