HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/7/2001 - STAFF REPORTS (10) DATE: March 7, 2001
TO: City Council
FROM: Director, Department of Facilities
COOLING TOWER REPAIRS AT THE MUNICIPAL COGEN FACILITY
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council authorize the purchase and installation to American Cooling
Tower, Inc. for repairs and replacement of fill media to the cooling tower at the
Municipal Cogen Facility, in the total amount of$10,163.50
SUMMERY:
Periodically, both cogen facilities require shutdown for maintenance to the
engines and cooling towers. This year, during the programmed engine rebuild
cycle, staff seeks to simultaneously utilize contract employees to work on the
cooling towers, while in-house staff does the needed engine repairs. Previously,
City staff has purchased the fill media and completed the work. However, with
the prevailing uncertainties in today's energy supplies, minimizing downtime of
the cogen facility is critical to keep the lights on, so to speak.
BACKGROUND:
Each year the City's cogen facilities are shut down routine maintenance and
engine overhauls. This year the Muni facility will shut down to replace the heads
on both engines, service the chiller, steam condensers and complete other
necessary maintenance and repairs. Included in the shut down will be the need
for repair and replacement of fill media on the west tower. This fill has lasted 16
years and must be replaced.
Staff would normally have purchased the materials and completed the work in-
house. The cost for just the fill media would be $6,020.00. The labor cost to
install the fill and make repairs, $4,143.50. Based on current contractual
agreements with SCE, the economic impacts of a shutdown dictate that
downtime be minimized as much as possible to avoid potential disruptions in
available power.
Due to the costs and time necessary to complete the engine work, staff
recommends that Council award the purchase and installation to American
Cooling Tower Inc., the manufacturer and preferred installer of the fill media to
expedite the replacement to avoid potential loss of run time to the cogen plant.
10
COOLING TOWER REPAIRS AT THE MUNICIPAL COGEN FACILITY
DATE: March 7, 2001
PAGE: Two
Funds are available in Account No. 520-5641-48700, Cogen Special Parts and Repairs
HAROrC/LD E. GOOD, CPPO 4CbTT MIKESELL, Director
Procurement Manager Department of Facilities
APPROVEL3-e�%��i
City Manager
ATTACHMENT:
1. Minute Order REVIEWED BY DEn OF FINANCE
� 1
IaA Z
MINUTE ORDER NO. 6815
AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE AND
INSTALLATION TO AMERICAN COOLING
TOWER, INC. FOR REPAIRS AND
REPLACEMENT OF FILL MEDIA TO THE
COOLING TOWER AT THE MUNICIPAL
COGEN FACILITY, IN THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF $10,163.50.
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order, authorizing the purchase and
installation to American Cooling Tower, Inc. for repairs and replacement of fill
media to the cooling tower at the Municipal Cogen Facility, in the total amount of
$10,163.50, was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
California, in a meeting thereof held on the 7th day of March, 2001.
PATRICIA A. SANDERS
City Clerk