$296K electrical project approved for Apache Junction library

The distribution board (at the blue dot) is original to the library, 1177 N. Idaho Road, built in 1986, and parts are now obsolete.

City of Apache Junction

Ted Wolff

City of Apache Junction

• 
• 

It was original to the library when it was built in 1986 and as everything happens there are life-cycle issues and this SES has met its life cycle.”

Ted Wolff, public works director

South Apache Junction

Streetlight improvement district, budget approved for Blossom Rock Phase 2

First responders

Superstition fire and medical selling salvaged UTV

Superstition fire and medical

Fire district to receive $1,785 for providing paramedic, EMT for arts festival

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

The electricity supply distribution panel board at Apache Junction Public Library will be replaced at a cost of nearly $300,000.

The Apache Junction City Council voted unanimously Dec. 17 as part of a consent agenda with other items to approve an agreement with Gruber Power Services for the removal and replacement of a 1,000 amp DB-SES/distribution panel board at the library, 1177 N. Idaho Road. The project would use a state of Arizona cooperative contract for the cost of $296,689.30, which includes a 10% contingency.

SES stands for service entrance section and is the brain of the electrical system for the library building, Public Works Director Ted Wolff said during a Dec. 3 council discussion on the agreement.

“It was original to the library when it was built in 1986 and as everything happens there are life-cycle issues and this SES has met its life cycle,” he said. “The equipment failure could disrupt the functionality of the library for up to three months due to long lead times to get replacement parts.”

Councilmember Darryl Cross thanked city staff members for setting up the project.

“I really appreciate you guys looking ahead and being on top of things. That’s commendable,” he said.

“Yeah, we knew this was a problem last year and that’s why we budgeted it to do this work,” Wolff said.

The cost includes demolishing and removing the existing distribution panel board, replacing it, use of a crane and rigging, engineering or stamped plans, CAD drawings and weekend overtime labor, according to a quote from Justin Brownlow, account manager for Gruber Power Services.

The work, which should be completed within 36 hours, is to start at 6 p.m. on a Saturday and be completed by 6 a.m. on a Monday. A communication plan will be developed to inform the public of a shutdown and of any possible delays in re-energizing the building, according to a council document.

“This scope of work will include the demolition and removal of the existing 1,000 amp DB-SES/distribution panel board and replacing with a new three-phase, four-wire, 120/240Volt, 1,000 amp, exterior NEMA12 enclosure. Electrical engineering, permit and weekend overtime labor is included,” Wolff said in a memo to the council.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.