[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6231374,"mediaKeyId","3431739-142e35a60f2c34faf0833eda767c59e4","parentId",3431739,"title","Council approves contract increases to help navigate FEMA reimbursements for multiple storm‑damage projects","audioSeconds",141,"startMs",2966000,"endMs",3107000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3431739-142e35a60f2c34faf0833eda767c59e4&start=2966&end=3107","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3431739-142e35a60f2c34faf0833eda767c59e4/thumbnail_2966000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231374/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Council-approves-contract-increases-to-help-navigate-FEMA-reimbursements-for-multiple-stormdamage-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231374-e89599031aa36f815777809636a949ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154488&Signature=KSeiAF~N4jCSttYYTQ-vF4vY-2tKbCU7lQQ0l-l7e-5JvqdmrHHX1TGFxoi2H8z1jD4wol1mh3iplb8Y091adHZpimyvEwA9s8CtHE5vm71L4vNQX0UA4K0GVCqwrkL0rnF4aasB5os-iQsct29YHqNS6V5CQOvy5ewCQJ8w9snRtQR2zTg8~~i63ENA8MLlz09eVUE-Ze9H9G8qHlc5Wkjrk9HkvmHX~-EUOhJ69SRq5sxtfS73lQolELmiu7576PHp-4g38D7gH59dQcgvMgpT~Lx9ZKtWfLVuTeZ3Rcv1UHrzw0dP2x8Nys2A99JJ-ngKnGloK4D8Sww2hyGa6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Anacortes, WA","date","2025-05-20T02:14:48Z","article","The Anacortes City Council approved two contract modifications on Monday to pay consultants assisting the city with FEMA reimbursement and project navigation for storm damage repairs.

Public Works Director Andy Rayam described contract modification No. 2 with Weidner and Associates as support to navigate FEMA reimbursement for damage from disaster number 4635, including a sinkhole at the water treatment plant and damage to the Guemes Channel Trail. The council approved an increase of $27,349.40, bringing that contract to $86,717.80.

A second modification, presented later, covers work on shoreline repair at a park site affected during the January 2022 disaster. Rayam said FEMA changed the project classification for that site from an alternative project to a permanent repair, which required reworking the submission and added $20,484.95 to the fee, increasing the total to $55,791.35.

Rayam told the council the city has already received a $19 million FEMA award for the outfall project and that consultant expertise has been valuable navigating FEMA processes. Council members acknowledged FEMA’s evolving guidance; one council member said the shift in project classification necessitated additional consultant work and that FEMA makes the ultimate determination.

Motions to approve both contract modifications carried on recorded votes. Council members and staff said consultant support has been important to secure large federal reimbursements but cautioned that FEMA processes can pause and change. Staff flagged that while alternative projects can be more uncertain, converting a site to a permanent repair generally increases predictability of receiving funds, though it may raise work scope and cost.

The city’s next steps include continuing coordination with Weidner and Associates to finalize FEMA submittals and to proceed with repairs as reimbursements are approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Anacortes - City Council Meeting (5/19/25)","oneSentenceSummary","The Anacortes City Council approved two contract modifications with Weidner and Associates on Monday to support FEMA reimbursement work for storm‑damaged city infrastructure.","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},6231384,"Consultants find strong usage but gaps in outreach, space and transportation at Anacortes Senior Activity Center",246,806000,1052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3431739-142e35a60f2c34faf0833eda767c59e4&start=806&end=1052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3431739-142e35a60f2c34faf0833eda767c59e4/thumbnail_806000.jpg","/articles/6231384/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Consultants-find-strong-usage-but-gaps-in-outreach-space-and-transportation-at-Anacortes-Senior-Activity-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231384-8156ac0b335baa5a0224f74fec702cac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154488&Signature=bLpRszI~A-mkitZl399vtscLNJSHcmagGkdO1tNX2RoN-3ICTaFrDM7WaBCcXVmSSs0LeeYv7Cl4UuHDuYuhWdBik6LidRsA2yDjfkHtPQwBDYdSH0ydYpxHOf41taZhETIm82ZFyb40Sh0mtXcGoGd-w2W7aXbNBrHoLoVKTIpHwelLLlGOoMWFoc4m2Y7HstQvuE9NmDxnm7lSL367EbzXJ54KetH8pDyYcJ6ZtGHXBMx8bymNpttgEX9f81jrBwnjRv5nrouXpBRbbp4aPuiRMv2IRUhNmKcwWYleuNpvOLQm~k~qfPjFv2mjbZl5VfHDFm~QTx68sEx~4ukmdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants who conducted a community needs assessment for the Anacortes Senior Activity Center told the City Council on Monday that the center is widely used but faces limits on space, outreach and transportation.

