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Council approves engineering contract to scope retrofit for public‑safety building HVAC
Summary
After procurement challenges and vendor constraints, Anacortes Council authorized contracting an engineering firm to design a code‑compliant retrofit for the public‑safety building HVAC; council approved the award following questions about total project cost and retrofit complexity.
Council authorized the mayor to sign a contract to have Hargis Engineers scope and design a retrofit for the Public Safety Building HVAC system after staff explained repeated bidding complications caused by component obsolescence and new regulatory requirements.
Facilities staff explained the building opened in 2000 and the original HVAC components are no longer manufactured, complicating replacement. The system sits in a cramped attic; staff said full replacement may require creative retrofitting to meet EPA and UL listing requirements for newer equipment, and that vendors have given inconsistent guidance during earlier procurement attempts. Staff recommended hiring an engineering firm to develop compliant drawings and specifications so future bids will produce workable systems.
Council member Moulton moved to authorize the mayor to sign Contract 25187FAC001 with Hargis Engineers to perform design work for the Public Safety Building HVAC improvements. Council discussed likely higher total project costs (staff noted the 2025 CFP estimate was about $160,000 but that new laws and engineering needs may more than double that figure). After brief technical questions about roof replacement feasibility and access constraints, the council approved the contract award by voice vote.
Notably, in the presentation staff described the contract as design/engineering work (presentation language indicated a design contract substantially less than large construction sums), while the motion on the record referenced Contract 25187FAC001; council voted to authorize award as moved. Council directed staff to return with cost estimates and to pursue bids after design is complete.
Why it matters: The public safety building houses police and court functions and serves as the city's emergency operations center. HVAC failure has affected occupancy and operations; resolving scope and procurement issues is necessary to restore reliable climate control in a secure, windowless facility.
Next steps: Hargis Engineers to produce design and specifications; staff will seek competitive bids and report estimated total project cost to council.
