Norton Council adopts wash‑bay floor heating, tables rooftop HVAC, schedules Reimer Road rezoning hearing

Norton City Council approved emergency action April 7 to buy a floor‑heating system for a new vehicle wash bay at the service department and moved several other items through initial readings, while tabling replacement of a rooftop HVAC unit for further review.

The council voted unanimously to waive the second and third readings and adopt ordinance 40‑20‑25, authorizing purchase of a floor‑heat system from Petit Auto Wash Inc. in an amount not to exceed $35,972 so concrete pours for the wash bay can proceed. Council members said the heating coils must be placed before the contractor pours the slab.

The vote followed a brief explanation from council members and staff about the wash bay’s purpose. Council member Harbert said the facility “is vital for washing the salt off of the service trucks, salt, dirt, everything,” and a staff speaker said the wash bay includes a contained underground pit to capture washwater and contaminants so material can be hauled away rather than sent to storm drains. Council members noted the purchase was financed in part by savings from earlier decisions on fuel‑tank procurement.

Why it matters: Council and staff described the wash bay as an operational and environmental measure to remove road salt and vehicle contaminants safely, and said delaying the purchase would halt current construction. Officials repeatedly…