[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6124926,"mediaKeyId","2679224-d182da9a8eb6c16543a8005aff7be0b8","parentId",2679224,"title","Council authorizes temporary no‑parking on Our Avenue for heavy‑haul fuel‑tank deliveries; vote unanimous","audioSeconds",327,"startMs",4551000,"endMs",4878000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679224-d182da9a8eb6c16543a8005aff7be0b8&start=4551&end=4878","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679224-d182da9a8eb6c16543a8005aff7be0b8/thumbnail_4551000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124926/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Council-authorizes-temporary-noparking-on-Our-Avenue-for-heavyhaul-fueltank-deliveries-vote-unanimous","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124926-da6d1cf6a2f9b1fd2e66ab9bb43791b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776685715&Signature=DmMaQlSt5fFhY74vN-3R3KMMsF1yOpCu-L0P4FJKfCKIWJt~-ZUMnxEjeULV29vA~bM3rboHcl34grd6YxGu92xNx8xgu-gLJDXVSUqwOrITBR0kAufeJcCWd~Ln7oOHGslVMFxz9Bs8whEPrCwzK6oLF08OrgBegHrIlosw7MwprvzQfZsY-T39KC7AeJddyyNSvZOtXkKUKhluKlnw0NI~c~dwOXyZ1XpRECyi2ipwELb6nVV6nIEZDj~ahK-G5GpSRFe3Kkb8Y2s9jSDxGCFjtQYT3Wvt0hkTiHtjZs7A4eqn1CXh4K9-7PV0fiXKGePYE9UNCP~9AheMukUCaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Anacortes, WA","date","2025-03-18T14:30:10Z","article","The Anacortes City Council on March 17 approved Resolution 3,179 to authorize temporary enforcement of a no‑parking zone on Our Avenue between Ninth Street and Fourth Street from 10 p.m. on March 20 to 5 a.m. on March 21 to permit delivery of oversized fuel‑tank components to Pier 2.

Public‑works staffer Mr. Grama showed a map and told council the deliveries are oversized pieces for 60‑foot fuel tanks being assembled at the port; the pieces require full street width on the heavy‑haul route. Grama said one delivery already occurred and staff expect about 10 more loads on the same heavy‑haul effort. He said staff can use existing right‑of‑way permits but recommended a council resolution to clarify towing authority, enforcement and who bears towing costs.

Councilmember Walters moved to approve Resolution 3,179; Councilmember Young seconded. City Clerk Franciag conducted a roll call: Councilmember Young — Yes; Councilmember Walters — Yes; Councilmember Cleland McGrath — Yes; Councilmember Moulton — Yes; Councilmember McDougal — Yes; Councilmember Hubick — Yes; Councilmember Fantini — Yes. Mayor Miller announced the motion carries.

During discussion, Walters and staff noted the city needs a clearer, written process for temporary street closures and suggested code changes or a permit fee to cover staffing and sign placement costs. Grama said the city will pursue a municipal‑code change to set clear rules for short‑term closures and third‑party moves, and staff will return with a recommended process.

The council earlier approved the consent agenda (items 5A–C) by motion of Councilmember Bolton, seconded by Councilmember Young; the consent motion passed by voice vote.

