HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11021993 - 1.7 (3) 1.59 through 1.70
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on November 2, 1993, by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Smith, Bishop, McPeak and Torlakson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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SUBJECT: Correspondence
Item No.
1.59 LETTER dated October 15, 1993 , from J. Corgiat, 2001 Oakmont Way
#7, Walnut Creek 94595, commenting on the cutbacks in the Walnut
Creek Library.
***REFERRED TO COUNTY LIBRARIAN AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
1. 60 LETTER dated October 12, 1993, from Art Agnos, Regional
Administrator-Regional Housing Commissioner, U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, San Francisco Regional Office,
Region IX, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco 94102-3448,
regarding HOME funds for affordable housing projects.
***REFERRED TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
1. 61 LETTER dated October 7, 1993 ,. from William R. Locke, Chief, Risk
Studies Division, Federal Insurance Administration, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C. 20472 ,
transmitting a revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and commenting
on minimum floodplain management criteria established in
accordance with provisions of the National Flood Insurance
Program.
***REFERRED TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR
1. 62 LETTER dated October 15, 1993, from Paul E. Payne, Supervisor,
Inyo County Board of Supervisors, P.O. Box N, Independence
93526, requesting the Board to oppose the "California Desert
Protection Act" introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein.
***REFERRED TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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1.70VLETTER dated October 25, 1993 , from Diane Kalas, Community
Relations Manager, Shell Oil Martinez Manufacturing Complex,
P.O. Box .711, Martinez 94553, reporting on the results of the
investigation into the cause of the October 8, 1993 , tank
explosion and fire.
***ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT
1.71 LETTER dated October 28, 1993 , from Susan M. Jusaitis„ City
Clerk, City of Lafayette, P.O. Box 1968, Lafayette 94549,
advising that the Lafayette City Council voted to support
Measure B, the advisory measure on assault weapons.
***ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT
IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the recommendations as referenced
(***) are approved.
I he•ehy certify that tris is a true ano correct copy
an action taken ano entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: _r ' a, k Ck C1
PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board
Of Supervisors and County Admini.qtrator
Deputy
cc: Correspondents
County Administrator
County Librarian
Community Development Director
Public Works Director
Director, Growth Management and Economic Development Agency
County Counsel
Health Services Director
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Shell Oil Company (D 176)
P O Box 711
Martinez CA 94553
Telephone:(510)313-3000
October 25, 1993
Gary Brown, Director
Department of Emergency Services
50 Glacier Drive
Martinez, CA 94553
RE: TANK INCIDENT/FIRE - OCTOBER 8, 1993
Dear Mr.
Friday, October 22, 1993, Shell released the results of the investigation
into the October 8th tank explosion and fire at the Martinez Complex.
The investigation determined that the cause of the spent sulfuric acid tank
failure was overpressure. The overpressure was caused by excessive heat
inside the tank. The heat was created by a mixture of caustic water with the
spent acid. Acid mixed with water creates heat. Contents of a vessel,
typically acid with a small amount of hydrocarbons, were being pumped into
the storage tank but there was caustic water inside where it wasn't supposed
to be.
The overpressure caused the tank to separate from the foundation, empty its
contents and catch fire. The fire was contained in 20 minutes and was out in
45 minutes. Shell fire fighters used two trucks, water, foam and dry
chemical to extinguish the flames. The following day vacuum trucks began to
pump out the dike which contained the tank contents, foam and water.
To prevent reoccurrences, steps have been taken to prevent water from getting
into the vessel. In addition, replacement equipment will now have the
capability of sampling the contents to be pumped before pumping begins.
What we learned in this event will be shared with other Bay Area refineries
in CAER meetings and Petrochemical Mutual Aid meetings. It will also be
shared with the entire industry by our head office in Houston through the
American Petroleum Institute.
If you have any further questions about the incident, feel free to call me at
313-3462.
Sincerely,
t�
Diane Kalas
Community Relations Manager
Martinez Manufacturing Complex
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