OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting August 27, 2025: Transit Plan, Speed Limits, and Innovation Update

City Council & Committees — Wednesday, August 27, 2025
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateWednesday, August 27, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:01

Good evening, residents of Everett Washington.

0:04

I'd like to call to order the Everett City Council meeting for August 27th, 2025.

0:09

For more information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit our website at Everwad.gov slash city council.

0:17

For the record, we have councilmember Bader.

0:19

He'll be participating this meeting or this afternoon remotely.

0:23

Clerk, will you please take the role?

0:25

Mayor Franklin.

0:26

Excuse.

0:26

Councilmember Bader.

0:29

Here.

0:31

Here.

0:32

I saw his lips move.

0:33

Councilmember Ryan here.

0:35

Councilmember Vogley here.

0:37

Councilmember Fossey here.

0:38

Councilmember Tui here.

0:40

Vice President Zarlingo.

0:41

Here.

0:41

President Schwab.

0:42

Here.

0:42

And at this time, I'd like to ask Council Member, Council Vice President Zarlingo to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:07

Thank you.

1:08

And I'll ask Councilmember Ryan to lead the land acknowledgement.

1:12

Thank you.

1:13

Good afternoon.

1:14

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

1:20

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

1:26

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

1:32

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

1:42

Thank you.

1:43

On to old business, do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for August 20th, 2025?

1:47

Councilmember Ryan, so moves.

1:50

Seconded.

1:51

Motion and seconds in May.

1:52

Clerk, please take the role.

1:53

Councilmember Bader.

1:55

Abstain.

1:56

Councilmember Ryan.

1:58

Yes.

1:59

Councilmember Vogally.

2:00

Yes.

2:00

Councilmember Fossey.

2:01

Yes.

2:02

Councilmember Twee.

2:03

Yes.

2:03

Vice President Zarlingo.

2:04

Yes.

2:04

President Schwab.

2:05

Yes.

2:06

Okay, moving on to public comments.

2:09

Um, which includes written call which written comment acknowledgement for all written and um in-person comments, um, submitting your name and city of residence is required to make it part of the official record.

2:24

So could good afternoon, Angie.

2:26

Do we have any written or public comments?

2:29

Good afternoon, President Schwab.

2:30

We have received no written comments.

2:32

Uh, we do have one individual in chambers um to speak.

2:36

So, Jean, can please come to the podium.

2:40

And please press the button on the mic there and state your full name, city residents, and you have three minutes to speak.

2:45

Thank you.

2:46

Jean Carillo, Everett.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Transportation██████████████████████████26%
Transportation Safety████████████████████████24%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Procedural█████████9%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Public Engagement█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Workforce Development███3%
Pending Litigation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting – August 27, 2025

The Everett City Council met at 12:30 PM on August 27, 2025, in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing on the 2025-2030 Transit Development Plan, adoption of a revised speed limit policy for 16th Street and Holly Drive, an update from the Northwest Innovation Resource Center, and approval of consent and action items. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved claims payable for the period ending August 15, 2025, in the amount of $1,903,304.03.
  • Approved payroll claims for pay period ending August 9, 2025, in the amount of $5,735,947.26.
  • Awarded a two-year contract (with renewal options) for sodium hypochlorite to HASA Inc.
  • Authorized the Mayor to sign Amendment 2 with Alliant Insurance Services.
  • Authorized execution of a Limited Release and Termination of Easements within the Port of Everett Millwright District.
  • Declared a 2006 Gillig 35’ diesel transit bus (B0307) and a 2009 Gillig 40’ diesel-electric hybrid transit bus (B0501) as surplus and authorized their sale at public auction.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jean Carillo (Everett resident) spoke about dangerous speeding on 16th Street, where the posted 30 mph limit is routinely exceeded (vehicles reaching 50 mph). She noted difficulties crossing at Maple Street due to overgrown foliage blocking visibility, and suggested that painting parking lane stripes could narrow the roadway and visually slow traffic. She requested follow-up from city traffic staff on striping and foliage enforcement.

Discussion Items

Administrative Update – Northwest Innovation Resource Center

  • Kamianka (Executive Director) and Fatima Ahmed (program graduate) presented on the organization’s data analytics program and internship model. Fatima described her work with the Everett Station District Alliance (mapping service gaps) and Green Project Solution (data visualization for efficiency), highlighting how the program helps underemployed and dislocated workers gain experience. The center has partnered with Workforce Snohomish and placed graduates with local nonprofits. Council members expressed support and asked about future opportunities.

