Council approves donation, sewer pump contract and two housing support letters

The Anacortes City Council on April 14, 2025 approved four items: acceptance of a $200,000 donation to the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, authorization of a contract to upgrade Sewer Pump Station 16, and two letters of support for local housing projects.

Donation to community forest lands: The council voted to accept a $200,000 bequest from the estate of Sherry Koehler to benefit the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. Parks staff introduced Stephanie Best, who handled the estate. The council passed Resolution 31-80 on a motion by Councilmember Fantini with a second by Councilmember Moulton. The roll call recorded affirmative votes by Councilmembers Walters, Clelia McGrath, Moulton, McDougall, Hubick and Fantini; the motion carried.

Sewer pump station contract award: Council authorized the mayor to sign contract 23-259-SEW-002 with Faber Construction for the Pump Station 16 upgrade on a motion by Fantini and a second by Hubick. City staff described the work as doubling wet well storage, adding an on-site generator, updating controls, and adding a hydrant and backflow prevention device to address stormwater inflow (I&I) that has been overtopping the existing station during storm events and creating the risk of sewage overflow and backups. The council voted in favor; the motion carried.

Clarifying detail in the staff presentation: city staff initially described a construction estimate as "2,445,000 a hundred and $7" during the oral presentation; the contract motion and subsequent roll call used the figure stated in the motion: $1,445,000 (motion text: "in the amount of 1,445,000 and change"). The council approved the contract as presented in the motion.

Housing letters of support: The council approved a letter supporting the Anacortes ABLE Housing Initiative's application to the Washington State Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund (motion by Fantini; second by McDougall). Council discussion noted the initiative had identified about 45 local residents who could benefit. The council also approved a letter supporting the Anacortes Housing AuthorityOlson project for up to $1,000,000 from Skagit County's 0.09 funding source (motion by McDougall; second by Fantini). Councilmembers noted the Olsen Building is a historic project included in the 2020 affordable housing sales tax program and that construction costs have increased since the original plan.

All four items were approved by voice vote with no recorded dissent.