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Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting April 16, 2025: Comprehensive Plan, Budget, and Affordable Housing

City Council & Committees — Wednesday, April 16, 2025
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateWednesday, April 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington.

0:04

I'd like to call to order the Everett City Council meeting of April 16th, 2025.

0:10

For more information on council meetings and also how to participate either live or by Zoom.

0:16

Please visit our website at Everwad.gov slash slash city council.

0:22

For the record, Councilmember Fossi will be attending remotely.

0:27

Clerk, please take the roll.

0:29

Mayor Franklin here.

0:31

Vice President Zarlingo.

0:32

Here.

0:33

Councilmember Fosse.

0:34

Here.

0:35

Councilmember Bader.

0:36

Here.

0:36

Councilmember Ryan.

0:37

Here.

0:38

Councilmember Vogley.

0:40

Excuse.

0:41

Councilmember Tui?

0:42

Here.

0:42

President Schwab.

0:43

Here.

0:44

At this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Bader to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:04

Thank you.

1:05

And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Ryan to lead us in the land acknowledgement.

1:09

The city council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stohopes people and their successors, the Talelep tribes.

1:16

Since time immemorial, they have hunted, fished, gathered on, and taken care of these lands and waters.

1:21

We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and waters.

1:27

We will strive to be honest about our past mistakes to bring about a future that includes their voices, their stories, and their people to form a more just and equitable society.

1:36

Thank you very much.

1:38

Now on the old business.

1:39

Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for April 9th, 2025?

1:43

Councilmember Ryan, so moves.

1:44

Second.

1:45

Motion seconds been made.

1:47

Clerk, please take the roll.

1:49

Vice President Zarlingo.

1:50

Yes.

1:50

Councilmember Fosse.

1:53

Yes.

1:54

Councilmember Bader.

1:55

Yes.

1:56

Council Member Ryan.

1:57

Yes.

1:57

Councilmember Twee.

1:58

Yes.

1:58

President Schwab.

2:00

Yes.

2:00

Good evening, Mayor.

2:02

Good evening, Council and Community.

2:04

It's great to see so many folks here in Council Chambers this evening.

2:07

Thanks for joining us.

2:09

I just had a couple of uh announcements or thank yous.

2:12

Uh, first, uh, the Wendt Awards, uh, Wenton Mayor's Arts Awards were last week, and I want to thank our team, our staff team, for putting on such a fabulous event.

2:21

They did just a really good job.

2:23

It's always wonderful to hear the inspiring stories about our local art community and art supporters.

2:28

Uh, a couple of folks I wanted to shout out.

2:30

Uh Leland Dart got the um art disk making an impact award.

2:36

He's been um taking pictures of our first responders for uh some time and and the work that they're doing, and just thought that was a neat award.

2:43

And uh obviously I want to uh congratulate uh former council member Brenda Stonecipher on winning the Richard and Nancy Wendt Award of Excellent Excellence.

2:52

It was very well deserved.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing█████████████████████████████████████████41%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Procedural███████████11%
Land Use Planning███████7%
Zoning and Land Use███████7%
Zoning Regulation████4%
Economic Development███3%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Public Transportation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting April 16, 2025: Comprehensive Plan, Budget, and Affordable Housing

The Everett City Council met on April 16, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers to discuss a range of items including a consent calendar of routine approvals, the Everett 2044 Comprehensive Plan update, and a revised 2025 budget amendment that includes $600,000 for a multipurpose stadium. Public testimony focused heavily on affordable housing, anti-displacement policies, and the need for mobile home park protections. The council approved all consent items, passed a sewage disposal contract ordinance, closed the public hearing on the comprehensive plan, adopted two zoning map amendments, and approved the budget amendment.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution authorizing claims in the amount of $6,317,083.08 for the period ending March 29 to April 4, 2025.
  • Purchase and installation of playground equipment for Drew Nielsen Park from Landscape Structures, Inc. for $341,537.67.
  • Amendment No. 2 to the FEMA/MIL generator grant agreement.
  • Contract Change Order No. 1 for the West Marine View Drive/Alverson Blvd and 41st Street/Grand Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Project, $125,000, revised total $644,436.93.
  • Professional Services Agreement with EnviroIssues for water/sewer utility communications support.
  • Amendment No. 2 with Fehr & Peers for the 2024-2044 Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element and Transit Long Range Plan.
  • Interlocal Agreement Amendment with Snohomish County for Westin Building Connection not to exceed $110,000.
  • Consent to assignment of professional services from TranTech Engineering LLC to David Evans and Associates.
  • Transit Platform Use Agreement and Easement with Brixton Everett, LLC for the Everett Mall.

