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Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - September 24, 2025

City Council & Committees — Wednesday, September 24, 2025
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateWednesday, September 24, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 55:48

Original source
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0:06

Good afternoon, residents of Everett Washington.

0:09

I'd like to call the order.

0:10

Everett council meeting for September twenty-fourth, two thousand twenty-five.

0:14

For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everett Wah dot go forward slash City Council.

0:22

Um Clerk, will you please take the role?

0:24

Mayor Franklin here.

0:26

Councilmember Bader.

0:27

Councilmember Ryan here.

0:28

Councilmember Vogeling.

0:29

Excuse.

0:30

Councilmember Fossey.

0:31

Here.

0:31

Councilmember Tuey.

0:33

Here.

0:33

Vice President Zarlingo?

0:34

Here.

0:35

President Schwab.

0:35

Here.

0:36

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

0:40

Please stand.

0:47

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:57

Thank you.

0:58

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

1:03

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

1:10

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

1:22

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

1:32

On to old business, do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for September seventeenth, 2025?

1:37

Councilmember Ryan so moves.

1:39

Second.

1:40

Motion and seconds are made.

1:42

Clerk, please take the role.

1:43

Councilmember Bader.

1:44

Yes.

1:44

Councilmember Rhine?

1:45

Yes.

1:45

Councilmember Fosse?

1:47

Yes.

1:47

Councilmember Tui?

1:48

Yes.

1:48

Vice President Zarlingo.

1:50

Abstain.

1:51

President Schwab.

1:52

Yes.

1:53

Okay, on to the mayor.

1:54

Good afternoon.

1:55

Good afternoon, President Schwab, Council and Community.

1:58

I'm happy to share a proclamation today honoring Hispanic Heritage Month.

2:02

Whereas the City of Everett is home to a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions that have shaped our identity as an inclusive and resilient community.

2:10

And the preservation and sharing of our heritages strengthens civic pride, fosters understanding, and enriches the enriches the lives of all our residents.

2:18

And National Hispanic Heritage Month serves as to remind us that our strength lies in unity and inclusion.

2:24

And cultural heritage includes not only historical traditions, but also expressions of identity through food, music, language, and civic engagement, all which and the Bureau of Census estimates the Hispanic population living in Everett is more than seventeen affirm our commitment to inclusion and mutual respect by uplifting the stories and experiences.

7:31

Another food desert.

7:34

There are five voting districts in our city.

7:37

All of those districts have a safe commercial zone, other than district one.

7:44

District one is the only district without a safe commercial zone.

7:48

I've heard that from my neighbors and from my friends.

7:52

District one is the only one without a safe commercial zone.

7:56

QFC on Broadway has seen some improvements because of investments by Kroger.

8:02

Safeway is quickly descending, and Walgreens now closes their pharmacy in the early afternoon.

8:13

Or to go to the drugstore.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Housing████████████████████████████████████████40%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Public Transportation█████████9%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Historic Preservation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - September 24, 2025

The Everett City Council met on September 24, 2025, at 12:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of consent items, two action items, and a briefing on the 2026-2030 Housing Strategy. Council members also heard public comments on emergency preparedness and food access, and provided updates on transit fare alignment, budget town halls, and community events.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution authorizing claims against the city of $4,700,194.88 for the period ending September 6–12, 2025.
  • Resolution authorizing payroll claims of $5,800,547.36 for the period ending September 6, 2025.
  • Award of approximately $541,000 over five years to Carahsoft Technology Corp for software from Washington State Department of Enterprise Services.
  • Authorization to release Request for Proposal #2025-061 for Parks Partnerships.
  • Lease agreement with Everett Silvertips at 2000 Hewitt.
  • Amendment No. 1 to professional services agreement with MacLeod Reckord, PLLC for Forest Park Pickleball Court Installation.
  • Acceptance of the Port Gardner Storage Facility Demolition Project as complete.
  • Amendment No. 1 to lease agreement with Northwest Innovation Resource Center at 2000 Hewitt. All consent items were approved by unanimous consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lawrence spoke about the need to prepare for emergencies, including potential distrust of government, and urged the city to address emergency management.
  • Mason highlighted that District 1 is the only city district without a safe commercial zone, describing a food desert with limited grocery access (QFC and Safeway declining, Walgreens pharmacy closing early). He noted that tax dollars from residents are spent in neighboring cities. He also urged the city to educate citizens on shopping locally.

