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Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting November 6, 2025: Buffer Zone Extended, Budget Hearings Begin

City Council & Committees — Thursday, November 6, 2025
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateThursday, November 6, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:17:27

Original source
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0:08

There you go.

0:10

Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington.

0:12

I'd like to call the order.

0:13

Everett City Council meeting for number November 5th, 2025.

0:17

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

0:24

We have a big crowd.

0:25

And if you're tuning in to us, we apologize for the technology issue that this is not available live, but you'll be able to watch it first thing in the morning.

0:36

Clerk, please take the roll.

0:37

Mayor Franklin here.

0:38

Councilmember Bader.

0:40

Here.

0:40

Council Member Ryan here.

0:41

Councilmember Vogoli here.

0:42

Councilmember Fossey here.

0:44

Councilmember Tui here.

0:45

Vice President Zarlingo.

0:46

Here.

0:46

President Schwab.

0:47

Here.

0:48

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

0:55

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

0:59

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

1:10

Thank you.

1:11

And at this time, I'd like to ask Vice President Zarlingo to read the land acknowledgement.

1:16

This council acknowledges the original inhabitants of this place, the Stahopes people and their successors, the Talelep tribes.

1:23

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

1:28

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

1:35

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.

1:45

Thank you very much.

1:47

On to all business.

1:48

Do I hear a motion for the approval of the minutes for October 25, 29, 2025?

1:53

Councilmember Ryan, so moves.

1:55

Second.

1:56

Clerk, please take the roll.

1:58

Councilmember Bader.

1:59

Yes.

1:59

Councilmember Ryan.

2:00

Yes.

2:00

Councilmember Vogley.

2:01

Yes.

2:01

Councilmember Fossey.

2:02

Staying out.

2:03

Councilmember Tui.

2:04

Yes.

2:04

Vice President Zarlingo.

2:05

Yes.

2:06

President Schwab.

2:07

Yes.

2:08

Well, good evening, Mayor.

2:09

Good evening, President Schwab, Council and Community.

2:12

First, I'll congratulate President Schwab, Vice President Zarlingo, and Councilmember Ryan for your successful re-election.

2:19

And I know you're going to continue to serve our community with integrity and care.

2:23

So congrats.

2:25

And then next, I'd like to invite Chief DeMarco forward to give a very brief update on the playground fire at Wiggams Hollow Park.

2:36

Good evening, Council David DeMarco Fire Department.

2:39

It's a very brief update.

2:41

And that is just that obviously the morning of the 27th, we were dispatched to Wiggins Hallow Park for report of smoke in the area.

2:47

We found on arrival the playground equipment, the plastic portion of playground equipment on fire.

2:53

It was quickly suppressed.

2:55

And then the fire department is responsible for cause and origin.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness█████████████████████████████29%
Public Safety██████████████████18%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████████17%
Procedural██████████████14%
Fiscal Sustainability██████6%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Public Engagement██2%
Public Transportation██2%
Affordable Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting November 6, 2025

The Everett City Council met on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a report on the Wiggams Hollow Park fire, a homelessness response briefing, public comment on the service facility buffer zone ordinance (CB 2509-53), and the first readings of the 2026 property tax levies and city budget. The council voted to extend the buffer zone for two more years.

