20111206 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL -
LIGHT & POWER MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON
HELD DECEMBER 6, 2011, IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT
4305 SANTA RE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Davis, McCormick, Maisano, Newmire
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order at 8:01 a.m. by Mayor Pro-Tem
Davis.
The City Clerk announced that on October 31, 2011, the City
received a letter of resignation from Mayor Gonzales. The
Mayor's resignation became effective December 1, 2011, and
included all boards and commissions. The City thanks the former
Mayor for his many years of service on behalf of the people of
Vernon, and wishes him well in his retirement.
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 Pro-Tem inquired whether anyone in
the audience wished to address the City Council. No one
responded.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Pro-Tem inquired whether anyone in the audience had any
comments or requests to remove any of the items on the Consent
Calendar. There were no requests.
It was moved by McCormick and seconded by Maisano, that the
matters on the Consent Calendar be approved as recommended.
Motion carried, 4-0.
1.Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 312,
totaling $5,694,934.39, which covers the period of November
8 through November 28, 2011, and consists of the following:
a. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $5,347,754.94;
and
b. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$13,945.73; and
c. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$333,233.72.
2. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 100, totaling
$2,079,592.21, which covers the period of November 8
through November 28, 2011, and consists of the following:
a. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $2,062,446.41;
and
b. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$6,091.41; and
c. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$11,054.39.
Regular City Council -
Light & Power Department Minutes
December 6. 2011
ORAL REPORTS
Director of Light & Power Carlos Fandino reported on the credit
presentation to Standard & Poor and Moody's. The Department's
credit rating with Standard & Poor stayed the same at an "A-"
with a stable outlook. Moody's Investor Service downgraded the
rating from an "A3" to a "Baal" also with a stable outlook.
Fandino advised that he does not anticipate any negative
ramifications on the bonds.
Fandino reported that negotiations for bio methane fuel with
Shell Oil Co. and Paul Prager of Beowulf are still on going, in
anticipation of reaching an agreement before December 31, 2011.
Further, Fandino reported that the City has engaged Southern
California Public Power Authority ("SCPPA") in order to
potentially subscribe to their bio methane fuel program.
Fandino explained that rather than dealing with Shell Oil
directly, the City has an opportunity to subscribe to the SCPPA
bio methane program. He will be speaking with Shell Oil and
SCPPA in the coming weeks.
Fandino announced that he, Abraham Alemu, and Peter Hervish will
be attending the SCPPA energy renewal meeting and presenting an
update on the Tehachapi wind project and discussing the bio-
methane program.
Fandino reported that the recent wind storm had gusts of wind
reaching up to 83 mph, which were recorded on Thursday, December
1, 2011 at around 1:30 a.m. Fandino advised that due to the
high winds, Vernon, along with other utility companies such as
Southern California Edison and LADWP, experienced multiple power
outages. The City experienced many fallen trees and a 66kv
transmission line was knocked down. However, the longest outage
was only two hours.
Fandino advised that while Edison is still trying to get power
back up for some customers, the City's maximum outage time was
two hours. All power has been fully restored, and no other
significant power outages were reported.
Fandino reported that on November 25, 2011, a car struck and
damaged a power pole on Atlantic Boulevard and District
Boulevard. The impact was so strong that the cross arms were
knocked off. Significant repairs were conducted. The Police
Department was on scene documenting the incident and collecting
information.
On November 16, 2011, Police, Fire, and Light & Power
Departments responded to a sheered fire hydrant. Fandino
advised that the hydrant belonged to LADWP.
On December 1, 2011, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Light & Power
responded to a down 16kv relay. It was the first power outage
experienced during the wind storm. The power lines had crossed
over and had made contact.
At approximately 4:00 a.m. the winds pushed a power pole and
caused it to lean at a 45° angle. Fandino reported that the
pole was held in place by the conductors. A new power pole was
installed.
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Regular City Council -
Light & Power Department Minutes
December 6, 2011
Fandino opined that a two hour maximum power outage was
exceptional, and that customers were pleased.
Fandino reported that a scheduled power outage was conducted at
City Hall on December 3, 2011, in order to upgrade the
transformers. Generators were brought in from Petrelli
Electric, and temporary power was set up for City Hall and the
dispatch center. It was a coordinated effort between the
various departments. The City upgraded from three transformer
banks, originally installed in the 1950s, to just one
transformer. The new transformer is caged in with overhead
fencing.
Mayor Pro-Tem Davis inquired whether the foundation was checked
and whether it could sustain the weight. Fandino explained that
that the transformer sits approximately 6 feet on top of the
reservoir. A new pad was poured. The Community Services
Department was involved in the process and permits were pulled.
Mayor Pro-Tem Davis expressed his concern about the weight which
was previously distributed across three transformers and now
focused on just one. Be inquired whether there was now
additional room. Fandino confirmed that the new unit opened up
more space.
Fandino advised that the voltage capacity is adequate and does
not anticipate any issues, but that the true test will be in the
summer when the air conditioning system is in use. The new
transformer uses Feeder 4 as a primary and uses Feeder 47 as a
secondary. The switch to Feeder 47 is automatic within 10
seconds. Generators do not kick -in until after the 10 seconds.
Mayor Pro-Tem Davis inquired whether there were any questions or
comments from the audience. No one responded. The City Clerk
announced that there were no further items on the agenda.
At 8:17 a.m., it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Newmire,
to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
ATTE
Willard G. ama hi
City Clerk
William J. Dso'
Mayor Pro-Tem
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