City seeks emergency replacement of Performing Arts Center backup batteries after repeated power disruptions

City staff told the Federalist City Council Sept. 2 that repeated electrical disruptions at the Performing Arts and Events Center (PAC) have exposed failing, unsupported backup batteries and a need for rapid replacement and better diagnostics. Parks Director John Hutton, speaking for staff, told council the building has experienced intermittent AV and lighting failures beginning in February and that testing identified that "all of the current battery back... batteries are out of support, creating a critical reliability risk."

Hutton said the PAC first had a major electrical failure in February 2022 tied to a transformer issue and then went nearly three years without incident. Beginning in February 2025, intermittent outages resumed and in August a brownout produced a temporary loss of theater lighting. Contractors recommended installing power metering on the switchgear to capture real-time data and replacing the aged batteries, which staff said are roughly twice their recommended four-year service life. "We're at about year 8. So it's time," Hutton said.

Staff told council the battery replacement and metering are included in the current year's budget and that coordination with Puget Sound Energy and Sequoia Electric will continue to identify root causes. Councilors asked whether this presentation was informational and whether a price tag was available; staff replied the work is budgeted for this year and the procurement is being expedited to improve reliability before the performance season. Hutton emphasized that the battery backups provide at least 20 minutes of emergency lighting to allow safe egress when operating properly; recent failures have reduced that reliability.

No formal ordinance or vote was required; council accepted the report and members asked staff to proceed with the emergency procurement and keep council informed of schedule and outcomes.