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Sedro‑Woolley council approves assignment of 900 Metcalf EV station agreement to private operator
Summary
The council authorized the mayor to approve assignment/sale of the EV charging equipment and associated documents for the 900 Metcalf site from EV Charging Solutions to Amperage Group, LLC; staff said the city receives a share of charging revenue and bears no operating or replacement costs. Council raised questions about selling assets built with grant funding.
The Sedro‑Woolley City Council voted on Feb. 11 to authorize the mayor to approve the assignment or sale of the EV charging equipment, ownership, maintenance and operation at the 900 Metcalf EV charging site from EV Charging Solutions to Amperage Group, LLC, subject to any revisions recommended by the city attorney.
City staff (Bill) said the transaction is covered by a contractual clause allowing the company to sell the equipment, and that the city’s agreement preserves the city’s profit‑share on charging revenue. Staff told the council the arrangement does not require city spending for equipment replacement, insurance or routine operation; the company would administer the station and the city would receive a share of revenue from vehicle charging.
Councilman LaBaca expressed discomfort with the idea that infrastructure initially built using state and federal grants could be sold to a private firm, saying the grants and public funds that helped fund installation raise questions about long‑term ownership and control. "They're using federal and state grants, taxpayer money, to build something on city land and then sell that for profit to a private company," LaBaca said.
Councilman Henderson moved to authorize the mayor to sign the assignment; a councilmember seconded the motion and the council approved it by voice vote. The resolution authorizes the mayor to execute the sale or assignment documents between EV Charging Solutions and Amperage Group, LLC, subject to City Attorney review.
What’s next: the approval allows the mayor to complete the assignment subject to final legal review. Staff said they will monitor future ownership changes and may propose contract language to retain city‑level controls if the equipment changes hands again frequently.