Consent Calendar

  • Adopted Resolution authorizing claims of $2,223,274.20 (period ending Oct 24, 2025).
  • Adopted Resolution for payroll claims of $5,663,312.35 (period ending Oct 18, 2025).
  • Authorized Interlocal Agreement with Lake Stevens for water transmission line corridor.
  • Authorized Call for Bids for Lenora Regional Stormwater Facility project.
  • Authorized Amendment No. 1 with HDR Engineering, Inc. ($85,710 for rate model support).
  • Authorized Call for Bids for RRFB Pedestrian Safety Project.
  • Authorized PSA with Manatt, Phelps and Phillips for federal advocacy.
  • Declared a 2016 Ford E450 paratransit vehicle surplus and authorized sale at auction.
  • All consent items passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Written comments received regarding the buffer zone from John and Lisa Phillips, Frank Zeelinger, Don and Donna Perigo, Ellie Wood, and Wendy Grove.
  • Mason Rutledge (Everett resident) shared three personal stories about unhoused neighbors, argued that compassion includes the no-sit/no-lie ordinance as a nudge toward services; stated that police issued 156 warnings, less than one citation per month, zero convictions, zero fines.
  • Wendy Grove (online) advocated allowing the buffer zone to expire: "The solutions lie in collaboration" and urged the city to find better ways.
  • John Carswell (business owner) strongly supported the buffer zone, saying he saw significant improvements and it made him feel safe to open his restaurant downtown.
  • Rich Ryan (13-year resident) opposed the buffer zone, warning of costly lawsuits (Boise lost $1.8M, Grants Pass $250K, Spokane being sued), said no evidence that the ordinance connects anyone to social services, urged investing in shelters and affordable housing.
  • Corland Henderson (resident) opposed, stating they are unhoused and ignored by programs that cater to others; requested safe parking and affordable housing.
  • Sister Adelaide (resident) opposed, emphasized need for compassion and teamwork.
  • Nick Carly (Hoyt Ave) opposed, asked where people are supposed to go during the day.
  • Jose Villas (Porter Gardner neighborhood) supported buffer zone, described daily safety issues from Compass Health clients, praised police extra patrols and outreach.
  • Alexis (Everett, 33rd & Lombard) supported extension, said buffer zone protects those in recovery from triggers and prey; noted 40 families signed petition; reported seeing overdoses and bodies removed.
  • Austin (Everett) opposed: "criminalizing homelessness is not effective," argued housing first is the only solution, said the ordinance pushes people away from resources.
  • Elizabeth Wood (CEO of Imagine Children's Museum) supported extension, said visitor safety improved significantly, reduced complaints and emergency calls since buffer zone began.
  • Alvaro Guillen (Mukilteo Terrace, works 20 years in Everett) supported extension for Casino Road neighborhood; described windows broken ($2,000 each), drug use, fights, families afraid; since buffer zone, incidents decreased.
  • John Klosterman (Everett) opposed, called it profiling.
  • Jane McClure (founding director of Everett Recovery Cafe) acknowledged the brain trust in the room and hoped for collaborative solutions.
  • Katie Graneth (Everett) opposed: if buffer zone is working, why are overdoses still happening?
  • Mary Granit (Everett) opposed, read statement from absent citizen noting no decrease in unhoused population and increase in suffering; cited elders, veterans, disabled, LGBTQ+, families with children.
  • Rudy Castro (unhoused) said he sees both sides but feels it's not fair; asked council to reconsider.
  • Darren opposed, noted that building houses is cheaper than policing.
  • Michelle Pendergrass (Everett) opposed, argued that the ordinance addresses the visual of homelessness rather than root causes; said unhoused people are often moved multiple times per night; suggested alternative like no-littering laws.

