EVERETT MAY 23: It was a packed Everett City Council meeting last night as residents came to learn more about the fate of the Clark Park Gazebo and voice their comments and concerns.
Mayors’ comments
Mayor Cassie Franklin opened up Wednesday’s meeting thanking volunteers for a successful Clean Everett Day. For more information on getting involved with the City of Everett, see here: https://www.everettwa.gov/1190/Get-Involved
Franklin welcomed new business Slide In Mobile Detailing LLC Saturday, located on Rucker Ave.
Franklin also attended the grand opening of the Maritime Institute on the Port of Everett with Councilmember Paula Rhyne. To read more about the training center see here: https://www.everettpost.com/local-news/port-of-everett-celebrates-new-maritime-training-center
Finance Director Susy Haugen will retire in June after 37 years with the city. Former Budget Manager Heide Brillantes was recently promoted to take over the position.
The month of May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and a District 2 resident accepted the proclamation from Franklin, giving a short speech on the importance of recognizing those with asthma and allergies.
Council comments
Councilmember Judy Tuohy at Large mentioned the Safe Community Committee meeting earlier that day and updates on the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The next council meeting will welcome Chief of Everett Police John DeRousse to give a briefing on the Flock safety camera technology that the Everett police department received two grants to implement.
“Most of the cameras by far will just be license place recognition cameras, and that will help with amber alerts, silver alerts, all the issues we have with car theft. We know that our city has had that problem as well. It will also help with some of the issues we have had with gun violence,” Councilmember Mary Fosse District 1 said.
Jackson Park will receive its own camera to help mitigate crime according to Fosse.
“There are a lot of safety precautions to protect folks but it will definitely help with our police force and some of their limited resources but still be responsive to our community and the needs that we have,” Fosse said.
Council Vice President Ben Zarlingo mentioned that the PUD is addressing the increasing need of power in the area as “we have more electric vehicles and using less fossil fuels,” Zarlingo said.
Council President Don Schwab addressed neighborhood complaints of public safety, traffic, and vehicle noise. Schwab also mentioned how the Boeing firefighters are still locked out after negotiations failed this week.
“I am very very discouraged… this is very unfortunate so I just want to urge the leaders and the decision makers to make an agreement to get these workers back,” Schwab said.
Clark Gazebo
After months of resident pushback to not tear down the Clark gazebo, the city had a briefing from Parks Director Bob Leonard on the Clark Park Renovation project.
The city was awarded a $10,000 grant from Snohomish County to help fund the project. The overall project is estimated to cost $360,000. The briefing included plans to construct a new 29,700 sq. ft off-leash dog area, remove the gazebo, and store it for future use.
In Leonard’s presentation, he gave reasons that the gazebo can not remain at Clark Park. He mentioned restrictions in size and how the current gazebo is commonly used for illicit activity. Leonard was adamant that the gazebo would be honored, with a commemorative plaque and photos of the gazebo within the new park.
The vote for this renovation will be in two weeks.
Public Comments
Chris Moore, Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, argued that removing the gazebo will not fix the “overall problem of illicit activity.”
“The gazebo is nearly 100 years old, as the primary contributing historic element of Clark Park, the dog park should be designed in a manner compatible to the gazebo, not the reverse,” Moore said.
In opposition, John Phillips Vice Chair of the Bayside Neighborhood Association, expressed his support for removing the gazebo.
“Despite our efforts to enhance the park and make it a welcoming space for everyone the gazebo persists to attract negative behavior and illegal activity…it detracts from the beauty and the potential of the park,” Phillips said.
Many of the public comments were from Bayside Neighborhood residents, some in support of removing the gazebo and others advocating for restoration. To view all public comments, see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSqBHQRMEc0&t=4587s
Cybersecurity
The council authorized the mayor to sign a cybersecurity improvement, funded primarily by grants from The Washington Military Department State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). The city will be implementing Next Generation Firewalls (NGFW), which will examine and filter communication. You can read the full agenda item here:
https://www.everettwa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/16953?fileID=94564
