Everett City Council Meeting – November 12, 2025

The Everett City Council convened a regular meeting on November 12, 2025, at 6:30 PM. The agenda included a consent calendar, public comment, council reports, and several ordinance readings. The most extensive discussion centered on the 2026 budget, with council members highlighting critical unfunded needs and the city's reliance on one-time funds. The meeting concluded with the unanimous approval of a new domestic violence ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from November 5, 2025.
• Resolution authorizing claims of $7,355,188.87 for the period ending October 31, 2025.
• Interlocal agreement amendment with Snohomish County for technology services (not to exceed $200,000).
• Professional Service Agreement with Reid Middleton for design of the Police Department Boathouse.
• Washington State Office of Public Defense grant of $90,930 for indigent defense (Jan 2026 – Jun 2027).
• Amendment No. 2 to extend Village Theatre's management of the Everett Performing Arts Center for two additional years.
• 2026 PGSF Site Construction Water Quality Grant Agreement with Washington State Department of Ecology (up to $10,000,000).
• Salmon Recovery grant from the Department of Commerce for Tree Policy updates. All consent items were approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Martin (Mount Lake Terrace) delivered a satirical "frog report" allegorizing a secret municipal project ("Project Frog Pond") that took money from children and excluded some council members. He expressed distrust in the council's process, calling the actions "bullfrog."

Council Comments & Reports

• Councilmember Bader reported on PSRC growth center review: Downtown Everett's density of 31 people per acre is below the 71 target, but improving. The center was recommended for redesignation as a "Metro Ghost Center" (likely a transcription error for "Metro Growth Center"). Housing affordability: income needed for a typical home rose from ~$100,000 in 2021 to ~$150,000. Rental housing production now favors studios and one-bedrooms.
• Councilmember Ryan wished all a happy Veterans Day, thanked her veteran spouse, and announced upcoming neighborhood association meetings.
• Councilmember Vogley updated on the Parks and Built Environment Committee: the manufactured home zone ordinance update will go to the planning commission and return to council in January.
• Councilmember Fosse noted the 115th anniversary of women's suffrage in Washington (Nov 8, 1910) and attended the Boys & Girls Club kitchen ribbon cutting.
• Councilmember Twee had no report.
• Councilmember Zarlingo highlighted Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center (serving over 1,000 children/year) and the Boys & Girls Club, emphasizing the importance of youth services.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Budget (CB 2510-60) – Second Reading (Public Hearing Open): Councilmember Twee noted jail fees dropped 36% but the budget flatlined, asking if funds could be reallocated. Police Chief DeRoos cautioned against reducing the budget. Interim Finance Director Mike Bailey explained that ~$5–$7 million in one-time money (including COVID relief) was used to balance the 2026 budget, with deficits expected in 2027. Councilmembers Bader and Schwab pressed for details on what was cut, citing unmet needs: full library service, pool reopening, fire station upgrades, parks maintenance, traffic enforcement, and permitting. Councilmember Ryan asked for clarification on FTE restoration (furlough reversals vs. new hires). Councilmember Fosse stressed staff retention and the difficulty of hiring. No action was taken; the third reading is scheduled for November 19, 2025.
• Evergreen Way Drainage Improvements (CB 2510-63) – First Reading: Ordinance to create Special Improvement Project Fund 336, Program 051. No questions or comments; third reading on December 3, 2025.
• EMS and Regular Property Tax Levies (CB 2510-59, CB 2510-61) – Second Reading: Public hearings remain open until November 19.
• B&O Tax Ordinance (CB 2510-62) – Second Reading: Incorporating SB 5814 changes. No discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Exposing Minor Child to Domestic Violence (CB 2510-58) – Third Reading: Approved unanimously (7-0). The ordinance adds a new offense to Everett Municipal Code Chapter 10.16.
• Consent Calendar: All items passed unanimously (7-0).
• Budget and Tax Ordinances (CB 2510-59, 2510-60, 2510-61, 2510-62): Second readings held; public hearings remain open. Final readings will occur on November 19, 2025.
• Council Requests: Staff to provide cost estimates for restoring library hours, pool operations, and other community services at a future meeting.