5 Updates: Everett City Council The Past Month-ish
A lot has happened over the past 1-2 months in our city - from procedural updates to interlocal agreements to authorizations and contracts on a wide variety of subjects. Because there have been so many changes over the past month, we thought it would be useful to include an update on some of the highlights, rather than focusing on just one of the changes.
First, since Prop 1 (Levy Lid Lift for Public Safety and Essential Public Services) failed on the ballot, the City has moved forward with a voluntary separation process to address the continuing deficit. During council meetings, staff shared that by offering incentives so certain staff could voluntarily retire early or separate from the City, there would be a reduction in compensation costs and full-time employee levels, and the money saved by these voluntary separations would help foster reorganization efforts so the City can operate more efficiently.
These incentives include 6-months of city-paid COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) coverage and access to the Vera Clinic on a city-sponsored medical plan for the employee and their dependents, as well as a one-time cash payment of 4 months base salary. While there was some discussion regarding whether these incentives should be adjusted based on longevity in their position, it was ultimately decided that incentives would stay the same as long as an employee had worked continuously for 18 months and chose to take the voluntary separation before 11/30/24 (to allow time to adapt the 2025 budget as needed).
Second, the resolution to approve a Chamber of Commerce passed! Information will continue to be shared as it becomes available and, at this point, the Council has simply approved the Mayor moving forward in developing this Chamber with the $600,000 allocated through the Coronoavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
Third, the Council approved an ordinance to adapt the Everett Municipal Code (EMC) so that birth centers can operate within the Metro Everett area. Previously, such clinics were prohibited from operating on the ground floor on transit-oriented development and pedestrian streets by our code and now, thanks to this ordinance, birth centers, dentists, psychiatrists, chiropractors, physical therapists, optometrists, and/or ophthalmologists are not considered clinics and, therefore, are not restricted from operating on the ground floor in these areas.
Fourth, the Council approved a change in council procedures that will be enacted on 10/30/24. The changes in question were to the City Council meeting times and how members will request excused absences. To help with staffing, it was decided City Council meetings will start every Wednesday (except for holidays) at 6:31 PM, except for the 4th (and when relevant, the 5th) Wednesday of the month, which will have the meeting start at 12:30 PM.
The Council also decided to allow up to 2 virtual meetings per month, to have the meetings on the 4th and 5th Wednesday, which begin at 12:30 PM, in a hybrid fashion to allow more accessibility and public participation, and to allow Council members who need to participate remotely contact the Council President and Council Executive Assistant via email (no later than the morning of the meeting) to be able to do so. In addition to these adjustments, the Council approved a change so if any member fails to attend 3 consecutive regular meetings without being excused, they lose their seat and, when requesting an excused absence, members must inform the Council President before the meeting (via email if possible).
Last (but not least), we have some budget amendments. These changes would amend the total budget by $40.4 million, which would include moving $2.8 million to general government funds and $4.6 million to non-general government funds. These funds will be used for a variety of reasons - from budgeting for labor to increasing jail fees and a body-worn camera grant, to emergency operations, to even a municipal arts grant.
All of the changes reviewed above work to help our City services work smarter, not harder, in light of the continuing budget deficits and the needs of the community.
If you ever wish to comment on the ordinances and other topics being discussed at City Council meetings, you can always attend or submit a written public comment here.
Angela Di Filippo currently works in State Social Services and recently earned her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with extensive training in evidence-based leadership coaching. Angela moved from North Carolina to Washington 6 years ago and has proudly called Everett her home for 5 of those years. When not helping others solve problems in creative and strength-driven ways, Angela enjoys her time painting, hiking with her terrier-mix, Indy, and eating waffles.
