Traffic Signal Efficiency ProgCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
May 17, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Traffic Signal Efficiency Program
Public Works Director Mike Koch is recommending that a public hearing be set for
June 18, 2001 to consider the Traffic Signal Efficiency Program.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Undahl, Corporation Counsel
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
Traffic Signal Efficiency Program
May 14, 2001
INTRODUCTION
The enclosed resolutions authorize the public bidding procedure for the new, more
efficient signal lenses for about one-half of the City's traffic signals.
DISCUSSION
The project will consist of purchasing LED (Light Emitting Diode) Traffic Signal Lamps
for use in the City's existing traffic signals. The following lamps will be replaced: red
ball, green ball, red arrow, green arrow and Don't Walk lamps. LED lamps use a
fraction of the electricity, require little maintenance, and are warranted for five (5) years.
Life expectancy is between 7 and 10 years.
The benefits of LED Signal Lamps are that the LED lamps are also safer in that if a row
of lights burns out, the remainder of the lights will remain on without a significant
reduction in light output.
Energy Savings
A typical 12-inch Red traffic light requires 150 watts of electricity. LED lights use around
10.5 watts of electricity. Higher wattage also equates into higher temperatures. The
high temperatures of regular incandescent lamps cause the lenses to become opaque
and brittle. The estimated annual energy savings of switching to LED's is $54,000 when
the whole system is converted over.
Maintenance
Maintenance on the new LED should only require cleaning the outside lens cover since
they are extremely well sealed. Maintenance on a standard traffic light consists of
removing and replacing the existing lamp, cleaning out the debris inside the lamp unit,
washing the reflector and cleaning both sides of the lens. Currently every traffic light in
the City is on a two-year proactive maintenance schedule. This equates into hundreds
of man-hours saved annually.
Improved Safety
LED lamps last on average 500% longer than regular incandescent lights. LED lights
are assembled so that the individual LED's are arranged in no less than five equally
loaded circuits, giving them redundancy. This basically means the light should not burn
out all at once, and when it does reach the end of its life cycle, only portions of it will
burn out at any one time.
Rebate Program
Alliant Energy currently has a program that will rebate us $0.06 per kilowattIhour
savings. Preliminary savings estimates are around 1,000,000 kilowatt-hours. This
translates into + $60,000 in rebates.
Early Return on Investment
Through increased energy savings, Iow maintenance costs and the rebate program, the
return on investment is estimated at three years.
Once purchased, the project will consist of removing the existing lamp fixture, bulb,
lens, etc. and replacing it with a self-contained LED fixture. The LED fixture contains
the lens, reflector and lamp in one unit. The City's traffic light field personnel will
complete this retrofit as part of the normal maintenance program.
The remaining lights (Walk and Yellow ball) are on for such a short period that the cost
savings do not justify the price of equipment. These lights typically require less
maintenance because of their short cycle time. The existing bulbs will be replaced with
long-life bulbs for these installations.
We are planning on bidding the purchase in two separate bids--one bid for half the
City's required needs and the second bid for the full amount. The reason for this
bidding process is to determine if there is a substantial savings for the larger quantity. If
there is not a substantial savings per unit, we will accept the bid for half quantity and bid
for the remaining half next year for the following reasons:
Storage - A secure location is needed to store the units during the installation
phase.
Price drop - Since the installation will be completed during the normal
maintenance schedule, it will require two years before full installation. The price
of the units may drop during this installation time. It was also suggested that all
the lamps are not replaced the same year for maintenance reasons. By installing
over a two-year period, the replacement cycle will be extended.
Possible Problems With Using LED Fixtures
Load Switches - This is the device that turns the lights on and off. In a few instances,
there has been a problem with the Load Switches because of the Iow wattage lamp.
This is a relatively inexpensive and easy device to replace. We have not had any
problems with this on the few Red LEDs in use in the downtown area in the approximate
two years that they have been in use.
