HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

Spring snow.  Hopefully Winter's last gasp.  Dodged another major storm.

From Blade Runners early this morning:  "We are going to wait for a 2" accumulation before beginning any plow work. We will keep you informed this morning as the event takes shape." 

HCA then advised Blade Runners that with only about two inches of snow on the ground and no new snow falling, Maple Ridge Road and Hickory Cluster are slushy and fully passable, so plowing does not appear to be necessary.  However ice control may be worthwhile if temperatures drop below freezing tonight.  Blade Runners responded:  "We do not plan to plow, and take a wait and see on the melt-off to decide on ice control this evening." 

And from Blade Runners late this morning:  "As you can see the storm has largely come to an end. The concern is the possibility that the slush can freeze this evening as temps are headed into the 20s. Many clients have already ordered ice control for this evening as a precaution. We plan to make a judgment at 3pm after review of the melt-off."  Because continued rain melted the snow and slush, and since nighttime temperatures should be above or near freezing, Blade Runners will not provide ice control services at Hickory Cluster tonight.

Although HCA prudently budgets several thousand dollars each year for snow removal services, the work is billed on an as-needed basis with minimum charges as noted within Blade Runners contract scope of work on the HCA website Grounds page.  So no service, no charge.

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From Blade Runners this afternoon:  "A mixed bag would be the best way to put it. We can visit one site and find small amounts and travel 1/4 mile to find accumulations. Our plan is to complete this plowing round and follow with an application of Ice Control."

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From Blade Runners this afternoon:  "As many of you know, we are about to receive some snow to plow. We have not lowered our plows in 2 years! There is no plan for ice control as the storm starts with rain and it will not be effective. The snow is scheduled to fall in bands over a 12-18hr period. It is likely we will be plowing all day and into the evening with multiple visits needed. We plan to have our crews at the ready in the early morning hours. We will keep you posted as tomorrow unfolds."

HCA SPRING CLEAN-UP APRIL 6-7

The HCA Board of Directors yesterday established Saturday and Sunday, April 6-7, 2013 as dates for the volunteer Spring Cluster Clean-Up.  Director Michael Smith will lead Block 1 efforts, Directors Blake Travis and Michael Poss will lead Block 2, and Zerrin Turner will lead Block 3.  Tasks will include traditional tree debris stacking and removal, tree ivy removal, and more.  Blade Runners will coordinate other pending tree work and combined tree debris removal for early May.  Check this website again next month for updates.

RELAC @ HCA FEBRUARY 20 MEETING

Mark Waddell and Michael Coleman, two of three proposed new owners of the RELAC system, confirmed yesterday that they will attend the Wednesday, February 20, 2013 HCA Board of Directors meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Reston Community Center Lane Anne Rose Gallery.  Mark and Mike will be available during the Member Forum at the start of the meeting to discuss their plans, and to answer Hickory Cluster customer questions.  As always, the Member Forum portion of the HCA monthly meeting will be limited in duration to allow the Board to address many other important cluster business matters before adjourning.

RELAC PROPOSES NEW LOCAL OWNER

According to a joint petition filed by Aqua Virginia, Inc. and Reston RELAC LLC with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) on November 2, 2012, Reston RELAC is proposing to become the new owner of Reston Lake Anne Air Conditioning (RELAC) Corporation.  On January 31, 2013, Aqua mailed a related public notice of the proposed transaction to all RELAC customers as required by the SCC.  Also according to the petition: 

Reston RELAC LLC is a partnership of Michael Coleman, Craig Nyman, and Mark Waddell.  Mike Coleman has operated and maintained the system for the past 11 years.  Craig Nyman worked for PEPCO for 14 years as a building energy and system improvement consultant.  And Mark Waddell has 30 years of computer operations and security experience, is a RELAC system customer in Wainwright Cluster, and is President of the new corporation.

The sale will maintain future viability of the RELAC system for benefit of its customers, it will continue low noise operations, and it will facilitate the addition of modern technology to become a showcase of renewable energy. 

RELAC will continue to provide service and charge the same rates under the same tariff terms and conditions as currently authorized.  The change will be transparent to customers who will receive uninterrupted service. 

The sale will also facilitate installation of two new evaporative cooling towers for the 2014 cooling season to greatly reduce dependence on Lake Anne water, to more completely control and enhance the cooling process, and to significantly improve the consistency of RELAC operations and tariff temperature performance.  Aqua delivered the towers late last year.

In addition, RELAC plans customer service improvements including complete end-to-end service with residential system inspections and equipment maintenance options, a dedicated customer website, and other outreach programs to provide RELAC information at cluster meetings and open houses.

And according to Mr. Waddell, who is also President of nearby Wainwright Cluster Association:  "We have been in discussions with Aqua Virginia for close to two years.  ... We feel that a local smaller company with a service phone that rings in Reston could operate and improve the RELAC system with no increase in rates."

See the RELAC page and a recent related cooling tower post on this website for additional information.

METRORAIL STATION BUS SERVICE PLANNING

From the Fairfax County Dept. of Planning and Zoning today:  "Fairfax County Dept. of Transportation is holding a series of public meetings designed to gather public input on the proposed Dulles Rail bus service plan.  Please plan to attend one of the six scheduled meetings, or participate in an online chat to see and hear about this new service and provide your feedback."  

See the schedule of upcoming meetings and meeting presentations on the Fairfax County Reston Master Plan Special Study website.  Also see the Metrorail Redevelopment page on this HCA website for additional information.

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From Blade Runners midday today:  "It appears we have another clipper headed our way this evening. Based on the forecast this may be a tad more severe than the others we have gotten this season.  Roadway Clearing : No Service planned.  Roadway ice control application: Service planned for this evening."

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From Blade Runners this morning:  "We took some time to drive by our properties this morning.  I am happy to report that the Magic Salt outperformed anything we saw.  There is a wintry mix scheduled for Monday morning.  Our feeling is that the residual salt will take care of this.  Therefore no service is planned unless the weather changes."

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From Blade Runners this morning:  "As you know we are going to have another event this evening. This could be a similar event to what happened yesterday or could require plowing. We are preparing for either eventuality. There is some good residual ice control on most sites that will help with this storm.  Roadway Snow Plowing:  If accumulations reach 1 1/2 to 2 inches.  Roadway Magic Salt ice control treatment : This evening should plowing not be needed, Saturday afternoon/evening if plowing is needed."