DEPARTMENT: San Antonio Fire Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Extending the current Interlocal Agreement with CPS Energy to provide emergency response services
SUMMARY:
This ordinance will authorize extending the current Interlocal Agreement between the San Antonio Fire Department and CPS Energy for the period of one (1) year. The current Interlocal Agreement requires the City to provide emergency response to events occurring at Calaveras Lake and the Calaveras Power Station including fire protection, firefighting, HAZMAT and EMS services in the same manner and to the same extent as if the Calaveras Power Station were located within the city limits of San Antonio. The City began providing these services May 15, 2009 until April 30, 2020, an annual fee of $29,500.00. Hazmat service fees and EMS medical service fees are set by separate ordinances and will continue to be billed separately. This extension will become effective May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
CPS Energy, City of San Antonio’s gas and electric utility, is the current owner of approximately 7,000 acre tract of land situated in Bexar County, Texas, described and reflected in Attachment I of the original agreement. This property houses ancillary facilities which make up the Calaveras Power Station.
Section 791 of the Texas Government Code provides that governmental entities of the State may contract with each other to provide governmental functions and services and provide fire protection and associated services to protect public health.
On May 14, 2009, City Council authorized the execution of this agreement with CPS Energy for protection, hazmat and emergency response services by Ordinance #2009-05-14-0389.
ISSUE:
The City of San Antonio has a duty to protect its citizens by providing continuous adequate power to its homes and businesses as well as to protect its citizens’ considerable investment in the Calaveras Power Station from loss. It is also to the mutual benefit of CPS Energy and the City that the property and the Calaveras Power Station which are comprised of facilities considered critical under state and federal law and supply all electric energy to the City of San Antonio and its residents, be protected from damage and that its workers be protected from industrial and medical danger.
ALTERNATIVES:
If City Council does not agree to extend this Interlocal Agreement, it would leave the Calaveras Power Station which is comprised of complex industrial and electric generating facilities with specialized safety needs, with only volunteer fire protection. This area must be protected from the danger of catastrophic loss of life, equipment and production capacity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Under the terms of the First Amendment and Extension, the City will continue to accept funds in the amount of $29,500.00 from CPS Energy for emergency responses at the Calaveras Power Station. The revenue generated from this agreement will be deposited into the City of San Antonio’s General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this amendment and one (1) year extension to this Interlocal Agreement to continue to provide emergency services to the CPS Energy Calaveras Power Station.