HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-18 City Council (21)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO: -
FROM:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT:PUBLIC WORKS
DATE:JANUARY 18, 2000 CMR:103:00
SUBJECT:USE OF CITY MANAGER’S EMERGENCY CONTRACTING
AUTHORITY FOR REPAIR WORK ON THE VAPOR RECOVERY
SYSTEM FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLE FUELING FACILITY AT
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES CENTER
This is an informational report and no Council action is required. This report provides
information on the use of the City Manager’s emergency contracting authority to repair an
inoperative fuel vapor recovery system at the Municipal Service Center (MSC).
BACKGROUND
The vapor recovery system at the MSC was determined to be inoperative on July 26,
1999. Vapor recovery systems capture evaporative emissions that are created during the
motor vehicle fueling process. Operating the facility without a functional system would
constitute a violation of the conditions of the Permit to Operate issued by the Bay Area Air
Quality Management District (District). As most of the City’s motor vehicle fleet fuels at
this site, it was essential that the recovery system be repaired immediately. Staff contacted
Petrotek, Inc., who currently has a contract to provide general maintenance service for City
fuel sites. Petrotek’s work crews and equipment were available to provide immediate
assistance. Staff obtained authorization from the City Manager and directed Petrotek Inc.
to start the repair work immediately.
DISCUSSION
The repair work started on July 29, 1999. After inspection, it was determined that the
complete vapor recovery burner unit needed to be replaced. In addition, all of the associated
vapor-piping, tank fill hardware, and dispenser hoses and nozzles were replaced in order to
meet revised District rules. There was an eight-week lead-time for delivery of the burner,
which significantly delayed the project. During construction,, it was determined that the
burner would need to be relocated away from the compressed natural gas fueling facility, in
order to meet updated fire code requirements. This necessitated a significant additional
amount of electrical and plumbing work. The repaired vapor recovery system was inspected
by the District on November 8, 1999 and placed into service immediately thereafter.
CMR:103:00 Page 1 of 2
The cost of the repair totaled $45,774.63. Use of the emergency authority of the City
Manager was necessary to expedite the repair and to insure the continued delivery of critical
City services.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Funds for this project are available in CIP 10022 (MSC Fuel Storage Tank and Fuel Storage
Service Island Replacement).
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This action was taken in accordance with the authority granted to the City Manager by Palo
Alto Municipal Code Sections 2.30.020(b) and 2.30.090.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is categorically exempt from CEQA.
PREPARED BY: Keith LaHaie, Fleet Manager
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of
JUNE
City Manager
CMR: 103:00 Page 2 of 2