[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6273458,"mediaKeyId","3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3","parentId",3000314,"title","Anacortes council backs Olsen Building housing application for Skagit County 0.09 funds","audioSeconds",151,"startMs",2972000,"endMs",3123000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3&start=2972&end=3123","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3/thumbnail_2972000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6273458/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Anacortes-council-backs-Olsen-Building-housing-application-for-Skagit-County-009-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273458-95801b3b9eec5309b91a278b7f515bb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011249&Signature=Nnrf8YF3upM1xzcbPBnqVo~mp~uosSdWmT1SEfpumWFOX5JgNJ9crHAgKBr2uvKTTKgfi0T6U3WALmFQJx45eTpuwRfnaBwmDLkAkzCwa0xO~V~y~6h6f1EEfVylyTcchyOszFPt9473PU-SDYvv9EfpeptK0ebm4G71rnoZNDofTvYiBt59fmrWX0GIFmqo2m7xMtZ1DmxTZusP1uC0tcIQIGxBiE8ij6o4viQmYQzQ40SZ1s2bHBoNQdhiCUiDOJWafElT38WjwQVoICf-dplBO9vJaobIGPPGka75YjUJAj3OhNvulwr-8Vze0Obii~LaNbNLTaxz4xHwEJJi~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Anacortes, WA","date","2025-04-16T03:33:45.833Z","article","The Anacortes City Council on April 14 approved a letter of support for the Anacortes Housing Authority’s Olsen Building project as it seeks Skagit County funding from the county 0.09 grant source. The motion passed unanimously.

Council discussion noted the Olsen Building sits at Third and Commercial in the Marine Supply block and is a historic property, which has complicated redevelopment and contributed to higher costs. Councilmember Walters explained that the county’s 0.09 funding source has been made available for housing projects this year after a change in state law, and that the Olsen project could be eligible for up to $1,000,000 from that source. The project was one of three included in the voter-approved affordable housing sales tax program in 2020 but has lagged behind the other two due to pandemic-related delays and higher costs.

Councilmember McDougall moved approval of the letter and Councilmember Fantini seconded. Councilmembers voted unanimously to approve the letter of support; the motion carried with all members present voting yes. No city funding commitment was made at the meeting; the letter is intended to support the housing authority’s county grant application.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Anacortes - City Council Meeting, 4/14/25 (Zoom Livestream)","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a letter supporting the Anacortes Housing Authority's Olsen Building application for Skagit County 0.09 housing funds; council noted the historic building's higher costs and the project could be eligible for up to $1 million from the county funding source.","taxTitle","Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington","taxId",51056,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273464,"Anacortes council approves letter backing ABLE Housing Initiative's state funding request",143,2809000,2952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3&start=2809&end=2952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3/thumbnail_2809000.jpg","/articles/6273464/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Anacortes-council-approves-letter-backing-ABLE-Housing-Initiatives-state-funding-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273464-9818387f2b529dbbfbb7913ef5af7bba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011249&Signature=e9gl3o1SShp7plGa2GLdzW1D7D2OiFucdo8fZzA-D67f7iTZecj-kow6swx8Vwn4-eLfi1crLxd2u811lT58udJwiqtGbBmYAXGrnsu1OO27lkfO7aTaYsrxW9RiOa9E5fRiB-dJVO~hq6b8pB4e0jlYfFIDf660IvS4GqVbxIzq133Hep2iwf0j5MjZ1EA7DBv5ws8PcieThLLdO1sRGBfBHwjK3RCdVyel7aCIqcwZvUDWaPvhrHWrRkHf7UkHtF4eMdBTwh5OId3AVo~Zvc2fz~1x5dm0ZmZfAj~PrQ342xTI2zA4LvT9oXeN-MYWdE7ORR~sW123ihNf8xRb1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anacortes City Council on April 14 approved a letter of support for the Anacortes ABLE Housing Initiative's application for state funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund. The motion passed unanimously.

Bruce Henderson, present as a representative of the initiative, attended the meeting. Council members said the initiative addresses an identified local need: adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities whose caregivers are aging and may no longer be able to provide housing supports. Councilmember Walters noted the population and the “looming cliff” of caregiver age were identified in the 2022 unmet-needs report and welcomed the group's effort to secure funding.

