HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 GM Update of Emergency Procurement'400 TRUCKEE DONNER
Public Utility District
MEETING DATE: January 5, 2022
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Brian C. Wright, General Manager
AGENDA ITEM # 15
SUBJECT: Termination of the Emergency Procurement Authorization Related to
the Storm Events beginning the Week of December 13, 2021.
APPROVED BY
RECOMMENDATION:
Brian C. Wright, General Manager
Accept the General Manager's termination of the Board approved emergency
procurement related to the winter storm events that began on December 13, 2021 and
ratified by the Board of Directors on December 20, 2021. Provide feedback to staff
BACKGROUND:
The greater Truckee area experienced a series of strong winter storm events beginning
the night of December 13tn. As such, the District began to experience widespread and
extensive damage to the electric utility transmission and distribution systems due to the
wet, heavy snow and winds that accompanied this major winter storm. On December 14,
2021, staff notified the Board of the need to call for mutual aid. As with the many benefits
the District receives from California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), a Mutual
Assistance Agreement allows the District to call on neighboring utilities for assistance.
Roseville Electric, from the City of Roseville, answered the call and sent two five -man
crews, including trucks and equipment. The Roseville Electric crews arrived on the night
of December 14tn and began reconstruction and repair work on December 15tn
Roseville Electric crews were assigned critical repair and replacement work in the Donner
Lake area on West Reed and East Reed Avenues. District electric facilities experienced
heavy damage from falling trees resulting in multiple broken poles on these streets. The
access along West Reed Avenue is especially challenging. The work included the
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removal of broken poles, cross arms, insulators, and unusable overhead wire. Due to
space constraints, exacerbated by heavy snow and frozen terrain, many of the pole
replacements required excavations to be completed by hand tools or small specialized
mobile equipment. Subsequent to the installation of poles and cross arms, a new
conductor was installed along large portions of these streets. Transformers and service
connections were re -installed to individual homes.
Notably, the District also experienced some damage to the new Red Mountain Tank. A
tree fell across the area hitting the tank. Staff is awaiting estimates for the damage.
District Code 3.08.10 Procurement Authorization during an Emergency requires the
General Manager to make a finding that a situation "poses an immediate risk to health,
life, property or environment". General Manager Wright made this determination and
notified the Board on December 14, 2021 via email of the need for additional resources.
District Code Section 3.08.100.4 also requires a special meeting for the Board ratification
within seven days of the emergency, or at the next regularly scheduled meeting if that
meeting is no more than 14 days after the action. The General Manager will update the
Board on the progress at regularly scheduled meetings until the termination of the
situation.
Roseville Electric mobilized two line crews to the District's service territory and began
storm repair work on December 15t". The two Roseville line crews worked extended
hours to repair or replace damaged overhead infrastructure along West Reed and East
Read in the Donner Lake subdivision as well as critical pole and overhead reconstruction
at the intersection of Deerfield Ave and Highway 89. On December 22nd the Roseville
crews completed the designated work, terminating the mutual aid event. It should be
noted that the Roseville Electric team left behind staged heavy equipment at the District's
facilities to reduce mobilization times in the event additional aid was needed during the
storms forecasted for Christmas weekend.
District crews remained on supplemental standby and responded to storm related
outages, making necessary repairs to restore power. On December 27t" the District made
a determination that all storm related outages had been restored, with the exception of
individual properties having sustained damage to privately owned electric service panels
and equipment. Electric utility staff continue to work with these customers to help
expedite the repairs and power restoration where we can.
Based upon the completion of the emergency repairs and significant restoration of power
to all circuits, the General Manager terminated the emergency procurement on December
27, 2021. Staff is currently compiling event summary and accounting reports as to the
total expenses associated with the storm event and will present to the Board a summary
report item in a regularly scheduled meeting at a later date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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The total costs associated with this event are unknown at this time. However, staff is
accounting for the activity to report back to the Board.
To the extent this storm emergency event's costs cause the District to exceed
operating expense budget, the operating reserve is reduced. The previously
forecasted year-end 2021 operating reserve (general fund) balance of $6.2 million is
established for items such as this event.
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