Everett City Council Meeting – December 17, 2025

The Everett City Council held its final meeting of 2025 on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting featured recognition of outgoing Councilmembers Mary Fossey and Liz Vogely, retirement of Police Chief John DeRoos, extensive public testimony, and a key vote on utility billing changes. All consent and action items were approved, with the utility billing ordinance (CB 2512-87) amended to adjust late-fee timelines and delayed 90 days for implementation.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted Resolution authorizing claims against the City of Everett in the amount of $2,574,128.43 for the period ending November 29, 2025, through December 5, 2025.
• Adopted Resolution authorizing payroll claims of $5,863,618.47 for the period ending November 29, 2025.
• Authorized the Mayor to sign Amendment No. 2 with Brown and Caldwell for WFP eOM and AM/Maintenance Program Support.
• Authorized the Mayor to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. for 41st Street to Rucker Avenue Corridor Phase 2 design and construction support services in the amount of $2,649,646.
• Authorized the Mayor to execute a lease agreement with Cedar View Law at Everett Station (pulled for separate discussion but not voted on? Actually pulled from consent, but not brought back? The agenda had item 3 and 5 pulled, but no further action mentioned in transcript – they were pulled, so not part of consent. The consent items approved were 1-2, 4, 6-18. So 16 items approved. Need to list only those approved. However, the transcript shows: "consent items that began with 18 but we removed item number three and number five" then motion to approve the 16 consent items. So the following were approved: items 1,2,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18. Including: 18th Street Pedestrian Improvements completion, Dorn Avenue Drainage Improvements, Partial Release of Easements for Four Corners, Call for Bids for PGSF WMVD Storm and Combined Sewer, Interlocal Agreement for Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, Amendment #1 for PUD electric bus charging, Amendment 1 to MOU with WA DOC, two Interagency Agreements with WA Traffic Safety Commission, Amendment No. 3 with Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Amendment No. 1 with Intelligent Partnerships, Amendment No. 1 with Kimley Horn for Outdoor Event Center, and Professional Services Agreement for Enhanced Security Services.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brenda Balanus Ivory (Lowell resident) thanked outgoing Councilmembers Fossey and Vogely for their years of service, highlighting their work on neighborhood engagement, police reform, and homelessness.
• Laura Reed (Bayside resident) expressed gratitude to city staff and volunteers for their response to the December 2025 Snohomish River flooding, praising technical expertise and clear communication.
• Jane Pack (Executive Director, Snohomish County Legal Services) reported that COVID impact funds allowed her organization to serve 70 individual clients (a 280% increase over the target of 25) in a six-month period, providing eviction defense and housing stability services. 45% of their housing cases are from Everett.
• Jill Marie Costello (Cocoon House) described how COVID impact funds were used for enrichment activities for youth ages 13–24, including a sewing machine, prom clothing, summer outings, and safety equipment for those leaving dangerous situations.
• Jen Chongjule (Westmont Holly resident) thanked Councilmembers Fossey and Vogely for their advocacy and community connection.
• Paul Gallivan (Marysville resident) thanked Mary Fossey for her work on housing, environmental justice, and working families, and noted her upcoming role in the 38th District.
• Craig Scott (Everett resident, President of Scott Doll Real Estate) expressed strong support for the downtown security program provided by Risk Solutions Unlimited (RSU), noting that police-reported calls declined by 27% since the program began in June 2025. He called it a force multiplier and urged the council to extend funding.
• Scott (Business Development Manager, Downtown Everett Association) provided data: since RSU patrols began, police-reported incidents dropped 27% (487 fewer incidents), substance abuse incidents decreased 67%, and disturbance calls fell 45%. He highlighted the program's role in supporting first responders and the success of the "Late Shift Everett" initiative that brought 15,000 visitors downtown on the first Friday in November.
