Power surges can lead to costly damage to sensitive electronic equipment. They can also leave Emergency Management planners in the dark just when they need power the most.
With that in mind, Elliot Lake's Director of Public Works, Daryl Halloch, is urging City Council to purchase an electrical generator system large enough to power City Hall.
In a written report coming to Council on Monday night, Halloch recommends hiring Sault Ste. Marie's N-Sci Technologies to assist city staff with the Request for Proposal process for the back-up power system.
He also wants another $50,000 over the approved Capital budget of $30,000 to be budgeted towards the Working funds reserve account for a total of $80,000, to pay for it.
In his report to council, Halloch wrote, "The City Hall building was built in 1956 and contains the city offices, council chambers and the archives. Along with housing offices and the Council chambers, City Hall is also the gathering area for the Emergency Management Group to come together during a City emergency."
"With the electrical panels identified in the Building Condition Assessment to be upgraded and the fact the building has no back-up power, staff members began to investigate the time and money needed to purchase and install a generator for back-up power supply.
"During the 2020 budget process, it was evident that in order to proceed, it will require some outside help from a company that is specialized in the field to complete the design drawings for installation, plans and permits to ESA and TSSA, modification of the drawings for transfer switch and connections, submitting plans and documentation to Hydro-one for the disconnect and reconnect lines and assisting staff with the creation of the Request for Proposal." Halloch went on.
"With no local firms able to complete the specialized work, Tulloch Engineering suggested using N-Sci Technologies out of Sault Ste Marie Ontario, who they’ve worked with several times in the past and have been in the business for over 15 years.
"With this specialized work needed and staff identifying the need to supply back-up power to the entire facility, to prevent power surges that recently damaged the City servers costing an estimated amount of $7,000 to repair.
"The estimated cost of the project is going to be closer to $80,000 to complete. Council approved a 2020 capital budget of $30,000 for the supply and installation of back-up power to City Hall, where staff is now requesting an additional $50,000 with the scope of the project covering the entire facility and involving more specialized personnel. The additional $50,000 can be budgeted to the Working funds reserve account.
"The addition of a generator for back-up power will assure the Emergency Management Group has lights and the ability to work on their computers during a power outage. The back-up power will also protect the City’s servers by preventing power surges that have resulted in costly repairs in the past," concluded Halloch.
The backup power system recommendation for Elliot Lake City Hall will be presented at the next regular meeting of Elliot Lake City Council, Monday Sept. 28.
The meeting will be live-streamed on the city's website and broadcast live on Eastlink Cable Community Channel 10 at 7:00 pm.