Everett City Council Meeting - September 2, 2026

The Everett City Council met on September 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, mostly focused on the proposed consolidation of Everett Transit with Community Transit, a briefing on land division code updates, and action on several items including property acquisition for the Everett Outdoor Events Center. Councilmember Burbano was excused, and Council President Schwab was excused.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of August 26, 2026 (Councilmember Weir abstained).
• Approved Resolution authorizing claims against the city in the amount of $12,057,706.19 for the period August 15–21, 2026.
• Approved Contract Change Order No. 1 with American Process Group for biosolids removal/disposal, increasing the contract to $6,472,504.60.
• Authorized Professional Services Agreement with Black & Veatch Corporation for WFP Standpipe Replacement Project ($749,719.00).
• Authorized Amendment No. 3 with Brown and Caldwell, Inc. for Port Gardner Storage Facility design services, total not to exceed $16,129,982.00.
• Approved Contract Change Order No. 12 with Granite Construction Company for Edgewater Creek Bridge Replacement, total $28,018,511.31.
• Authorized Call for Bids for Lift Station #24 Conveyance Improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rob Workman (unincorporated Snohomish County, adjacent to Everett) spoke against the proposed Everett Transit–Community Transit merger, citing his positive experience with Everett Paratransit (less than 10% late pickups) versus Community Transit Dart (80% issues). He urged enforceable protections for accessibility standards and that voters should decide.
• Keith Jacobson (Everett) opposed the merger, calling the resulting 0.6% sales tax increase the largest in state history without a public vote. He noted it would generate ~$30 million per year, equivalent to buying a baseball stadium every four years, and argued citizens would lose control of sales tax revenue permanently.
• René Baidoa (Everett) opposed the merger from a taxpayer perspective, stating the sales tax would double from 0.6% to 1.2%, costing an additional ~$30 million/year (~$450 per household). He argued only 6–10% of residents use transit and urged council to let voters decide on the tax increase.
• Jack Williams (Everett), a former Everett Transit driver now disabled, described being injured when a Community Transit driver failed to secure his wheelchair. He praised Everett Transit’s quality and urged against diluting it through merger.
• William Parent (Silver Lake) advocated for attracting the Goodyear Blimp to Everett to boost tourism and local businesses.
• Jordan Beardsley (Everett) requested support for a mobile childcare bus business and asked the city to explore a permitting pathway for retail properties to host it.
• Said Hagigi (Mount Vernon) argued the merger decision should be made by voters, noting that many disabled riders limit paratransit use due to the $2 fare. He suggested surveying paratransit users before moving forward.
• Daryl Sullivan (Everett) opposed the merger, characterizing it as “higher taxes, less good bus service” and a loss for local residents.
• Evan Reed (Everett), director of Bunker Arts Collective, spoke about downtown systemic issues such as vacant properties and lack of historical preservation. He announced a “Refresh Everett” program.
• Duane Doe (Everett), a 33-year Everett Paratransit driver, echoed concerns about service quality, potential fare increases from $2 to $3, and loss of local control.
• Steve Oce (Everett) opposed the merger without a public vote, expressed skepticism about promised double bus service, and warned that the city would never regain its transit agency. He also raised concerns about union attrition if merger proceeds.
• Deborah Papenthine (Marysville, employee of Everett Transit and retiree of Community Transit) asked for more time to allow employees to arrange personal finances, suggesting the merger priority be lowered.

Discussion Items

• Councilmember Ryan reported on the New Start Center (transitional housing) ribbon cutting and his appointment to the Snohomish County Partnership to End Homelessness.
• Councilmember Tui added details on the New Start Center: 71 rooms, 90-day transitional housing, with 75% of rooms reserved for Everett residents experiencing homelessness.
• Councilmember Weir spoke about regional meetings: PUD’s “growth pays for growth” policy on data centers and power rates; Fusion Week highlighting Zap Energy and Helion in Everett; and the PSRC Economic Development District Board.
• City Attorney had no executive session.
• Item 11 (CB 2608-48) – Land Division Code Update: Planning Director Yorick Stevens-Wajda presented a first reading of amendments to implement House Bill 1096 (residential lot splits) and modernize land division procedures. Key changes include reducing minimum lot size in NR and UR4 zones from 5,000 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft (with 25 ft width), streamlining lot splits to administrative review, allowing timing of improvements to be tied to building permits rather than before subdivision recording, and combining four chapters into one. The state agency review period runs through October 13, so final council action is expected in October. Councilmember Bader asked about discretionary elements; Stevens-Wajda noted nearly all provisions are city-initiated beyond state requirements. Councilmember Weir asked about neighbor notice; no public notice for small lot splits under state law, but future code updates may address notification.

Key Outcomes

• Item 12 (CB 2608-42) – Evergreen Way at Center Rd Pedestrian Safety Fund: Adopted unanimously (5-0).
• Item 13 (CB 2608-43) – Everett Outdoor Events Center Special Improvement Project Fund: Adopted 4-1 (Councilmember Tui voted no, citing need for full financial report before approving additional $3.5 million interfund loan).
• Item 14 – Resolution Approving Purchase of Property (Lot 28) for the Everett Outdoor Events Center: Adopted 4-1 (Councilmember Tui voted no). The address was corrected from 2302 to 2303 Pacific Avenue. The closing is expected in two weeks (by mid-September 2026).
• Consent Calendar: Approved with one abstention.
• Items 7–10 (first/second readings) were presented with no votes taken; third readings scheduled for September 9 or 16.