Councilmember Fantini moved approval of the letter and Councilmember McDougall seconded; the motion carried with all members present voting in favor. Mayor Miller said the mayor had signed a hard copy at the meeting and the city would gather electronic signatures from councilmembers who were absent.","Council approved a letter of support for the Anacortes ABLE Housing Initiative's application to the Washington State Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund; the motion carried unanimously.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273469,"Anacortes council awards contract to upgrade Sewer Pump Station 16",270,2502000,2772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3&start=2502&end=2772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3/thumbnail_2502000.jpg","/articles/6273469/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Anacortes-council-awards-contract-to-upgrade-Sewer-Pump-Station-16","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273469-43043265565f0555ddc602edee77ceed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011249&Signature=lmANMf3zlo4NLVvgcpcctcgKKIXqL35m7qeJ2tJAtJ-Gz0RuwE3TA8NB9JAlwRtPxh~fH25cERSCIahrw5F4jvQapMdoH9cscBBtqmYdYqlnYvxS6Qkcdvmc6PHyvxmk-4nYwo7hrvaoVlFERmMf5T-VrAjqh4vw-R2~h8xim5ohLIoN450kEKdTYmrkVRZWNWRFhz9ZHvtvrs3pASpOMPM-pgwzVQvVtUyX5jFrR9u017fZMrd4o1UFYun373VsaEgapI3XYHuHh-HRwlphYFQI-L0~iKkSy~qMm3C-9dIzTlIvcKvNc29qbeeT2CjKmCE~CdhjxFq1mGnpVSdxzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anacortes City Council authorized the mayor on April 14 to sign contract 23-259-SEW-002 with Faber Construction to upgrade Sewer Pump Station 16, approving the contract by unanimous voice vote.

City staff said stormwater inflow during storm events is entering the sanitary sewer system at Pump Station 16 and that the wet well (the underground holding tank) was not sized to handle the water volume. Staff warned that the undersized wet well risks overtopping, which could cause sewage overflows or backups into homes; the site also lacks backup power.

The upgrade presented to council calls for doubling the wet well storage by adding an underground storage tank, installing an on-site generator, updating controls, and adding a water hydrant and a backflow prevention device. Staff said multiple design scenarios were considered and identified the enlargement and a generator as the most cost-effective solution.

During the presentation staff referenced a construction cost near $2,445,000; when the motion to award the contract was made, the contract amount stated on the record was $1,445,000. The council record contains both figures; the contract authorized at the meeting is identified as contract 23-259-SEW-002 with Faber Construction (the motion as stated on the record set the award amount at $1,445,000). Council members voted unanimously to award the contract.

Councilmember Walters asked whether modern developments would be allowed to rely on a pump station without backup generator capacity; staff replied that new pump stations would include on-site backup power. Staff said inflow is likely caused by sewer pipes installed in rock trenches and that investigators have not found a single decisive cause of inflow, a pattern described as typical for inflow and infiltration (I&I) problems.

The contract award will permit the city to begin construction planning and mobilization with Faber Construction, and staff said they will return with implementation details and timelines.","Council authorized the mayor to sign contract 23-259-SEW-002 with Faber Construction to upgrade Pump Station 16 after staff described stormwater inflow and a lack of backup power; the presentation and the contract amount on the record contained differing dollar figures.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273474,"Skagit Transit proposes downtown Anacortes microtransit pilot, route changes",1691,804000,2495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3&start=804&end=2495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3/thumbnail_804000.jpg","/articles/6273474/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-Transit-proposes-downtown-Anacortes-microtransit-pilot-route-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273474-a8b102c59f894757c7538be0438d1f70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011249&Signature=NkikBBxuWKw4HdlRtClpuRSLGUIYOktrhYNKqR7Nxrv23n3BoqyjtXHG5pRujqd6DhRBt1vJe9zuQ~V-wOfQXHsDdwmYWP4QhdKpLW52i1elpnvua0L-DNSbSVf8Xpoam3SB05Wnny3WOLIZhkoZeD28YMreKjlUvNxkoWomuu4vhrJ4SrCb0cRUJZCyKR5qEmTrT010p1QeOG16eBZfGGRkcjXJUytcAHugZf9w8vgyhdYQLEBl0r0Lnsnn-HSj-St9daBe6OSU~notzR2-GqBBRsoPOxY0XfsflZz5aJwABr3~pdX1lrbl0RYa3jxYjZYklvFCaOj3BtmVh8fsqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Skagit Transit officials presented a package of recommended route changes and a proposed two-year microtransit pilot for downtown Anacortes at the April 14 Anacortes City Council meeting. The presentation, delivered by Crystal Stedham, Skagit Transit CEO, and Malia Kuzminski, planning and outreach manager, focused on changes the agency says would increase frequency, span and regional connectivity.

Skagit Transit staff said the proposal responds to more than 600 community survey responses requesting increased frequency, later service, better regional connections and on-demand options. The consultant-recommended short-term changes include eliminating route 409, shortening route 410 so it terminates in downtown Anacortes and serves Island Hospital, eliminating route 513, extending route 301 to March's Point, and expanding 40X service from Skagit Station to Anacortes with added Sunday service.

