Everett City Council Meeting - May 13, 2026

The Everett City Council met on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of minutes and consent items, public comments on vacant storefronts and Everett Transit, council and administrative updates, briefings on proposed water/sewer utility tax and rate ordinances, and an executive session followed by authorization of five code enforcement lawsuits.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of May 6, 2026, unanimously.
• Approved all seven consent items unanimously:
  1. Resolution authorizing claims of $2,578,775.59 for the period ending Apr 25, 2026, through May 1, 2026.
  2. Resolution authorizing electronic claims of $10,034,667.37 for March 2026.
  3. Resolution closing the "Clark Park Gazebo Renovation Project" (Fund 354, Program 078).
  4. Resolution waiving public bidding and approving a sole-source purchase of the InVeris FATS AR Training System.
  5. Authorizing Amendment No. 4 to the Northwest Corrosion Engineering agreement.
  6. Authorizing a license agreement with the Port of Everett for PGSF construction access.
  7. Authorizing acceptance and administration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Grant Program. Staff stated the grant is $301,000; the Mayor initially said $31,000. The Mayor referred to it as item four, but it was item seven on the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Claire Turner (Shoreline resident, student in Everett) urged revision of EMC 16.16 to increase vacancy fees for large commercial properties, citing the Fred Meyer closure; she said companies like Kroger let leases expire to avoid termination fees.
• Kat Chin (Everett resident, social work student) presented the "Everett Retail Vacancy Tax" proposal, noting the Kmart vacant for six years, the Walmart vacant since 2023, and the Fred Meyer vacant for over six months; she cited a 9.4% reduction in nearby property values and the current maximum fine of $1,000 per year.
• Daniel Simonton (Everett) expressed concern about the proposed annexation of Everett Transit by Community Transit, worried employees would not be kept whole; he asked council to extend the ILA deadline six months to spring 2027 and requested Sen. Marco Lios appear to explain Senate Bill 5801.
• Keith Jacobson (Everett, District 3) opposed the "backdoor sales tax increase" and merger, arguing Everett Transit does not cost the city money and actually pays the city; he said there are no good reasons to merge.
• Rene Pairo (Everett) shared a personal story from Chile to argue that residents should have the right to vote on the proposed disannexation/annexation; he said "My money, your tax is my vote."
• Brian (last name not stated, Everett) commented on Sound Transit's Summers proposal, saying the potential cut to the Everett Station parking structure could become a revenue opportunity via a paid lot.
• Janine Demray (Everett) opposed a taxpayer-funded stadium, citing the Mariners' approximate $2.35 billion valuation, supported light rail, and urged protection of Everett Transit; she thanked Councilmember Tui for voting against the stadium.

Council Comments

• Weir noted the anticipated reopening of Wiggams Hollow Park in the Delta neighborhood by the end of next week.
• Zarlingo reported on Snohomish County Tomorrow discussions about economic development and workforce development, including representation from the Economic Alliance and Future Workforce Alliance.
• Ryan thanked commenters, outlined three vacant-property policy areas, noted about 10 park openings in 2026, discussed a community land trust meeting, the Port Gardner Neighborhood Association meeting, the Everett Farmers Market, a Cedar Grove tour, and Sound Transit advocacy.
• Burbano announced a District 4 town hall on May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Everett Public Library.
• Tui had no comment.
• Bader reported that the Riverside neighborhood meeting included Everett Transit's plans for a maintenance and operations base.

Administrative Update

• Jennifer (administrator) updated on the charter review process: the committee has final meetings May 14 and 28; approved changes include civil service reform, initiative/referendum clarifications, eligibility requirements, and prohibiting dual elected office; a proposal to require at least 36 council meetings per year (down from 48) will be discussed.
• Provided an update on Clark Park: the dog park is well used, complaints have decreased, and the gazebo may be rebuilt as a replica at Harborview Park, estimated at about $300,000, with construction in mid-2027.
• Explained the FIFA grant: $301,000 from federal/state sources for fan zone security and safety; fan zone events will be at Boxcar Park on June 11, 12, 18, and 19.

Discussion Items

• CB 2605-27 (Utility Tax) – First reading. Finance Director Mike Bailey presented: replacing the current 6% payment-in-lieu-of-tax with a 12% utility tax on water and sewer utility gross revenues, a net 6% increase, to help address a projected 2027 general fund structural deficit of about $15 million; expected to generate $7–8 million annually. Comparison showed other cities' utility tax rates ranging from 8% to 21%.
• CB 2605-26 (Utility Rates) – First reading. Ryan Silas (Public Works & Utilities) and Sean Bridge presented: a midterm rate adjustment to incorporate the utility tax and a $1/month increase to the base filtration rate to retire debt early. Typical residential combined monthly utility bill would increase by about $12 in 2026, $13 in 2027, and $14 in 2028; rate changes take effect August 1, 2026. They also addressed temporary 40-day billing cycles causing higher bills, with a 20–30% reduction expected starting late June/early July.
• Councilmember Weir asked about low-income and senior/disabled assistance; staff said current programs exist (200% of federal poverty level and income-based discounts) and they would return with additional ideas. Councilmember Ryan requested evaluating local AMI metrics and including renters; Councilmember Bader asked about the share of the increase, and staff confirmed $11.74 of the proposed $12.94 increase in 2027 is from the utility tax, leaving $1 for filtration. Councilmember Zarlingo asked about wholesale customers, and staff confirmed the tax applies to total utility revenues. Councilmembers Bader and Zarlingo noted trade-offs and invited public input on alternative cuts.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously.
• Consent calendar approved unanimously (all seven items).
• CB 2604-24 (appointive employee compensation) advanced to final reading on May 20, 2026.
• CB 2605-25 (Clark Park renovation and off-leash dog area close) advanced to final reading on May 27, 2026.
• CB 2605-27 and CB 2605-26 advanced to a public hearing and final reading on May 27, 2026.
• After a 10-minute executive session, council voted unanimously to authorize the filing of five code enforcement lawsuits against properties at 3218, 3118, 3114, 3120, and 3128 Lombard Avenue, owned by Michael and Sonia Dahl (3218) and Project S 24 LLC (3118, 3114, 3120, 3128).