Everett City Council Meeting – May 6, 2026

The Everett City Council met on May 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting covered consent items, a first reading of an ordinance on appointive employee benefits, a public hearing and final adoption of the manufactured housing community zone (NR-MHC), and an executive session on a legal settlement. Public comments focused on the proposed merger of Everett Transit with Community Transit, crosswalk safety in school zones, and support for the manufactured housing zone.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Resolution authorizing claims against the City of Everett in the amount of $3,618,020.63 for the period ending April 18, 2026, through May 1, 2026.
• Approved Resolution authorizing payroll claims of $6,084,901.95 for the period ending April 18, 2026.
• Authorized a Call for Bids for the Dorn Avenue Drainage Improvements project.
• All consent items passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Everett Transit Merger: Multiple speakers opposed the potential consolidation of Everett Transit (ET) with Community Transit (CT). Leonard (Westmont neighborhood) shared personal paratransit experiences, praising ET's service and expressing concerns about CT's reliability and safety. Patricia Rudd (Everett resident since 1968) opposed the merger, citing ET's superior paratransit, family-like drivers, and safety issues with CT buses. Daniel Simonton argued that the merger would raise the sales tax from 0.6% to 1.2% without a public vote (due to Senate Bill 5801 Part 10), eliminate ET's $4.1 million annual contribution to the city's general fund, and increase fares. He noted ET's cost per service hour is $190 vs. CT's $280 and ET is solvent through 2038. Keith Jacobson (District of Council President Schwab) opposed the merger, stating it would double the transit sales tax, reduce neighborhood service, and that citizens' right to vote on the tax increase was removed by state law. Crystal (District 1) opposed the merger, citing higher fares ($2.50 vs. $2) and longer wait times (30 vs. 15 minutes) with CT.
• Crosswalk Safety: Alexa Wright and Katie Kemper (MSW students) highlighted faded crosswalks and unsafe school zones, proposing mandatory crosswalks in school zones and the use of neon yellow paint for visibility. Councilmember Barman offered to connect them with the city traffic engineer.
• Baseball Stadium: William Parents (Silver Lake) commented on making baseball more exciting, referencing the pitch clock and the story of Babe Ruth.
• Manufactured Housing Zone: Ross Angelitas (Everett since 1978, mobile home park resident) supported the NR-MHC ordinance, describing lease increases after the park was sold to Commonwealth and the need for resident protections. Ken (Fairway Estates 55+ park) urged council to adopt the zone, stating it would protect approximately 1,000 mobile homes and 1,500 residents from displacement and homelessness.

Discussion Items

• Proposed Action Item – CB 2604-24 (1st Reading): Ordinance amending Chapter 2.74 of the Everett Municipal Code on appointive employee compensation and fringe benefits. Candy Bartlett (Administrative Services) explained that the update applies to about 220 non-union employees, clarifies eligibility and benefits (insurance, holidays, vacation, sick leave, bereavement), creates parity with recently approved union contracts, and adds a new public safety appointed premium to address compression. The ordinance was placed on file for third reading on May 20, 2026.
• Public Hearing & Action Item – CB 2604-23 (3rd Reading): Ordinance establishing the Neighborhood Residential Manufactured Home Community (NR-MHC) zone, amending the zoning map, and related code amendments. The Planning Commission had passed it 6-0 on March 17, 2026. Councilmember Zarlingo described it as a moderate, nuanced solution and thanked staff and park residents for their work. Councilmember Schwab appreciated the planning department's efforts. The ordinance was adopted unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• First reading of CB 2604-24 (appointive employee benefits) held; final reading set for May 20, 2026.
• CB 2604-23 (manufactured housing community zone) adopted unanimously, establishing the NR-MHC zone and associated code changes.
• Executive session (10 minutes) on a vehicular accident settlement. Council authorized the mayor to execute a settlement agreement for an arbitration award of $16,616.50.