The proposal also includes a two-year pilot of on-demand microtransit covering a downtown corridor (an area around Commercial and M Avenue). Skagit Transit staff described microtransit as “kinda like Uber with public transit accessible” and said vehicles would be ADA accessible. The agency applied for a state consolidated grant (the application includes multiple funding sources, and staff said the Climate Commitment Act is part of the mix) and expects to learn whether it received funds in May. If the grant is secured, staff said turnkey contractors could deploy vehicles, software and drivers and bring service online in roughly 12 weeks; running the service in-house would require purchasing vehicles and hiring drivers and could take much longer.

Councilmembers asked whether a pilot could proceed without the grant. Crystal Stedham said the agency could begin a smaller pilot downtown by using savings from eliminating the 409, but expansion beyond the core area likely requires outside funding. Staff also discussed payment options (app-based credit card loading, phone reservations, and onboard cash collection) and said student rides would remain free; staff noted microtransit has been used elsewhere to provide pupil transportation and paratransit connections.

Skagit Transit opened a 30-day public comment period that began with the presentation and urged councilmembers and residents to review the 73-page executive analysis on the agency website. No council action was requested at the meeting; councilmembers encouraged outreach to schools, the senior center and ferry users and recommended staff consider additional stops or route extensions noted in public comments.","Skagit Transit presented a recommended network redesign including elimination of route 409, shortening of route 410, extension of the 40X to Anacortes with Sunday service, and a two-year microtransit pilot focused on downtown Anacortes; funding would rely on a state consolidated grant that may include Climate Commitment Act money.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273478,"Anacortes council accepts $200,000 bequest for Community Forest Lands",229,568000,797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3&start=568&end=797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000314-b863c91c208dffb2bc5e1ad110bc92c3/thumbnail_568000.jpg","/articles/6273478/Anacortes/Skagit-County/Washington/Anacortes-council-accepts-200000-bequest-for-Community-Forest-Lands","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273478-23db6ac47c381e4780f870c90075817f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011249&Signature=nvs5ITgVDXBb7P0cA9XwlIv4cOOZfSoshEzxmlNnKMXMQfOq-2EqP1bq3~1xas0c8BaDQOPWDWS43jxax7rnsSVjjda-gpurflRxqKaFD13om5UJULQ~UJ1viFRdde2C1rylMyLbKKEVVI-zyPzj-6N-q9PiCTQNqeiwjkGaelLxthpFl0TrwVe6gkZwZzs9b0kPqHhzXaRMxc47SqLrOKik7JPHZ3mw~lkd5ApENh5MzoqCQiKvIi7Vq9vZBsBrVJIIthpbEnIWO0yXK399xXx4bjMx2Eb2Bv4U8yGMX2C24i5u62jg3yyBXBJvA~UO~EMvxvgczqtUhMHGPlYn1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anacortes City Council on April 14 voted to accept a $200,000 bequest from the estate of Sherry Koehler to benefit the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, approving Resolution 31 80 by unanimous vote.

The donation was introduced to the council by staff and by Stephanie Best, who said she is handling Koehler's estate and ensuring the donor's wishes are met. Councilmember Moulton called the gift “extraordinarily helpful,” saying it could not have come at a better time for parks funding. Councilmembers asked staff to document what aspects of the forest lands Koehler most valued so the city can consider a lasting acknowledgment.

City staff told council the gift had been received but not obligated prior to council acceptance. The council approved the resolution after brief discussion; the motion was made by Councilmember Fantini and seconded by Councilmember McDougall.

The bequest arrives as city departments face budget constraints and, according to council members, parks often bear cuts during tight budget years. Councilmembers said they want staff to return with recommendations that reflect the donor's priorities before assigning the funds to specific projects.

Resolution 31 80 will allow the city to accept the estate gift and begin the process of determining an appropriate use and recognition. No implementation or spending plan was adopted at the meeting.

The council adjourned the item after the unanimous vote and thanked the donor and the estate representative for the gift.","The council approved Resolution 31 80 to accept a $200,000 donation from the estate of Sherry Koehler for the Anacortes Community Forest Lands; councilmembers requested staff identify the donor's priorities before obligating funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Anacortes council backs Olsen Building housing application for Skagit County 0.09 funds

Anacortes council approves letter backing ABLE Housing Initiative's state funding request

Anacortes council awards contract to upgrade Sewer Pump Station 16

Skagit Transit proposes downtown Anacortes microtransit pilot, route changes

Anacortes council accepts $200,000 bequest for Community Forest Lands