OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - August 21, 2025

City Council & Committees — Thursday, August 21, 2025
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateThursday, August 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:16

Good evening, residents of Everett Washington.

0:18

I'd like to call the order the Everett City Council meeting of August 20th, 2025.

0:24

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

0:31

We have a big crowd tonight.

0:32

I'm very thankful.

0:33

Thank you for all your involvement and your passion and what and how much you guys all care for our city.

0:39

Thank you.

0:40

Clerk, please take the role.

0:41

Mayor Franklin here.

0:43

Councilmember Bader.

0:44

Excuse.

0:44

Councilmember Ryan.

0:46

Councilmember Vogli.

0:48

Here.

0:49

Councilmember Fossey.

0:50

Here.

0:50

Councilmember Tui.

0:52

Here.

0:52

Vice President Zarlingo.

0:53

Here.

0:54

President Schwab.

0:55

Here.

0:55

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

0:59

Please stand if you're able.

1:02

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:06

And to the Republic for which the standards under God, individual justice.

1:16

Thank you.

1:17

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

1:21

Certainly.

1:22

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

1:31

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

1:37

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

1:44

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.

1:56

Thank you.

1:57

So on to old business.

1:59

Do I hear motion to approve the minutes for August 13th, 2025?

2:03

Councilmember Ryan Summoves.

2:06

Seconded.

2:07

Motion seconds were made.

2:08

Clerk, please take the roll.

2:09

Councilmember Ryan.

2:10

Yes.

2:10

Councilmember Vogley.

2:12

Yes.

2:12

Councilmember Fossey.

2:13

Yes.

2:13

Councilmember Tui.

2:14

Yes.

2:15

Vice President Zarlingo?

2:16

Yes.

2:16

President Schwab.

2:18

Yes.

2:18

Well, good evening, Mayor.

2:20

Good evening.

2:21

I'll apologize in advance because I have a few lengthy comments and then a couple presentations.

2:25

So bear with me.

2:27

First, I'll be very sorry to miss your meeting next week, but Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck invited me to attend a roundtable on housing.

2:34

The goal is to share ideas and support efforts to help combat the severe housing shortage in Washington State.

2:40

As we all know and have been working towards our residents deserve a safe place to live and housing options that meet their needs.

2:46

And our team here, the council and our city have been housing champions.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Public Engagement████████████████17%
Youth Programs███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Public Health████4%
Housing███3%
International Affairs██2%
Mental Health Awareness██2%
Budget Equity Analysis██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - August 21, 2025

The Everett City Council met on August 21, 2025, at 4:30 PM UTC (9:30 AM Pacific) in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, council reports, consent items, proposed action items, and final action on a graffiti ordinance. Mayor Franklin and councilmembers discussed the closure of the Fred Meyer store on Casino Road, public safety concerns near Compass Health facilities, and a life-saving rescue at Silver Lake. The council also recognized community heroes and issued a proclamation for Ukrainian Independence Day.

Special Presentations

  • Life Saver Award: Chief DeMarco presented Citizen Lifesaver Awards to Gage Bryant (age 13), Pam Olson, Jennifer Fuller, and Jacqueline Zaruka for rescuing a drowning child at Thornton Sullivan Park on July 8, 2025. Gage Bryant dove repeatedly to locate the victim; the three nurses performed CPR. The child survived and attended the meeting.
  • Ukrainian Independence Day Proclamation: Mayor Franklin read a proclamation recognizing Ukrainian Independence Day (August 24). John Van Patton, a volunteer with Ukraine Defense Support, accepted and shared his family’s refugee experience. The organization has raised over $1 million and sent medical supplies and a Humvee ambulance to Ukraine.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of August 13, 2025.
  • Resolution authorizing claims against the city for $7,818,281.65 (period ending August 8, 2025).
  • Authorize Mayor to sign time extension for the 2025 Chaplain Blowdown Salvage Timber Sale contract.
  • Accept the WFP Emergency Generator Replacement Project as complete; authorize Certificate of Completion.
  • Authorize Mayor to sign 2025–2027 WSDOT Green Transportation Grant Agreement for bus charging at Everett Station.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jose (District 2): Reported a stabbing near Andy’s Place (Compass Health facility) on August 18 at 1:00 AM, linked to a drug deal. Criticized Compass Health for lack of security and accountability, despite promising 24/7 security. Thanked police for patrols and the buffer zone, but urged the city to hold Compass Health responsible.
  • Charles McMurray (new resident): Praised Mayor Franklin’s outreach and police response to a homeless camp. Supported the graffiti ordinance (Action Item 9) but called for a community-wide effort involving businesses, churches, and Scouts to combat gang graffiti, citing finite city resources.
  • Matt Frazier (District 4): Expressed frustration over Fred Meyer closure, noting his son works there. Urged the council to adopt innovative approaches and hold accountable businesses that profit from the community but leave when convenient. Called for preventing a food desert.
  • Alexis (Port Gardner): Elaborated on Compass Health issues: daily drug use, overdoses, and loitering in alleys. Described a personal encounter helping a man in crisis. Praised police, fire, and city staff but said Compass Health pushes problems onto neighbors. Asked for accountability and for the city to review financial contracts with Compass Health.

