Dear Mayor and Council Members,
On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please see staff responses below for questions from Council Member Tanaka on the Monday, May 20 Council Meeting.
Item 7: Approval for the Replacement of Oil Circuit Breakers with Vacuum Circuit Breakers at Colorado Substation
1. Given the significant expenditure of $713,023 for the new vacuum circuit breakers, what are some detailed metrics or projections on the expected improvements in electricity output and efficiency at the Colorado Substation? Specifically, how will these new breakers enhance performance compared to the existing oil breakers? Furthermore, without concrete data on productivity gains, how can we justify this expenditure to our constituents who are concerned about the effective use of public funds?
Staff response: Circuit breakers are essential for clearing electrical faults on transmission lines or transformers. Failure to operate reliably can cause equipment failures or widespread power outages, endangering public safety. Many breakers have recently faced mechanical issues due to age, and the utility has run out of repair parts, which are no longer available, potentially delaying service restoration. Additionally, the oil breakers use General Electric type U high voltage bushings, known for their high failure rate. Although some bushings have been replaced after failing tests, replacing all is impractical and cost- prohibitive. Therefore, it is recommended to phase out these breakers to provide long-term system reliability. This request to purchase all the breakers at once, rather than in stages, addresses the long lead times in the electrical industry, which would otherwise delay project completion by several years.
2. Given the documented issues with vacuum circuit breakers, particularly the risk of contact welding, what specific engineering and operational steps have been taken to mitigate these risks in the proposed breakers for the Colorado Substation? What detailed evidence or case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of these mitigation measures? Additionally, how can we be assured that these issues will not lead to frequent maintenance or operational failures, thereby negating the expected benefits and justifying this significant expenditure?
Staff response: The City has several similar 60KV vacuum circuit breakers in service, including two installed in 2012 with no contact welding or loss of vacuum issues as of this date. Several of the breakers are fitted with vacuum monitoring systems to ensure functionality. Testing of the vacuum bottles is part of the routine maintenance program to ensure they are in proper working order.
3. While the new vacuum circuit breakers eliminate the risk of oil spills, they introduce materials like copper, molybdenum, and antimony. What are the specific environmental and health risks associated with these materials throughout their lifecycle, including production, use, and disposal? What detailed plans and measures will the city implement to manage and mitigate these risks? Additionally, how does this approach align with our broader sustainability and environmental protection goals?
Staff response: Engineering has found no evidence of in-service vacuum circuit breakers releasing hazardous substances into the environment. When the breakers reach the end of their useful life, they will be discarded or recycled following the rules and methods that are current at that future time.
4. What specific measures will be implemented to mitigate operational disruptions during the installation of the new vacuum circuit breakers? Given the potential impact on the reliability of our power supply, what plans are in place to ensure continuous and stable service during this transition? Additionally, what contingencies are in place to address unexpected issues or delays that could affect the power supply to residents and businesses?
Staff response: Replacing major substation components safely and efficiently is a routine business function. The project plan addresses and mitigates all potential hazards, service reliability issues, and operational contingencies.
Item 9: Approval of a Budget Amendment in the General Fund for the Planning and Development Services Department’s Deposit Based Fee Program for Private Development Studies in the Amount of the Net Zero $300,000: CEQA – Not a Project
1. Given the exemption from competitive bidding for selecting external consultants, what specific mechanisms will be implemented to ensure these consultants meet rigorous performance and quality standards? How will the city monitor and evaluate their work to guarantee accountability and transparency, and what recourse will be available if consultants fail to meet expectations?
Staff response: Although the Deposit-Based Fee Program contracts are exempt from competitive solicitation, staff conducts an informal solicitation to select the firm that is best qualified based on a variety of factors. The same standards and practices are applied to deposit-based contract firms as they do to other City contracts. The results of the consultant’s work is generally presented to Commissions or City Council through staff reports, such as environmental reports or specific studies.
2. Considering the substantial fees associated with the deposit-based fee program for private development studies, how might these costs disproportionately impact smaller developers compared to larger firms? What measures will be implemented to ensure that small developers are not unfairly burdened, potentially stifling local innovation and economic diversity?
Staff response: We have seen no evidence of disproportionate impact between smaller developers compared to larger firms. Each project is different and the property owner pays for the relevant studies or reports needed for the entitlement or development process. As an example, a homeowner may pay for a smaller historical review assessment or a commercial property owner may pay for a larger environmental impact report based on the development type.
3. What is the long-term strategy for balancing the use of external consultants with building internal capacity within city departments to ensure sustainable and cost-effective development services? How will the city ensure that reliance on external consultants does not undermine the development of in-house expertise and the continuity of services?
Staff response: The use of external consultants enables staff to respond to specific technical needs of development projects while maintaining fiscal prudence due to the unpredictable nature of economic and development cycles. Partnerships with external consultants ensures a greater continuity of services and allows the City to be nimble in providing project based specialized expertise. It is not cost effective to maintain an internal team of historic and environmental consultants to support these projects.