To: Board of Supervisors
From: Executive Office
Meeting Date: August 6, 2019
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Department Contact: |
Steve Dunnicliff |
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707-463-4441 |
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Department Contact: |
Dan Mazzanti |
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707-234-6050 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 20 Min |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action on Plans to Maintain Services at the County Administration Center (501 Low Gap Rd, Ukiah) in a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Event, Including Authorization for the Facilities & Fleet Manager to Establish a Capital Improvement Project for the Installation of Electrical Intersects at the Administration Center, in an Amount Estimated at $50,000, Establishment of a Capital Improvement Project for Longer Term Planning Efforts to Provide Additional Backup Power at the Administration Center, in an Amount Estimated at $26,000 (Phase I Planning Assessment), and Rental of 5 Standby Generators for 3 months, in an Amount Estimated at $46,000
(Sponsor: Executive Office)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Authorize the Facilities & Fleet Manager to establish Capital Improvement projects for the installation of electrical intersects at the Administration Center, in an amount estimated at $50,000, and for longer term planning efforts to provide additional backup power at the Administration Center, in an amount estimated at $26,000 (Phase I Planning Assessment), and provide direction to staff regarding rental of 5 standby generators for 3 months, in an amount estimated at $46,000.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On July 9, 2019, the Board received a presentation from PG&E on the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events that will likely impact portions of Mendocino County during “red flag” weather conditions.
Summary of Request:
Emergency generator power is available at many County facilities, including a portion of the County Administration Center. In a power outage event, a generator provides automatic backup power to the County’s main server room, data closets, security systems, emergency operation center (EOC) Policy Room, emergency lighting, and 1-2 power outlets each in Planning & Building, Human Resources, Information Services, and County Counsel. Historically, maintenance of these core systems at the Administration Center has been adequate for unscheduled and short-term power outages. What is unique and different about the PSPS event is there will be intentional power outages of a longer duration.
It is recommended that a longer term planning effort begin with an electrical engineer’s assessment to determine how one or more generators could permanently improve the backup power system at the Administration Center. Separate scenarios would be requested of the engineer to understand the equipment and cost needed to power the Center during a blackout, with and without HVAC. The $26,000 expense of this initial assessment can be funded through the unanticipated capital projects allocation; a preliminary estimate of expense to permanently augment backup power to the Administration Center would require up to $1 million. Upon completion of the assessment, staff will return to the Board for further direction.
To maintain public service from the Administration Center during a PSPS event this year, locations have been identified to stage rented generators around the Administration Center; these would provide operating power to Tax Collector, Auditor-Controller, Assessor/Clerk/Recorder, Board Chambers, the Executive Office, and County Counsel with temporary cabling, connected by an electrician to panels inside the building. The expense of these rental generators was not budgeted, and cannot be absorbed without an augmentation of funding within the fiscal year.
To provide maximum flexibility in operating the Administration Center during any power outage or emergency event, infrastructure in the form of electrical intersects should be installed which will allow portable generators to be connected to the exterior of the building from a central location. Within a few hours, County staff could deploy and connect portable generators that will provide operating power to the Center. The expense of these intersects can be taken from a budget allocation for unanticipated capital projects.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide direction to staff
Supervisorial District: All
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/public-safety-power-shutoff-faq.page
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: Will vary; BU 1610, 1710 |
budgeted in current f/y: No |
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current f/y cost: $50,000 - $125,000 |
if no, please describe: See budget clarification |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
revenue agreement: No |
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budget clarification: The costs associated with purchase and installation of electrical intersects for staff to connect the Administration Center to portable generators is estimated at $50,000. The initial cost of planning for improved permanent backup power at the Administration Center is $26,000 (Phase I); preliminary estimates indicate the cost of installing additional permanent power to the Administration Center will be up to $1 million. The $76,000 (combined total) for intersects and the Phase I assessment was not budgeted, but can be allocated from BU 1710. It is likely that this BU will require a funding augmentation later in the year for other unanticipated emergency projects. Rental expense of 5 standby generators over a 3 month period would total approximately $46,000, including additional expense for an electrician to temporarily connect the panels. BU 1610 can be used to pay for this expense, but will be over budget as a result and require augmentation later in the year.
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: No
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CEO Liaison: Executive Office |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Lindsey Dunham, Deputy Clerk I |
Final Status:Approved |
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Date: August 8, 2019 |
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