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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-09 City Council (2)City of Palo Alto Manager’ TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 APPROVAL OF A GRANT REQUEST CALIFORNIA TO PARTIALLY FUND SYSTEMS FOR INTERSECTIONS DIODE (LED) TRAFFIC SIGNALS DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES CMR:372:02 TO THE STATE OF BATTERY BACKUP WITH LIGHT EMITTING RECOMMENDATION Staff reconnnends that Council approve the attached resolution approving the filing of an application and authorizing acceptance of a grant up to $30,000 from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to partially fund the Battei2¢ Backup System (BBS) for LED traffic signals at certain critical intersections. DISCUSSION The Utilities Department is planning to install BBS for about ten traffic signal intersections that have been identified to be critical during emergency or planned service interruption. The BBS specified for installation will be capable of providing power to the traffic signal system for three consecutive hours of normal operation after power has been ’interrupted. Since City crews are already committed to complete other on- going projects and due to inexperience in installing BBS, the decision was made to use the services of a contractor for this project. Request for bids to install BBS were mailed to five contractors and three contractors responded. The lowest responsible bidder, Republic Electric, was awarded the contract on June 25, 2002, to install ten BBS for a total contract amount of $42,000. CMR:372:02 Page 1 of 2 An opportunity exists to obtain grant funding from CEC to reimburse the City for a portion of the cost to install the BBS. An applicatign was filed with the CEC prior to the deadline of June 21, 2002, and it is anticipated that funding for about ten to fifteen intersections will be approved. Estimated grant funding that will become available upon approval will be approximately $20,000 to $30,000. RESOURCE IMPACT Funds for this project are included in the Utilities Fiscal Year 2001-02 Budget under the Traffic Signal Upgrade Capital Improvement Program 8930. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The planning and implementation of this project are consistent with.existing City policies. This. project meets the objectives outlined in the Utilities Strategic Plan, specifically, No. 1 "to operate distribution systems in a cost-effective manner," and No.7, "to implement programs that improve the quality of the environment." ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW This project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act and no further environmental review is necessary. ATTACHMENT Resolution PREPARED BY:Tomm Marshall, Electrical Engineering Manag~ Patrick Valath, Senior Electric Project Enginee2~ DEPARTMENT HEAD: CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: HARRISON Assistant City Manager CMR:372:02 Page 2 of 2 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF PAL0 ALTO APPROVING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION FOR A GRANT UP TO $30,000 TO PARTIALLY FUND THE BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS WITH LIGHT EMITTING DIODES WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 25403.8, the California Energy Commission is authorized to provide grants to city, county or city and county governments for battery backup syszems for traffic sigJals; and WHEREAS, in order to be eligible for funding, the battery backup systems must be used in conjunction with light emitting diode traffic signals. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo AItQ does hereby RESOLVE as follows: SECTION I. The Council hereby approves the filing of an application by the City of Palo Alto-for funding from the California Energy Commisslon for battery backup systems to be used in conjunction with light emitting diode traffic signals. SECTION 2. If recommended for funding by the California Energy Commission, the Council authorizes City to accept a grant up to $30,000.00 for battery backup systems to be used with light emitting diode traffic signals. SECTION 3. The City Manager or his designated representative, the Director of Utilities, is hereby authorized and empowered to execute in the name of the City of Palo Alto all necessary documents to effectuate the purpose Of [his resolution and to undertake all actions necessary to undertak~ and complete the energy efficiency project. // // // // // 020819 syn 0072208 SECTION 4. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act, and therefore no environmental assessment is required. INTRODUCED AND PASSED AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager Senior Asst. City Attorney Director of Adminis ~ices 020819 syn 0072208 2