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

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.