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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12031991 - FC.2 FC-2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM: FINANCE COMMITTEE � � Costa Supervisor N. Fanden and Supervisor T. Torlakson `�� Count DATE: November 25, 1991 SUBJECT: Consideration of Acquiring a Portable Water Supply System (PWSS) Specific Request(s) or Recommendations(s) & Background &-Justification RECOMMENIDATIONS 1. Continue this issue on referral to the Finance Committee. 2. Request the County Fire Chiefs' Association to view a presentation/demonstration of the Portable Water Supply System (PWSS) to determine the need for such a system in the County. 3. Request the County Fire Chiefs' Association to determine the advantages of requiring swimming pools to be built with drain valves accessible to fire agencies so that pool water can be used for fire fighting. 4. Direct the County Health Services Department to review the PWSS to determine the need for and feasibility of using the PWSS for emergency domestic water supply. 5. Direct the County Office of Emergency Services, in conjunction with the County Administrator, tocoordinate the review of PWSS and to develop a report and recommendations to the Finance Committee on the acquisition of the PWSS. 6. Request the the Portable Water Supply System Company, the PWSS vendor, to seek funding participation for the purchase of PWSS equipment from County businesses and industry if the Board determines that the acquisition of PWSS is desirable. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND: In September 1991 the Board of Supervisors referred the subject issue to the Finance Committee and the Office of Emergency Services. The Board also directed the County Administrator to coordinate a review of the concept of acquiring a PWSS with the Health Department and fire districts. The purpose of the PWSS is to provide a back-up water supply system to be used for fire fighting or domestic purposes (potable water) in the event of a failure of the regular water supply. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES Signature: X Recommendation of County Administrator Recommendation of Board Committee X. Approve Other Signature(s): O✓►�- Ory-'�"� Action of Board on: Dece er 3, 1991 Approved as Recommended x Other.: Vote of Supervisors: I HEREBY- CERTIFY THAT THIS- IS A TRUE AND CORRECT- COPY OF AN ACTION ,TAICO X Unanimous (Absent III ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' ON DATE SHOWN. Absent: Abstain: Attested: December T, 1991 cc: Fire Chiefs' Capital Improvement Phil Batchelor., Cierk of Committee-William Cullen, Consolidated the Board of Supervisors Fire (via C/A) and County -Administrator Health Services Department Office of Emergency Services By: - D??PIM �� Portable Water Supply System Page 2 November 25, 1991 On November 18, 1991 the Finance Committee met to discuss the PWSS. The meeting was attended by fire district, Health Services Department, and County Administrator staff and representatives of the Portable Water Supply System Company, Ltd. and the Hoffman Company. The County Administrator's Off ice reported that this. issue was reviewed with. the Fire Chiefs' Association Capital Improvement Committee., as well as various fire chiefs. It is the view of the fire officers that the fire districts currently have. the ability to pump water out of sloughs, rivers or ponds for fire fighting purposes. Additionally, the fire districts have access to a portable water system from the State Office of Emergency Services (OES) as discussed in the attached information sheet. The OES system known as SHARPS (Special Hose and Relay Pump System) is located in Sacramento and consists of a truck and trailer equipped with a mile of hose and- three relay pumps. If needed, the water distribution system can be expanded through the use of aluminum. pipe. There are 6,800 feet of pipe in the Bay Area and 16,800 feet in Sacramento. In addition to fire fighting capabilities, the OES system can provide for domestic water needs on an emergency basis. The County Administrator's Office also reported that emergency drinking water is available from water companies located throughout the Bay Area. The County Administrator's Office concluded its report by stating that although it might be desirable to acquire a PWSS from the standpoint of redundancy, acquisition of the PWSS does not appear to be feasible in view of the General Fund and fire district funding problems. The Fire District Capital Improvement Committee is currently reviewing fire district capital requests with the objective of identifying for funding only the most critical capital needs such as roof and paving repair required to prevent further more costly damage. Subsequent to the County Administrator's report, the Committee heard a presentation by Frank T. Blackburn, President of the. Portable. Water Supply System Company. Mr. Blackburn discussed the fire fighting and domestic water supply aspects of his product as well as the hazardous materials cleanup capabilities. In discussing the need for additional water supplies, Mr. Blackburn stated that swimming pools in San Francisco all have drain connections that enable the fire department to pump out the pool water for fire fighting. The County Administrator's Office expressed concerns about the ability of the fire districts to purchase the PWSS equipment in view of the fire, districts financial problems. The PWSS equipment consists of various components costing $300,000 plus a training program costing $44,760 for a total system cost of $344,760. Our Committee discussed the financial issues noting that the Hoffman Company has offered to help pay for the system. In view of the hazardous materials capabilities of the PWSS it was our view that other industries might be .willing to contribute to the purchase of the PWSS. Accordingly, we made the above recommendations to further review the feasibility of obtaining the PWSS.