Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
title
Ratify Emergency Expenditures for the Purchase of Sulfuric Acid and the Temporary use of a Sulfuric Acid Tanker.
body
Submitted By: Robyn Holder, CPPB, Procurement Management Division (PMD).
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of high-quality infrastructure and facilities.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: Robyn Holder, CPPB (PMD).
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and Brenntag Mid-South, Inc. (“Brenntag”)
3. Purpose: This chemical is used in the water treatment process to maintain the appropriate potential hydrogen (“pH”) levels & for hydrogen sulfide removal. The City contracts with Brenntag for
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New.
5. Duration: Approximately 5 months.
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: To provide safe drinking water to the city.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): The total expenditure is $262,345.00. However, during the time of the rental and repair, the USD did not have deliveries from its regular supplier. Brenntag was able to provide a tanker, and therefore, also provided the shipments.
Presentation Information: N/A.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council ratify the emergency expenditures, per Chapter 35.11, Emergency Purchasing Procedures, for the purchase of sulfuric acid from Brenntag Mid-South, Inc. and the temporary use of a sulfuric acid tanker while repairs were performed at the Prineville Water Treatment Facility.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and ratify the emergency expenditures.
2. Move that the Council not approve the emergency expenditures and provide staff with direction.
Background: A leak was discovered in the sulfuric acid bulk tank at the Prineville Water Treatment Facility. The emergency expenditure was to bring in a sulfuric acid tanker while the necessary repairs to the sulfuric acid tank were performed. Additionally, once the tank was opened and inspected it was discovered that the lining was delaminating and required extensive repairs. Part of this work occurred during a hurricane. At the same time, sulfuric acid had to continue to be fed to the water treatment process. The Utility Systems Department (“USD”) used Brenntag’s equipment on a temporary basis while the repairs were being made. Brenntag provided additional deliveries during this process.
Sulfuric acid is an essential chemical in reverse osmosis water treatment. It is used for maintaining the appropriate potential hydrogen (pH) levels for membrane operations and for hydrogen sulfide removal from treated water before entering the distribution system.
Issues/Analysis: Staff worked with Brenntag Mid-South, Inc. to quickly provide a tanker and additional sulfuric acid to maintain daily operations at Prineville while the repairs were being made so that service was not interrupted.
Financial Information: Funds are appropriated in the Utility Inventory Fund (#431-0000-141005).
Special Consideration: N/A.
Location of Project: Prineville Water Treatment Facility.
Attachments:
1. Invoices.
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 10005
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Ella M. Gilbert, Senior Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.