EVERETT, JAN. 10: The Everett City Council discussed next steps for service center Hope ‘N Wellness and approved increasing water, sewer, and stormwater utility rates over the next four years.
Hope ‘N Wellness
Julie Willie, city community development director, gave a brief update on the ongoing situation with Hope ‘N Wellness.
Hope ‘N Wellness is a service center located downtown that provides resources for the unhoused and those recovering from substance abuse or trauma. It currently operates as a drop-in center on Wednesdays.
In September 2024, Hope ‘N Wellness was asked to halt services due to violating a zoning code that does not allow social services on the first floor of buildings in the downtown core.
The move has sparked debate in the community, with some advocating for the service center to remain where it is, claiming the city needs the resources the center provides. The story has garnered attention from The Seattle Times and Fox 13 Seattle.
The violating ordinance comes from the Metro Everett Plan passed in 2018. The goal of the plan is to create a “more vibrant, urban downtown that is prepared to absorb more density,” Willie said.
The community development and planning department are working with Hope ‘N Wellness to find a location that meets their needs, Willie said. The department has extended deadlines to allow more time for Hope ‘N Wellness.
The current location of Hope ‘N Wellness is one block inside the Metro Area plan cutoff. The Metro Plan zone area makes up 9% of Everett.
“We do recognize the tremendous need for the services that Hope ‘N Wellness provides and understand how frustrating and unfortunate it is that they were not aware of the land use restrictions when they established their organization,” Willie said.
Councilmember Liz Vogeli criticized the ordinance and pushed the city to find another way to keep Hope ‘N Wellness where they are.
“I think that there is still a way… for Hope ‘N Wellness to get granted some kind of leniency to continue their very necessary business in the city, one block away from the line, when we have a desperate need and no day centers…,” Vogeli said during the meeting.
Councilmember Mary Fosse recognized the city’s patience and understanding of the situation but requested more time to look at all possible options.
“You guys have been very patient and spending a lot of time on this and moving the deadline, so full recognition that the city isn’t just pushing them out for the violation, but I would like to see that leniency go a little more until we have some additional questions answered,” Fosse said.
Hope ‘N Wellness has been given the deadline of Feb. 28 to relocate as of Wednesday, Jan 9.
Water, sewer and stormwater utility rate increase
The council approved a four-year increase for water and sewer rates in Everett, which will begin on Feb. 1.
The increase is to “ensure adequate funding for key replacements and upgrades to major utility facilities and systems…,” the city said in a press release.
For a single family, the monthly rate for water and filtration is currently estimated to be $30.31, according to a briefing given to the council. Under the new ordinance, it will increase by 6.25% on Feb. 1, or $1.90. By 2028, water and filtration rates will have increased by 19.4%.
For sewer and surface water, the rate increase is close to 50.5%. Currently, a single family could pay $92.12 a month for sewer and surface water utility fees. By February, that rate will be increased to $104.04.
“Our costs are very comparable to other local agencies…,” Public Works Director Ryan Sass said, “Most of those other agencies don’t necessarily have the same requirements that we’re facing with the combined sewer overflow reduction elimination program.”
The increases will go towards a few critical projects. The first is the construction of Reservoir 3, which is currently underway. The current reservoir is more than 100 years old and is past its “useful life” the city said.
Reservoir 3 alone provides drinking water to 457,000 Everett residents. The project is estimated to cost $80 million.
As for Everett’s Water Filtration Plant, it is more than 40 years old, and “its mechanical systems need upgrades” the city said. The project includes nine elements, for a cost of $38 million.
Everett is under an Ecology Agree Order to reduce the number of sewer overflows into Port Gardner Bay by the end of 2027. To comply, Everett will construct a new underground sewer storage tank, estimated to cost $40 million. They will also redevelop the Kimberly-Clark industrial wastewater treatment plant to provide temporary storage.
The new plant, Port Gardner Storage Facility, is estimated to cost $200 million.
The Utility department provides safe and clean drinking water, critical wastewater disposal and treatment. The department is funded through utility rates and fees, not general government funding like property taxes.
“This is consequential. This is a significant rate increase, and it is something that is mandatory for us to do, it’s critical to our water treatment infrastructure…” Council Vice President Ben Zarlingo said.
Other News
The council re-elected council president and vice president for 2025. Both nominations were for the incumbents, President Don Schwab and Vice President Ben Zarlingo.