The Burke Consulting team presented findings that included two surveys — 317 responses from active center participants and 881 responses from the broader older‑adult community — and a set of short‑, medium‑ and longer‑term recommendations for programming, partnerships and data collection.

The report matters because it quantifies who uses the center, identifies barriers that keep other seniors from participating and offers concrete steps the council and partners can take to expand services and plan for future facility needs.

Burke Consulting project manager Maddie Immel told the council the study began in September 2024 and drew an unusually large response: “This is a huge response rate,” Immel said, noting the 881 community responses represent roughly one in 20 seniors in Anacortes. Consultant Stella Stroffert said the center serves both frequent and occasional users and that attendance generally rises with age; the report found 16% of respondents aged 85 and older visit the center two or more times a week.

The consultants highlighted three practical constraints: awareness of programming (scheduling and marketing), transportation to the center and limited physical space. The report estimates the city’s older‑adult population could grow substantially; consultants said the senior population in Anacortes is expected to increase by about 8,000 people by 2050 and recommended the city consider that forecast in the comprehensive plan.

Short‑term recommendations (0–2 years) in the report include establishing a quarterly task force of organizations that serve older adults to coordinate referrals and resources, testing creative marketing to reach under‑represented groups, and piloting an automated check‑in system to improve data about who uses the center and when. The report also suggests offering programming outside the typical 8 a.m.–4 p.m. window and running more off‑site activities to reduce stigma about the word “senior.”

Consultants recommended hiring one additional staff position in the 2–4 year timeframe — a volunteer and community partner coordinator or a resource coordinator — to strengthen outreach and resource navigation. The team also noted opportunities to contract evidence‑based programs such as chronic‑disease self‑management.

Council members pressed on several specifics. Council member Fantini said transportation has been raised repeatedly at council meetings and urged concrete next steps; Immel and Wolfswinkel said work on a check‑in system and volunteer support is already underway. Council member Walters asked whether the center had data linking participants to subsidized housing; consultants replied they had not matched residence data to survey responses but identified targeted outreach to housing complexes as an opportunity.

Council discussion also addressed space. Carl Wolfswinkel, representing the senior center, said short‑term building adjustments could add a few hundred square feet; the consultants noted a longer‑term expansion option could add roughly 900–1,000 square feet but would be a multi‑year capital decision. The council discussed whether shifting some programming off‑site could delay the need for a major capital project.

Public commenters and center volunteers emphasized transportation and space as key barriers to participation and encouraged the council to prioritize outreach to lower‑income residents.

The consultants will finalize the report for the center and city staff. Council members flagged using the assessment to inform the city’s comprehensive plan update and to prioritize short‑term items such as the check‑in pilot and a task force for partner coordination.","Consultants who conducted a community needs assessment for the Anacortes Senior Activity Center told the City Council on Monday that the center is widely used but faces limits on space, outreach and transportation.",{"_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},6231369,"Anacortes withdraws from four‑city indigent defense interlocal so it can contract separately",408,3444000,3852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3431739-142e35a60f2c34faf0833eda767c59e4&start=3444&end=3852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3431739-142e35a60f2c34faf0833eda767c59e4/thumbnail_3444000.jpg","/articles/6231369/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Anacortes-withdraws-from-fourcity-indigent-defense-interlocal-so-it-can-contract-separately","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231369-949486349ace73dd60ad4c03fb9ff215/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154488&Signature=GenH6zvd1Ibujev-r-VRVDYaWZya4RIKn1oVoDLYZ7B5yyh6ewpWK3~Q1qciL4lmO1zTQqT4Y8K2XOxgywrch2IPevaIu8ur0Uh2Lh743LLeaF5nEggJDG6xTmVzNK7lF7coZRDaC~hggxI1wYyFwT2VG-gXv18vi4XOrEjlml03mABqw3G~qCIRNDOQwOlTHNAR8i9ralZten7BQTto4hLDQlOPyS0eAnN03Il45eem96Ds4uUP5C2xJYXKRilaPGuNKxAszOr4Koi0MByajdKRzV0msN2PbpbSD~XRmfNfNrVDCcNL5WvRHywwKR58~X7Zth8Bx7ARIi~blC~0Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anacortes City Council voted to amend a four‑city interlocal agreement on Monday so the city may pursue its own contract for indigent defense services.

