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Council approves sewer loan, pump purchase and accepts FEMA SAFER grant
Summary
At its Oct. 13 meeting the Anacortes City Council adopted Ordinance 5006, authorizing a $4.5 million interfund loan from the water fund to wastewater for the CSO project; approved a $143,750 pump purchase for Pump Station 13; and accepted a FEMA SAFER grant to create three new fire department FTEs beginning in 2026.
Anacortes City Council members on Oct. 13 approved three formal actions affecting the city’s sewer capital work, wastewater pump reliability and fire-department staffing.
Ordinance 5006 authorized an interfund loan of $4,500,000 from the water fund to the wastewater fund to begin construction on a combined sewer overflow (CSO) pump station. The council adopted the ordinance on a voice vote; the clerk recorded unanimous support among members present.
The council also approved a $143,750 contract with Whitney Equipment Company to purchase a replacement/backup pump for Pump Station 13 (Skyline Marina). Staff said the spare pump is needed while the two existing pumps are rebuilt and to reduce the risk of station failure that could lead to sanitary sewer overflows.
Finally, the council accepted a federal FY2024 FEMA SAFER grant that funds three firefighter positions for 36 months. The SAFER award covers 75% of costs in years one and two and 35% in year three, and the council approved creating the three FTEs beginning in 2026. Staff said the department intends to unfund one assistant chief position so the net long-term staffing change is smaller; council members asked for follow-up analysis on long-term funding options after the grant ends.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 5006 (interfund loan water → wastewater, $4,500,000): Adopted. Motion by Councilmember Moulton; second Walters. Recorded vote: unanimous of members present. - Contract award (Pump Station 13 backup pump, Whitney Equipment Company, $143,750): Approved. Motion by Councilmember Moulton; second Hubick. Recorded vote: unanimous of members present. - SAFER grant acceptance (create 3 FTEs beginning 2026): Approved. Motion by Councilmember Hubick; second Young. Recorded vote: unanimous of members present.
Council members and staff who spoke during the actions included Mayor Miller; Councilmembers Moulton, Walters, Hubick, Young, Cleland McGrath and Fantini; Clerk Franciak; Public Works Director Andy Rayam; and city staff presenting the loan and contract items.
Next steps: staff will proceed with the CSO pump station procurement and construction on the schedule provided in project documents, order the replacement pump, and implement the SAFER grant-authorized hires beginning with recruitment and budget adjustments for 2026.
