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City ratifies emergency purchase of transfer switch for Fire Station 1 after equipment failure
Summary
Staff reported a failed transfer switch at Fire Station 1 and asked the commission to ratify an emergency purchase of a replacement at $14,589 using ARPA facilities funds; the replacement is on order with an estimated seven‑to‑14 week lead time and is critical to safe generator operation.
Director Tate told the commission an emergency purchase was authorized to replace the transfer switch at Fire Station 1 after the existing unit failed. The replacement switch (cost cited as $14,589) is on order with a supply lead time reported at roughly 14 weeks.
Tate described the safety risks: the transfer switch automatically starts and isolates the generator in a power outage, and improper manual operation could expose staff to 480 volts. Because the part had a long lead time and is critical to fire‑station operations and emergency communications, staff authorized replacement as an emergency purchase and presented a ratification resolution for the consent agenda.
Commissioners confirmed the funding source was ARPA facilities improvement funds and asked about the age of the original switch; staff said it was approximately 15 years old. Tate said the replacement will keep the fire station and its emergency communications operational while the part is installed.
