HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES2024-016 Electric Power SystemsSponsored by: Sorensen
I CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2024-016
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTRACT WITH
ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS FOR RECLOSER CONFIGURATION
AND INTEGRATION SERVICES IN THE EORT RAYMOND
SUBSTATION IN A NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $33,855.
WHEREAS, the City’s Electric Department, through its substation engineering consultant
Electric Power Systems, reached out to multiple vendors and G&W submitted the lone proposal;
and
WHEREAS, the dielectric reclosers are part of the substation refurbishment effort
occurring with the City’s larger transmission infrastructure project; and
WHEREAS, a dielectric recloser is an automatic switch that protects a high-voltage
electric system by shutting off power when a fault or problem occurs on a circuit or associated
equipment; and
WHEREAS, a dielectric recloser is capable of automatically testing the circuit to
determine whether the fault has been corrected and, if corrected, will automatically reset itself and
restore system power; and
WHEREAS, dielectric reclosers save electric companies considerable time and expense
since they permit power to be restored automatically, even after only a flicker or two.
I
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to Contract with EPS for recloser
configuration and integration in the Fort Raymond Substation.
Section 2. Funding in the not-to-exceed amount of $33,855, appropriated from the System
Infrastructure Project budget via the approved Revenue Bond from Electric reserves account no.
15000-0000-3400 to account 15340-3000-8103.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
thPASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 11
day of March, 2024.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
I J3L
Sue McClure, Mayor
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2024-016
Page 2 of 2 I
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Osenga, Calhoon, Wells, Barnwell, Finch, McClure
None
Crites
None
ATTEST:
Kris Peck
City Clerk
(City Seal)
I
I
City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: March 11, 2024
To: City Council
Through: Kat Sorensen, City Manager
From: Jason Bickling, Deputy City Manager
Subject: Resolution 2024-016: Authorizing The City Manager To Contract With
Electric Power Systems For Recloser Configuration And Integration In The
Fort Raymond Substation In A Not-To-Exceed Amount Of $33,855
Background and justification:
In 2022, a $10 million revenue bond was approved to complete work over the next 2-4 years to
replace aging transmission infrastructure in Seward and upgrade the system’s voltage capacity from
69kV to 115kV. Part of this work will include the refurbishment of substations and the equipment
inside the substations.
A recloser is an automatic, high-voltage electric switch. Like a circuit breaker on household electric
lines, it shuts off electric power when trouble occurs, such as a short circuit. Where a household
circuit breaker remains shut off until it is manually reset, a recloser automatically tests the electrical
line to determine whether the trouble has been removed. And, if the problem was only temporary,
the recloser automatically resets itself and restores the electric power.
On high-voltage electric lines, 80 to 90 percent of trouble occurrences are temporary – such as
lightning, windblown tree branches on wires, and birds. By their very nature, many of these faults
or problems self-correct. The recloser senses when trouble occurs and automatically shuts off the
power. An instant later (the length of time may be noticeable only as a lightbulb flicker), the
recloser turns the power back on. However, if the trouble is still present, the recloser will shut off
again. If the trouble remains after three such tries, the recloser is programmed to consider the
problem permanent and it remains off.
At the Fort Raymond Substation, the existing reclosers act as the protective means for the feeders
coming out of the substation. The reclosers were purchased last year (Res. 2023-033). They now
need to be configured and integrated into the system.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Plan: 3.7.1.4 “Continue to upgrade and expand utilities to meet existing needs and
encourage future development.”
Strategic Plan:
Other:
Certification of Funds
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ 33,855
This legislation ():
Creates revenue in the amount of: $
) $ 33,855
Creates a savings in the amount of: $
Has no fiscal impact
Funds are ():
Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
Not applicable
Fund Balance Information
Affected Fund ():
General SMIC Electric Wastewater
Boat Harbor Parking Water Healthcare
Motor Pool Other
Note: amounts are unaudited
Fund Balance/Net position – unrestricted/unassigned $ 7,742,222.00
Finance Director Signature:
Attorney Review
Yes Attorney Signature:
) Not applicable Comments:
Administration Recommendation
) Approve Res.
Other: