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Committee forwards final acceptance of Federal Way Community Center boiler and pool pump work to council
Summary
The Parks, Recreation, Human Services and Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to forward final acceptance of boiler and pool/slide pump work at the Federal Way Community Center to the Jan. 21, 2025 City Council consent agenda. Staff described remaining mechanical risks, replacement lead times and cost pressures.
The Parks, Recreation, Human Services and Public Safety Committee on Jan. 21 voted unanimously to forward final acceptance of two completed maintenance projects at the Federal Way Community Center to the Jan. 21 City Council consent agenda.
Parks maintenance staff told the committee the boiler work and separate pool/slide pump replacements are complete and operating. John Ellsworth, Parks Department contract manager, said the boilers replaced by McDonald Miller Facility Solutions are now “working, heating the pools.” He asked the committee to forward final acceptance to the council consent agenda so the projects can be closed out.
The committee separately forward final acceptance of pool and slide pump work performed by Orca Pacific. Ellsworth warned several original motors and pumps remain in service and will require replacement in the future; he said four pumps have not yet been replaced but are running. Asked about supply timing, Ellsworth said the minimum lead time to obtain a replacement pump is “about 16 weeks” because the pumps are manufactured to order and require internal epoxy coatings.
Council members pressed staff on remaining lifecycle and budget risk. Ellsworth estimated a typical pump life at about 10 to 20 years and gave a ballpark replacement cost ranging from approximately $9,000 for a small pump to $15,000–$20,000 for the largest units. He said the department is assembling funding options but that the replacements were not yet budgeted; the operating budget could cover a single emergency failure but not multiple simultaneous failures.
Committee members also asked about insurance. Ellsworth said the city is effectively self‑insured for this equipment; he and colleagues advised that the policy deductibles are high (staff cited a $50,000 deductible for equipment/machinery) and that small‑ticket claims would not be practical to insure.
The committee recorded unanimous approval to forward both project acceptances to the Jan. 21 consent agenda.
If City Council approves the consent items, the projects will be formally closed and final contract actions completed. Staff said they will continue preventative maintenance and are preparing a longer term plan to replace remaining pumps when funding is available.
