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• ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 19, 1997 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. q_q <br /> SUBJECT: Capital Project Ordinance -Emergency Generators <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management/Budget PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) <br /> BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/N) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Nick Waters, x3030 <br /> Capital Project Ordinance Donna Dean, x2151 <br /> School Shelter Floor Plans <br /> Scope of Work TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider adopting a capital project ordinance that will provide funding to perform <br /> electrical work to make two school buildings ready to serve as emergency shelters, and to <br /> accomplish other emergency preparedness improvements. <br /> BACKGROUND: The 1997-2007 Recommended Capital Improvements Plan included a <br /> $300,000 project intended to provide for permanent installation of generators at two schools that <br /> serve as emergency shelters during natural disasters or other periods of severe weather. At their <br /> August 1997 work session,the Board directed staff to examine other less expensive options to <br /> enhance the County's emergency shelter capabilities. <br /> Emergency Management staff have worked with staff from the two school systems, the Planning & <br /> Inspections Department, and the American Red Cross to develop estimates of the costs of upgrading <br /> electrical wiring at Chapel Hill High School and C.W. Stanford Middle School to prepare them for <br /> operation as shelters with power for heat, lights, cooking, and refrigeration. Floor plans of the <br /> shelter areas proposed at each school by the Red Cross are attached. The buildings would be made <br /> "generator ready" - in other words, all electrical circuits would be in place so that generators could <br /> be leased and installed at both schools ahead of expected severe weather, when circumstances <br /> warrant. The Executive Director of the local Red Cross Chapter has explained that Red Cross <br /> would be responsible for arranging for generators, and for all other shelter operations, as they have <br /> done for many years. The estimated costs of electrical improvements needed are about $30,000- <br /> $35,000 per school. <br /> Staff also recommend that the Board include in the appropriation funds that may permit the County <br /> to obtain a surplus 150KW generator at an estimated price of$10,000. This generator would <br /> substantially improve the County's in-house power generation capabilities. If trailer mounted, this <br />