Discussion Items

  • Fire Department Update: Chief DeMarco reported that the playground fire at Wiggams Hollow Park on Oct 27 was incendiary (set).
  • Homelessness Response Presentation: Ben Breedon (Homeless Response Coordinator) and Kelly Rourke (Community Support Manager) outlined city efforts: 335 new shelter beds added, 277 more anticipated in next year from VOA, Everett Gospel Mission, Salvation Army; cold weather shelter opened Nov 1 with 89 beds; Hot Meal Coalition provides nearly 5,000 free meals monthly; Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) site surveys available. Rourke described care team approach: relational, walk people to services, warm handoffs.
  • Council Comments:
    • Councilmember Bader: no comment.
    • Councilmember Ryan: reminded to shop local, council newsletter, lodging tax grants due Dec 15.
    • Councilmember Vogley: read 2016 Bloom v. Everett decision declaring camping ban unconstitutional; reminded that ACLU lawsuits have happened before.
    • Councilmember Fossey: thanked speakers, urged shopping local, reminded Veterans Day.
    • Councilmember Tui: reported on committee meeting about fire department standards of cover analysis (report due early 2026) and unlicensed street food vendors.
    • Vice President Zarlingo: elaborated on unlicensed food vendors – no taxes, unfair competition, food safety concerns, possible employee exploitation; also reported on Silver Lake Neighborhood meeting about economic development and manufactured housing zone (expected early 2026).
    • President Schwab: mentioned wage theft and human trafficking forum, thanked staff for project labor agreement, urged donations to food banks.
  • Buffer Zone (CB 2509-53): Administration provided data: buffer zones do not displace crime; 15 charges to 11 unique individuals over two years; only one conviction as part of a global plea; ordinance used as tool to coordinate outreach (free right-of-way permit process, always granted). Council debate: Councilmember Ryan voted no, citing lack of shelter capacity (500 people in county without beds, 455 more households than housing units in Everett) and said buffer zone pushes problem elsewhere without solving homelessness. Councilmember Vogley voted no, said it's not right to criminalize homelessness, noted billionaires hoarding wealth. Councilmember Fossey voted yes, appreciated the sunset provision and commitment to convene stakeholders; urged community to stay engaged. Final vote: 5-2 (Bader, Fossey, Tui, Zarlingo, Schwab yes; Ryan, Vogley no). Passed.
  • Property Tax Ordinances (CB 2510-59, 2510-61): Presentation by Finance: 2026 regular property tax levy $42.4M, EMS levy $10.4M, both include 1% increase. Everett's combined levy rate $1.88 per $1,000 value (lowest among similar cities in county). Average homeowner will see $24.20 increase (2.4%). Public hearings opened.
  • 2026 Budget (CB 2510-60): Total budget $943,828,973. Presented revenues and expenditures by priority. Council asked questions about SNO 911 fees (increase not included due to timing), jail rates (3% annual increase), photo enforcement staffing, and parks/recreation concerns. Public hearing opened.
  • Other Items:
    • CB 2510-58 (2nd reading, exposing minor child to domestic violence) – final reading Nov 12.
    • CB 2510-62 (1st reading, B&O tax updates per SB 5814) – final reading Nov 19.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar – All eight items approved unanimously.
  • Buffer Zone Extension (CB 2509-53) – Passed 5-2 (Bader, Fossey, Tui, Zarlingo, Schwab yes; Ryan, Vogley no). Ordinance extended until December 31, 2027, with new reporting requirements.
  • Police Boathouse Project (CB 2510-56) – Unanimously approved.
  • Cedar Hall & Recreation Building Demolition (CB 2510-57) – Unanimously approved. Councilmembers noted sadness over loss of recreational programs due to funding.
  • COPS Safer Outcomes Grant (Item 17) – Unanimously authorized acceptance of $500,000 federal grant for de-escalation training, including new augmented reality system.
  • ATU Collective Bargaining Agreement (Item 18) – Unanimously authorized.
  • Public Hearings opened on items 10, 11, and 12 (property tax levies and budget) and will remain open until third readings on November 19, 2025.
  • Next Meetings: November 12, 2025 (final reading of CB 2510-58) and November 19, 2025 (final readings of budget, property tax, B&O tax).

Meeting Transcript

There you go. Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington. I'd like to call the order. Everett City Council meeting for number November 5th, 2025. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everett WA slash city council. We have a big crowd. And if you're tuning in to us, we apologize for the technology issue that this is not available live, but you'll be able to watch it first thing in the morning. Clerk, please take the roll. Mayor Franklin here. Councilmember Bader. Here. Council Member Ryan here. Councilmember Vogoli here. Councilmember Fossey here. Councilmember Tui here. Vice President Zarlingo. Here. President Schwab. Here. And at this time, I'd like Councilmember Bader to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the fly of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God. Thank you. And at this time, I'd like to ask Vice President Zarlingo to read the land acknowledgement. This council acknowledges the original inhabitants of this place, the Stahopes people and their successors, the Talelep tribes. Since time immemorial, they've 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 and bring about a future that includes their people, stories, and voices to form a more just and equitable society. Thank you very much. On to all business. Do I hear a motion for the approval of the minutes for October 25, 29, 2025? Councilmember Ryan, so moves. Second. Clerk, please take the roll. Councilmember Bader. Yes. Councilmember Ryan. Yes. Councilmember Vogley. Yes. Councilmember Fossey. Staying out. Councilmember Tui. Yes. Vice President Zarlingo. Yes. President Schwab. Yes. Well, good evening, Mayor. Good evening, President Schwab, Council and Community.

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