Icing Conditions - Since LED's generate little heat, icing has been known to happen on
isolated lights during extreme storms. The City of Dubuque has not experienced this.
The schedule for the project is as follows:
Advertisement for Bids
Notice of Hearing on Plans and Specifications
Receipt of Bids
Public Hearing
Award of Contract
May 25,2001
June 1,2001
June 6,2001
June 18,2001
June 18,2000
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council establish the date of the public hearing on the
purchase of the equipment, and authorize the City Clerk to advertise the proposals.
BUDGET IMPACT
The budget for this project is as follows:
Purchase Contract $365,000
The project will be funded as follows:
Road Use Tax $270,000
Street Construction Fund $ 95,000
Total $365,000
This project will be funded through an appropriation of $95,000 in the Street
Construction Fund.
Alternate bids will be taken for the reasons indicated in the discussion above.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The City Council is requested to establish the date for public hearing and to authorize
the City Clerk to advertise for proposals through adoption of the enclosed resolutions.
MAK/vjd
Prepared by David Ness, Civil Engineer
Prepared by: Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director Address: 50 W. t3th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
RESOLUTION NO. 227-01
PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the
Traffic Signal Efficiency Program, in the estimated amount of $365,000.00, are hereby
approved and ordered filed in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection.
Passed, approved and adopted this 21st day of May, 2001.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Karen M. Chesterman, Deputy City Clerk
day of May, 2001.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Prepared by: Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director Address: 50 W. I3th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
RESOLUTION NO. 228-01
FIXING DATE OF HEARING ON PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa has given its preliminary
approval on the proposed plans, specifications, and form of contract and placed same on
file in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection of the Traffic Signal Efficiency
Program.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That on the 18~ day of June, 2001, a public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the
Public Library Auditorium at which time interested persons may appear and be heard for or
against the proposed plans and specifications, form of contract and cost of said
improvement, and the City Clerk be and is hereby directed to cause a notice of time and
place of such hearing to be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the City
of Dubuque, Iowa, which notice shall be not less than four days nor more than twenty days
prior to the day fixed for its consideration. At the hearing, any interested person may
appear and file objections to the proposed plans, specifications, contract, or estimated cost
of the improvement.
Passed, approved and adopted this 21st day of May, 2001.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest: Karen M. Chesterman, Deputy City Clerk
Prepared by: Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director Address: 50 W. 13th Skeet, Dubuque, IA 52001-4864_
RESOLUTION NO. 229-01
ORDERING BIDS
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That the Traffic Signal Efficiency Program is hereby ordered to be advertised for
bids for construction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the amount of the security to accompany each
bid shall be in an amount which shall conform to the provisions of the notice to bidders
hereby approved as a part of the plans and specifications heretofore adopted.
That the City Clerk is hereby directed to advertise for bids for the construction of the
improvements herein provided, to be published in a newspaper having general circulation
in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, which notice shall not be less than four days nor more than
forty-five days prior to the receipt of said bids at 2:00 p.m. on the 6th day of June, 2001.
Bids shall be opened and read by the City Clerk at said time and will be submitted to the
Council for final action at 6:30 p.m. on the 18th day of June, 2001.
Passed, adopted and approved this 21st day of May, 2001.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Karen M..Chesterman, Deputy City Clerk
Prepared by: Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director Address: 50 W. 13th SfreetI Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
NOTICE OF HEARING ON PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Notice of public hearing on proposed plans and specifications, proposed form of
contract and estimate of cost for the Traffic Signal Efficiency Program.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: The City Council of Dubuque, Iowa will hold a public
headng on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the
Traffic Signal Efficiency Program, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 384, City
Code of Iowa, at 6:30 p.m. on the 18th day of June, 2001 in the Public Library Auditorium in
Dubuque, iowa. Said proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost
are now on file in the office of the City Clerk. At said hearing any interested person may
appear and file objections thereto or to the cost of the improvements.
