What may be a minor problem could turn out to be an expensive but necessary fix for the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission (PUC). A leak was detected near the radiator in one of the city’s electrical plant generators, and getting to the leak will require special rigging to move things out of the way. The leak could be coming from a pipe or caused by a problem with the radiator itself.
At the December 4, 2013 Public Utilities Commission meeting, Electric Superintendent Mike Taylor said the generators were installed with a crane before the roof was even on the building. He had obtained two quotes on doing the repair, but the less expensive quote did not include parts. “The real question is,” Taylor said, “should we fix it or not.”
“It could lead to more problems if we don’t fix it,” PUC Commissioner Tim Kennedy said.
This would not be a planned repair, said City Administrator Mike Roth, but the PUC puts money aside for things like this. He said the risk of not fixing it could make the repair worthwhile. Superintendent Taylor said getting things fixed when they need repairs is important.
The complete quote, from Cummins Inc. based out of Columbus, Indiana, was $70,825.
The board authorized Taylor to have Cummins do the repair.
The generator is about 10 years old and has run for a total of 377 hours.
ARMER radios
The board authorized the purchase of three radio units compatible with the state’s new Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) system at a cost of $4,478.16.
City Administrator Roth said the PUC’s distances are not great enough to need ARMER, but their current bandwidth might become unavailable and it would be good to be able to communicate with other government, law enforcement, and emergency departments in the county.
Contractor workshop
The board approved a donation of $400 to help the Cook County Local Energy Project sponsor an energy conservation workshop for contractors in January. Contractors will pay to attend and it can be used as continuing education credit. An evening session will be held for the public as well.
Other support is being provided by University of Minnesota Extension, Cook County Higher Education, and North House Folk School, with funding being sought from local building related businesses as well.
Water & sewer report
Water/ Wastewater Superintendent Tom Nelson reported that equipment in one of the lift stations had been replaced as planned. He said that what is on the map outlining the street system was not what was in the hole.
Nelson also reported that work was being done under a street after a homeowner’s plumbing system backed up, something that has happened repeatedly. Sagging lines and low flow toilets may have contributed to the problem, Nelson said. “Low flow toilets are bad,” he said.
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