Canal Winchester council moves ODOT road salt contract request to full council after staff seeks 600 tons

Canal Winchester's council voted 7'0'0''0'0to move RES-26-018, the city's participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) 2026 road salt contracts, to the full council for final consideration.

City Administrator Matt Peoples told council the city purchased 350 tons through the ODOT program in 2025 and is requesting 600 tons this year to account for heavier snow this season and to top up storage. "If we request 600 tons, we are required to take at least 90% and no more than 110% of that amount," Peoples said, adding that the city currently holds about 500 tons and that the salt barn's capacity is 1,200 tons. He also warned that the ODOT process is bid-based and that staff expects prices to increase given supply issues reported in parts of northeastern Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Councilmember Patrick Shea made the motion to move the resolution to full council; Alec McLaughlin seconded it. The motion carried unanimously, with all seven members voting yes.

The vote at the work session was procedural: the motion advanced the item to the formal meeting agenda where the city will consider the contract award and final appropriation. The staff presentation noted the city's limited flexibility once quantities are submitted through the ODOT program and the risk that market prices may rise when bids are returned.

Next steps: RES-26-018 will appear on an upcoming full council agenda for final approval and appropriation. The presentation did not include a final price or vendor; those will be known after ODOT's bid process completes.