Discussion Items

  • Fred Meyer Closure: Mayor Franklin reported that Kroger will close the Casino Road Fred Meyer on October 18, 2025. Despite city efforts—emphasis patrols, sting operations, crime reduction (shoplifting down 82% since 2020, overall crime down nearly half in 2024)—the closure is driven by corporate decisions. Staff have created a resource guide (English/Spanish) with nearby grocery options and transit information, and will distribute it door-to-door. Councilmembers expressed disappointment, pledged to center community voices, and discussed transit improvements and potential redevelopment.
  • Compass Health / Andy’s Place: Multiple councilmembers acknowledged resident frustrations. Councilmember Vogely suggested reviewing financial incentives or contracts to require compliance. Councilmember Ryan asked for a report on emphasis patrols and contractual obligations. Councilmember Fossey noted that state and federal funding cuts worsen the housing-first model. Councilmember Schwab proposed exploring a fee for service providers that generate high emergency response calls.
  • Boards and Commissions: Administrative Director Jennifer announced that applications are open through October 20, 2025, for 15+ volunteer positions. Also, the city will begin its charter review process.
  • Proposed Action Items (5–8):
    • CB 2508-42 (Forest Park Pickleball Court): second reading; final reading August 27.
    • CB 2508-43 (Lion’s Park Lighting Project): second reading; final reading August 27. Councilmember Zarlingo noted this is part of broader investments including Boys & Girls Clubs and future housing.
    • CB 2508-44 (Closing Walter E. Hall Community Amenities project): second reading.
    • CB 2508-45 (Municipal Court Access Control Installation): first reading; final reading September 3.
  • Graffiti Ordinance (CB 2507-41): Third reading, with amendments. Councilmember Ryan offered amendments:
    • Section A: fine of $250 per violation and restitution for abatement costs.
    • Section B: defense if tagger had express permission.
    • Section D: parents/guardians of juveniles aged 16–17 liable for restitution.
    • Friendly amendments added: “or other extenuating circumstances” for hardship; and community restitution included. Councilmember Ryan expressed desire for a broader strategy including a free graffiti wall and prevention efforts. Downtown Everett Association reported removing 2,000 tags in 2025 year-to-date. The ordinance passed 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar approved unanimously.
  • Proposed action items (5–7) advanced to third reading on August 27, 2025; item 8 to third reading on September 3, 2025.
  • Graffiti ordinance (CB 2507-41) passed 6-0 as amended, creating a civil infraction for illegal graffiti with fines, restitution, and parental liability for juveniles.
  • Executive session (10 minutes) held to discuss workers’ compensation settlement. Council approved settlement with former firefighter Jason Haig for $83,000.
  • Council directed administration to:
    • Review Compass Health financial contracts for unmet obligations.
    • Provide update on emphasis patrols and neighborhood improvements near Andy’s Place.
    • Continue work on a free legal graffiti wall.
    • Report back on efforts to support the Fred Meyer closure area, including transit and grocery access.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, residents of Everett Washington. I'd like to call the order the Everett City Council meeting of August 20th, 2025. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everettwah.gov/slash city council. We have a big crowd tonight. I'm very thankful. Thank you for all your involvement and your passion and what and how much you guys all care for our city. Thank you. Clerk, please take the role. Mayor Franklin here. Councilmember Bader. Excuse. Councilmember Ryan. Councilmember Vogli. Here. Councilmember Fossey. Here. Councilmember Tui. Here. Vice President Zarlingo. Here. President Schwab. Here. At this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Ryan to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand if you're able. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which the standards under God, individual justice. 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 Stahucchi people and their successors, the Tulela 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. So on to old business. Do I hear motion to approve the minutes for August 13th, 2025? Councilmember Ryan Summoves. Seconded. Motion seconds were made. Clerk, please take the roll. Councilmember Ryan. Yes. Councilmember Vogley. Yes. Councilmember Fossey. Yes. Councilmember Tui. Yes. Vice President Zarlingo? Yes.

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