OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting – August 26, 2026

City Council & Committees — Wednesday, August 26, 2026
BodyEverett, Washington
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateWednesday, August 26, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 44:00

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Good afternoon, residents of Everett Washington.

0:08

I would like to call the order the Everett City Council meeting of August 26, 2026.

0:14

For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit our website at Everwat.gov slash city council.

0:21

Please note that we do not allow comments of any kind of campaigning, whether for or against ballot measures or candidates running for office.

0:28

We also do not accept comments focused on personal matters that are unrelated to city business.

0:33

Clerk, will you please take the Mayor Franklin here?

0:36

Councilmember Bader.

0:37

Here.

0:37

Vice President Ryan here.

0:38

Councilmember Burbano.

0:40

Excuse.

0:40

Councilmember Twee here.

0:41

Councilmember Weir.

0:42

Excuse.

0:43

Councilmember Zarlingo?

0:44

Here.

0:44

President Schwab.

0:46

Here.

0:46

At this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Zarlingo to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:53

I pledge of reply about the United States of America.

0:57

And to the button for which it stands one nation under God.

1:02

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:08

I'd like to ask Vice President Ryan to recite the land acknowledgement.

1:12

Thank you.

1:13

The city council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stahobes people and their successors, the Talelep tribes.

1:19

Since time immemorial, they have hunted, fished, gathered on, and taken care of these lands and waters.

1:25

We respect their sovereignty and the right to self-determination and honor their sacred spiritual connection to the land and waters.

1:31

We will be honest about our past mistakes to bring about a future that includes their voices, their people, and their stories for a more just and equitable society.

1:39

Thank you very much.

1:40

Well, good afternoon, Mayor There we go.

1:46

Turn on my mic.

1:47

Um first I want to thank everybody who uh has and continues to provide us feedback on our proposed approach to transit consolidation.

1:55

I encourage everyone to visit Everett Wah.gov backslash transit consolidation to learn more or share your thoughts.

2:01

Uh the forum for that is going to be open through September 2nd, and then staff will be reporting to our city council and the community transit board with all the feedback received.

2:14

Um also want to share a couple other updates.

2:17

Uh work has started on the Edgewater Park renovation.

2:20

This park will have a new sport court, walking past, a playground, an open grassy area, and some parking uh supported by grant funding from the state.

2:29

And the plan is to have this complete by next spring.

2:32

And then I want to bring everyone's attention to a recent incident where our technology played a real critical role in ensuring community safety.

2:39

Earlier this month, our police department received a report of an older man attempting to lure young girls into his car at Walter Hall Park.

2:46

Fortunately, uh a vigilant community member noticed it and observed the girls appearing very uncomfortable and called 911.

2:54

The individual left the park before officers arrived.

2:57

However, thanks to our camera at the park, the violent crime unit was able to put together a timeline and events and that our automatic license plate readers, they were able to quickly identify and apprehend the suspect.

3:07

I also just really want to thank the individual who was a who took note and called 911.

3:14

Their attentives really saved these um young girls and helped uh prevent significant harm.

3:21

And then I want to share that there's a lot of great programs and events happening at our library every week, but there's one that I really want to highlight.

3:28

It's happening tomorrow from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

3:31

There's going to be a job core counselor at the Evergreen Branch Library.

3:35

And this is a great opportunity for young people age 16 to 24 to connect with free hands-on training and put them on a good career path.

3:43

Um, so really encourage everyone to uh to attend.

3:48

And that's all I have for today.

3:50

Thank you.

3:52

Thank you very much.

3:53

All right, so we'll move on to old business.

3:55

Do I hear approval for the minutes of August 19th, 2026?

3:59

Move to approve.

4:01

Second.

4:01

Motion and seconds been made.

4:03

Um, Clerk, please take the role.