Resolution 3,179 authorizes temporary no‑parking enforcement for the dates and block specified; staff will coordinate signage, towing procedures and communication with affected residents and businesses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Anacortes - City Council Meeting, 3/17/25 (Zoom Livestream)","oneSentenceSummary","The Anacortes City Council passed Resolution 3,179 on March 17 to temporarily close or prohibit parking on Our Avenue between Ninth and Fourth Streets from 10 p.m. March 20 to 5 a.m. March 21 so oversized fuel‑tank components can be moved to Pier 2. The motion passed on a roll call vote with all members voting yes.","taxTitle","Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington","taxId",51056,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124931,"Public works committee: wastewater outfall tunneling on schedule; project roughly $17 million with FEMA covering 95%",225,696000,921000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679224-d182da9a8eb6c16543a8005aff7be0b8&start=696&end=921","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679224-d182da9a8eb6c16543a8005aff7be0b8/thumbnail_696000.jpg","/articles/6124931/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Public-works-committee-wastewater-outfall-tunneling-on-schedule-project-roughly-17-million-with-FEMA-covering-95","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124931-36870ae2700e9c6469d105db31df195b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776685715&Signature=aP5F6mK2iO~lpHTqqL7RdunFBeEqPoHmXsIBASLKQJDxsG2xLTGS6glJr2LJpa4XVs0nn6EFjm1H5VWG00Euj5mhCLBq7Tv-N4k9ArpKD0lgiiC2AT6ymuGrTx1NisX37mQ--QOT3znQObWoCqv-3keUkP3joetxGKhPsA40GtFfOJfTlaQ~lGJYb-8AXdSZ5odlF0ZgKR7a9~RMtHpspuZlZ4X5Tl--Cy18WvsySm3I1RgzZSxVxQ8mZnQTyVfMklUa0rK~~moy72ddnEPbWCkKfPumMbTdjfDNB9FUnRN5rxOysZ2vlgodnEc1L2Dn~uTO~Viu3jNnqxl1PkGraw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmember Moulton reported at the March 17 meeting that the wastewater treatment plant outfall replacement project is proceeding on schedule and that tunneling is slated to begin in early April.

Moulton, summarizing a presentation by project manager Jeff Beltramini and engineer Logan Lee, said crews are excavating 22‑foot‑wide shafts and advancing slowly through hard rock — about six inches to a foot per day in the shaft work. Tunneling to connect shafts is expected to begin around April 5 at Third Street, with a 200‑foot tunnel section there and a subsequent roughly 300‑foot westbound segment on You Avenue. Completion of tunneling is expected in May and overall project completion around July 7, Moulton said.

Moulton told council the total project cost is about $17,000,000 and that FEMA has obligated to cover 95% of that cost; the city is responsible for the remaining 5%. She said the city has billed about $11,000,000 to date and submits quarterly requests for reimbursement. A request for qualifications for design of a park at the end of View Avenue will be published in the local paper.

Moulton said the tunneling method chosen has been quieter than blasting and that public‑works staff have communicated regularly with neighbors. Councilmembers asked for clarification about FEMA reimbursement timing; staff said the city pays work up front and submits for quarterly reimbursement and that there has been no recent interruption in FEMA payments.

The public works committee also discussed a separate heavy‑haul route resolution that later appeared on the council’s agenda for a temporary street closure for oversized fuel‑tank components to move to Pier 2.

No formal council action on the outfall was taken during the March 17 meeting; Moulton said staff will return to council as construction milestones are reached with photos and progress updates.","Councilmember Moulton reported to the council that crews are sinking 22‑foot shafts and tunneling will begin in early April; the outfall project is roughly $17 million and FEMA has obligated to pay 95% of costs, with the city responsible for 5%.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124936,"Anacortes Fire Department reports rising call volume and urges comp‑plan planning for staffing and facilities",2490,1146000,3636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679224-d182da9a8eb6c16543a8005aff7be0b8&start=1146&end=3636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679224-d182da9a8eb6c16543a8005aff7be0b8/thumbnail_1146000.jpg","/articles/6124936/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Anacortes-Fire-Department-reports-rising-call-volume-and-urges-compplan-planning-for-staffing-and-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124936-71ea99fb17dbe2f2e8507e508d33c84d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776685715&Signature=PTCxhFeBY3Seu3YCF0TKmin~ldUhwIM7K3bjq7lLrE1H25xozS8rYhbixOI8xNzJ8dzvIN8Sj3xPpOi4jRg7EfwDJj6cb7XDskB9YixGtU8cgqFx43iMKzIdnyHSkoEymh6LeRb7FfirfPg08XmwQXQZUIqaqXQNnLk3MZ9KhFLiVDVG-4D9rjtIiO7VKQOhqwjIFiSqCUN4YHy5CpbR7PbdkQ42Y1NmyeTf5SMcolyQE-3-cM-bADNPoksET9twKbNkiVemi6xas4BryLzygw6wEy9o0aVfQuhw3SYe3XKNzb3LeXxbROIn144ogGmaxjAfypT~Oazx5m2VvNEwvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Chief Harris told the Anacortes City Council on March 17 that the Anacortes Fire Department’s total call volume in 2024 was 4,767, up about 3.5% from 2023, and that EMS continues to dominate the workload.

