HomeMy WebLinkAboutA014 - April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilITEM #:18
DATE:04-28-26
DEPT:ELEC
SUBJECT:CELL MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR ELECTRIC SERVICES - CONTRACT
RENEWAL
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Power Plant has an ash pond that serves as a settling pond where Refuse Derived Fuel
sluiced ash (“RDF ash”) falls to the bottom and relatively clean water can be recycled to the
Power Plant to transport additional ash from the bottom of the boilers. The ash pond also
contains ash generated from the combustion of coal prior to the power plant’s conversion to
natural gas (“coal ash”).
The RDF ash is composed of inorganic materials in the fuel that do not burn and must be
removed from the boilers to allow continual operation. Over time the RDF ash builds up on the
bottom of the pond and reduces the available capacity of the pond. This ash must be
regularly removed and piled, via excavating or dredging, to a location at the pond site
that will allow for it to dry. The dried ash is later hauled to Marshall County Landfill.
On February 28, 2023, City Council awarded a contract to Wulfekuhle Injection &
Pumping, Peosta, IA, for Ash Pond Cell Maintenance Services for the Electric Services.
This contract included the option for the City to renew in one-year increments for up to
four additional years. This is action is the fourth renewal out of four possible renewal
periods.
TASK FY 25-26 Rates FY 26-27 Rates
Price Per Hour (digging &
moving)$ 218.55 $ 225.10
$ amount per ton to haul $ 20.22 $ 20.82
Mobilization $ 2,731.82 $ 2,813.77
Council should note the rates that will be charged by Wulfekuhle Injection & Pumping
will increase 3% compared to the current year. Staff is recommending that these services
continue to be outsourced on an annual renewable contract basis. The benefits of having a
contract for these services in place include the following:
1. Consistency of work and quality from a single contractor.
2. Reduction in the City’s exposure to market forces regarding prices and availability for
labor, travel, and supplies in preparation for a scheduled outage.
3. Rapid contractor mobilization to start emergency repairs, thus reducing generation
downtime.
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4. Saved City staff time obtaining quotes, evaluating bids and preparing specifications and
other procurement documentation.
Invoices will be based on contract rates for time and materials for services actually
received and accepted by the City. The FY 2026/27 operating budget includes $200,000
for these services.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the contract renewal with Wulfekuhle Injection & Pumping, Peosta, IA, for Cell
Maintenance Services for Electric Services for the one-year period from July 1, 2026
through June 30, 2027 in an amount not-to-exceed $200,000.
2. Reject the renewal option and instruct staff to seek new competitive bids.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The ash pond is an essential part of the RDF combustion process. Because the ash
pond has a limited working area, the RDF ash must regularly be excavated and
removed to allow for the continued combustion of RDF. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1 as stated
above.
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