City staff said the interlocal — originally between Burlington, Mount Vernon, Anacortes and Sedro‑Woolley — governed cost allocation if a single contractor served all four cities. After issuing a request for qualifications, staff reported several responses; one respondent said it would only provide services to Anacortes.

City staff (Hsu) told the council the firm that expressed interest in serving only Anacortes has experience in similar jurisdictions and met with local court staff and the city’s current public defender. The other three cities reviewed proposals and supported Anacortes’ removal from the shared interlocal so the remaining cities can reallocate cost‑sharing and proceed with contracting.

Council member Walters asked why the city would accept a firm that would not serve the other partners; staff said the firm lacked capacity to serve all four cities but could handle Anacortes’ caseload. Staff said a negotiated contract with the firm is expected to be ready for council consideration next week; the council adopted the interlocal amendment by roll call.

Staff indicated the existing contract with Mountain Law for jail work and JARs hearings will be incorporated into the new agreement, and staff confirmed the selected firm has capacity to travel to partner locations for required hearings.","The council approved an amendment to an interlocal agreement with Burlington, Mount Vernon and Sedro‑Woolley so Anacortes can negotiate a separate contract for indigent defense after a respondent to the RFQ said it would only serve Anacortes; staff said partner cities supported the change and a contract is expected next week.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6231379,"Anacortes council approves $490,490 purchase of front‑load solid waste truck",25,2795000,2820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3431739-142e35a60f2c34faf0833eda767c59e4&start=2795&end=2820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3431739-142e35a60f2c34faf0833eda767c59e4/thumbnail_2795000.jpg","/articles/6231379/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Anacortes-council-approves-490490-purchase-of-frontload-solid-waste-truck","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231379-79f0fe3e9f73798827fa42299b4cf804/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154488&Signature=Mte8rpYr8Qje-fXYKrcBn82kWH2qQAhb4-iy4mcLmBiWWROWUBdN9krrBERETB10olL1dLRjyBMDa-au-NYkO3x5RJMnvrr5uKPZKaYEGee9RoiJsXxDeQG0KWP1V97qGaPSt-YV4DbI36prw1CzcHxJhyDQYP1-b6GcU7bMoohqAZ-~qX1EeMEXRtk88NmcCgA4CqJujj0zICWb5dx6anwL91AWFYz0GQMbWR1w3yNxE-4q-N~Rnwe2vxEgPagEsr7LS7UpbV5F5gnF6fNKYvrJgx~siuR2xYObx-psD8P06rOE9VHcOKH~KeFcwJmdOyf7vCxiYc4Jb30xV7kGgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anacortes City Council authorized the purchase of a front‑load solid waste truck on Monday for $490,490.58.

Public works staff presented the purchase as a routine replacement on the seven‑year vehicle lifecycle; the truck will replace unit ERR5002 and the outgoing vehicle will be placed into the replacement fund, staff said.

Public works staff Luedeman told the council the city normally buys this class of truck every seven years. Council member Walters asked how the current price compared with the prior purchase; staff said the previous purchase about three years ago was roughly $30,000 less. Council member Fantini moved approval; council member McDougall seconded. A roll‑call vote was recorded and the motion carried.

Staff said the equipment replacement (ER&R) fund can cover the purchase. Delivery for the unit already on order is expected in the coming months, staff added.","The City Council authorized purchase of a front‑load solid waste truck from Western Peterbilt for $490,490.58 to replace an existing unit; staff said the purchase follows a seven‑year replacement cycle and the cost is covered by the city’s equipment replacement fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves contract increases to help navigate FEMA reimbursements for multiple storm‑damage projects

Consultants find strong usage but gaps in outreach, space and transportation at Anacortes Senior Activity Center

Anacortes withdraws from four‑city indigent defense interlocal so it can contract separately

Anacortes council approves $490,490 purchase of front‑load solid waste truck