Council approves contract amendment for operations-center decant facility that includes above-ground fueling tanks; debate over aquifer proximity

The Gig Harbor City Council on April 28 approved professional services contract amendment No. 1 with Gray & Osborne Inc. for design of the City's decant facility at the Operations Center, a package that includes plans for above‑ground fueling tanks for city vehicles. The motion passed 6 to 1.

Council members debated the site selection and safety features at length. Council member Coronado asked that the contract item be removed from the consent agenda for additional discussion, saying the proposed fueling tanks would sit “on top of our drinking water” and noting the site is adjacent to a wetland. Council member Coronado said she was concerned about storing “2,500 gallons of gasoline on top of our drinking water,” and suggested exploring interlocal sharing agreements with other agencies instead of building a new fueling pad.

Public works staff and Director Langham responded that the tanks are above‑ground, double‑lined with secondary containment, fitted with monitoring and alarm systems, and sited so leaks would be visible before product could reach soil or groundwater. “These are above ground storage tanks. They are, lined double lined. They have containment, they have roofs…