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Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - May 7, 2025: Comprehensive Plan, Bridge Update, Apprenticeship Ordinance, and Contract Debate

City Council & Committees — Wednesday, May 7, 2025
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateWednesday, May 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:35:49

Original source
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0:11

Good evening, um, residents of Everett, Washington.

0:14

I'd like to welcome you to the Everett City Council meeting for May 7th, 2025.

0:19

For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everett Wah slash city council.

0:26

We have a big crowd tonight, which is fantastic.

0:30

So we ask that everyone kind of um respect um different points of view and we'll and we want to give opportunities for everyone to speak.

0:38

So just be patient.

0:39

We'll get through and we appreciate your participation.

0:42

Um, Clerk, please take the role.

0:44

Mayor Franklin here.

0:46

Vice President Zarlingo?

0:47

Here.

0:48

Councilmember Fossey here.

0:49

Councilmember Breader.

0:50

Here.

0:50

Councilmember Ryan, here, Councilmember Vogley here.

0:53

Councilmember Tui here.

0:54

President Schwab.

0:55

Here.

0:55

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

1:05

It would be nice.

1:17

Thank you.

1:17

And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Fossey to read the land acknowledgement.

1:23

The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Jehovah's people and their successors, the Taleb tribes.

1:30

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

1:35

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

1:42

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

1:52

Thank you very much.

1:54

Okay, on to our agenda.

1:56

There has been a movement remove item number six from the consent items.

2:03

And it will be put under proposed action items.

2:10

Yeah, we'll put it under action item.

2:11

Thank you.

2:12

Yeah.

2:14

All right.

2:15

Um so under old business, do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for April 30th, 2025?

2:21

Councilman Ryan so moves.

2:23

Second.

2:23

Motion and secondsman may clerk, please take the roll.

2:26

Vice President Zarlingo?

2:28

Yes.

2:28

Councilmember Fosse?

2:29

Yes.

2:29

Councilmember Bader?

2:30

Yes.

2:30

Councilmember Ryan?

2:31

Yes.

2:32

Councilmember Bogley?

2:33

Yes.

2:33

Councilmember Twee?

2:34

Yes.

2:34

President Schwab.

2:35

Yes.

2:36

Well, good evening, Mayor.

2:37

Uh good evening, President Schwab, Council, and Community.

2:41

I've got a few comments this evening.

2:43

Uh, first thing tonight on the agenda, we have our first reading and briefing on an ordinance expanding the use of apprenticeships in our city.

2:50

Um, apprenticeships, as we hope we all know, are the right thing to do and grow our community uh workers of the future for our city.

2:57

And um really appreciate your consideration of uh this ordinance and implementing it.

3:02

Next, I'd like to address uh some questions that have been circulating regarding the legislation passed in Olympia allowing a merger between Everett Transit and Community Transit.

3:13

To be clear, the City of Everett is not actively considering a merger with community transit.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use and Zoning████████████████████20%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Economic Development█████████████13%
Workforce Development██████████10%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Safety█████████9%
Community Engagement███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Public Transportation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - May 7, 2025

The Everett City Council met on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments on the proposed comprehensive plan rezoning, an update on the Edgewater Creek Bridge replacement project, a briefing on an apprenticeship utilization ordinance, and a vote on a contract with the Northwest Innovation Resource Center. The council also approved consent items and set dates for future readings and hearings.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved Resolution authorizing claims against the City of Everett in the amount of $4,340,204.21 for the period ending April 25, 2025.
  • Approved Resolution authorizing payroll claims of $5,624,911.53 for the period ending April 19, 2025.
  • Awarded the construction contract for the 2025 Pavement Maintenance Overlay project to Granite Construction Company of Everett, WA in the amount of $1,327,733.50.
  • Accepted the Citywide Bicycle Wayfinding Project as complete.
  • Accepted the Evergreen Pump Station Modifications Project as complete.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Several residents from the Legion Park and Mount Baker View neighborhoods opposed the proposed zoning change from R1 (single-family) to UR4 (urban residential 4) in the comprehensive plan. They cited limited access points (two exits), narrow streets, steep slopes, historical smelter contamination, and concerns about increased traffic, loss of views, and property values. Multiple speakers urged the council to consider a constrained residential designation (NRC) instead.
  • Timothy Chipman (Port Gardner resident) expressed ongoing concerns about the Compass Health building on Broadway Avenue, citing 54 deaths, lack of accountability, and the need for a neighborhood oversight committee.
  • Tyler Beckley (Port Gardner) complained about chronic crime, drug use, and noise from a neighboring apartment complex at 3327 Hoyt Avenue, calling for landlord accountability.
  • Annie Lalone (Everett) spoke against the zoning change that would allow multi-family housing in single-family neighborhoods.
  • A regular transit rider (name not fully captured) supported the idea of merging Everett Transit with Community Transit but opposed decisions made without a public vote, and thanked Councilmember Liz Vogele for her service.
  • Seth Newsom (Westmont) spoke in support of the apprenticeship utilization ordinance, thanking the council for expanding apprenticeship requirements on public works projects.

