Pontiac approves phased design for city salt barn and fueling relocation
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Summary
Council approved a phased design contract with Hubble, Roth & Clark to build a salt barn and relocate fueling tanks at 300 West Huron; administration said the structure will reduce operating costs, add brine capability and improve winter response; funding will come from capital project funds.
Pontiac’s City Council voted to hire Hubble, Roth & Clark (HRC) for phased design and construction administration services to build a salt storage facility and reconfigure the city’s fueling station at 300 West Huron Street. Mayor Mike McGinnis and Director Larry Searls told the council the design work will establish siting, environmental compliance and cost estimates before the city seeks construction bids.
Searls said the lack of a local salt storage facility forces staff to shuttle to county yards, adding 45 to 50 minutes of transit time on each round trip during storms. He added the barn will house salt, brine tanks to increase application efficiency, covered storage for plows and equipment, and allow bulk off‑season purchasing at lower prices. The administration said the preliminary design will identify topography, fuel relocation needs and environmental permitting requirements.
Council discussed funding (capital projects fund GO‑445), the phased scope (preliminary/final design, bidding assistance, construction engineering), and the need for an interim plan for upcoming winters if construction’s schedule extends. Council members highlighted the long‑running priority of salt capacity in DPW planning. The administration committed to provide renderings within weeks and task‑by‑task email updates to council leadership after each phase’s completion.
The resolution passed by roll call (7 yeas). The administration said environmental reviews and state permitting may affect timelines; the design approval does not itself authorize construction spending.