HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - May 18, 2005 E-05AGENDA ITEM E75
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
7M
AGENDA TITLE: Authorize advertisement for bids for polemount and padmount transformers during
Fiscal Year 2005-2006
MEETING DATE: May 18, 2005
PREPARED BY: Electric Utility Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council authorize the Electric Utility Department and
Finance Department's Purchasing Division to advertise for bids as
necessary to meet the Electric Utility Department's requirements for polemount and padmount transformers
through the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2006.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: On May 21, 2003, the City Council authorized staff to advertise for
and receive bids for polemount and padmount transformers as
needed during the fiscal years 2003-2005. Council provided similar authorization on June 6, 2001 for the
fiscal years 2001-2003.
This action has allowed staff to advertise for bids as requirements have become known, and to receive
and evaluate bids without periodically requesting City Council's approval to do so. Staff has then brought
to Council the recommendations to award based on the evaluated life -cycle costs as determined from
each bid received.
The City Council's previous authorizations also provided for "fast-track" guidelines, allowing the City
Manager to award only those transformers needed for particular "fast-track" projects and, at the next
regularly scheduled City Council meeting, report to the Council the award and the basis for the award.
(Since the 2001 authorization, no "fast-track" awards have been necessary).
It is the recommendation of the Electric Utility Department and the Finance Department's Purchasing
Division to continue this procedure through the next fiscal year. Under this procedure, the City Council
would authorize advertisement for bids one time, allow equipment specifications to be current with
industry standards, retain the authority to award each bid as it is received and evaluated, yet allow the
City Manager to act on "fast-track" requirements, with the stipulation that such action be reported to the
City Council at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT: Modest cost savings in staff time to prepare one annual authorization request for
bidding vs. periodic requests during the year.
Note: Council's approval of this recommendation does not authorize the
expenditure of funds at this time; it only provides authorization to advertise for bids
as Department needs arise.
FUNDING: Electric Utility Department 200 6 Fin cial Plartand EWdget.
Va41-C..-
Alan N Vailow, Electric Utility Director
Prepared by Joel Harris, Purchasing Officer
cc: EieoMcal Engineer, EUD
APPROVED: _ - - - _-::� -
Blair King, " anger