The Everett City Council met on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 12:30 PM in Council Chambers. Mayor Cassie Franklin presented her proposed 2026 budget, and the council took action on several items, including a tabled buffer zone extension, a new SODA (Stay Out of Drug Areas) zone, an alley vacation, and four property damage settlements. Public comment was held on two controversial ordinances.
Item 15: Buffer Zone Extension (CB 2509‑53) – Third reading to extend the service facility buffer zone ordinance to December 31, 2027. Councilmember Bader read statements from people affected by the ordinance, arguing it is not compassionate. Councilmember Tui requested data on who receives citations (whether they are predatory actors or vulnerable individuals) and noted ambiguity in the sunset language. An amendment to clarify the sunset language passed unanimously. Councilmember Tui then moved to table the item until more detailed data could be provided. The motion to table passed 4‑3 (Ryan, Vogley, Fossey, Tui in favor; Bader, Zarlingo, Schwab opposed). The item is tabled pending staff data on the specific populations impacted.
Item 16: SODA Zone Update – Resolution to establish new prohibited areas related to drug trafficking. Councilmember Ryan proposed an amendment to extend the proposed zone three blocks east along Rockefeller Avenue from Pacific to 36th Street, to adjoin an existing zone. Sergeant Wallace indicated data supports including Rockefeller. The amendment passed 6‑1 (Vogley opposed). The main resolution, as amended, passed 6‑1 (Vogley opposed).
Item 17: Alley Vacation – Public hearing on a petition to vacate remaining alleys in the block bounded by Rockefeller, Oakes, Pacific, and 32nd Street. The property (9,445 sq ft, zoned MU‑15) will be consolidated for a multi‑family development. The city will retain a utility easement. The petitioner will pay $850,000 (appraised value), with half going to the real property acquisition fund and half to open space/transit improvements. The public hearing was closed, and the council voted unanimously to grant the petition and direct staff to prepare a vacating ordinance.
Item 10: Property Damage Settlements – After a 10‑minute executive session, council approved four partial settlement agreements arising from 2019 flood damage on Grand Avenue: Olsen ($11,878.34), Seidenberg ($192,624.26), Snell ($125,115.62), and Tanaka ($186,235.14), totaling $415,853.36. President Schwab abstained; all other members voted yes.
Good evening, residents of Everett Washington. I'd like to call the order of the Everett City Council meeting of October 22nd, 2025. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit our website at Everett Wad.gov slash city council. Clerk, will you please take the ball? Mayor Franklin here. Councilmember Bader. Here. Councilmember Ryan. Here. Councilmember Vogley here. Councilmember Fossey here. Councilmember Tui here. Vice President Zarlingo. Here. President Schwab. Here. At this time, I'd like to ask Council Vice President Zarlingo to lead the pledges of allegiance. Thank you. I'd like to ask Councilmember Bader to read the land acknowledgement. The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stahopesha people and their successors, the two Laleb tribes. Since time immemorial, they have hunted fish gathered on and taking 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. Before we go to old business, uh, just for the agenda action, our item number 10, which was a consent item, is now going to be moved to an action item. And it will be the last item on our agenda. So it'll be after 17. Okay, on to old business. Do I hear a motion for approval of the minutes for October 15th, 2025? So move. Council Member Ryan seconds. Motion a second. Clerk, please take the roll. Councilmember Bader. Yes. Councilmember Ryan? Yes. Councilmember Vogley, yes. Councilmember Fossey? Yes. Councilmember Tui? Yes. Vice President Zarlingo. Yes. President Schwab. Yes. Okay. Well, good afternoon, Mayor. Good afternoon, President Schwab, Council, and our community. I'm proud to be sharing my eighth budget address as your mayor.