EVERETT June 28: Wednesday night at the Everett City Council meeting, the council heard about the proposed amendments to the Park District Project, swore in two officers, and announced the opening date of public restrooms in downtown Everett.
Mayors’ comments:
Mayor Cassie Franklin announced that last week the drug crisis task force had its final meeting. The task force has been meeting since February, focusing on the “city’s urgent drug crisis” according to the City of Everett website. “The task force will develop next steps or recommendations for the city and its partners to consider,” the website reads.
Franklin reminded residents that there will be three informational sessions regarding Proposition 1 starting 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9 at the Everett Public Library. Proposition 1 would increase Everett’s property levy rate to $2.19/$1,000 of assessed value, roughly $28 more per month for a $500,000 home. If passed, the measure would help fund public safety, park maintenance, libraries, animal shelters, street maintenance and more. This measure will appear on the August 6, 2024, ballot. To learn more about Proposition 1, see here: https://www.everettwa.gov/3197/2024-revenue-ballot-measure
The city’s first downtown public restroom will open July 1 next to the Everett Municipal Building. This restroom has two stalls and is “vandalism resistant” according to city documents. The downtown public restroom project is funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars and a $250,000 county grant. Two single-stall restrooms are set to go up near the Cope Gillette Theatre and the Everpark Garage.
Franklin swore in two officers to the Everett Police Department (EPD), Bryan Cruz and Ruben Oviedo. Cruz’s family immigrated from Mexico, and Oviedo’s family immigrated from Honduras. Everett Police Chief DeRousse began his speech in Spanish to commemorate both officer’s heritage. “We are all very proud of how diverse our department is,” DeRousse said. Oviedo was raised on Casino Road here in Everett, and Cruz was raised in The Bronx, N.Y.
Public Comment:
Everett resident John Peoples said he is still “very much opposed” to the Flock Safety devices that the EPD will be implementing in hopes of reducing crime in Everett. “Flock devices to me cast too wide of a net and put innocent people on the public record…” Peoples said. The council approved a multiple-year purchase of Flock Safety technology in May.
Donna Moulton CEO of Housing Hope in Everett shared that Housing Hope “stands proudly in support of the Everett Housing Authorities (EHA) ambitious initiative to develop 1,500 mixed-income housing units in the Park District.” More on the Park District below.
Council Updates:
Councilmembers Paula Rhyne, Liz Vogeli, Mary Fosse and Council Vice President Ben Zarlingo expressed solidarity with the Everett NewsGuild after this week’s strikes. “I believe protecting local journalism is key to an informed and engaged community…” Rhyne said during the meeting.
This week union workers at the Everett Herald went on strike to protest the recent layoffs of half of its newsroom among other demands. They ended their strike on Wednesday after Carpenter Media Group agreed to meet with union representatives today, June 28.
The City of Everett’s Fourth of July parade is next week, with up to 70 parade entries compared to last year’s 50 according to councilmember Scott Bader. Bader thanked the half of a dozen volunteers that have taken on planning the parade, as well as the 40 day of parade volunteers.
A reminder that there is no city council meeting on July 3.
Proposed Action Items:
The council heard the second reading of three ordinances and amendments regarding The Park District Development Plan from Planning Director Yorik Stevens-Wajda. Below is a general overview of the amendments that Stevens-Wajda went through with the council that could potentially be added to the Park District agreement.
Mary Swenson, executive director of the Everett Housing Authority, shared an artist visualization of the development plan, showcasing the proposed park, around 1 1/2 acres among other changes EHA proposed. “EHA is a very unique partner…” Swenson said, “We are fully aligned with the city’s thinking on housing, and we want to help accommodate housing needs that have been identified by the city.” According to the presentation, the Park District will bring in 1,500 new homes.
EHA in working with the Delta Neighborhood Association and Park District developers have worked together to address neighborhood concerns. The amendments below are in conjunction with neighborhood and EHA feedback.
- Wetlands and Natural Area:
The first proposed amendment addressed the wetlands and natural areas that are west of the Park District site. The wetlands and natural area are currently owned by The Boys & Girls Club, Stevens-Wajda said in his presentation. The Delta Neighborhood Association expressed interest in enhancing the area into an educational and interpretive use. The amendment added would show the city’s commitment to preserving the natural land, but also working with partners to enhance the area.
- Pedestrian connections:
The second amendment provides improvements to the pedestrian connection system around the project site. The amendment would add a section to the development agreement for the EHA to construct crosswalks and sidewalk improvements using city impact funds, Stevens-Wajda said.
- Non-residential space activation and occupancy:
This amendment will be added to the development agreement to ensure retail and commercial spaces will be occupied within the Park District. EHA expressed concerns about enticing and keeping retail businesses within the Park District, so this amendment plans to help attract and maintain tenants in the Park District.
Zarlingo expressed concerns for the overall Park District plan saying, “That if we go forward with this, we understand that we, and the Housing Authority are taking a risk, that we are doing something different than our Comprehensive Plan, different than our previous Central Everett plans, different from what has been done in nearby communities, and we should go forward with serious deliberation.”
