LTC 018-2007 Holiday Decorations
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OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 018-2007
LETTER TO COMMISSION
FROM:
Mayor David Dermer and Members ofthe City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager ~ ~
January 25, 2007 0
TO:
DATE:
SUBJECT: HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
As the Commissioners, Administration and many residents observed in this recent holiday
season, there were a number of problems with the proper functioning of our holiday light
decorations.
The Administration is conducting a detailed analysis of the factors that may have attributed
to the holiday light malfunctions. The City's holiday light contractor has been very helpful in
providing detailed information on their observations and our Property Management Division
has also been helpful in providing information on their technical observations in the recent
holiday season.
To this point in time we have some preliminary findings that still need to be supported by
product and circuit testing. We expect our information gathering analysis to be fully
completed in the next several weeks.
The contributing elements to the holiday light malfunctions seemed to be largely based upon
multiple factors as opposed to anyone specific cause. As a general rule the lighting
displays were heavily impacted by the abnormally high amount of rain fall in this time period
that caused the ground fault interrupter circuits required in the light decoration installations to
trip and turn off the affected light display. In some instances, power supply to the light
displays was either inadequate or not in operable condition. There were a number of
coordination issues relative to accessing breaker panels as well as there were incidents of
homeless persons and/or vendors unplugging light displays to supply their own power
needs. The one holiday light display area that uniquely seems to have been affected by a
common problem was the Lummus Park and Ocean Drive holiday light installation.
In the Lummus Park holiday light display, preliminary data indicates that the most significant
cause for the extensive outages was corrosion of the light bulb sockets that when in contact
with the metal light poles caused short circuits in the lighting system. In this specific area
our holiday light contractor has acknowledged their specific responsibility.
In discussions with the holiday light contractor, the Administration has worked to establish a
plan of action to correct the problems and/or deficiencies experienced in this holiday light
season. The City's holiday light contractor has been very helpful in this endeavor and is
anticipating taking a number of corrective actions and replacements at their expense for
subsequent holiday light displays.
The Administration has also begun discussing with our holiday light contractor how best to
make some restitution to the community for the poor performance in this years holiday
season. Credit to the City, as well as the contribution of additional holiday lights are being
discussed at this point in time. As a practical matter, the City would be able to realize more
overall value from a product or holiday light donation than in a straight credit for fees owed.
,
For subsequent seasons, the Administration is very comfortable that this contractor is being
appropriately responsive to the City's concerns and is technically capable and competent of
delivering quality future work. In the next several weeks, both the recovery plan for
addressing problems, as well as the amount of and manner of restitution will be finalized with
the holiday light contractor. As more information is developed and available it will be
prOVjiided to the Mayor and members of the City Commission.
JMG (1/sam
,
c: Robert C. Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Kevin Smith, Parks & Recreation Director
Julio Magrisso, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director
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