OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - October 29, 2025

City Council & Committees — Wednesday, October 29, 2025
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateWednesday, October 29, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

Good evening, residents.

0:01

I should say good afternoon, residents of Everett Washington.

0:05

Like to call the order, Everett Council meeting of October 29th, 2025.

0:10

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

0:19

For the record, Councilmember Bader will be attending the meeting remotely.

0:23

Clerk, will you please take the roll?

0:25

Mayor Franklin here.

0:26

Councilmember Bader.

0:28

Here.

0:28

Councilmember Ryan.

0:29

Here.

0:30

Councilmember Vogley.

0:31

Here.

0:31

Councilmember Fossey.

0:32

Excuse.

0:33

Councilmember Tui, here, Vice President Zarlingo.

0:36

Here.

0:36

President Schwab.

0:37

Here.

0:37

And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Tuey to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:44

Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:49

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God.

0:53

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:59

And thank you.

1:00

I'd like to uh ask Councilmember Ryan to lead us in the land acknowledgement.

1:05

Thank you.

1:07

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

1:13

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

1:18

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

1:24

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

1:33

Thank you very much.

1:34

So on to old business.

1:36

Do I hear a motion for approval of the minutes for October 22nd, 2025?

1:40

Councilmember Ryan, so moves.

1:42

Second.

1:42

Motion, secondsman Meg.

1:44

Clerk, please take the role.

1:45

Councilmember Bader.

1:47

Yes.

1:47

Councilmember Ryan.

1:48

Yes.

1:49

Councilmember Vogoli.

1:50

Yes.

1:50

Councilmember Twee?

1:51

Yes.

1:51

Vice President Zarlingo?

1:52

Yes.

1:53

President Schwab.

1:54

Yes.

1:55

Well, good afternoon, Mayor.

1:57

Good afternoon.

1:58

First, I'm pleased to present a proclamation to celebrate and honor our first responders by recognizing National First Responders Day in Everett.

2:07

Whereas the City of Everett is proud to have exceptional first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, social workers, public works personnel, and other essential responders.

2:19

And our first responders stand ready at all times to protect life, property, and the well-being of our community under any and all conditions.

2:26

And first responders frequently face hazardous and unpredictable circumstances in the performance of their duties, putting themselves at risk to save others.

2:34

And the combined efforts of these dedicated individuals ensure that Everett stays resilient, prepared, and able to recover from emergencies.

2:41

And the city of Everett recognizes and deeply appreciates the courage and sacrifices of our first responders for suit who serve our community every day.

2:49

Now, though now, therefore, be it resolved.

2:51

I do hereby proclaim October 28th as National First Responders Day and invite all residents to join me in showing our gratitude and support for those who selflessly serve to keep our community safe and strong.

3:03

And I know I've got a number of first responders here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development████████████████████20%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Procedural█████████████13%
Homelessness█████████████13%
Domestic Violence Prevention█████████9%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Public Transportation█████5%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Business Improvement Areas█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - October 29, 2025

The Everett City Council met on October 29, 2025, at 12:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for National First Responders Day, approval of the consent calendar, public testimony on buffer zone ordinances and traffic safety, briefings on domestic violence exposure and the Downtown Improvement District renewal, and action on multiple ordinances and property purchases.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved claims against the city totaling $2,790,468.63 for the period ending October 17, 2025.
  • Declared a Kohler generator surplus and authorized public auction.
  • Accepted a $20,000 grant from the ASPCA for the Fund for the Animals.
  • Authorized the Mayor to execute an EarthScope License to use City property at Lake Chaplain.
  • Declared a 2012 International Navistar 7400 Dump Truck surplus and authorized public auction.
  • Authorized agreements for the VOAWW South Everett Women and Children’s Pallet Community (20-unit pallet shelter on Seavers Ducey Boulevard, anticipated occupancy in one to two months).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Rich Ryan (Everett resident): Opposed expanding the no sit/no lie ordinance, citing legal challenges in Boise (cost $1.8 million) and studies showing criminalization increases unsheltered homelessness by 2.2% and fails to reduce homelessness. Asked for data proving effectiveness.
  • Judith McNeil Boggs (Everett resident): Requested traffic safety measures at 8823 Holly Drive (Sunset Park apartments) due to cars parked too close to the entrance, creating blind spots. Police chief agreed to follow up.
  • Kenneth (Everett resident): Opposed expanding the laydown law, urged spending on housing rather than displacement.
  • Michelle Pendergrass (Everett resident): Supported the pallet shelter, thanked council for tabling buffer zone discussion, opposed criminalization of sitting/lying, noted cost of incarceration ($140+/day), and asked about exceptions for voting and mail collection.
  • Scott (District 1 resident): Opposed no sit/no lie and no give provisions, especially during winter; described personal acts of giving and selective enforcement concerns.
  • Daniel Dotson (Everett resident): Addressed noise on Madison Street from diesel trucks; corrected earlier statement about truck route designation (T2, not T3). Proposed reducing speed limit to 20 mph, adding radar signs, and funding through traffic fund (~$3 million annually). Referenced a YouTube video "Vision Zero Fix Madison."
  • Rudy Castro (Everett resident): Shared personal experience of homelessness and difficulty accessing housing without being a drug user; explained he relapsed to qualify for services.
  • Annie Fitzgerald (Marysville resident, online): Strongly opposed buffer zone expansion, arguing it criminalizes poverty and displaces homeless without solving root causes. Urged investment in permanent supportive housing, mental health services, and harm reduction.

