The Shelton City Council on Dec. 2 adopted a resolution awarding a contract to Roblin's Gate to build a 500,000-gallon reclaimed-water storage tank, a project city staff and council said will expand irrigation, industrial reuse and groundwater recharge capacity.

Assistant Public Works Director Grama Armstrong told the council the city received four bids; the qualifying low bid was $2,663,076.82. Current storage capacity is roughly 35,000 gallons, Armstrong said, and the new tank will increase available reclaimed-water storage substantially.

Armstrong said the city has identified a funding shortfall of about $295,671. “We do need to bridge the gap of our funding for about $295,671,” Armstrong said, and staff are reallocating some supplemental funds and seeking matching grants to close the gap.

Council then voted to adopt resolution 1415-1025, awarding the reclaimed-water tank project to Roblin's Gate and authorizing the city manager to execute contract documents for contract number 25-005-LE. A council member praised the timing to use funds that might otherwise expire and said the project supports water management priorities.

The project is part of a series of water-system upgrades the city is pursuing, including headworks and future groundwater recharge work. No separate bid protest or formal challenge was recorded in the meeting minutes; council approved the resolution by voice vote with the chair saying, “Motion carries.”

Next steps reported at the meeting include finalizing contract documents and pursuing the matching funds Armstrong referenced; council did not set a different effective date for construction start in the adopted resolution.