Harris said about 80% of calls are EMS-related and that about 47% of EMS calls resulted in hospital transports in 2024 — 2,057 transports in total — with roughly 63% of those at the paramedic (advanced life support) level. Non‑EMS responses included eight structure fires, ten vehicle fires, one recorded boat fire, 12 wildland/vegetation fires, 32 hazmat incidents and 14 water/rescue incidents. The department responded to an average of about 400 calls a month — roughly 13 calls a day.

The statistics matter because the department projects steady growth that will increase demand on crews and facilities. “If that continues, in 2031 we’ll be at around 7,000 calls,” Harris said during his presentation, adding that the city could see about 8,700 calls by 2035 and about 15,000 by 2045 if the 5% annual growth trend holds. Harris told council that those projections mean the city should set trigger points now for future staffing and facility choices rather than wait until demand becomes urgent.

Harris reviewed 2024 budget and operational highlights. The department’s 2024 appropriation was roughly $9.6 million; expenditures ran to about 96% of that total. Personnel costs were roughly 67% of the budget, write‑offs about 15%, and interfund transfers about 8%, leaving roughly 9% of the budget available for supplies and equipment. Harris said EMS levy revenue and ambulance billing fund between $4.4 million and $5.0 million of the department’s operating budget.

The department also described program investments and recent deployments. Voters approved Proposition 1, adding eight firefighters; the department ran a 16‑week in‑house academy in 2024 to train new recruits. A new ladder truck went into service in July 2024, and the department marked the centennial of its 1924 American LaFrance apparatus the same day. Brush 29 was deployed under the state mobilization plan to the Bighorn Fire in Yakima County in July 2024; Harris said the state reimburses personnel and most costs for such deployments.

Harris highlighted the community paramedic program. He said the 2024 report showed 108 patients served (106 new to the program that year) and a roughly 70% reduction in 9‑1‑1 calls among enrolled patients, a metric the department plans to review further with program staff.

On prevention and planning, Harris said the department is revising inspection and level‑of‑service standards to inform the city’s comprehensive plan and capital facilities element. He described draft service benchmarks that mirror national standards while recognizing Anacortes’s local constraints: targets that isolate initial engine arrival and minimum personnel on scene for imminent rescue, and a longer full first‑alarm assembly target consistent with NFPA guidance for a total effective response force. Harris also said the department will push to complete a citywide inspection database in 2025 and return in 2026 with a plan to reach 100% initial inspection coverage annually.

Councilmembers and the mayor pressed on particulars: Councilmember Walters and others asked for incremental approaches to staffing and facilities so the city can “bite off small pieces” rather than face a large one‑time increase; Harris said staffing is most effective in platoon‑level increments (roughly three personnel per shift) and that standing up a reliably staffed unit requires hiring multiple firefighters to cover vacations and time off.

Harris requested that council consider funding and policy triggers in upcoming retreats and budget planning to stagger future growth in a way that aligns staffing, facilities and revenue. “We have no control over call volume,” he said. “So we need to decide: are we comfortable with the level of service we will have 10 years from now?”

Chief Harris and council members said they would follow up with more detailed proposals during budget season and in comp‑plan conversations.","Fire Chief Harris told the Anacortes City Council on March 17 that 2024 call volumes rose modestly, EMS transports and personnel costs make up most of the workload, and growth projections require earlier planning for staffing and facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council authorizes temporary no‑parking on Our Avenue for heavy‑haul fuel‑tank deliveries; vote unanimous

Public works committee: wastewater outfall tunneling on schedule; project roughly $17 million with FEMA covering 95%

Anacortes Fire Department reports rising call volume and urges comp‑plan planning for staffing and facilities