Everett City Council Meeting Summary - September 10, 2025
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Everett City Council Meeting Summary - September 10, 2025
The Everett City Council met on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 6:30 PM in City Council Chambers. Council President Schwab and Councilmember Fossey were excused. The meeting included approval of the September 3 minutes, mayor's comments on Vision Zero and Broadway construction, public testimony, council committee reports, consent item approvals, second readings of two ordinances, a first reading for the North Broadway Pedestrian Bridge, and a briefing on the draft Vision Zero Everett plan.
Consent Calendar
- Claims Resolution: Authorized claims against the city totaling $11,293,701.77 for the period ending August 29, 2025.
- Payroll Claims Resolution: Authorized payroll claims of $5,676,093.78 for the period ending August 23, 2025.
- Solid Waste Grant: Accepted a Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance Grant Agreement for $84,432.15 from the Department of Ecology.
- Water Main Completion: Accepted the Water Main Replacement “Y” – Phase 1 as complete and authorized signing the Certificate of Completion.
- Pickleball Court Contract: Awarded the Forest Park Pickleball Court Installation Project contract to Diverse Earthworks, Inc. for $868,210. All consent items were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Peoples (Everett resident, online): Expressed support for Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA, requested flags be lowered through September 14, mourned the murder of Ukrainian refugee Irina Zarutska, and invited the council to acknowledge government responsibility for her death. He also welcomed Turning Point USA, Let Us Worship, and Students for Life to Everett.
- Fernanda Hayesburg (in chambers): Complained about feeling betrayed by the city, cited false arrest, discrimination against online communications, unhoused crisis, and attacks by immigrants and migrants. She stated she has been a citizen for 59 years and asked for help, alleging that city programs have abused her.
Discussion Items
- Councilmember Bader: Reported on Riverside Neighborhood meeting with Community Transit about the SWIFT Gold Line, Puget Sound Regional Council approval of Everett's comp plan, and a PSRC regional transportation plan public meeting on September 18.
- Councilmember Ryan: Updated on Parks & Built Environment Committee review of manufactured home overlay zone (decision on overlay vs. dedicated zone, public outreach, return in November); park safety update showing 23% reduction in criminal offenses and 12% drop in calls for service; storefront vacancies discussion to include big box vacancies; Port Gardner noise from cement shipments; support for Herald journalists on strike.
- Councilmember Vogley: Announced Westmont Holly Neighborhood Association meeting on September 13; noted HUD Continuum of Care capital grant released September 5 with short application window; called for accountability for child rapists.
- Councilmember Tui: Asked for update on COPS grant – all positions filled, funding decreasing over time.
- Vice President Zarlingo: Reported on Japanese business delegation visit seeking investment, discussed Snohomish County Tomorrow meeting on affordable housing complexity, emphasizd preserving naturally occurring affordable housing.
- City Attorney David Hall: Condemned political assassination of Charlie Kirk; updatd on District 4 eligibility case – Judge ruled Mr. Battle ineligible for ballot, ballots printing without his name.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Items approved unanimously.
- CB 2508-46 (Riverpoint Outfalls Replacement Special Improvement Project) and CB 2508-47 (2025 revised budget appropriations amendment) passed second reading; final readings set for September 17, 2025.
- CB 2508-48 (North Broadway Pedestrian Bridge Special Improvement Project Fund 303, Program 133) passed first reading; final reading set for September 24, 2025. Councilmember Ryan noted the project was moved up from 2036.
- Vision Zero Everett Draft Plan: Briefing presented by Corey Hertz (traffic engineer) and consulantts from Kimley-Horn. Key statistics: 65 deaths and 342 serious injuries on city streets from 2019-2024; 50% of fatal crashes involve pedestrians/bicyclists. The plan identifies 16 high-priority locations (12 segments, 4 intersections) and includes engineering, non-infrastructure, and systemic countermeasures. Five commitments: prioritize walking/rolling, foster safety-first community, strengthen enforcement partnerships, adopt Vision Zero practices, build Vision Zero infrastructure. Public comment period runs from mid-September to mid-October; final plan expected November 2025. Councilmember Vogley asked how recent fatalities inform the plan; staff confirmed a quarterly dashboard will track progress. Councilmember Bader inquired about data excluding state highways, contributing circumstances, and funding challenges; staff noted a safe streets for all grant application upcoming.
- District 4 Ballot Eligibility: Judge ruled Rodney Battle ineligible; ballots will be printed without his name.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington and interested parties. I'd like to call to order the Everett City Council meeting of September 10th, 2025. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everett Wah.gov slash city council. For the record, Council President Schwab is excused this evening. I'm facilitating on his behalf. Clerk, please take the roll. Mayor Franklin here. Councilmember Bader. Here. Councilmember Ryan. Here. Councilmember Vogoli. Here. Councilmember Fossey. Excused. Councilmember Tui. Here. President Schwab. Excused. Vice President Zarlingo. Here. I'd like to ask Councilmember Tui to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. And I'd like to ask Councilmember Bader to read our land acknowledgement. The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original the original inhabitants of this place, the Stahokha people and their successors, the Taleb 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 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. And under old business, do I hear a motion for the approval of the minutes for our September 3rd meeting? So move. Second the motion. All right, clerk. Clerk, please take the role. Councilmember Bader. Yes. Councilmember Ryan. Yes. Councilmember Vogley. Yes. Councilmember Tui. Yes. Vice President Zarlingo. Yes. Good evening, Mayor Franklin. Good evening, Council and Community. Just a quick note that I need to leave early this evening. So we'll sadly miss our team's presentation on our Vision Zero project. But I did want to share how very important that work is that we've embarked on.
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