Discussion Items

  • Briefing on CB 2510-58 (Exposing Minor Child to Domestic Violence): Prosecutor Grace Sinclair presented the ordinance, noting it would create a new offense (15-day minimum sentence added to domestic violence charges) for committing DV in the immediate presence of a minor. Cited psychological research (ACE study, 1997 study) and examples from other cities (Marysville, Auburn, Lakewood, Snoqualmie). Council discussed prevention and child services; council members expressed support.
  • Briefing and Action on Item 10 (Downtown Improvement District Renewal): Tyler Chisholm and Liz Stenning presented the renewal for 2026-2030. Proposed boundary expansion to include both sides of Pacific and Everett Avenues (gateway streets), and a rate adjustment (to $0.16 per $1,000 assessed value and $0.11 per land square foot) – not a rate increase but a rebasing. The Downtown Everett Association reported services: 2,000+ graffiti tags removed, 7,000 bags of garbage, 1,000+ biohazards cleaned in 2024. Ratepayer task force met; single-family/duplex/triplex exempt. Council questions addressed fairness, future expansion to West Marine View Drive, and owner support. Council adopted the resolution to set a public hearing for November 19, 2025.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (7-0; Councilmember Bader attending remotely).
  • Item 7 (CB 2510-56): Second reading; third reading set for November 5, 2025.
  • Item 8 (CB 2510-57): Second reading; third reading set for November 5, 2025.
  • Item 9 (CB 2510-58): First reading; third and final reading set for November 12, 2025.
  • Item 10: Resolution adopted unanimously (7-0) to set a public hearing for November 19, 2025, on the Downtown Improvement District renewal.
  • Item 11 (CB 2510-54): Third reading – adopted unanimously to create Special Improvement Project "41st Street to Rucker Avenue Corridor Phase 2."
  • Item 12 (CB 2510-55): Third reading – adopted unanimously to close Special Improvement Project "41st Street to West Marine View Drive Corridor Improvements."
  • Item 13: Approved unanimously to authorize purchase of property at 3310 Paine Avenue.
  • Council Comments: Councilmember Bader suggested inviting Sound Transit for a report; recommended cameras at Wickham's Hollow after a fire. Councilmember Vogley reported on the Audit Committee (clean audit) and police vacancies (down to 14). Councilmember Zarlingo highlighted the Lake Stevens water pipeline agreement and WorkSource services. Council President Schwab asked for occupancy details on the VOA shelter and shared AWC legislative priorities (indigent defense, transportation, housing, shared revenue). Councilmember Ryan noted SNAP cuts and urged donations to food banks.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, residents. I should say good afternoon, residents of Everett Washington. Like to call the order, Everett Council meeting of October 29th, 2025. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everett Wall.gov/slash city council. For the record, Councilmember Bader will be attending the meeting remotely. Clerk, will you please take the roll? Mayor Franklin here. Councilmember Bader. Here. Councilmember Ryan. Here. Councilmember Vogley. Here. Councilmember Fossey. Excuse. Councilmember Tui, here, Vice President Zarlingo. Here. President Schwab. Here. And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Tuey to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of 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 thank you. I'd like to uh ask Councilmember Ryan to lead us in the land acknowledgement. Thank you. The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Shahopes people and their successors, the Tolelep tribes. Since time immemorial, they have hunted, fished, gathered on, and taken care of these lands and waters. We respect their sovereignty and their right to self-determination and honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and waters. We'll strive to be honest about our past mistakes to bring about a future that includes their voices, their stories, and their people for a more just and equitable society. Thank you very much. So on to old business. Do I hear a motion for approval of the minutes for October 22nd, 2025? Councilmember Ryan, so moves. Second. Motion, secondsman Meg. Clerk, please take the role. Councilmember Bader. Yes. Councilmember Ryan. Yes. Councilmember Vogoli. Yes. Councilmember Twee? Yes. Vice President Zarlingo? Yes. President Schwab. Yes. Well, good afternoon, Mayor.

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