Sierra Marrero,

Assistant Director of Engineering and Building Services

Brynt Johnson,

Director of Engineering and Building Services

Issue Statement: The grounding system for the existing lighting poles at Wimberly Field is insufficient to protect the equipment control panels against surges that could be created by lightning strikes. To address this, the poles should be properly grounded.  

In March 2022, the City applied for, and was later awarded, a $50,000 grant through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) for the grounding of the lighting system at Wimberly Field. After award of the grant, staff engaged Imperial Electric, Inc. to provide a proposal for the grounding of the 23 poles.

Recommended Action:  City Commission adopt a resolution approving the Work Authorization with Imperial Electric, Inc. for construction services related to the Wimberly Field Grounding project in an amount not to exceed $60,748.00; and approve the proposed Budget Amendment. 

The proposed work authorization is utilizing the City’s continuing services contract for Electrical Maintenance, Repair and Emergency Services renewed in September 2021.

On February 6, 2019, City Commission approved a contract with Musco Lighting to replace the existing technology and lighting at Wimberly Field. The project included the installation of upgraded lighting equipment along with retrofitting of the existing poles with new technology and LED Lighting. 

In 2021, the City was informed, by the equipment manufacturer, that the grounding system of the existing poles was insufficient to protect the equipment control panels against the surges created by lightning strikes.  The manufacturer of the control panels does not provide a warranty for control panels that are damaged due to lightning unless proper grounding is provided.

In March 2022, the City applied for, and was later awarded, a $50,000 grant through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) for the grounding of the lighting system at Wimberly Field. After award staff engaged Imperial Electric, Inc. to provide a proposal for the grounding of the 23 poles. 

In an effort to properly ground the existing sports lighting poles at Wimberly Field, to protect the existing lighting system, the City requested a proposal from Imperial Electric, Inc. for the grounding of the 23 poles at Wimberly Field.

As shown in the attached Work Authorization, the total estimated cost for the construction services for Wimberly Field Grounding project is $60,748.00.  This project was not included in the FY 2022 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget.  Attached in Exhibit B is the proposed Budget Amendment to recognize the FRDAP Grant for $50,000.   The balance of $10,748 will be funded utilizing available funds within the CIP fund.