• William (resident) spoke on infrastructure needs, suggesting that using concrete for truck lanes on the I-5 corridor could save money long-term despite higher upfront costs, and urged careful planning.
• Corey Armfront Haas (Executive Director, Senior Services, Volunteers of America Western Washington) thanked Councilmember Ryan for COVID relief funds that helped the Carl Gibson Center upgrade its audio system and security cameras, enabling service to over 7,000 individuals in 2025.
• John Lehman (Lake Stevens resident) thanked Councilmember Vogely for her work on affordable housing and homelessness, calling her a champion for working families.
• Angela D. Filippo (Everett resident) thanked Councilmembers Fossey and Vogely, spoke in support of the outdoor event center resolution, and urged the council to adopt utility billing changes that reduce resident stress.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Comments & Recognition: Mayor Franklin provided an update on the December 2025 Snohomish River flooding, noting that the Emergency Operations Center was activated, the animal shelter evacuated, and flood control infrastructure performed as designed with no residential evacuations. She also announced the appointments of Scott Patison and Daniel Leach to the Everett Public Facilities District Board (confirmed unanimously). The Mayor recognized Police Chief John DeRoos on his retirement after 27 years of service, highlighting his role in launching COET, the violent crime reduction unit, and officer wellness programs. Finally, she thanked outgoing Councilmembers Mary Fossey and Liz Vogely for their service, noting their dedication to labor, housing, and community advocacy.
• Councilmember Comments: All councilmembers expressed gratitude to the departing members and Chief DeRoos. Councilmember Vogely reflected on her seven years, noting wins like allowing cannabis retailers to open, passing the first Project Labor Agreement ordinance (though vetoed, now implemented in contracts), and changing public comment procedures to require only name and city of residence. Councilmember Fossey highlighted accomplishments including the Marshallese Independence Day resolution, birth center code changes, the Everett Housing Authority agreement, preservation of the last remaining upland wetlands, the rooster ordinance, and support for nurses. She urged future work on council makeup, policy staff, website revamp, graffiti ordinance amendment, and the no-sit/no-lie ordinance roundtable.
• Utility Billing Ordinance (CB 2512-87): Staff presented statistics showing that 90% of accounts are paid on time, and that the current 20-day due date and $5 past-due notice have increased on-time payments by 25% and reduced shutoffs month-over-month. Councilmember Fosse proposed an amendment to keep the 20-day due date but add a 10-day grace period before the account becomes delinquent (i.e., delinquency at 30 days from billing), aligning with practices in other cities like PSE, Tacoma, and Spokane. After debate, the council voted 7-0 to adopt the amendment. Councilmember Zarlingo then proposed a second amendment to delay implementation by 90 days to allow staff to adjust processes and move to a new billing system. That amendment also passed 7-0. The final amended ordinance was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Items: All 16 remaining consent items were approved unanimously.
• Action Items (Third Readings):
  • CB 2511-82 (Everett Smelter Drainage closure) – Approved 7-0.
  • CB 2511-83 (WFP Air Scour Blower Building Replacement closure) – Approved 7-0.
  • CB 2511-84 (Citywide Bicycle Wayfinding closure) – Approved 7-0.
  • CB 2512-86 (Garfield Park Playground Renovation) – Approved 7-0.
  • Resolution adding 1702 Rucker Avenue to the Everett Register of Historic Places – Approved 7-0.
  • Petition for Vacation of a portion of Monroe Camp Road – Approved 7-0.
  • CB 2512-87 (Utility billing due dates, as amended) – Approved 7-0, with implementation delayed 90 days.
• First Readings: Three ordinances were introduced for first reading (CB 2512-88, CB 2512-89, CB 2512-90) for pedestrian safety, Walter E. Hall Park path, and I-5/US-2 interim ramp improvements; third and final readings scheduled for January 14, 2026.
• Appointments: Scott Patison and Daniel Leach confirmed to the Everett Public Facilities District Board.
• Executive Session: A 20-minute executive session was held under RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) and (i), with no action taken.

Next Steps

The council will reconvene on January 7, 2026. The utility billing ordinance changes will take effect approximately 90 days from December 17, 2025, pending staff adjustments and system updates.