OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - June 4, 2025

City Council & Committees — Wednesday, June 4, 2025
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateWednesday, June 4, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington.

0:05

I'd like to call to order the Everett Council meeting of June 4th, 2025.

0:10

For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everettwah.gov and the slash city council.

0:20

We have a big crowd today.

0:21

Thank you for all participating and looking forward to what you what the crowd has to say.

0:29

For the record, uh councilmember Fossey is excused because of a family death.

0:35

So blessings for her.

0:37

And so clerk, please take the roll.

0:39

Mayor Franklin.

0:41

Excuse.

0:42

Vice President Zarlingo.

0:43

Here.

0:43

Councilmember Bader.

0:44

Here.

0:45

Councilmember Ryan.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Councilmember Vogley.

0:47

Here.

0:48

Councilmember Twee.

0:49

Here.

0:49

President Schwab.

0:50

Here.

0:51

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

1:12

Thank you.

1:13

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

1:17

Certainly.

1:18

The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stohuchi people and their successors, the Talelep tribes.

1:26

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

1:32

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

1:40

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.

1:53

Now to on to old business.

1:54

Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for May 28th, 2025?

1:59

So moved.

2:00

Second.

2:02

Do I have seconds?

2:03

Yes, second.

2:04

Okay, we have a motion and a second to approve the minutes.

2:06

Clerk, please take the role.

2:07

Vice President Zarlingo.

2:08

Yes.

2:08

Councilmember Bader.

2:09

Yes.

2:10

Councilmember Ryan.

2:10

Yes.

2:11

Councilmember Vogli.

2:12

Yes.

2:12

Councilmember Tui, abstain.

2:14

President Schwab.

2:15

Yes.

2:15

Okay.

2:16

And now on to public comments, which includes written comment acknowledgement.

2:19

Under our rules, written comments shall be considered in the same manner as oral comments.

2:24

The person submitting comments must provide their name and city of residence to be made part of the official council record.

2:31

Good evening, Angie.

2:33

Starting with, I guess, uh written comments.

2:35

Do we have any?

2:36

We have received no written comments.

2:38

Okay, how about uh public comments then?

2:40

We do have two individuals online and a few here in chambers.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Zoning and Land Use█████████████████17%
Land Use and Zoning██████████10%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Historic Preservation████████8%
Legislative Process██████6%
Procedural████4%
Economic Development████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - June 4, 2025

The Everett City Council met on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of consent items, adoption of minimum wage rules, a legislative session debrief, and first readings of the Everett 2044 Comprehensive Plan and related development regulations. Several public comments were heard on topics including the Outdoor Event Center, affordable housing, early learning, historic overlays, and neighborhood rezoning. Two motions to amend zoning were passed, and the council scheduled public hearings for June 11, 2025.

Consent Calendar

  • Adopted Resolution authorizing claims of $3,129,400.51 (period ending May 23, 2025).
  • Adopted Resolution authorizing payroll claims of $5,673,088.75 (period ending May 17, 2025).
  • Awarded contract to CDW-Government LLC for security cameras and installation ($322,521.16) for Municipal Court.
  • Rejected one bid for Water Main Replacement “Y” – Phase 2 and authorized new call for bids.
  • Authorized Professional Services Agreement with Brown and Caldwell, Inc. for WPCF Electrical Switchgear Replacement ($508,787.00).
  • Authorized Professional Services Agreement with Otak, Inc. for Olympic Blvd Fish Barrier project ($296,967.00).
  • Authorized temporary Right of Way use permit with Pacific Rucker, LLC.
  • Authorized Purchase and Sale Agreement for 10131 1st Pl. W. for surface water purposes.
  • Authorized Professional Services Agreement for Everett Transit College Station Cabinet Charger Installation ($78,440.33).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dave Coning (online) offered to answer questions on Madrona Avenue.
  • Lindsay Gagnon (Executive Director, Interfaith Family Shelter, Monroe) expressed support for the comprehensive plan rezoning strategy and increasing housing, noting 60 families on the shelter’s waiting list and daily calls.
  • Scott Udritz (Snohomish) supported the new Everett Outdoor Event Center/USL, highlighting his club’s sold-out events and the pathway for youth players.
  • Anthony Sardin (Snohomish) supported USL expansion to Everett, citing soccer growth and the proposed youth-to-professional pathway.
  • Cheryl Grohn (President, Everett Corral, Lake Stevens) expressed concerns about rising costs and poor communication at the Everett Performing Arts Center, threatening the choir’s survival.
  • Dan Anderson (Everett) supported rezoning vacant lots near Phil Johnson Field for parks, emphasizing community excitement.
  • Samara Cogan (Everett) voiced support for the comprehensive plan rezoning to increase housing and shelter capacity, sharing her own homeownership experience.
  • Rich Ryan (Everett) urged the council to take action to prevent the closure of the Early Learning Center at Everett Community College, linking it to youth homelessness and family stability.
  • Madeline Shepard (Everett) criticized the council for stalling on historic overlay while pursuing rezoning, and made personal remarks that led to a caution from the president. Councilmember Ryan later offered to connect her with planning staff.
  • Jean Seti Hewitt (Norton Grand Overlay resident, Vice Chair of Historic Commission) requested transition zones between historic overlays and higher-density development, particularly along Rucker Avenue and in the Donovan district.

