Charter Review Recommendations Discussion - June 18, 2026

This Committee of the Whole meeting, held at 1:30 PM on June 18, 2026, in the Everett City Council Chambers, was an informational session to discuss eight propositions from the Charter Review Committee (CRC). No motions or votes were taken; the purpose was to review each recommendation, address questions, and identify potential combinations. The council also considered a late proposal for term limits. Staff will prepare an ordinance incorporating the discussed modifications for formal consideration at upcoming council meetings.

Note: While the transcript records the meeting as June 17, 2026, the instruction specifies the date as June 18, 2026. This summary uses the instructed date.

Discussion Items

Proposition 1 – Eligibility for Office Clarifies that candidates must be a registered voter and resident of the applicable district or city for one year. Also prohibits council members and the mayor from holding another elected government office, except precinct committee officers. Discussion centered on defining “voter” as “registered to vote” to avoid ambiguity. Councilmember Zorlingo raised a concern about 18-year-olds who may not have registered a year prior; it was noted they could register before turning 18. This proposition is being considered for combination with Proposition 4.

Proposition 2 – Minimum Council Meetings Changes the charter requirement from 48 meetings per year (currently ambiguous on start times) to at least 36 meetings, with at least two meetings per month, and requiring an annual calendar be adopted. Councilmembers debated the floor: some preferred 40 or 42 meetings. Councilmember Bainer cautioned that a low minimum might lead to longer meetings. Others noted the council could always meet more than 36. City Administrator Jennifer Gregorson noted the current expectation is roughly 46 meetings. The proposition was not combined with others.

Proposition 3 – Publishing Ordinances Updates archaic language requiring ordinances to be published in a physical book; instead, they shall be posted on the city website. The clerk’s office will still provide access under public records requests. Councilmember asked about digital access for those without computers; staff noted library computers are available. This is being combined with Proposition 8.

Proposition 4 – Oath of Office Clarifies that the oath requirement applies only to elected city officials (mayor, council, judges), not all city employees, aligning practice with charter language. Combined with Proposition 1.

Proposition 5 – Civil Service Scope Removes city employees other than police and fire from civil service provisions, allowing modernized hiring practices. The city would need to bargain with labor groups. This proposition stands alone.

Proposition 6 – Initiative & Referendum Process

• Increases the initiative petition signature requirement from 5% to 10% of votes cast in the last mayoral election (approximately 3,000 signatures).
• Establishes a 10-day period for petition committees to provide contact information and resubmit invalid signatures.
• Changes the referendum collection period from 15 days (before ordinance takes effect) to 60 days after passage.

City Attorney Ramsey strongly opposed the 60-day change, warning it would create legal uncertainty as laws could take effect and later be suspended. He recommended retaining the 15-day window. Councilmember Bainer suggested a compromise: filing a notice of intent within 15 days to put the ordinance on hold while signatures are gathered over 60 days. Ramsey noted potential for mischief. The council direction was to remove the 60-day change from the final language, keeping the existing 15-day requirement. Councilmember also noted that most similar cities use a 15% threshold, but the CRC settled on 10% as a compromise.

Proposition 7 – Mandatory Charter Review Every Five Years Council President Schwab recommended cutting this proposition to reduce ballot measures, arguing the council already has authority to call for charter review at any time and the charter should change slowly. No opposition was voiced; it will not be included.

Proposition 8 – Website Noticing Allows public notices to be published on the city website as an alternative to newspaper publication. Includes provisions for publishing full text of initiative/referendum petitions online. Combined with Proposition 3.

Councilmember Tui’s Term Limits Proposal Proposes three consecutive full terms for council members and the mayor, with a four-year gap before returning. Councilmember Tui argued it encourages diverse participation and should be left to voters. Several councilmembers expressed concern about optics, as it could affect current incumbents (including Tui himself). City staff noted historical impacts: five council members over the last 20 years would have been affected. Other charter cities like Spokane (2 terms) and Tacoma (10 years) have similar limits. Discussion included whether a two-year offset between at-large and district seats would allow someone to serve 12 years, then take two years off and return; staff clarified the draft language requires a four-year gap. The proposal is included as an additional ballot measure.

Key Outcomes

• Combinations approved by consensus: Proposition 1 + Proposition 4; Proposition 3 + Proposition 8.
• Proposition 7 will be removed from the ballot per Council President Schwab’s recommendation.
• Proposition 6 referendum language will retain the 15-day collection period; the 60-day change will be struck.
• Term limits (Councilmember Tui’s proposal) will be drafted into ballot language and included.
• Staff will prepare an ordinance incorporating these changes for first reading at the June 24 council meeting (second reading July 1, third reading July 15, to meet the July 15 submission deadline to the county auditor). No formal vote occurred; the council will adopt the ordinance in subsequent meetings.