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Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - February 18, 2026: Consent Approvals, Flock Camera Debate, and Legislative Updates

City Council & Committees — Wednesday, February 18, 2026
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateWednesday, February 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington.

0:10

I'd like to call to order the Everett City Council meeting for February 18, 2026.

0:15

For more information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit our website at Everwat.gov slash city council.

0:23

Clerk, will you please take the roll?

0:25

Mayor Franklin.

0:26

Excuse.

0:27

Councilmember Zarlingo.

0:28

Councilmember Burbano.

0:29

Here.

0:30

Councilmember Tui.

0:31

Here.

0:31

Councilmember Weir.

0:32

Here.

0:33

Councilmember Bader.

0:34

Here.

0:34

Vice President Ryan.

0:36

Excused.

0:36

President Schwab.

0:37

Here.

0:37

At this time, I'd like to ask Councilman Bader to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:49

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

0:54

Indivisible with liberty and justice file.

0:58

Great.

0:58

And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Weir to read the land acknowledgement.

1:03

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

1:12

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

1:17

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

1:24

We 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.

1:35

Thank you very much.

1:37

Okay, let's move on to old business.

1:39

Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for February 11th, 2026?

1:44

Councilmember Beters moves.

1:46

Seconded.

1:47

Motion and seconds been made.

1:49

Clerk, please take the role.

1:50

Councilmember Zarlingo.

1:51

Yes.

1:51

Councilmember Barbano.

1:53

Yes.

1:53

Councilmember Twee.

1:54

Yes.

1:54

Councilmember Weir.

1:55

Yes.

1:56

Councilmember Bader?

1:57

Yes.

1:57

President Schwab.

1:58

Yes.

1:58

Okay, we'll move on to public comments, which includes written comment acknowledgement.

2:03

Under our rules, written comments shall be considered in the same manner as oral comments.

2:07

The person submitting comments must provide their name and city of residence to make the uh final official council record.

2:15

Good evening, Angie.

2:16

Do we have anyone here to speak?

2:18

Good evening, President Schwab.

2:20

Uh, yes, we do.

2:20

We have three individuals.

2:22

So if William could please come to the podium.

2:27

And please press the button on the base of the mic.

2:31

And state your first name or sorry, your full name, city residence, and you have three minutes to speak.

2:36

William Parents, uh Silver Lake.

2:41

Is uh the one for a second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████66%
Procedural████████████18%
Public Engagement███████10%
Housing████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Everett City Council met on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of minutes, public comments on automated license plate readers (ALPRs), council reports, a consent calendar, and action items. Mayor Franklin and Vice President Ryan were excused.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the February 11, 2026, meeting by unanimous voice vote.
  • Adopted Resolution authorizing claims against the city of $3,871,279.54 for the period ending January 31 through February 6, 2026.
  • Adopted Resolution waiving public bidding and approving a sole-source GIS Enterprise Agreement with Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc.
  • Authorized the Mayor to sign the 2025-2026 Recycling Collection Event PSA with Olympic Environmental Resources for up to $51,000.
  • Accepted the Beverly Lake Water Quality Retrofit project as complete and authorized the Mayor to sign the Certificate of Completion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • William Parents (Silver Lake resident) asked whether the GIS software would be the ArcGIS Pro version and whether it would change the city's interactive map on the website.
  • Janice Green (Everett resident) spoke on behalf of the One Voice Snohomish County coalition, urging the council to prohibit the use of Flock Safety automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). She cited a Washington State trial court ruling that data from these cameras is a public record, creating risks of mass surveillance and potential federal access for immigration enforcement. She requested an ordinance to prohibit acquisition, installation, operation, or renewal of contracts for such cameras.
  • Nadine Shanti (Snohomish resident) read a letter from the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County, supporting the concerns and urging comprehensive consideration of the ALPR proposal.

Discussion Items

  • Flock Camera (ALPR) Discussion: Councilmember Tui thanked the speakers and requested a future briefing to address community concerns. Councilmember Bader expressed pride in the city's approach, noting that Everett set a high standard for privacy protections. Jennifer (city staff) and Police Chief Getz provided a detailed response:

    • Everett does not share information with federal immigration authorities and has multiple layers of protection.
    • Everett was the first city in Washington (and one of the first nationwide) to require partner agencies to sign a user agreement adopting Everett's policies before accessing data.
    • Only a small number of vetted Washington state agencies have access, all listed on the public transparency portal (transparency.flocksafety.com/everett-wa-pd).
    • The department conducts regular audits and has a public dashboard showing usage.
    • No federal agency has ever accessed Everett's Flock data.
    • The cameras have been used to locate missing persons, identify dangerous offenders, and recover stolen vehicles.
    • Chief Getz offered to provide a presentation at a future council meeting with data on camera use.
    • Councilmember Schwab asked about safeguards against unauthorized access; Jennifer confirmed the public dashboard lists all authorized agencies and that audits ensure compliance.

  • Council Comments:

    • Councilmember Zarlingo reported on the Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board (new bridge maintenance pilot program for unincorporated areas), the Snohomish County Regional Law and Justice Council (focus on mental health and assisted outpatient treatment), and the Everett Mall transit station grand opening. He also noted the passing of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson.
    • Councilmember Tui reiterated appreciation for the public speakers and requested a Flock camera briefing.
    • Councilmember Weir thanked speakers, reported on the Carl Gibson Center Rise and Shine Breakfast, Cultural Arts Commission updates, and a Bayside Neighborhood meeting with the Port of Everett on FIFA plans for Boxcar Park.
    • Councilmember Bader had no report.

  • Administrative Update: A staff member provided a state legislative update:

    • The municipal fire authority bill (a key city priority) did not advance in either chamber, making it unavailable as a revenue tool for the year.
    • House Bill 2266, regarding supportive/emergency/permanent supportive housing, was amended and may be supportable by the city as it preserves management plan oversight. The bill has a hearing in two days.

  • City Attorney: No report or executive session.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar items 1-4 approved unanimously.
  • Council directed staff to schedule a future briefing on Flock camera operations, privacy protections, and data access controls.
  • No action was taken on the public request to prohibit ALPRs; the city administration indicated current policies are robust and that the mayor would consider suspension if controls cannot be maintained.
  • Action items (CB 2601-04 on stormwater controls and CB 2602-05 on the South Police Precinct Locker Room Renovation) were noted; third and final readings are scheduled for February 25, 2026.
  • The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington. I'd like to call to order the Everett City Council meeting for February 18, 2026. For more information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit our website at Everwat.gov slash city council. Clerk, will you please take the roll? Mayor Franklin. Excuse. Councilmember Zarlingo. Councilmember Burbano. Here. Councilmember Tui. Here. Councilmember Weir. Here. Councilmember Bader. Here. Vice President Ryan. Excused. President Schwab. Here. At this time, I'd like to ask Councilman Bader to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice file. Great. And at this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Weir to read the land acknowledgement. The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stohobtia people and their successors, the Tallelep tribes. Since time immemorial, they have 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 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. Okay, let's move on to old business. Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for February 11th, 2026? Councilmember Beters moves. Seconded. Motion and seconds been made. Clerk, please take the role. Councilmember Zarlingo. Yes. Councilmember Barbano. Yes. Councilmember Twee. Yes. Councilmember Weir. Yes. Councilmember Bader? Yes. President Schwab. Yes. Okay, we'll move on to public comments, which includes written comment acknowledgement. Under our rules, written comments shall be considered in the same manner as oral comments. The person submitting comments must provide their name and city of residence to make the uh final official council record.

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