HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/29/1991, C-6 - PARKS IRRIGATION TELEMETRY AND CONTROL �IIIp�I�IIIVIIIIIIIII�IIUIII � MEETING DATE:
Ciof san lues oBIspo October 29, 1991
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
From: David F. Romero, Public Works Director -- '' ^^
Prepared by: Lane Wilson, Parks and Buildings Managerafo,
David P. Pierce, Projects Manager P
Sub ect: Parks Irrigation Telemetry and Control
CAO RECOMMENDATION
By motion, approve a Request for Proposals for "Parks Irrigation
Telemetry and Control, Design and Construction, " authorize soliciting of
proposals, and contract award by the CAO for an amount not to exceed
$40,000.
DISCUSSION
The City Parks Division operates and maintains irrigation systems at 60
separate locations. The irrigation at 9 of these locations is controlled
by manual valves. At the remaining 51 locations there are 76 separate
controllers. These range from a battery powered controller actuating a
single valve to a controller operating 30 stations with several valves
connected to each station. Each controller must be visited in order to
change the irrigation schedule. The schedule must be changed at least
twice a year to switch between summer and winter operation. However, to
optimize the use of water it is desirable to increase or decrease the
amount of water applied to compensate for variations in temperatures,
cloud cover and precipitation. It is not practical to visit each of the
76 controllers to make these adjustments.
Water conservation has become very important because of the drought.
However, increases in the cost of water makes conservation essential even
during periods of excess water. At present, controllers are programmed
for historical averages. Problems such as plugged sprinklers, broken
sprinklers, or broken lines .are not readily identified, as the watering
is done at night when no one is watching. These problems are identified
by calls from citizens, wet or dry areas, and periodic inspections of the
systems that include the operation of all valves.
The irrigation systems must be turned on and off to locate a problem,
make the repair, and verify that the system operates properly after the
repairs.
The Parks Irrigation Telemetry and Control system will provide the
following capabilities.
a. Watering schedules may be adjusted from a central location.
b. A percentage increase or decrease in the amount of water applied at
a single location or at all locations may be accomplished by a single
transaction from a central location.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Irrigation Telemetry
Page 2
c. When it rains, the irrigation at all locations can be turned off with
a single transaction from the central control.
d. Problems at major sites will be reported to the central control so
that the maintenance supervisors are aware of the problems the first
thing each morning. At these major sites a broken pipe or sprinkler
head will also cause the controller to turn off the water for that
station and move on to the rest of the cycle.
e. Individual stations may be operated from the central location. This
feature will allow a maintenance person with a handheld radio to walk
through a park turning on the sprinklers for each area to check for
leaks and coverage patterns. Most of the present systems require two
people with radios or one person who walks back and forth between the
controller and the sprinklers to turn the individual stations on and
off.
f. The current cumulative water consumption for each site will be
available at the Central Location. This information will be useful
in making adjustments to stay within a water allocation or within a
dollar budget for water.
Staff has reviewed the hardware and related software that is currently
available from the major manufacturers of irrigation controller systems.
There are several systems available that offer similar features and would .
provide acceptable service. The method used to communicate between the
central control and the field units is the most significant difference
between systems. The communications can be accomplished by radio,
telephone (cellular or wire) , wire (cable TV or City owned lines) , or
satellite transmissions.
The method of communication must be determined before site specific
installations can be designed. However, selection of a communication
system could eliminate competition on the major components of the system.
Therefore staff proposes that all interested parties be allowed to submit
proposals. This allows each vendor to explain the benefits of their
system and the costs associated with an installation for the City of San
Luis Obispo. . Staff expects to receive a proposal from each of the major
manufactures of irrigation equipment.
The cost of manufacturers equipment will be determined in the proposal
process and the site specific installations would be accomplished through
additional contracts awarded in accordance with City purchasing criteria.
CONCURRENCES
The Community Development Department has approved a Notice of Exemption
from further environmental review.
city of San LUIS OBISpo
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Irrigation Telemetry
Page 3
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 1989-90 CIP Budget includes $10,000 for the design of a Parks
Irrigation Telemetry and Control System and $30,000 for a pilot
installation at several locations. An additional $122,000 is included;
in the FY 1993-94 CIP Budget to extend these controls to the entire]
irrigation system.
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NOTE: RFP is available in Council Office for inspection.
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