The Sandusky Boards & Commissions approved a purchase of roughly $244,000 to replace five docks at the Shelby Street Boat Launch, staff said at the meeting. The purchase uses the EZ Dock system through a cooperative purchasing arrangement.

The decision matters because the docks serve public users and emergency services: staff said the five-dock first phase includes courtesy docks and the dock used by the fire department and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). "Our first phase is to replace these 5 docks right here, which would be the courtesy docks, the dock that we currently use for the fire department and ODNR," Jason, a city staff member, said.

Staff said some of the existing docks have been in place more than 30 years and that the middle three-dock unit in the launch will be rebuilt more robustly with larger piles so it can remain in place year-round. The fire-department/ODNR dock will have additional piles to resist high winds and movement. "This will have, the ODNR and Fire Department dock will have, more piles around it," Jason said.

Commissioners discussed timing and procurement. Staff said the contract was awarded via cooperative purchasing and that the second-phase replacement of the six-dock structure (the larger unit with five fingers) is planned for next year’s capital budget. Staff noted they may hold back on removal of an older dock if a new dock becomes available sooner so crews can install it promptly; installing the new docks requires driving piles and some site preparation.

A commissioner asked about damage at the Pipe Creek canoe launch; staff said the vendor that installs the city docks will reset and repair the Pipe Creek components at no cost to the city because those docks were not removed last year and sustained damage from ice movement. Staff said repairs and resetting could occur in the same timeframe as the Shelby Street dock work.

Staff also noted seasonal activity at the launch: fishing tournaments occur starting as soon as next weekend, and staff said they will provide signage and notifications to users during installation. The meeting record shows the commission approved the approximate $244,000 purchase; no roll-call vote or mover/second was recorded in the transcript.

Details still to be determined include the vendor’s delivery date for the EZ Dock units and the exact installation schedule; staff said they would communicate timelines to the public once delivery is confirmed.