20110405 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL -
LIGHT & POWER MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON
HELD APRIL 5, 2011, IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT
4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gonzales, McCormick, Davis, Maisano, Newmire
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by Mayor Gonzales.
The City Clerk announced that there were no changes to the
agenda.
The City Clerk announced that this was the time allotted for
public comment. The Mayor inquired whether anyone in the
audience wished to address the City Council. No one responded.
It was moved by McCormick and seconded by Davis to approve the
Minutes of the Regular City Council - Light & Power Meeting held
March 8, 2011. Motion carried, 3-0. Newmire and Maisano
abstained.
It was, moved by McCormick and seconded by Maisano to approve the
Minutes of the Adjourned City Council - Light & Power Meeting
held March 22, 2011. Motion carried, 4-0. Davis abstained.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Newmire and seconded by McCormick, that the
matters on the Consent Calendar be approved as recommended.
Motion carried, 5-0.
1. Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 297,
totaling $4,464,618.56, which covers the period of March 8
through March 28, 2011, and consists of the following:
a. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $4,305,102.91;
b. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$55,791.01; and
c. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$103,724.64.
2. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 85, totaling
$179,607.40, which covers the period of March 8 through
March 28, 2011, and consists of the following:
a. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $154,772.39;
b. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$8,064.73; and
c. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$16,770.28.
3. Resolution No. 2011-43 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Authorizing the Issuance of a Request
for Proposals for Consultant Services to Prepare Plans and
Specifications for the Relocation of Power Poles
4. Resolution No. 2011-44 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Regular City Council -
Light & Power Department Minutes
April 5, 2011
Execution of a Short Form IRU-07.3 and IRU-07.4
Indefeasible Right of Use Agreements By and Between the
City of Vernon and C.R. Laurence International, Inc. for
the Use of the City's Fiber Optic Network
5. Resolution No. 2011-45 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of an Agreement with N R G Systems, Inc. for the
Purchase of Equipment for Eight Meteorological Towers
6. Resolution No. 2011-46 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Consulting Services Agreement with V-Bar,
LLC For Meteorological Services
7. Resolution No. 2011-47 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Services Agreement with Harness Energy, LLC
for the Installation of Eight Meteorological Towers
8. Appointment of Special Counsel for Light & Power
Department.
9. Resource Procurement Report for the month of January 2011,
to be received and filed.
ORAL REPORTS
Carlos Fandino, Director of Light & Power, advised that there
were no power outages to report, and that MFJ Cutting had paid
the $65,000 owed. Fandino added that their usage was back to
normal.
Fandino advised that the City Hall transformer installation was
back on schedule. A contractor has been scheduled for the
required upgrade to the concrete pad. In response to Councilman
Davis, Fandino stated that the concrete pad was not up to
engineering standards for the new transformer.
Fandino reported that the MGS Power Plant is off line and that
the City is procuring hydro power at low costs.
Peter Hervish provided an overview of the Tehachapi Wind Energy
Resource Area.
Hervish reported that Vernon originally purchased about 30,000
acres of renewable development property, with the strategy of
finding a partner with whom to develop the property. In
February 2010, 12,000 acres were sold and Vernon continues to
own about 18,000 acres.
Vernon is using the services of CH2MHILL to develop a site
layout for Wind Development, analyzing and gathering data for
the North Ski River Energy Project, habitat characterization,
pulling permits with Kern County, and providing project
management and administrative support.
Hervish advised that a pending agreement with V-Bar, LLC, also
known as the Wind Doctor, will provide meteorological studies to
collect wind turbulence and shear data in order to develop maps
with wind turbine placement.
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Light & Power Department Minutes
April 5, 2011
Hervish advised that Harness Energy will erect eight
meteorological towers in accordance with the coordinates
provided by V-Bar. The installation will also include the
AnaBat detectors, which monitor bat and bird low level
migrations, and bird flight diverters.
Hervish reported that NRG will supply each tower with
instrumentation for the collection of meteorological data.
Hervish advised that Second Wind SODAR Units are in service on
City land. V-Bar will use these units to calculate potential
energy capacity.
Hervish advised that the City is in agreement with ReNu, and
Boulevard Associates, LLC, to grant each other various easements
in order to facilitate the development of the land.
Hervish reported that since acquiring the Renewable Energy Land,
Vernon has started the permitting process with Kern County, and
has had constructive communication with the County's Planning
and Building Departments, and Air Pollution Control District.
Vernon has conducted initial habitat characterization, ortho-
topography, and has identified critical issues.
Hervish reported that NextEra and Vernon have a data sharing
agreement under their Purchase and Sale Agreement. NextEra has
conducted a number of biological studies. Hervish opined that
the studies will benefit the City and reduce its cost by about
500.
Hervish identified sensitive issues regarding the desert
tortoise, burrowing owl, Mohave ground squirrel, raptors
including the California Condor and Golden Eagle. Hervish
stated that the desert tortoise could be affected by excavation
and ground noise pollution. Hervish also advised that wind
turbines cannot be located within two miles of a birds nest.
Hervish reported that the Renewable Energy Land has certain
attributes that will provide assistance and efficiency in the
development process such as potential onsite water source, and
data sharing arrangements with NextEra.
Hervish advised that Vernon has been working with V-Bar to asses
the wind resources in order to develop turbine array plans to
maximize energy production by using exposed ridge lines, terrain
features and turbine spacing to minimize wake losses. Turbines
will be strategically placed on high ground, along ridge lines
and perpendicular to general wind flow.
Hervish stated that a portion of the Renewable Energy Land is a
Military no fly zone, which limits the height of the wind
turbines. Hervish opined that with the research data, the
restriction will be removed.
Hervish further stated that the dominant westerly direction
allows close turbine spacing while minimizing the wake losses
and that in spite of the complex terrain, turbulence level is
low.
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Light & Power Department Minutes
April 5, 2011
In response to Councilman Newmire, Hervish stated that the
feathered blades of the turbines are designed to handle wind
changes and high velocity, and advised that the contractors will
determine the spacing of the turbines and accessibility to the
land.
Fandino reported that the Gas Department added Aerojet as a new
customer.
Fandino advised that the Department has completed its review of
candidates for the Systems Coordinator position and has three
candidates. The Department will be making its presentation
during the next agenda meeting.
In response to Councilman Davis' inquiry, Fandino advised that
City Hall is currently being fed through Feeder 47 out of the
Leonis Substation. Engineering Manager, Ali Nour advised that
once the new transformer is installed, a shorter path can be
determined. Fandino advised that historically City Hall was out
of Feeder 4, but was transferred to Feeder 47 and will
eventually go back to Feeder 4, and Feeder 47 will be used as a
back up.
At 8:47 a.m., it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Newmire,
to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
ATT
Wil1lard `G/.
City Clerk
Hilario Gonza es
Mayor
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