Any visual or hearing-impaired persons needing special assistance or persons with
special accessibility needs should contact the City Clerk's office at (319) 589-4120 or TDD
at (319) 589-4193 in the Human Rights Department at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Published by order of the City Council given on the
2001.
__ day of
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
NOTICE TO BIDDERS OF THE RECEIPT OF BIDS
FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL EFFICIENCY
PROGRAM
Sealed proposals will be received by the City Clerk of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, at
the Office of City Clerk in City Hall no later than 2:00 o'clock p.m. on the 6th day of June,
2001, for the Traffic Signal Efficiency Program.
Copies of the plans and specifications may be obtained in the City Engineer's Office
at City Hall.
Payment to the contractor will be made from funds as may be legally used for such
purposes.
All equipment herein provided shall have a specified delivery date from time of
order.
All bids must be submitted on the Bid Form bound in the specifications. Each bid
shall be accompanied by a satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the Bidder and an
acceptable surety; or a cashier's or certified check payable to the City Treasurer, City of
Dubuque, drawn on a bank in Iowa or a bank chartered under the laws of the United
States, in the amount often percent (10%) of the bids submitted as security that the bidder
will enter into a contract for doing the work and will give bond with proper secudfies for the
faithful performance of the contract in the form attached to the specifications.
The successful bidder will be required to furnish a performance bond in an amount
equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price. Said bond is to be issued by a
responsible surety company approved and acceptable to the City Council, and shall
guarantee the faithful performance of the contract and terms and conditions therein
contained, and shall guarantee the prompt payment of all materials and labor and protect
and save harmless the City of Dubuque, Iowa, from claims and damages of any kind
caused by the operations of the Contractor.
No bid submitted by any Contractor which contains a condition or qualification shall
be recognized or accepted by the City Council and any letter or communication
accompanying the bid which contains a condition or qualification upon the bid which has
the effect of qualifying or modifying any provision of the specifications in any manner will be
construed as a non-qualifying bid and will be rejected by the City Council as not
responsive.
All proposals must be made on blanks furnished by the City Engineer and each
bidder will be required to state his prices for doing all the items in each section on which he
makes a bid and for all things necessary to make a complete job.
The Bidder's attention is directed to the City of Dubuque's Affirmative Action
Program which is included in the Contract Specifications and the provisions thereof and
hereby made a part of the Contract Documents by reference and incorporated therein.
The Contractor, when requested by the City of Dubuque, will furnish a statement of
his financial and practical qualifications as provided for in the General Requirements of the
Specifications.
By virtue of statutory authority, a preference will be given to products and provisions
grown and coal produced within the State of Iowa and to Iowa domestic labor.
The City Council reserves the right to reject any and all bids or to waive any
technicalities and irregularities.
All bids will be publicly opened and read by the City Clerk at 2:00 o'clock p.m. on the
6th day of June, 2001, and will be submitted to the Council for final action at a meeting to
be held in the Public Library Auditorium, at said City at 6:30 p.m. on the 18t~ day of June,
2001. A contract will be awarded at that time or such subsequent time as the City Council
may determine.
Published by order of the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa and dated this
day of _, 2001.
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE AND LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
Work herein provided for shall be commenced within ten (10) days after notice to proceed
has been issued and shall be a specified delivery date from time of order.
For each calendar day that the specified delivery of the equipment is not met, $100.00 per
calendar day will be assessed, not as a penalty but as predetermined and agreed
liquidated damages. The Contractor will be separately invoiced for this amount, and final
payment will be withheld until payment has been made of this invoice.
The assessment of liquidated damages shall not constitute a waiver of the City's right to
collect any additional damages which the City may sustain by failure of the Contractor to
carry out the terms of his contract.
An extension of the contract period may be granted by the City for any of the following
reasons:
1. Additional work resulting from a modification of the plans.
2. Delays caused by the City.
Other reasons beyond the control of the Contractor, which in the City's opinion,
would justify such extension.