Discussion Items

  • Edgewater Creek Bridge Replacement Update: Mayor Franklin and Public Works Director Ryan Sass, along with City Engineer Tom Hood, provided an update on delays. The 79-year-old bridge replacement encountered unknown obstructions (timber and concrete) during drilling for the temporary work platform, likely from the 1946 construction. All piles for the platform are now installed, allowing demolition to begin. The team is exploring schedule recovery options, including task consolidation and overtime. The mayor acknowledged community frustration and directed staff to expedite the timeline. Councilmember Tui asked about potential budget impacts; staff will provide updates.
  • Comprehensive Plan and Zoning: Council President Schwab explained that the comprehensive plan update is a state-mandated process, and the proposed zoning changes are in draft form. Four council workgroups are addressing specific overlays and neighborhoods. Two neighborhoods (Legion Park/Mt. Baker View and the end of Mukilteo Boulevard) are receiving focused attention, with revised proposals expected by May 21. The mayor's staff confirmed that options to reduce density in those neighborhoods are being developed. The public hearing is scheduled for June 11, with a vote on June 18.
  • Apprenticeship Utilization Ordinance (CB 2504-28): First reading of an ordinance expanding apprenticeship requirements on public works projects. It applies 15% apprentice labor hours to projects over $1.5 million by July 1, 2026, and to all projects over $1 million by July 1, 2027—accelerating state requirements. The ordinance includes accountability measures (non-responsive bidding for non-compliance) and annual reporting by trade, demographic category, and Everett residency. Councilmember Ryan asked clarifying questions about the 15% applying to total project hours (not per trade), geographic scope for apprentice availability, and the threshold for material cost ratios. Staff noted that per-trade reporting will allow future refinement. Councilmember Zarlingo voiced strong support for safety and skill development aspects.
  • NW Innovation Resource Center Contract (Item 6): Economic Development Director Dan Eernissee presented a three-year contract at $24,000 per year for business support services. The center provides startup and entrepreneurial assistance, complementing other economic development organizations. The mayor noted that the center's rent in city-owned space exceeds the contract amount by $6,000 annually. Councilmember Ryan moved to table the item for one week to explore alternative funding sources (e.g., through the Chamber or Economic Alliance), citing budget concerns. The motion to table failed 3-4 (Zarlingo, Bader, Schwab opposed; Ryan, Vogele, Tui in favor; Fossey excused). The council then approved the contract motion 6-1 (Ryan opposed, Fossey excused).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent items 1-5 approved unanimously.
  • Item 6 (NWIRC contract) approved 6-1 (Councilmember Ryan opposed, Councilmember Fossey excused). Motion to table failed 3-4.
  • Items 7 and 8 (Eclipse Mill Park and WPCF FEN Meter Replacement) passed second reading; third and final reading set for May 14, 2025.
  • Item 9 (Edgewater Creek Bridge Replacement) passed first reading; third and final reading set for May 21, 2025.
  • Item 10 (Apprenticeship Utilization Ordinance) passed first reading; third and final reading set for May 21, 2025. The council received a briefing and public comment.
  • Comprehensive Plan timeline: Revised proposals for specific neighborhoods to be presented on May 21; public hearing on June 11; final vote on June 18.
  • Edgewater Bridge: Staff will continue weekly meetings with contractor Granite Construction to explore schedule recovery options; further updates to come.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, um, residents of Everett, Washington. I'd like to welcome you to the Everett City Council meeting for May 7th, 2025. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everett Wah slash city council. We have a big crowd tonight, which is fantastic. So we ask that everyone kind of um respect um different points of view and we'll and we want to give opportunities for everyone to speak. So just be patient. We'll get through and we appreciate your participation. Um, Clerk, please take the role. Mayor Franklin here. Vice President Zarlingo? Here. Councilmember Fossey here. Councilmember Breader. Here. Councilmember Ryan, here, Councilmember Vogley here. Councilmember Tui here. President Schwab. Here. And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Bader to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. It would be nice. Thank you. And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Fossey to read the land acknowledgement. The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Jehovah's people and their successors, the Taleb 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 water. We will strive to be honest about our past mistakes and bring about a future that includes their people, stories, and voices to form a more just and equitable society. Thank you very much. Okay, on to our agenda. There has been a movement remove item number six from the consent items. And it will be put under proposed action items. Yeah, we'll put it under action item. Thank you. Yeah. All right. Um so under old business, do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for April 30th, 2025? Councilman Ryan so moves. Second. Motion and secondsman may clerk, please take the roll. Vice President Zarlingo? Yes. Councilmember Fosse? Yes. Councilmember Bader? Yes. Councilmember Ryan? Yes. Councilmember Bogley? Yes. Councilmember Twee? Yes.

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