Everett City Council Meeting, March 4, 2026: Directives, Pavement Overlay Approved
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Everett City Council Meeting - March 4, 2026
The Everett City Council met on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments on Mayor Franklin's directive regarding ICE cooperation and Flock cameras, approval of a 2026 pavement maintenance overlay project, and updates on state legislation and regional economic trends. All votes were unanimous except one abstention on the prior meeting's minutes.
Consent Calendar
- Approved Resolution authorizing claims against the city for $3,775,979.69 for the period ending February 20, 2026.
- Declared a 2012 Ford F-550 with Enpak and a 2023 Ford F-750 Hooklift Truck surplus and authorized their sale at public auction.
- Awarded Invitation for Bid #2025-092 for vehicle upfit and service bodies to Allied Body Works, Inc., not to exceed $2,000,000 per year.
- Authorized the Mayor to execute agreements for 2026 Human Needs Fund allocations.
- Authorized Amendment No. 1 with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Safety Action Plan.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Liz Vogley (Everett resident): Expressed concern over ICE enforcement, stating that more than 170 U.S. citizens, including military veterans, have been unlawfully detained in the first eight months of the current administration. Urged reconsideration of policies.
- Jen Chong Joule (South Everett): Thanked Mayor Franklin for issuing a directive that acknowledges existing state law (Keep Washington Working Act) and for standing up for community values, including due process and human rights.
- Travis Pardo (Research Fellow, Family Policy Institute of Washington): Opposed the mayor's directive instructing city employees to not cooperate with ICE, calling it a mistake that protects criminal illegal aliens. Called for the directive to be rescinded, particularly the troubling sections of initiative three. Asserted that mass immigration without assimilation has increased crime and changed the character of the city. Supported full cooperation with ICE.
- Terry Amberge (District 1, Everett): Expressed concern that Flock camera data is accessible to the public, creating potential for unintended uses and fear in the community. Applauded the mayor's decision to set clear protocols protecting access to services.
- John Peoples (Everett resident): Criticized the land acknowledgment as defamation, demanded accountability for all individuals regardless of status, and recommended removing Flock cameras to protect civil liberties. Urged city to assist ICE operations and not interfere with federal law enforcement.
- Tyler Rourke (Everett, bicycle advocate and former Transportation Advisory Committee chair): During the third reading of the pavement overlay ordinance, argued that during past overlays the city missed opportunities to incorporate bicycle infrastructure (e.g., East Casino Road, Colby Avenue). Cited a parking study showing underutilized spaces on Colby and advocated for back-in angle parking for safety. Called on council to become more familiar with the Bicycle Master Plan.
Discussion Items
- Mayor's Comments (Mayor Franklin): Announced the upcoming State of the City address at the historic Everett Theater (ticketed) and a free community edition on Saturday at Walter Hall Golf Course. Noted travel plans to Yale Mayors College (fully paid) and Washington D.C. to advocate for the Epic Bridge, Naval Station Everett support (fire training facility), and pedestrian/transit/bike improvements near the future outdoor event center.
- Council Member Reports:
- Councilmember Zarlingo reported on Snohomish County's new start centers (Edmonds opening this month, Everett's later in spring) and a Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) update that the region lost 12,900 jobs in 2025 — equal to the number added in each of the previous two years. Job gains were in healthcare; losses concentrated in construction. Also noted the five-year survival rate for new businesses in Washington is poor.
- Councilmember Bader reported on the Transportation Advisory Committee presentation about freight routes and on PSRC growth management discussions regarding possible decertification of smaller regional centers.
- Councilmember Ryan thanked Mayor Franklin for her leadership on mayoral directives.
- Administrative Report (City staff):
- Legislative Update: HB 2266 (supportive housing management plans) passed the Senate; SB 6002 (automated license plate reader cameras) is in House rules with amendments expected to include gross misdemeanors and vehicle descriptions; HB 2442 (revenue tools for cities) passed Senate Ways & Means with an amendment allowing municipal fire authorities, though requiring a separately elected commission.
- Charter Review Committee: Two meetings held; staff drafting proposals on initiative thresholds (currently uniquely low) and modernizing procedures. A public hearing is tentatively set for March 26 at Evergreen Branch Library at 5 PM. Seventeen ideas submitted so far.
- County Charter Commission: Proposals advanced for analysis include expanding county council from 5 to 7 districts, making remaining county offices (executive, prosecutor, council) nonpartisan, and banning county officials from paid lobbying outside county work. No discussion on barring holding two elected offices.
- City Attorney: Requested a 15-minute executive session to update council on negotiations of two collective bargaining agreements; no action to follow.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approval: February 25, 2026 minutes approved 6-0-1 (Councilmember Tui abstained).
- Consent Items: All six items passed unanimously (7-0).
- Second Reading Items (CB 2602-06, -07, -08): Set for third and final reading on March 11, 2026; no council questions.
- Third Reading – Pavement Overlay Ordinance (CB 2602-09): Adopted unanimously (7-0) after public comment. Councilmember Bader noted that the current overlay streets (e.g., 19th, Friday Avenue, Evergreenway) are constrained for bike lanes, but the Transportation Advisory Committee had discussed the issue. Council President Schwab requested that the Parks and Built Environment Committee receive an update on the Bicycle Master Plan.
- Call for Bids: Authorized for the 2026 Pavement Maintenance Overlay project; motion passed unanimously (7-0).
- Executive Session: Held for 15 minutes regarding collective bargaining; no action taken. Meeting adjourned thereafter.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, residents of Everett, Washington. I'd like to call to order the Everett City Council meeting of March 4th, 2026. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit Everett Wad.gov/slash city council. Clerk, will you please take the role? Mayor Franklin here. Councilmember Zarlingo. Here. Councilmember Barbano. Excuse. Councilmember Twee here. Councilmember Weir. Here. Councilmember Bader. Here. Vice President Ryan. Here. President Schwab. Here. At this time, I'd like to ask Vice President Ryan to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand up your able. I pledge 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. Thank you. At this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Bader to read the land acknowledgement. The City Council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stahobsha people and their successors, the Toledo 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 will strive to be honest about our past mistakes and bring about a future that includes their people, stories, and voices for more just and equitable society. Thank you. And uh begin their evening. Um good evening, Mayor. Good evening, President Schwab, Council, and community. Um, I know I will get the opportunity to see many of our council members tomorrow for our for my ninth state of the city address at the new historic Everett Theater. It's a ticketed events hosted by the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce. It'll be a great gathering of community leaders interested in the momentum we are building for a bright future for Everett. But we also have a community edition of the event scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday at Walter Hall Golf Courses Olympic View Ballroom. This is a free event, and I hope to see many of our community members there. I also wanted to let you know that I'll be out for a few days in March, both next week and the following week, which means I will miss the next two city council meetings. The first trip is fully paid for by Yale Mayor's College, and the second is a great opportunity to be in DC along with National League of Cities and Mayors and Council members from around the country. I'll be focused on some key priorities for the City of Everett. First, advocating for the Epic Bridge with our congressional delegation and the U.S. Department of Commerce. I'm uh Department of Transportation, I'm sorry. And I'm also planning to visit the Pentagon to demonstrate our support for Naval Station Everett and remind them of the national security importance of our planned fire training facility. I'll also have a chance to meet with the delegation and talk about the way they can support the pedestrian transit and bike improvements near the future outdoor event center. Um that funding can help connect folks wandering and walking around to games and events at the uh at the outdoor event center, um, going downtown and also to Everett Station. And then I just want to apologize also because I'll be leaving council early, and so I might miss part of the meeting. Thank you. Okay, well, thank you very much.
openpublica.com