Public Property Update 38
March 1, 2007
The Wastewater plant had an electrical failure at our rotating bridge over the City digester and it was found that wiring has failed in our underground connections to the motor. The City was able to get Berkeley Electric from Byron to install overhead wiring to the motor and that will be a satisfactory fix until the bridge is replaced in 2008.February 1st we had a meeting with CMT engineers, all EMC employees, and the City. We discussed all modifications and new equipment to be installed for the wastewater upgrade. Items originally planned but are no longer necessary have been eliminated, and additional unplanned items are being added. We will be adding additional floor space for a future lab and electrical components. We will be looking at new electrical monitoring systems and replacing our worn our and obsolete water supply electrical components. A meeting with electrical engineers from CMT was held March 1st and all of the Departments electrical components were inspected and cost estimates and recommendations will follow soon. All changes are to be within the scope of the original wastewater upgrade and changes will be brought before the Council.The initial estimates for the project was a starting point, and indications are that the only increase so far has been inflation increases over the last four years of the plans inception.
I met with the engineers Willett and Hoffman Friday and the plan to change our Facility Planning Area map to include area’s South East of Oregon is being submitted to the IEPA.
The City and EMC had a meeting with Patten Power Systems to discuss the City requirements for back-up power. A new generator costs about $115,000 but the City can purchase a used unit for $35,000. These used units have about 8000 hours on them and that is about 1/3rd of their life. All used units have had 250-hour maintenance and are in like new condition. EMC and the City will visit the home office when the weather is more cooperative, and we will look at a unit for Oregon. We will set-up and operate the selected unit at our actual sites to be sure the unit will meet our needs before we buy
The power supply when put into operation will be compatible with Byron, Stillman Valley and Davis Junction. I hope to promote a standard compatibility for all of Ogle County.
There are now 40 Auto-read meters installed in our downtown business and in March we will start training the City employees in the handling of information.
I understand that our newly installed fire hydrants on frontage road in East Oregon were put into use for the East Side Apartment fire. The City of Oregon has installed about 20 new hydrants in the past five years. Many have been replacements for ancient museum pieces, but hydrants have been added everywhere there has been new construction. This is a City expense that the City hopes will never be needed but has an obligation to provide.
The City will be posting a sign at our last remaining wastewater overflow into the Rock River. This is a permitted authorized water overflow that could be used with permission if necessary. The City of Oregon has come a long way from six years ago when the City had 12 direct overflows into the river. This sign will have a phone number that can be called should someone be concerned about a discharge. The City now has an underground wiring failure at the School complex that provides power for the lift station. There has been problems with this wiring previously and with better weather, permanent changes will be made. We will temporarily run overhead wiring on existing light poles to provide the necessary power.
