Tumwater staff recommend final acceptance of Anson Street sewer project; bond release contingent on state clearances

Toby Fletcher, the city construction manager, told the committee the Anson Street Sewer Project — which upgraded the sewer force main and decommissioned an older lift station near Lake Park Drive — achieved substantial completion June 19, 2025 and physical completion June 23, 2025.

Fletcher said the project separated two lift stations onto independent force mains, improved overall force-main performance, removed roadside lift-station hazards and eliminated an active PSE power meter and control panel at the decommissioned site. The city’s engineering estimate was $376,000, the low bid was $321,000 and the final contract total after construction was $305,000, Fletcher said. Funding came from the city’s sewer CFPs.

On bond release, Fletcher explained contractors may bond or use retainage. For projects using bonds, the city must obtain three state clearances before releasing bonding/retainage — he named the Department of Revenue and Employment Security Department and said a third clearance is required (speaker said the name was not at hand). Fletcher recommended placing final acceptance on the March 3 consent calendar with authorization for the mayor to accept the project as complete and to release the performance bond as soon as state law allows.

"This project was a huge success," Fletcher said, noting the lower-than-expected final contract total and the system performance benefits.

The committee voted to forward the final-acceptance item to the March 3 consent calendar with the recommendation that the mayor accept the project and release the bond once state clearances are received.