06/15/2004 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 6/15/2004 from his interpretation of the presentation by the CEI representatives, it is an accident waiting to happen. The way in which it was originally installed and the way in which it exists now mechanically and functionally, it is dangerous. Mr. Driscoll agreed that the way it was installed, it has probably been an accident waiting to happen for 25 years. The way that the door swings open to the guardrail, and the way that the switch pulls down to deactivate the electricity going to the transformer was poorly designed. Now that the WWTP employees have a better understanding of what the dangers are with that transformer, they are extremely careful. They are aware of how to approach a transformer should they need to get in there. There is no record as to who actually installed the transformer. However, a$er inspection by the CEI representatives, they guaranteed it was not installed by the Illuminating Company. It has been maintained by a private contractor. Councilman Limpert said the original installation would not meet current codes. Part of the reason for the current delay is that such items as big transformers and gearboxes are not necessarily "off the shelf' items for which number of people are manufacturing drop-in replacements. This particular transformer is a Westinghouse transformer, and Westinghouse no longer makes those transformers. They have sold the rights to that basic design to Cutler Hammer. If we try to save money by getting an alternative design from a different company, we may end up spending much more money trying to get the retro-fit for the transformer to fit the footprint of the old transformer. If we go with the Cutter Hammer design, it will be a drop-in replacement. However, some of the things that have changed as far as code will have to be changed. and updated. Councilwoman Kasler said she felt it was importarn for Council to ask questions about this project, and it is Council's duty to request several price quotes--especially since once of the companies asked to give a price quote is an electrical contractor who has been providing maintenance on the transformer for a number of years. Councilman Miller said he felt that Cauncil has not held up this project but rather has raised questions about safety and the use of an outside contractor to maintain the equipment for years, often on a no-bid basis. We owe it to our employees, and to our residents, to ask questions. Service Director Driscoll said that requesting three proposals was responsible. He is sure it was the superintendent's main objective to find a custom fit that will go in quickly with the least disruption of power to the plant. Jerome Barrett, 24125 LeBern Drive, North Olmsted, said he did not see a problem with getting three bids for any project. Mr. Limpert may be right that there may be only one manufacturer of a piece of equipment, but there are many electrical contractors in the area. There will be different prices for labor and installation. The administration should try to get the best possible price to do the job. Dennis Lambert, 25057 Carey Lane, said he shared Mr. Miller's concern about safety. In general, OSHA is very strong and can levy some very high penalties. He would suggest that the Law Dept. take a look into OSHA requirements for various city operations. Regarding the proposed fence between the city property and the library property, a fence is needed for safety reasons since the library property is next to the Service area where a lot of heavy equipment is stored. A vinyl fence looks nice to start with, but vinyl is a petroleum product and is subject to ultraviolet rays and dry-out. Also, vinyl is not necessarily an American product, but steel is a U. S. product. Buses and equipment are 11