Randy Bennett, public works division manager, briefed the Waterloo City Council at a work session on proposed changes to the city’s public works complex, including relocating the municipal fuel site and adding storage for flood-response equipment.

Bennett said the current fuel site at Eleventh and Blackhawk was built in 1993 and that city departments, Waterloo schools, Metransit, the county and the sheriff’s office use the fuel. “We purchased just a little bit under a million gallons of fuel annually,” he said. He told council the existing underground-tank site is nearing the end of its typical 20–30-year life cycle and that aboveground tanks at the public works complex would simplify inspections and maintenance.

Bennett said moving the site to the public works complex at 625 Glenwood would allow the city to secure the facility with key-fob access, connect fuel systems to backup power and reduce vandalism risks. He also described plans for a flood-storage building to house pumps and generators used during floods, more enclosed storage for expensive equipment such as spreaders and brine tanks, and possibly co-locating code enforcement with public works to improve coordination for cleanups.

Councilmember Boseman asked what would happen to the Blackhawk pumps if the city relocated the fuel site; Bennett said the city could pursue a partnership with the school district, which uses large volumes of fuel, or otherwise decommission or repurpose the site. Bennett said consolidated operations could provide savings; he estimated that, on a yearly average, the city saves about $260,000 annually on fuel costs compared with buying fuel on the open market when their site is operational.

Council members raised operational concerns including occasional train blockages near the Glenwood site that can delay vehicle access and the need to ensure critical emergency vehicles can refuel at all hours. Bennett said staff had implemented a fob-entry system for secure access and planned to stage fueling access to accommodate emergency needs.

No formal action or vote was taken. Bennett and staff invited further questions and offered to provide cost estimates and design options if the council wants to advance a relocation or facility expansion.