4:04

Councilmember Bader.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Transportation█████████████████████████████29%
Public Safety███████████████████████23%
Procedural███████████████15%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████11%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Land Use and Zoning█████5%
Housing███3%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Everett City Council Meeting – August 26, 2026

The Everett City Council met on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of minutes, public comments, council reports, consent items, first and second readings of ordinances, a public hearing on the 2026–2031 Everett Transit Development Plan, and an executive session. All consent and action items advanced as scheduled, and the Transit Development Plan was accepted unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution authorizing claims against the City of Everett in the amount of $2,715,810.55 for the period August 8–14, 2026.
  • Resolution authorizing payroll claims in the amount of $6,247,049.12 for the period ending August 8, 2026.
  • First amendment to the Swimming Pool Access Easement and Agreement with the YMCA. All three consent items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jane Zimmerman (resident of Delta neighborhood) expressed frustration with ongoing issues from a transitional housing unit at 1710 Baker Avenue. She stated that after-hours attempts to reach the North Everett Police Department for enforcement of alley parking regulations have been unanswered, and she is being referred to social services instead of receiving police assistance. She reported being blocked from accessing her legal off-street parking and garage by tenants and deliveries, and said she felt compelled to surrender planned improvements from 2009 due to the city's focus on street-facing appearance.
  • Charles McMurray (Everett resident of 3.5 years) voiced concern about the city’s fiscal health and essential services. He noted that voters overwhelmingly approved the EMS levy, indicating willingness to pay for services, and highlighted challenges from the 1% revenue cap and voter-approval requirements for levies. He urged increased funding for planning/permitting, code enforcement, and parks, referencing the “broken windows” theory. He called on the council to structure future tax levies transparently.

Mayor’s Comments

  • Mayor Franklin thanked the community for feedback on the proposed transit consolidation and encouraged further input via everettwa.gov/transit-consolidation through September 2, 2026.
  • Announced that renovation work has started at Edgewater Park (new sport court, walking path, playground, grassy area, parking) with state grant funding, expected completion by spring 2027.
  • Reported that technology (park cameras and automatic license plate readers) helped identify and apprehend a suspect in an attempted luring incident at Walter Hall Park earlier in August. The mayor thanked the vigilant community member who called 911.
  • Highlighted a Job Corps counselor event at the Evergreen Branch Library on August 27, 2026, 3:30–4:30 PM for youth aged 16–24.

Council Comments

  • Councilmember Bader reported from the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): Lime scooter ridership increased in July; a downtown parking study is expected soon; 28 crosswalks were restriped this summer; an open house on the Maryland Ring Creek Bridge project will be held in September. He also noted Vision Zero updates on daylighting intersections.
  • Councilmember Ryan thanked public commenters and agreed that Everett voters want a return on their investment.
  • Councilmember Twee reported from the SNOPAC 911 board meeting: annual assessments for Everett are $2.5M for police and just over $1.4M for fire. Calls for service decreased from 2024 to 2025: fire down 2.8%, police down 7.66%.
  • Councilmember Zarlingo expressed strong support for the city’s flock camera system, noting its privacy safeguards and success in the Walter Hall Park case. He stated that turning off city cameras would not eliminate the hundreds of other cameras in the community over which the city has no control. He also thanked the parks department for progress on the Edgewater Park renovation.

Discussion Items

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes of August 19, 2026 were approved unanimously.

  • Proposed Action Items (all read into the record with no council questions):

    • CB 2608-42 (2nd Reading): Ordinance creating a Special Improvement Project, “Evergreen Way at Center Rd Pedestrian Safety,” Fund 303, Program 141. Third and final reading set for September 2, 2026.
    • CB 2608-43 (2nd Reading): Ordinance amending Ordinance 4098-25 to continue the Special Improvement Project, “Everett Outdoor Event Center,” Fund 342, Program 052, for property acquisition costs. Third and final reading set for September 2, 2026.
    • CB 2608-44 (1st Reading): Ordinance authorizing acquisition, including eminent domain, of land and property rights for the Everett Outdoor Event Center; authorizing the mayor to initiate eminent domain proceedings. Third and final reading set for September 9, 2026.
    • CB 2608-45 (1st Reading): Ordinance creating a Special Improvement Project, “PGSF Bond Street Combined Sewer Improvements,” Fund 336, Program 033, and repealing Ordinance 3913-22. Third and final reading set for September 9, 2026.

  • Public Hearing – 2026–2031 Everett Transit Development Plan (TDP) and 2025 Annual Report:

