HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES2023-033 G&W Purchase of 7 Dielectric Reclosers Sponsored by: Bower
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2023-033
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA,AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE FROM
G&W ELECTRIC COMPANY SEVEN DIELECTRIC RECLOSERS FOR
INSTALLATION IN THE FORT RAYMOND SUBSTATION IN A NOT-
TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $203,413
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.
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 purchase from G&W Electric
Company seven dielectric reclosers for installation in the Fort Raymond Substation.
Section 2.Funding in the not-to-exceed amount of$203,413,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.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska,this 28th
day of March, 2023.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2023-033
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Sue McClure, Mayor
AYES: Osenga, Calhoon, Wells, Finch, Barnwell, McClure
NOES: None
ABSENT: DeMoss
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Brenda J. Ballou, MMC
City Clerk
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City Council Agenda Statement
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Meeting Date: March 28, 2023 t!
To: City Council
Through: Janette Bower, City Manager
From: Rob Montgomery, General Manager-Electric
Subject: Resolution 2023-033: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase from G&W
Electric Company Seven Dielectric Reclosers for Installation in the Fort
Raymond Substation in a Not-To-Exceed Amount Of $203,413
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 existing reclosers are old and need to be replaced.
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:
158
Certification of Funds
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ 203,413
This legislation (✓):
Creates revenue in the amount of: $
x Creates expenditure in amount of: $ 203,413
Creates a savings in the amount of: $
Has no fiscal impact
Funds are (✓):
✓ Budgeted Line item(s): 15340-3000-8103
Not budgeted
Not applicable
Fund Balance Information
Affected Fund (✓):
General SMIC Iq
Electric Wastewater
Boat Harbor Parking Wat F1 Healthcare
Motor Pool Other
Note: amounts are unaudited
Fund Balance/Net position — unrestricted/unassigned $ 7,223,276
Finance Director Signature:
Attorney Review
RxYes Attorney Signature:
Not applicable Comments:
Administration Recommendation
x Approve Res.
Other:
159