Everett City Council Meeting – April 29, 2026

The Everett City Council met on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 12:30 PM in City Council Chambers to consider a consent agenda, public testimony, and action items primarily focused on the proposed Everett Outdoor Event Center, including funding, design-build contracts, and property acquisition via eminent domain. The council also approved the consent calendar, adopted a naming policy, and passed a comment letter urging Sound Transit to complete light rail to downtown Everett.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted resolutions authorizing claims ($3,501,726.59 for April 11–27, 2026; $8,714,090.01 electronic transfers for February 2026).
• Awarded the 2026 Pavement Maintenance Overlay contract to Lakeside Industries, Inc. for $2,953,771.
• Authorized professional services agreements for WPCF TFI Bar Screen Repair ($93,983) and Forest Park Pickleball Court installation support.
• Declared a 2018 Ford E-450 surplus and authorized disposition.
• Executed a license agreement with the Everett Firefighters Association to use historic Fire Station No. 4.
• Accepted a $53,903 ASPCA grant for the Fund for the Animals.
• Appointed individuals to Voters Pamphlet Pro and Con Committees for the August 2026 election (no con signups received; county will reopen).
• Item 3 (Seattle Outboard Association regatta) was moved to the action portion for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donald Lucas Barnes (South Everett) criticized the city’s Flock surveillance contract, stating that the $500,000 drone program contradicts council-approved caps and that data is owned by Flock, not the city. He argued the city cannot afford such programs while cutting library hours, crime prevention officers, and the Early Learning Center.
• Evan Reed (Everett) reported removing over 20 tons of trash across 80 sites. He supported the stadium but urged a $2 per ticket community investment fund to ensure broader benefit, estimating $600,000–$800,000 annually.
• John Martin (Mountlake Terrace) and Susan Goodenough (Mountlake Terrace) used a frog pond metaphor to oppose public funding for the stadium, arguing it misuses taxpayer money.
• Ray Stephenson (Economic Alliance Snohomish County) supported consolidation of Everett Transit and Community Transit, citing 120,000 daily commuters to King County and the need for light rail.
• Mark Nicasther (Marysville) raised concerns about access to his buildings on Hewitt Avenue, stating the stadium design appears to block delivery and emergency vehicle access.
• Tammy (works in Everett) highlighted the economic impact of sports tourism ($32.2 million, 33,000+ room nights from 2024–2026) and outlined potential new tournaments.
• Brock Howell (Port Gardner Neighborhood Association) noted that SnowTracks has no position on transit merger but urged inclusion; he also highlighted that affected properties contribute ~$200,000 annually in property taxes and expressed excitement about the stadium while acknowledging losses.
• Howie Barr Green (Everett) criticized lack of transparency and access issues, calling the process “sneaky” and objecting to a walking track that would eliminate access to Hewitt businesses.
• Jim Langus (Everett) supported the EMS levy but cautioned about cumulative tax increases: a proposed utility tax increase from 6% to 12%, 10% annual rate increases through 2028, potential transit sales tax increase to 10.5%, and uncertainty over light rail timing. He noted Everett has the third-lowest median home income in Snohomish County, 49% homeownership, and over 60% of children on free/reduced lunch.
• Jeanette Burton (Fairway Estates) supported the manufactured housing community zone, describing her park’s purchase by a private equity firm (Carlisle Group, $240B assets) that rapidly increased rents. She urged council to protect residents and preserve affordable housing.
• Scott Murphy (former council member) urged tabling stadium items until a full financial projection is provided. He noted $7 million already spent, the project’s expansion beyond keeping the AquaSox, a lack of signed soccer tenant, and a funding gap of $20–25 million. He warned that approving $10.6 million in interfund loans without a clear repayment plan puts taxpayers at risk.
• Aaron Gilfoyle (Everett business consultant) supported the stadium, stating it drives foot traffic and signals investment that gives downtown businesses confidence to commit.
• Katrina Kuntz (Marysville) supported the stadium as momentum for downtown, noting that Angel of the Winds Arena and the outdoor center serve different purposes. She mentioned the Silvertips’ Western Conference championship drew 7,000+ fans without parking issues deterring attendance.
• Pete Seikoff (Everett) raised parking concerns and disputed property valuations, stating he was offered 48 cents on the dollar for his property, later raised to 74 cents, indicating potential litigation.
• Miguel Edmondson (Lynnwood, Laborers Local 292) emphasized apprenticeship opportunities and the project labor agreement, which would employ local apprentices rather than sending them to Tacoma.
• Zach McCallan (Carpenters Local 425) and Charles Burgess (Laborers Local 292) voiced strong support for the stadium, citing job creation, civic pride, and the success of Angel of the Winds Arena as precedent.

Discussion Items

• Manufactured Housing Community Zone (CB 2604-23): Staff answered questions about financial infeasibility criteria, density, and relationship to the comprehensive plan. A public hearing and third/final reading are scheduled for May 6, 2026.
• Everett Outdoor Event Center – General Discussion: Economic Development Director Dan Ernesty presented updated economic impact data from CAI: $80 million annual business revenue, 600+ jobs, nearly $1 million combined city/county tax revenue per year. He cited four “location” advantages: downtown heart, overlapping business improvement areas, adjacent entertainment venues, and proximity to future light rail (747–777 feet from home plate). Scott Paterson and Ben Franz addressed concerns: a two-lane access road accommodating ladder trucks, 15% contingency ($3M owner construction + $6.3M overall project), and a 30-year lease with over $100M projected revenue to the city, with teams covering O&M. Councilmember Twee expressed caution, wanting resolved soccer franchise buyer, leases, remaining $20–25M funding, and bond issuance before committing further city funds.
• Property Naming Procedures (CB 2603-20): Third reading adopted unanimously.
• Boating Regatta (Item 3): Councilmember Zarlingo explained the event’s history and requested explicit public beach access conditions; approved unanimously.
• Light Rail Comment Letter (Item 20): Councilmember Bader noted his support despite skepticism about Sound Transit’s track record, emphasizing Everett taxpayers deserve returns. The letter will be submitted to Sound Transit’s May 7 Executive Committee meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 1,2,4-10): Approved unanimously.
• Item 3 – Regatta Application: Approved unanimously.
• Item 12 – Naming Ordinance (CB 2603-20): Approved unanimously.
• Items 13–18 – Stadium Funding and Contracts: Approved on 7–1 votes, with Councilmember Twee voting no on each.
  • Item 13 (CB 2604-21, fund amendment for design/partial acquisition): Approved.
  • Item 14 (CB 2604-22, eminent domain for Parcel 26): Approved.
  • Item 15 (Bayley Construction design-build amendment): Approved.
  • Item 16 (Shiels Obletz Johnsen extension): Approved.
  • Item 17 (Intelligent Partnerships extension): Approved.
  • Item 18 (Kimley Horn extension + $500,000): Approved.
• Item 19 – State Commerce Grant ($7.4M): Approved unanimously.
• Item 20 – Light Rail Comment Letter: Approved unanimously.
• Future Action: Vice President Ryan requested that the Stadium Fiscal Advisory Committee be reconvened to review final funding packages before bond approval, which staff agreed to.