Everett City Council Meeting – August 6, 2025

The Everett City Council met on August 6, 2025, to approve consent items, swear in five new police officers, hear a public comment on climate resilience, and discuss a proposed graffiti ordinance. The meeting lasted approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, including a 10-minute executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of July 23, 2025.
• Adopted resolutions authorizing claims: $3,339,969.92 (period ending July 18), $1,616,303.33 (period ending July 25), and payroll claims of $6,522,171.81 (period ending July 12).
• Approved a Professional Services Agreement with Trevor Justin Government Relations LLC through August 2026.
• Authorized Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the Lexington-Broadway Stormwater Improvements Phase 1 project ($399,610).
• Declared surplus and authorized sale of two 2019 Proterra Catalyst electric transit buses (B0704 and B0706) and a 2003 American LaFrance Eagle fire ladder truck (J0060).
• Authorized a subaward agreement with Snohomish County for a route and cost-benefit analysis to relocate Water Transmission Line No. 5.
• Accepted the Washington State Office of Public Defense SPAR grant ($165,000 for state fiscal year 2026).
• Accepted the Everett Transit Eclipse Mill Inductive Charging Infrastructure Project as complete.
• Authorized MissionSquare Administrative Services Agreement Amendment No. 3.

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

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Roberts (former councilmember, Everett resident) spoke in support of the Snohomish County Climate Resilience Plan. He urged the city to integrate its climate action plan with emergency management, noting that extreme weather events (heat dome, floods) are exceeding historical statistical frameworks. He emphasized that the federal government is disengaging from climate work and that the city should leverage county resources for public safety adaptation.

Discussion Items

• Swearing-In of New Police Officers – Mayor Franklin introduced Acting Captain Tim Morgan, who swore in five new officers: Lea Catoe, Justin Coker, Rudy Gilgallon, Kevin Lillis, and Christian Miles. Four of the five are graduates of the Northwest Regional Basic Law Enforcement Academy, which Captain Morgan helped establish. The council voted unanimously to accept the officers.

• Council Bill 2507-40 – Lion’s Park Skate Dot (2nd Reading) – This ordinance creates a special improvement project for a small skating feature at Lion’s Park, funded by $360,000 from Snohomish County and the city’s Capital Improvement Fund. Councilmember Vogley raised the idea of a “free wall” (legal graffiti art wall) in conjunction with the skate dot. Mayor Franklin expressed openness to exploring a free wall elsewhere, noting the area’s history of vandalism. The ordinance will return for a third and final reading on August 13, 2025.

• Council Bill 2507-41 – Graffiti Civil Infraction Ordinance (1st Reading) – Captain Morgan and Lacey presented the proposal to create a $250 civil infraction for unauthorized graffiti tagging, amending Everett Municipal Code Chapter 10.62. Key points:

  • In 2024, EPD received 65 graffiti reports; the city spent $73,987.77 on abatement.
  • Since January 2024, 16 cases of graffiti-related charges were filed in municipal court.
  • The infraction provides an enforcement option when criminal charges are not possible, and offers a diversion alternative.
  • Restitution for abatement costs (public or private) can be imposed by the court.
  • Councilmember Bader asked about holding parents of juvenile offenders liable; staff will research legal options.
  • Councilmember Vogley and others discussed differentiating between “tagging” (gang-related) and graffiti art. Captain Morgan confirmed targeting tagging due to gang ties.
  • Councilmember Tui suggested changing “shall” to “may” for restitution to provide court flexibility. The community service option was supported.
  • Councilmember Vogley proposed using fine revenue for a free wall; Mayor Franklin noted that criminal justice costs would exceed collections but would explore other funding sources (e.g., 1% for arts).
  • The ordinance will return for a second reading on August 13 and final reading on August 20, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Items – Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Council Bill 2507-40 (Skate Dot) – Advanced to third reading on August 13, 2025; no vote taken.
• Council Bill 2507-41 (Graffiti Infraction) – First reading held; briefing completed. A second reading is scheduled for August 13, 2025, with a final reading on August 20, 2025.
• Executive Session – 10-minute session held to discuss a real estate matter (RCW 42.30.110(1)(b)), with no council action following.
• Administrative Updates – City Administrator provided updates on police volunteer use of vehicles and noted the graffiti ordinance briefing was added to the agenda.