Everett City Council Meeting - June 25, 2025

The Everett City Council met on June 25, 2025, at 12:30 PM in City Council Chambers with President Schwab and Councilmember Bader attending remotely. The meeting included approval of the consent calendar, public comment praising the council's work on the Everett 2044 comprehensive plan, a guest presentation on the Little Wings Early Learning Academy childcare center, adoption of a resolution updating prohibited drug trafficking areas (SODA), authorization of an amendment to the Riverfront Property Disposition Agreement, and a first reading of an ordinance to penalize licensed care facilities for non-emergency lift assist calls. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted Resolution authorizing claims against the City of Everett in the amount of $3,874,359.85 for the period ending June 13, 2025.
• Authorized the Mayor to sign an Amendment extending the Interlocal Agreement with Snohomish County for $80,000 in 2024 REET II funding for a skate feature at Lion's Park.
• Authorized Call for Bids for the Walter E. Hall Park community connections path.
• Approved the Agreement to use property for Wiggum's Hollow Park.
• Authorized the Mayor to sign a Professional Services Agreement for 2025/2026 On-Call Geotechnical Services with HWA GeoSciences Inc.
• Awarded the Construction Contract for the 2025 Federal Overlay – Broadway project to Central Paving, LLC in the amount of $1,336,574.30.
• Authorized the Mayor to sign Amendment No.1 to Water Quality Combined Financial Assistance Agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mason Rutledge (Everett resident) expressed gratitude and congratulations to the council for their work on the Everett 2044 comprehensive plan. He commended council members for listening, adapting with humility, creating space for hard conversations, and reaching consensus thoughtfully. He noted the chamber was empty at the final vote because people felt heard, and urged council to continue with grit and grace as implementation begins.

Guest Presentation

• Shana Peschuk, Executive Director of the Machinist Institute, presented on the Little Wings Early Learning Academy, a new childcare center designed to serve families with non-standard shift work hours. Key points included:
  • The center will be open to the community, not just union members, and will operate during shifts common in manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare.
  • Licensed for 168 children, serving nearly 500 across multiple shifts, with a nature care program.
  • Childcare teachers will have apprenticeship pathways for education and training.
  • Groundbreaking is July 2, 2025; expected opening in February/March 2026.
  • The Institute has used public and private funding to keep tuition affordable and invest in teacher wages.
• Councilmembers expressed strong support, noting the long-standing need for shift-work childcare. Councilmember Ryan recommended reaching out to Everett Community College's early learning center for lessons learned. Councilmember Fossey asked about permitting barriers; Ms. Peschuk cited permitting delays and challenges in communicating the unique nature of the project. Mayor Franklin offered to connect with permitting staff to address specifics.

Council Comments

• Multiple councilmembers provided updates: Councilmember Fossey highlighted Everett Pride (June 21-22) funded in part by ARPA dollars, and announced Shakespeare in the Park on August 9 at Wiggum's Hollow Park.
• Councilmember Bader reported on the Council Neighborhoods meeting, focusing on National Night Out (August 5) and review of neighborhood bylaws.
• Councilmember Ryan noted attending Pride, encouraged public to submit feedback on Sound Transit's Everett Link non-motorized access survey by June 29, and thanked staff for the baseline work on Everett 2044.
• Vice President Zarlingo reported on the 100th anniversary of Fire Station No. 2 (now Overt Fire Department headquarters), a community open house, and the Pinehurst Beverly Park Ice Cream Social. He also promoted the Building Bridges Summit 2.0 on June 26 at WSU Everett.

Action Items

• Resolution establishing prohibited areas related to drug trafficking (SODA update): Councilmember Ryan moved, Councilmember Bader seconded. Asked about benefits of removing an area; City Attorney explained that areas are evaluated based on data and police experience, and removal ensures citizens can still access transit and services. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
• Authorization for Mayor to sign 3rd Amendment to the Riverfront Property Disposition Agreement: Councilmember Ryan moved, Councilmember Fossey seconded. No discussion. Passed unanimously (5-0).

Briefing & Proposed Action

• Council Bill 2506-38 – First Reading: Ordinance relating to Ambulance and Emergency First Aid Services (adding Section 3.82 to the Municipal Code). Fire Chief Dave DeMarco presented:
  • The ordinance would penalize licensed care facilities (about 15 in Everett) for calling 911 for routine lift assists when no medical emergency exists, as facilities have licensed staff capable of performing lifts.
  • In 2024, the fire department responded to 70 lift assists at these facilities; 55 did not result in transport. An estimated 40-50 incidents per year might be subject to the penalty.
  • The penalty, based on average cost of service, is estimated between $550 and $800 (to be finalized with Mayor's office).
  • An educational campaign will occur for the remainder of 2025, with enforcement starting in 2026. An appeal process to the Fire Chief is included.
  • Councilmember Ryan recommended setting a minimum penalty for predictability. The Chief clarified a single base fee will be set annually using CPI.
  • Councilmember Fossey asked about Tacoma's model; the Chief confirmed the ordinance is modeled after Tacoma's 2021 ordinance, which also had a grace period.
  • Final reading is scheduled for July 9, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items and action items were approved unanimously (5-0).
• The SODA resolution and Riverfront amendment were both adopted.
• CB 2506-38 received its first reading; final reading and potential adoption set for July 9, 2025. Staff will conduct an educational campaign with facilities before enforcement begins in 2026. The meeting adjourned.