Everett City Council Meeting – August 6, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting date as August 5, 2026, but the provided instructions specify August 6, 2026. This summary uses the instructed date.

The Everett City Council met on August 6, 2026, at 4:30 PM (presumed) to approve consent items, pass three ordinances on second reading, and receive a briefing on the proposed merger of Everett Transit with Community Transit. Public comment featured strong opposition and support for the merger, as well as neighborhood concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of July 29, 2026 unanimously.
• Adopted Resolution authorizing claims against the city for $9,246,603.80 (period ending July 24, 2026).
• Authorized the Mayor to sign Amendment No. 2 with HDR Engineering, Inc. for $164,974 for rate model support and on-call services.

Public Comments & Testimony

• William Parent (Silver Lake, Everett): Questioned the selection and pursuit capabilities of police e-bikes observed at Clark Park, asking about equipment considerations for park patrols vs. pursuits.
• James Zimmerman (1709 Virginia Ave): Expressed safety concerns about a transitional housing facility in her alley, alleging disrespect, illegal parking, and lack of regulation enforcement by the city.
• Steve Oz (Everett resident, ATU union president for 21 years): Opposed the Everett Transit-Community Transit merger, stating it would harm employees, and urged the council to let citizens vote on the issue, noting the state bill removed voter rights.
• Jan (Everett resident, former union president): Spoke emotionally, supporting the union’s concerns about the merger.
• Guadalupe Vázquez (Casino Road community): Called for immediate frequency improvements (to 15-minute headways) and expansion of Zip Shuttle to Casino Road, citing dangerous waits at bus stops after the Fred Meyer closure.
• Keith (Everett resident): Argued against the merger, emphasizing that Everett voters had previously approved a sales tax increase for transit in 2004, and that Senate Bill 5801 unfairly disenfranchised voters by removing their right to vote on tax increases. He accused the city of rushing to avoid a public vote.
• June (District 3 resident): Expressed support for consolidation, noting it would double service within two years versus 25% more by 2045 under the current system.
• Brock Howell (Executive Director, Snohomish County Transportation Coalition): Endorsed consolidation but outlined three conditions: retain strong ILA framework, maximize ridership by implementing 15-minute headways (citing Rethink Transit study that would increase stops with such frequency from 225 to 593), and ensure board accountability. He praised Everett Transit's performance but noted the opportunity for metropolitan-level service.

Council Comments

• Councilmembers reported on National Night Out events, new Garfield Park play area, art unveiling at Everett Station (new name Stations Unidos), and community policing initiatives. Appreciation was expressed for staff, police, and fire departments.

Discussion Items (Second Reading – All Passed Unanimously)

• CB 2607-39: Ordinance establishing rules for use of real property for public benefit (RCW 39.33.015); third reading set for August 12, 2026.
• CB 2607-40: Creating Special Improvement Project “Langus Pier Removal” Fund 354, Program 113, accumulating $128,000 for engineering design; third reading August 12.
• CB 2607-41: Creating Special Improvement Project “Turnbull Gazebo at Harborview Park” Fund 354, Program 114, for design costs; third reading August 12.

Briefing: Everett Transit / Community Transit Merger

City staff (Jennifer, Bob Leonard) and Community Transit CEO Rick Ilgenfritz presented an update on negotiations for an interlocal agreement to annex Everett into the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA). The presentation covered three pillars:

People: Strong state/federal protections (13C) for employees. Commitment to honor existing collective bargaining agreement during transition (1+ year). Current transit employees would see no changes initially. Paratransit users over 65 will be grandfathered in; future eligibility aligns with ADA federal requirements.

Financial: Asset valuation in progress with FTA and WSDOT. The city will be compensated for local investment; state/federal shares will transfer. No final financial impact details yet (to be in ILA).

Service: Goals include increased frequency (target 10–15 minute headways), extended span (until midnight daily), reduced transfers, and regional connections. Community Transit reported 9.6 million boardings in 2025, double-digit growth, 1,200 employees, and a multi-layered security approach. Service planning would begin in early 2027 with implementation targeted for March 2028.

Council Questions: Concerns raised about workforce seniority, wage parity, union contracts, paratransit expansion, board representation (Everett likely gets one seat, possibly two if board expanded), financial impacts on city (one-time revenues and ongoing savings), and the regressive nature of sales tax increases. Councilmember Bader requested a separate briefing on the city’s own maintenance base needs and service levels under different sales tax scenarios.

Key Outcomes

• Consent items and three ordinances advanced to third reading (August 12, 2026).
• No vote was taken on the merger. The next steps include a public listening session on August 18, 2026, at Walter E. Hall Golf Course (5:30–7 PM), continued ILA drafting, a public hearing in mid-October, and potential final action by the end of October 2026.
• The council will receive additional briefings on financial implications and transit alternatives.