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Council approves emergency purchase to restore Geneva generating facility capacity
Summary
The council authorized an emergency purchase (resolution 2026‑93) for a custom engine coupling to return the Geneva generating facility toward full operation; the part cost was updated to $26,972, staff said the facility was operating about 20% below capacity, and lead time is 10–12 weeks.
The council approved resolution 2026‑93 authorizing an emergency purchase of a custom engine coupling for the Geneva generating facility (GGF) after a coupling failure forced a shutdown of one generator. Mr. McCready told the council the item "is an emergency expenditure and it's going straight to city council for approval just due to the timeline for ordering and getting this part in place." The part's estimate was updated from $26,385 to $26,972 to account for shipping.
Staff described the coupler as a made‑to‑order component with a single provider; Caterpillar currently provides an on‑site service agreement during summer peak hours and may perform installation depending on lead time and labor availability. Director Babica and other staff explained that the GGF ran at about 80% of capacity after the failure ("we're running 20% down") and that the failed coupler is a sacrificial bushing designed to protect the engine and generator. Council members debated buying a spare versus budgeting replacements during the off season; staff said larger replacement or multiple spares would be considered in the fiscal 2028 budget. The resolution passed by roll call (9‑0, one member absent).