Discussion Items

Legislative Session Debrief (Briefing Item 16)

  • Trevor Justin (State Lobbyist) gave a virtual report on the 2025 legislative session: 105-day session, $16 billion deficit, $9.4 billion in new revenue, $77.9 billion operating budget. Key wins for Everett: $6.7 million for Joint Firefighter Training Facility, continued $2.6 million for street medicine, $7.4 million reappropriated for stadium, and $10 million for US 2 trestle interim improvements. Supported bills on housing density (lot splitting, condo liability reform, transit-oriented development) and public safety (HB 2015, crisis co-responder). Policy bills supported but property tax cap increase did not pass. Councilmember Bader asked about condo reform impact; Trevor noted it is a moderate step. Next steps: council will develop 2026 priorities in late summer.

Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations (Briefings Items 17 & 18)

  • Yorick Stevens-Wadge (Planning Director) and Alice Ann Wetzel (Long-Range Planning Manager) presented the May 30 final drafts. Key changes: accessory dwelling unit regulations revised to “do no harm”; reduced rear setback to 5 feet; neighborhood residential site plan requirements loosened; inclusionary zoning (in 1909-070) adjusted to avoid disincentives for 8-15 unit projects; upper floor stepbacks removed; density bonus for religious organizations; parking regulations consolidated. Planning Commission recommended approval of the package with a recommendation to remove inclusionary zoning, citing potential suppression of housing development.

Motions to Amend Zoning

  • Councilmember Twee moved to rezone Madrona Avenue (from Mukilteo Boulevard north, both sides between Howarth Park and Glenwood Creek Stream Corridor) to Neighborhood Residential Constrained. Motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Vogley abstained).
  • President Schwab moved to rezone four lots around Phil Johnson Field (the CMAX transfer site) to Parks and Open Space. Motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent items 1-9 approved unanimously.
  • Minimum wage rules resolution adopted unanimously to implement Initiative 24-01, effective July 1, 2025.
  • Action items 10-15 (Outdoor Event Center funding, Lexington Drainage, Wall Street Connector closure, Lowell Riverfront Trail) moved to third reading on June 11, 2025.
  • Public hearing scheduled for June 11, 2025, on the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations (items 17-18), with final adoption on June 18, 2025. Councilmember Ryan will sponsor an amendment regarding transition zones near historic overlays. The council will also continue discussion on neighborhood commercial uses and inclusionary zoning.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington. I'd like to call to order the Everett Council meeting of June 4th, 2025. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everettwah.gov and the slash city council. We have a big crowd today. Thank you for all participating and looking forward to what you what the crowd has to say. For the record, uh councilmember Fossey is excused because of a family death. So blessings for her. And so clerk, please take the roll. Mayor Franklin. Excuse. Vice President Zarlingo. Here. Councilmember Bader. Here. Councilmember Ryan. Here. Councilmember Vogley. Here. Councilmember Twee. Here. President Schwab. Here. And so at this time, I'd like to ask Council Member Councilmember Bader to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Tui to read the land acknowledgement. Certainly. The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stohuchi 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 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. Now to on to old business. Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for May 28th, 2025? So moved. Second. Do I have seconds? Yes, second. Okay, we have a motion and a second to approve the minutes. Clerk, please take the role. Vice President Zarlingo. Yes. Councilmember Bader. Yes. Councilmember Ryan. Yes. Councilmember Vogli. Yes. Councilmember Tui, abstain. President Schwab. Yes.

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