Everett City Council Meeting - June 11, 2026

The Everett City Council met on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 8:30 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included the introduction of nine new firefighters, a Pride Month proclamation, public comment on transit and charter review, approval of consent items, a first reading of an ordinance authorizing eminent domain for the Everett Outdoor Events Center, final approval of a floating dock repair project, and a briefing on the 2026 Charter Review Committee's final report. Council scheduled a committee of the whole for June 17, 2026, to further discuss charter recommendations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Resolution authorizing claims against the City of Everett in the amount of $1,204,070.64 for the period ending May 23–29, 2026.
• Authorized the Mayor to sign a Professional Services Agreement with BHC Consultants, LLC for engineering consultant services on the WPCF DS1 Gate Replacement and SC3 Launder Repair Project, not to exceed $169,488.00.
• Both items were approved unanimously (voice vote, passed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Renee Bayroa (Everett resident) spoke during general public comment. She expressed opposition to the proposed merger of Everett Transit and Community Transit, calling it "socially, financially, and historically irresponsible." She asked the council to postpone action on the merger and put it to a public vote. She also complimented Mayor Franklin's budget focus but said the merger had "too many red flags."
• Grant Harrington (District One resident, Charter Review Committee member) spoke during the charter review agenda item. He argued that the committee had properly approved a motion for term limits (three four-year terms for mayor and council, with partial terms under two years not counting) on March 31, 2026, and that this motion was never rescinded. He requested the council reinstate that recommendation in the final charter package, citing procedural rules.
• Randy Bowlerjack (Everett resident, Charter Review Committee member) thanked the committee chair and staff, noted the committee's public service, and handed the baton to the council.
• Liz Stenhouse (Everett resident, Charter Review Committee member) highlighted her work on Article 11 (initiative and referendum), praising the committee's focus on simplicity, clarity, and transparency, including adding a fiscal impact statement. She thanked the public for their input.
• Mason Rutledge (Everett resident, Charter Review Committee member) described the charter review as examining the city's blueprint, modernizing language, and strengthening community collaboration. He encouraged the council to move forward.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Comments / New Firefighters: Mayor Franklin introduced nine new firefighters (Allison Dorny, Jason Gensheimer, Joseph Kelley, Zach King, Sean Kirk, Andrew Moreland, Thomas Nardelli, Darin Rasmussen, and Kyle Thon). Council President Schwab administered the oath. The Mayor also read a Pride Month proclamation and announced FIFA World Cup Fan Zone watch parties at Boxcar Park (June 11, 12, 18, 19) with free shuttles on Everett Transit.
• Council Comments: Councilmember Weir reported on a historic preservation grant presentation and upcoming events. Councilmember Zarlingo summarized the Parks and Built Environment Committee meeting (Vision Zero, multifamily tax exemption) and a town hall in Southeast Everett discussing potential annexation. Councilmember Ryan noted neighborhood association meetings. Councilmember Bader reported on a Puget Sound Regional Council General Assembly highlighting state economic challenges.
• CB 2606-31 – First Reading: Ordinance authorizing acquisition of land and property rights for the Everett Outdoor Events Center, including use of eminent domain if required. City staff reported that voluntary agreements have been reached on five or six properties, with three more pending. Council emphasized that eminent domain is a last resort. Third and final reading scheduled for June 24, 2026.
• CB 2605-30 – Second Reading: Ordinance creating a Special Improvement Project for the California Street Ped/Bike Corridor Phase 2 (Fund 303, Program 140). No council questions. Final reading set for June 17, 2026.
• 2026 Charter Review Committee Final Report: Committee Chair Rod Sniffin presented 11 recommended charter amendments for the November 2026 ballot, including residency/dual-office prohibitions, reducing annual meetings to 36, digital publication of ordinances, oath modernization, civil service updates, initiative/referendum reforms (signature thresholds, deadlines, curing, fiscal impact statements), five-year charter review cycle, and website noticing. The committee also discussed but did not advance term limits, week mayor form of government, and office of neighborhoods. Council scheduled a committee of the whole for June 17, 2026, to review recommendations. The City Attorney noted that the final vote for proposals required 10 affirmative votes and that the term limits motion considered on March 31 was a preliminary vote for drafting, not a final recommendation.
• Executive Session: Council held a 10-minute executive session before agenda item 4 to discuss legal matters related to the Outdoor Events Center property acquisition.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes (June 3, 2026): Unanimously approved by roll call vote (8-0).
• Consent Calendar: Both items approved unanimously by roll call (8-0).
• CB 2605-30 (California Street Ped/Bike Corridor Phase 2): Second reading approved; final reading set for June 17, 2026.
• CB 2605-29 (Rotary Park Floating Dock Repairs): Third and final reading adopted unanimously by roll call (8-0).
• CB 2606-31 (Everett Outdoor Events Center – Eminent Domain Authority): First reading received; third and final reading set for June 24, 2026.
• Charter Review Recommendations: No vote taken; briefing only. Council will deliberate further at the June 17 committee of the whole and must finalize items for the November ballot by June 24, 2026.
• Next regular meeting: June 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM (committee of the whole followed by regular session).