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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.a.2) General Manager Written Announcementsaz Board Meeting of Mav 3, 2012 Written Announcements: Co -Gen Update a) Update on Co -Gen Incident of March 29, 2012 As previously reported, there was an explosion in the exhaust system of the cogeneration unit on March 29, 2012. District counsel has hired Exponent, Failure Analysis Associates, Abid Kemal Ph.D., to lead the investigation to determine the root cause. District counsel has also hired ArcSine Engineering, a control systems engineering firm, to provide third - party data examination and extraction services. Exponent has developed the protocol for the investigation and received comments from all interested parties. On Monday, April 30, 2012, the root cause investigation will begin with the interested parties and their technical teams. The results of that investigation will be shared with the Board when available. The net cost to the District due to the loss of cogeneration (versus purchasing power from PG &E) is $2,500 per day during off -peak periods and $5,200 per day during peak periods (from May 1 through October 31). Plant Operations has evaluated three interim power supply alternatives: run the new standby power facility; rent natural gas - powered engine generators; or continue to use PG &E power. PG &E power cost ranges from $213,000 [off peak] to $294,000 [on peak] each month. The standby power facility is not constructed to meet air standards for continuous operation and would cost an additional $475,000 to $610,000 for diesel fuel each month to operate; therefore, this is not feasible or cost effective. Renting a natural gas - powered engine generator would cost approximately $342,000 per month, which would be more expensive than continuing on PG &E power. Also, the temporary gas - fueled engine generator would require installing temporary 12,000 -volt cabling and a temporary 100 -psig natural gas supply line, which carry their own risks. Finally, timing issues to commission a temporary system, such as PG &E coordination studies, permitting, controls, and protective relays would be expected to delay startup by three to six months. Therefore, staff plans to continue running on PG &E power and, once the root cause is fully understood, expedite repairs to the cogeneration system. Project Related Updates b) Engineer's Reports for Contractual Assessment Districts An Engineer's Report has been distributed to possible participants of the Smith Road Contractual Assessment District (CAD) No. 2012 -1 in Alamo for a 45 -day review. Written Announcements May 3, 2012 Page 2 of 3 Likewise, following the Board's April 5, 2012 approval of a boundary change for the St Mary's Road CAD No. 2011 -1 in Lafayette, the Engineer's Report for that CAD has been redone and redistributed. Out -of -State SunGard Conference Attendance c) Employees to Attend SunGard Annual Education and Training Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, June 3 -7, 2012 SunGard Public Sector Users' Group Association (SUGA) holds an Annual Education and Training Conference. SunGard is the District's financial software package. It is used for payroll and budgeting as well as sewer permits and sewer service charge. Staff continues to look for ways to improve its functionality and the SunGard conference is an important arena for information exchange. This year the conference will be held in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, from June 3 -7, 2012. The District is sending four employees from the following departments: Accounting (Todd Smithey), Information Technology (Roy Li), Human Resources (Selina Zapien) and Utility Billing (Kim Stahl). Staff attendance at this conference was included in the 2011 -12 Technical Training, Conferences, and Meetings Budget for each represented department. Project Related Update d) Public Workshop and Public Bidding for Walnut Creek Sewer Renovations, Phase 9, District Project 8401 Walnut Creek Sewer Renovations, Phase 9, is part of the ongoing Collection System Renovation Program. The project will replace /rehabilitate approximately 12,000 linear feet of 6- , 8 -, 10 -, and 15 -inch sewer pipe at several different sites in Walnut Creek in streets and easements primarily around Rudgear Road and a few other outlying sites. The District hosted a public workshop on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Collection System Operations (CSO) facility in Walnut Creek. There were 19 attendees representing 15 properties. The topics covered by the District's presentation included expected construction impacts, property restoration, and lateral replacement/reconnection. Questions included concerns about the PG &E gas main located near one of the alignments, access to easement areas, tree removal, and construction methods. This project will be advertised on May 4 and 9, 2012. Bids will be opened on May 23, 2012. The construction cost is currently estimated at $1,900,000. More information will be presented when the Board is asked to approve the construction contract on June 7, 2012. Written Announcements May 3, 2012 Page 3 of 3 Collection System Operations e) Break -In and Theft from Collection System Operations (CSO) Construction Truck Sometime between 4:00 p.m., Friday, April 20, and 5:00 a.m., Monday, April 23, a thief broke into a CSO construction truck that was parked at the Walnut Creek Facility and stole a bucket of hand tools. The hand tools included an 18 -volt Dewalt cordless drill along with hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches. The estimated value of the tools is $450. The truck was parked under the Highway 24 overpass and within the fenced and locked Walnut Creek lower storage yard. The thief pried open a chain security curtain at the rear of the vehicle to get at the tools. An unsuccessful attempt was made to pry open some of the locked side compartments on the construction vehicle. The locking mechanism on the chain curtain was damaged and has been repaired by staff at the CSO Vehicle Shop. Staff surmise that the thief entered and exited the CSO lower yard by climbing over a fence. Security camera videos will be reviewed to determine how entry was made into the lower yard.