HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-27 City Council (25)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM :CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
AGENDA DATE:
SUBJECT:
OCTOBER 27, 1997 CMR:446:97
SOUL SOURCE CONTRACT FOR EMERGENCY POLE
REPLACEMENTS
RECOMMENDATION
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
DISCUSSION
Recently, the Utilities Engineering and Operations began an aggressive overhead line
inspection program to identify safety hazards on the electric system. As part of the
program, staff is performing a visual inspection on each of the 6800 poles in the City of
Palo Alto. Since the inspection started, more than 80 wooden poles have been found that
are severely deteriorated. Twenty of the poles identified are classified as "danger" poles
and are in need of immediate replacement. (The "danger" classification is an .indication
that the pole no longer has sufficient structural strength to withstand the additional stress
caused by a person climbing the pole or due to high winds.) It should be noted that most
of these poles are in backyards and are very difficult to replace.
These 20 poles are currently being replaced under an emergency sole source contract
authorized by the City Manager for the following reasons:
The poles put the City’s workmen in danger during nighttime emergencies when
one of the poles need to be climbed inadvertently.
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The public is put at risk due to the possible collapse of one of the poles during
heavy wind and rain conditions Which could create personal and property damage.
Current weather forecasts predict that the weather will be more severe than normal
this winter increasing the possibility of failure on one of the poles. If the City is,
to replace the poles before winter sets in, staff must start immediately.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Funds are available in CIP - 9803, System Reconstruction and Improvements /Pole
Replacements. This action has no impact on construction work forces since it is being
performed by an outside contractor.
TIMELINE
The replacement of the 20 poles is currently being accomplished under an emergency sole
source contract authorized by the City Manager.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This project is categorically exempt from the provisions of California Environmental
Quality Act and no further environmental review is necessary.
PREPARED BY: Sager I. Farraj, Senior Power Engineer
~irector of
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
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