All consent items were approved unanimously via roll call (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Alvaro Guien (Director of Connect Casino Road, works in Everett for 20 years): Expressed concern about Casino Road residents facing rent increases and displacement; urged adoption of anti-displacement policies and inclusionary zoning in the comprehensive plan.
  • Esmeralda (Family Developmental Coordinator, Connect Casino Road): Shared stories of families choosing between groceries and rent, living in overcrowded conditions, and working full-time yet still struggling.
  • Melinda Cervantes (South Everett resident, 10 years): Described the importance of community at the Village on Casino Road and the risk of displacement for hardworking families.
  • Yahaira Avalos (Hispanic community member): Told the story of an 11-person family living in a two-bedroom apartment, sleeping under the table and in the bathtub; requested more affordable housing.
  • Paola Sabogal (Casino Road resident, eight people in a two-bedroom): Asked for affordable housing programs included in the city's plan.
  • Silvia Mendoza (23-year Everett resident): Concerned about high rents and shared housing; asked for protections to avoid displacement, valuing walkability to essential services.
  • Lawrence Eastlick (Silver Lake resident, Silver Shores Mobile Home Park): Asked for a zoning overlay to protect seniors living on Social Security from displacement if the park is sold to a developer.
  • Robin Olsen (South Everett resident, neighbor of Eastlick): Echoed the need for a zoning overlay, noting the park is for sale and residents fear rent hikes and eviction.
  • Leanne (Madison neighborhood resident): Opposed the construction of two large DADUs (over 1,000 sq ft each) at 6315 West Beach Street, citing parking, privacy, and neighborhood integrity concerns; criticized the out-of-town developer.
  • Linda Warponnet (Southwest Everett resident, 20+ years): Emphasized the need for strong anti-displacement policies ahead of light rail, inclusionary zoning, and community involvement in planning for District Four.
  • Joseph Stremmick (23-year resident): Expressed support for expanding Everett Public Library hours and increasing resources in uncertain federal times.
  • Jasmine Smith (Director of Local Advocacy, FutureWise): Summarized community feedback from workshops on casino road, including cost of housing, anti-displacement, inclusionary zoning, corner stores, and housing diversity.
  • Jeanette (Fairway Estates mobile home park resident): Described a 260-resident, 55+ park with 30 veteran families; reported a rent increase from $850 to $1,605 by corporate owner Carlisle Group; urgently requested a zoning overlay to prevent sale to a developer.
  • Bobby Thompson (Executive Director, Housing Consortium of Everett & Snohomish County): Presented recommendations based on community engagement, including anti-displacement designation, inclusionary zoning, faith-owned land flexibility, and corner store zoning tailored to Casino Road.

Discussion Items

  • Everett 2044 Comprehensive Plan Update: Planning Director York Stevenswatch and Long-Range Planning Manager Alison Wentzel presented the draft plan and development regulations, released April 7. Key elements include policies on inclusionary housing, mobile home park protection, and map amendments. Public hearing held; council closed the hearing after public testimony. Staff noted a 60-day state review period and further public hearings ahead.
  • Zoning Map Amendments (Councilmember Bader):
    • 9300 West Mall Drive: Moved from MU-15 (15 floors) to UR-7 (7 stories) to provide a transition adjacent to neighborhood residential (NR). Approved unanimously (7-0).
    • Southwest corner of 100th Street and Holly Drive: Moved from UR-7 to UR-4 (4 stories) to match adjacent zoning and create buffer. Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Neighborhood Commercial Locations: Councilmember Bader expressed concern about parking impacts if neighborhood commercial is allowed on non-arterial streets. Councilmember Ryan supported the draft plan as is. Councilmember Zarlingo favored a progressive approach. Councilmember Fossey noted the area is a food desert and needs amenities. The council agreed to schedule further discussion at a future meeting rather than vote tonight.
  • Budget Amendment (CB 2503-22): Third and final reading to approve the 2025 revised city budget, including $600,000 for the multipurpose stadium. Councilmember Twee raised concerns about lack of financial details on stadium costs and operations, but supported the overall budget. The mayor stated final stadium costs will be known at the end of the progressive design-build process.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar (Items 1-9): Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Item 10 (CB 2504-24) – Edgewater Park Renovation: Second reading; final reading scheduled for April 23, 2025.
  • Item 11 (CB 2503-23) – Expired Sewage Disposal Contracts: Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Item 12 – Everett 2044 Comprehensive Plan: Public hearing closed (7-0). Council will receive a comment summary and return for final adoption after May 12.
  • Item 13 – 2025 Budget Amendment (CB 2503-22): Approved (6-0; Councilmember Fossey excused). Includes $600,000 for the multipurpose stadium.
  • Zoning Map Amendments: Two amendments by Councilmember Bader passed unanimously (7-0 each).
  • Mobile Home Park Policy: Staff is working on a zoning overlay; likely will be a separate ordinance after the comprehensive plan update.
  • Neighborhood Commercial: Council will hold additional discussions to address parking and other concerns before finalizing.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington. I'd like to call to order the Everett City Council meeting of April 16th, 2025. For more information on council meetings and also how to participate either live or by Zoom. Please visit our website at Everwad.gov slash slash city council. For the record, Councilmember Fossi will be attending remotely. Clerk, please take the roll. Mayor Franklin here. Vice President Zarlingo. Here. Councilmember Fosse. Here. Councilmember Bader. Here. Councilmember Ryan. Here. Councilmember Vogley. Excuse. Councilmember Tui? Here. President Schwab. Here. At this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Bader to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Ryan to lead us in the land acknowledgement. The city council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stohopes people and their successors, the Talelep tribes. Since time immemorial, they have hunted, fished, gathered on, and taken care of these lands and waters. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and waters. We will strive to be honest about our past mistakes to bring about a future that includes their voices, their stories, and their people to form a more just and equitable society. Thank you very much. Now on the old business. Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for April 9th, 2025? Councilmember Ryan, so moves. Second. Motion seconds been made. Clerk, please take the roll. Vice President Zarlingo. Yes. Councilmember Fosse. Yes. Councilmember Bader. Yes. Council Member Ryan. Yes. Councilmember Twee. Yes. President Schwab. Yes. Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Council and Community. It's great to see so many folks here in Council Chambers this evening.

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