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Commission hears January reliability report; staff updates multiple infrastructure projects
Summary
Staff presented the January 2025 electric reliability statistics and reported progress on substations, turbines, line rebuilds, water intake and sewer projects; several items are scheduled for 2025 construction or remain on hold pending coordination.
Staff delivered the January 2025 electric reliability report and an update on ongoing water, sewer and electric infrastructure projects at the Feb. 6 Gardner Utilities Advisory Commission meeting.
Reliability metrics for January were presented (metrics cited in the packet included CAIDI, SAIDI and interruption counts; staff noted 2024 targets were largely met, with one metric at 0.709 against a target under 0.7). The commission asked only clarifying questions on the reliability data.
Staff then reviewed multiple projects: - Substation 1 transformer upgrade: Purchase awarded to KOC; staff explained warranty and service concerns because KOC is not U.S.-based and said the parent company LD Electric will register to do business in Kansas to support warranty work. - Control room enclosure and switchgear: Under evaluation; anticipated to go for approval within a month; construction for the related Clare Road work expected to begin in fall 2025 in coordination with Evergy. - Motor control center for gas turbines: Commissioned in December 2024. - 41 overhead power line rebuild and pad-mount switch cabinet (near Walgreens and Kwik Trip): Implementation underway with partial SCADA configuration completed. - 180th Street interconnection with Water 7: Design complete but the work is on hold due to an issue with Water 7; staff said this interconnection would tie into Johnson County infrastructure and is paused pending resolution. - 180th Tower rehab RFP: Scheduled to move forward in 2025. - Water transmission preliminary design: To be advertised in March 2025. - New intake structure: Burns and Mac (listed in packet) has begun environmental process and design. - Clear well improvements: Design work expected by midsummer 2025. - Wynwood Park relief sewer: Project routing wastewater from the southeast through Wynwood Park to the North Lift Station to increase collection capacity; staff estimated work to be finished before summer, weather permitting. - Cedar Niles Lift Station and gravity main tying a Strong property to the lift station: Ongoing work described to collect flows south of I-35. - Kiel Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility (Phase 2): Excavation complete to recommended level; rebar work and below-grade freezing-point checks ongoing; completion timeline depends on weather. - Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) work: In 2024 staff CCTV-inspected roughly 20 miles of sewer line and 223 manholes; staff is designing multiple projects for 2025 to address corrosion and I&I repairs.
Commissioners asked about inspection schedules and capital planning for older water mains and confirmed that O&M budget items cover planned replacements into 2026. Staff flagged weather as a constraint on several projects.
No formal actions were taken on project updates; staff will return with procurement or construction items as they move to contract and implementation phases.
