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CONSIDERATION OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO THE DEWATERING CENTRIFUGE AT THE WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,718.34 TO HILLER SEPARATION AND PROCESSES AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER $36,718.34 FROM THE SLUDGE REMOVAL ACCOUNT.
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BACKGROUND: In 2009, the Water Reclamation Facility installed two dewatering/thickening centrifuges as part of the Sludge Improvement Project. One centrifuge is dedicated to dewatering bio-solids for land application and the other is dedicated to thickening waste activated sludge for removal from the activated sludge system. Both units are a critical part of the ongoing bio-solid reduction at the facility. They both operate about 16 hours per day, five to six days a week.
DISCUSSION: After six years of continuous operation with required maintenance, the dewatering centrifuge is in need of major repair. The unit was taken out of service on April 13th due to operating issues. Hiller Separation & Process LLC (Sole Source Manufacture) was summoned to access the problem with the unit. They transported the main piece (the bowl and scroll) to the repair facility in Dallas, Texas, on April 15th. Their assessment indicated many repairs are needed due to several different issues. In their evaluation, the main drive unit called a planetary gear will need replacing along with other associated equipment. The total repair cost is $36,718.34 which includes installation and shipping. Repairs would take about three weeks. Funds were transferred for this repair from the Sludge Removal account (032-5545-432.41-21) to Machinery, Equipment & Parts (account 032-5545-432.32-04) and Plant & Operating Equipment Services (account 032-5545-432.42-11).
The emergency repair request is because of the essential need for this equipment. As mentioned, this item is in use 16 hours a day, five or six days a week to help remove solids from the treatment stream. Without the use of this equipment, the solids inventory in the treatment stream may build up and eventually may exit through the effluent stream and exceed the permitted allowance. This is also a sole source purchase because the replacement parts are internal to this specific centrifuge and are not generic items that can be purchased from other manufacturers.
RECOMMENDATION: This was deemed an emergency repair and was approved by the City Manager on May 7, 2015. Staff recommends that Norman Utility Authority ratify the declaration of an emergency for repair cost to Hiller Separation & Process LLC (Sole Source Manufacture) in the amount of $36,718.34 and approve the transfer that is outlined above.