    • Presentation by Bob Leonard (City Administration) and Michael Schmider (Transit Director):
      • Fixed-route service carried 1.7 million passengers in 2025, plateauing after three years of 32% annual growth. Expenditures: $19.2M.
      • Paratransit provided 86,249 trips, up slightly year-over-year. Expenditures: $4.9M.
      • Operating revenues $38.4M, expenditures $40.1M (deficit growing). Capital revenues $15.2M, expenditures $25.7M.
      • Reserves: operating $7M, technology $700K, capital set-asides $11M.
      • Fleet: 14 new battery electric buses, 7 refurbished diesel buses; half of 49-bus fleet is now zero-emission.
      • Future priorities include a Maintenance Operations Administration Building (MOAB) feasibility study (estimated cost $105M–$175M), replacing chargers, adding 21 buses and 25 paratransit vans, and expanding service if a voter-approved sales tax increase (from 0.6% to 0.9%) passes.
      • The TDP assumes potential transit consolidation with Community Transit, but the plan is relevant regardless of structure.
    • Council Questions:
      • Councilmember Bader asked about the absence of assumed SWIFT payments to Community Transit after 2025. Staff confirmed the interlocal agreement ended; payments would resume if consolidation does not occur.
      • Bader asked about declining reserves and the cost of MOAB. Staff noted that significant grant funding and the proposed sales tax increase would be needed; debt service on $100M bonding would be approximately $6–7M per year for 30 years, reduced by grants.
      • Councilmember Twee calculated per-ride costs: paratransit ~$57.18 per trip, fixed-route ~$11 per trip, highlighting the value provided.
    • The public hearing was closed, and a motion to accept the TDP and 2025 Annual Report passed unanimously.

  • Executive Session: The council moved into executive session for 15 minutes (from approximately 1:13 PM to 1:29 PM) to discuss potential legal action and legal risks under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), with no action expected to follow.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent items (claims, payroll, YMCA amendment) approved unanimously.
  • Minutes of August 19, 2026 approved.
  • All four proposed action items were read for first or second reading and will proceed to final readings on September 2 or September 9, 2026.
  • Public hearing closed and 2026–2031 Everett Transit Development Plan and 2025 Annual Report accepted unanimously.
  • Executive session held to discuss legal matters; meeting adjourned thereafter.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, residents of Everett Washington. I would like to call the order the Everett City Council meeting of August 26, 2026. For information on council meetings and how to participate, please visit our website at Everwat.gov slash city council. Please note that we do not allow comments of any kind of campaigning, whether for or against ballot measures or candidates running for office. We also do not accept comments focused on personal matters that are unrelated to city business. Clerk, will you please take the Mayor Franklin here? Councilmember Bader. Here. Vice President Ryan here. Councilmember Burbano. Excuse. Councilmember Twee here. Councilmember Weir. Excuse. Councilmember Zarlingo? Here. President Schwab. Here. At this time, I'd like to ask Councilmember Zarlingo to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge of reply about the United States of America. And to the button for which it stands one nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. I'd like to ask Vice President Ryan to recite the land acknowledgement. Thank you. The city council wishes to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Stahobes people and their successors, the Talelep tribes. Since time immemorial, they have hunted, fished, gathered on, and taken care of these lands and waters. We respect their sovereignty and the right to self-determination and honor their sacred spiritual connection to the land and waters. We will be honest about our past mistakes to bring about a future that includes their voices, their people, and their stories for a more just and equitable society. Thank you very much. Well, good afternoon, Mayor There we go. Turn on my mic. Um first I want to thank everybody who uh has and continues to provide us feedback on our proposed approach to transit consolidation. I encourage everyone to visit Everett Wah.gov backslash transit consolidation to learn more or share your thoughts. Uh the forum for that is going to be open through September 2nd, and then staff will be reporting to our city council and the community transit board with all the feedback received. Um also want to share a couple other updates. Uh work has started on the Edgewater Park renovation. This park will have a new sport court, walking past, a playground, an open grassy area, and some parking uh supported by grant funding from the state. And the plan is to have this complete by next spring. And then I want to bring everyone's attention to a recent incident where our technology played a real critical role in ensuring community safety. Earlier this month, our police department received a report of an older man attempting to lure young girls into his car at Walter Hall Park. Fortunately, uh a vigilant community member noticed it and observed the girls appearing very uncomfortable and called 911. The individual left the park before officers arrived. However, thanks to our camera at the park, the violent crime unit was able to put together a timeline and events and that our automatic license plate readers, they were able to quickly identify and apprehend the suspect. I also just really want to thank the individual who was a who took note and called 911. Their attentives really saved these um young girls and helped uh prevent significant harm. And then I want to share that there's a lot of great programs and events happening at our library every week, but there's one that I really want to highlight. It's happening tomorrow from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. There's going to be a job core counselor at the Evergreen Branch Library. And this is a great opportunity for young people age 16 to 24 to connect with free hands-on training and put them on a good career path. Um, so really encourage everyone to uh to attend.

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