Council Comments

  • Councilmember Bader reported on the regional transit fare forum, noting efforts to align fares, expand the Orca Lift program, and consider a common disabled/senior fare (Everett's $0.50 fare is an outlier). He also reminded the public of the budget town hall on Monday, September 29.
  • Councilmember Ryan thanked public commenters, reported on the Historic Commission's request for clarity on historic marker approval, reminded of the Downtown Everett Association's Homecoming Hop (September 27, 3–6 PM), promoted the Click Fix app, and noted 45 cats available for adoption at the Everett Animal Shelter.
  • Councilmember Fosse thanked speakers.
  • Councilmember Tuey thanked speakers and reminded of the Community Health and Safety Committee meeting on October 1 at 5 PM.
  • Vice President Zarlingo discussed the food desert issue, noting that municipal grocery stores are difficult, and encouraged retaining existing stores. He emphasized that budget trade-offs require public input on what to sacrifice. He also detailed the Sound Transit Everett Link extension planning regarding Fred Meyer and Casino Square, and encouraged applications for boards and commissions (deadline October 20) and the Charter Review Committee (deadline December 5).
  • Council President Schwab announced the budget open house on Monday, September 29 at 5:30 PM in the Weyerhaeuser Room of Everett Transit Station, and urged businesses to share their needs with the council.

Discussion Items

  • Action Item 10 (CB 2508-48) – North Broadway Pedestrian Bridge Fund: 3rd and final reading to create a special improvement project fund. Staff confirmed that Everett Community College still supports the bridge. Motion passed unanimously (6-0-1, with Vice President Zarlingo abstaining on minutes but not on this item? Actually roll call: Bader yes, Ryan yes, Fossey yes, Tuey yes, Zarlingo yes, Schwab yes – 6-0).
  • Action Item 11 – Alley Vacation Hearing Date: Resolution setting October 22, 2025, at 12:30 PM as the hearing date for proposed vacation of alleys bounded by Rockefeller, Oakes, Pacific, and 32nd Street. This is an additional vacation to one done about three years ago for the same site. Passed unanimously (6-0).
  • Briefing: 2026-2030 Housing Strategy: Frank Hong, Special Projects Manager for Housing, presented the five-year strategy comprising a long-term strategic housing framework (10 pillars) and about 30 short-term initiatives. Key themes included internal governance, land use/zoning, innovation (offsite construction, CAM, workforce development), housing finance, accountability, and housing for all. Council discussion covered:
    • Vice President Zarlingo asked about increasing ownership housing above 100% AMI. Hong noted city resources are limited for that but constant developer engagement is key. Council President Schwab added that condo liability law reform is needed.
    • Councilmember Ryan asked about the innovation coalition and whether it could partner with existing groups; Hong noted it could be a new body. Ryan also requested protections for first-time homebuyers.
    • Councilmember Tuey asked for a timeline for the final document; Hong said December or January 2026.
    • Councilmember Bader asked about the social housing framework and requested identifying which initiatives apply to all housing vs. affordable housing.
    • Vice President Zarlingo asked about small lot subdivisions vs. unit lot subdivisions, and about incentives for underutilized properties. Hong said the city is exploring options but conversion of commercial to housing is often difficult.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved minutes of September 17, 2025 (6-0-1, Vice President Zarlingo abstained).
  • Approved consent calendar items (by unanimous consent).
  • Passed Ordinance CB 2508-48 creating the North Broadway Pedestrian Bridge Fund (6-0).
  • Adopted Resolution setting October 22, 2025 hearing for alley vacation (6-0).
  • The housing strategy briefing concluded; staff will return with a final implementation schedule and funding impacts in December 2025 or January 2026.
  • Upcoming events: Budget open house Monday, September 29 at 5:30 PM; Community Health and Safety Committee meeting October 1 at 5 PM; Alley vacation hearing October 22 at 12:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, residents of Everett Washington. I'd like to call the order. Everett council meeting for September twenty-fourth, two thousand twenty-five. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everett Wah dot go forward slash City Council. Um Clerk, will you please take the role? Mayor Franklin here. Councilmember Bader. Councilmember Ryan here. Councilmember Vogeling. Excuse. Councilmember Fossey. Here. Councilmember Tuey. Here. Vice President Zarlingo? Here. President Schwab. Here. And at this time, I'd like to ask Vice President Zarlingo to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Ryan to read the land acknowledgement. The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stohopes people and their successors, the Talelip tribes. Since time immemorial, they have hunted, fished, gathered on, and taken care of these lands and waters. We will strive to be honest about our past mistakes to bring about a future that includes their people, their voices, and their stories to form a more just and equitable society. On to old business, do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for September seventeenth, 2025? Councilmember Ryan so moves. Second. Motion and seconds are made. Clerk, please take the role. Councilmember Bader. Yes. Councilmember Rhine? Yes. Councilmember Fosse? Yes. Councilmember Tui? Yes. Vice President Zarlingo. Abstain. President Schwab. Yes. Okay, on to the mayor. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, President Schwab, Council and Community. I'm happy to share a proclamation today honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. Whereas the City of Everett is home to a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions that have shaped our identity as an inclusive and resilient community. And the preservation and sharing of our heritages strengthens civic pride, fosters understanding, and enriches the enriches the lives of all our residents. And National Hispanic Heritage Month serves as to remind us that our strength lies in unity and inclusion.

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