2025-2030 Everett Transit Development Plan (Public Hearing)

  • Mike (Interim Director) and Brandon Hilby (Fares & Finance Manager) presented the state-mandated annual plan. Key highlights:
    • Ridership: Three consecutive years of 32% fixed-route ridership growth; Everett Transit received the Community Transportation Association of the Northwest award for best small/medium agency.
    • Fleet: One million miles served by battery electric buses; 24 battery electric buses and 24 diesel-electric hybrids (on R99 renewable diesel) planned. Two electric paratransit vehicles to be piloted in 2026.
    • Finances: Operating reserves built with pandemic-era grants; total cash reserves projected to decline over five years but remain healthier than pre-2019. Revenues up 17% (partly due to Move Ahead Washington youth fare program), expenditures up 11%.
    • Service: 11% service expansion in June 2023 fully realized; future plans include extending service to the riverfront, integrating with Community Transit Swift Gold Line, and preparing for light rail.
    • Safety: Operator safety barriers in place since 2020; additional de-escalation training, JDLR training, and road supervisor late-night coverage added. Assault data now tracked via national transit database (mandated 2023).
    • Station: Mall station relocated 450 feet west (completion November 2025); Everett Station upgrades include digital signage, elevator rehab, new HVAC, and wayfinding.
  • Council members asked about microtransit (on-demand) feasibility, the impact of the Fred Meyer closure on Route 7 (staff are assessing), and the correlation between ridership growth and fare programs. No council action was required; the plan will be submitted to the state by September 1.

Speed Limit Resolution for 16th Street and Holly Drive (Briefing & Action)

  • Corey Hurt (City Traffic Engineer) presented a new speed management policy developed under Vision Zero Everett, using data-driven methods (NCHRP Report 966 and NACTO City Limits). The policy evaluates roadway context, land use, and speed data.
    • Holly Drive: From 100th Street SW to 4th Avenue West (near Challenger Elementary) – reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph due to pedestrian safety. Other segments remain at 30 mph.
    • 16th Street: Both segments (Grand to Broadway, Broadway to East Marineview Drive) – reduced from 25 mph to 25 mph (consistent with policy recommendation; note: agenda stated revision of limits, but staff noted some segments were already posted at 30?). The resolution set the limit at 25 mph for the entire corridor.
    • The Transportation Advisory Committee unanimously recommended these changes on August 21.
  • Council members inquired about enforcement, striping for parking, foliage clearing, shared streets (new 10 mph designation allowed by state law), and the process for resident requests. Staff indicated a $400,000 grant (Safe Streets for All) will fund evaluation of 77 additional arterial/collector streets, including 20 mph residential limits and alley speeds.
  • Vote: Resolution adopted unanimously (8-0 with Councilmember Bader remote).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent items 1-7: Approved unanimously.
  • CB 2508-45 (Municipal Court Access Control, 2nd reading): Placed on final reading for September 3, 2025.
  • CB 2508-42 (Forest Park Pickleball Court): Ordinance amended to accumulate costs – approved unanimously.
  • CB 2508-43 (Lion’s Park Lighting Project): Ordinance creating the special improvement project – approved unanimously.
  • CB 2508-44 (Walter E. Hall Community Amenities): Ordinance closing the project – approved unanimously.
  • Speed Limit Resolution: Approved unanimously. Staff will begin posting new 25 mph signs on 16th Street and Holly Drive (section near school) with orange warning diamonds and speed trailers for one week.
  • Transit Development Plan: Public hearing closed; plan to be submitted to state by September 1. Council took no action.
  • Northwest Innovation Resource Center: Update received; no action required.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, residents of Everett Washington. I'd like to call to order the Everett City Council meeting for August 27th, 2025. For more information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit our website at Everwad.gov slash city council. For the record, we have councilmember Bader. He'll be participating this meeting or this afternoon remotely. Clerk, will you please take the role? Mayor Franklin. Excuse. Councilmember Bader. Here. Here. I saw his lips move. Councilmember Ryan here. Councilmember Vogley here. Councilmember Fossey here. Councilmember Tui here. Vice President Zarlingo. Here. President Schwab. Here. And at this time, I'd like to ask Council Member, Council Vice President Zarlingo to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. And I'll ask Councilmember Ryan to lead the land acknowledgement. Thank you. Good afternoon. City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stohpopes people and their successors, the Talelep tribes. Since time immemorial, we have 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 to bring about a future that includes their people, their voices, and their stories for a more just and equitable society. Thank you. On to old business, do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for August 20th, 2025? Councilmember Ryan, so moves. Seconded. Motion and seconds in May. Clerk, please take the role. Councilmember Bader. Abstain. Councilmember Ryan. Yes. Councilmember Vogally. Yes. Councilmember Fossey. Yes. Councilmember Twee. Yes. Vice President Zarlingo. Yes. President Schwab. Yes. Okay, moving on to public comments.

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