General Legislative Session - Regular Meeting

Good morning, everyone. Snohomish County Council is called to order for our general legislative session. Today is Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 at 9 a.m. We're meeting in the Jackson boardroom and also remotely. I'll read the script for public comment and then our clerks will take role. We'll take public comment beginning in person and then remotely on Zoom. Click on the hand icon to raise your hand. If you're calling in by phone, press star nine to raise your hand and star six to unmute. Each speaker will have three minutes to speak and please start your comment with your name and city of residence. Next is roll call.

Chair Dunn. Here. Vice Chair Lowe.

Present.

Council Member Neering.

Here.

Council Member Mead.

Here.

Council Member Peterson.

Here.

Chair, we have five members present.

Thank you. Next is a Pledge of Allegiance, and we've asked Council Member Peterson to please lead us in the pledge. Thank you. Next is our Tribal Land Acknowledgement, which I'll read. We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sacumayhu, the Sacsuato Tribe, the Stilagwabish, Stilaguamish, and the Snohomish, Skykomish, Snoqualmie, and their successors, the Tulalip Tribes. Since time immemorial, they have hunted, fished, gathered on, and taken care of these lands and waters. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water. We will strive to be honest about our past mistakes and bring about a future that includes their people, stories, and voices to form a more just and equitable society. With this tribal acknowledgement, we open our time together by honoring the ancestors whose feet first knew these lands and whose paddles still know the waters of what we now call Snohomish County. Next is public comment. Did anyone wish to provide public comment today? Welcome.

I'm glad I didn't wait to see if anybody else wanted to give comment. I'm here. Good morning, Council. My name is Patrick Gann. I'm a Snohomish County resident residing in the Clearview unincorporated area. Many of you have heard me speak about this for months. For anyone hearing it for the first time, here's where we stand. The Clearview property I'm trying to open operated as a state licensed cannabis retailer for approximately 10 years. In 2023, the county increased Clearview's cannabis retail separation requirement from 2,500 feet to 10,000 feet, four times the previous distance, blocking this established cannabis retail location. The county has now completed its own review. County planning staff concluded that the 10,000-foot restriction it is quoting here, significantly more restrictive than comparable jurisdictions. and creates barriers to lawful commercial activity without a demonstrated corresponding public benefit. Those are the county's findings, not mine. PDS recommended reducing Clearview's separation requirement back to 2,500 feet. The county issued a formal determination of non-significance, finding that the correction does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. The Planning Commission examined it for what it is, a land use issue. The county found that Clearview Rural Commercial functions like a commercial area and that the 2,500-foot standard is appropriate. The public hearing has occurred, the Planning Commission determining that another hearing was unnecessary. I'm asking PDS to prioritize the remaining review and place this legislation before the council before budget deliberations or holiday recesses create further delay. My state license is already operating under an extension because of these county-created delays. Every week reduces the time I have left to preserve it. The county obtained a temporary restraining order by alleging that my business presented a threat to public safety, yet ordinance 23-009 found that marijuana retail businesses do not pose a direct threat to public safety. The county has never proven a business presents a threat to such, excuse me, such a threat. The county should support dissolving the TRO so I can begin staffing, stocking, and preparing to open. The Sheriff's Office and other departments urgently need funding. My business is ready to create jobs and generate immediate tax revenue that Snohomish County desperately needs. PDS, please prioritize this. Please finish the legislation, bring it before the council, and support dissolving the TRO. Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your comment. Is there other public comment this morning? Are there any hands raised online?

There are no hands raised.

We'll close public comment and move on in the agenda. And first, we have resolutions, and it's Resolution 26-043.

Council considers Resolution 26-043, recognizing September 15 through October 15, 2026, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Snohomish County. Thank you. Council, comments to the resolution?

Council Member Neering.

Yeah, thank you, Chair Dunn. Appreciate it. Always great to be able to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Snohomish County. Really appreciate Julieta for helping to organize this and bring everybody forward. Thank you for all of our distinguished guests who join us every year for this and look forward to celebrating this. Thank you.

Thank you. Other comments? And then do we have speakers to the resolution? Welcome.

Good morning, Chair, Megan Dunn, members of the Snohomish County Council, distinguished guests, community leaders, and friends. I am Dr. Juliet Altamirano-Crosby, Snohomish County PUD Commissioner, and it is a great honor to stand with you today as Snohomish County celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. I believe it's the six years on the road. I want to thank Councilmember Nate Nehring for the invitation and for helping make this recognition possible. Thank you so much. And thank you for opening this space so our Hispanic and Latino community can gather, be seen, and celebrate who we are. Thank you also to Chair Megan Dunn and every member of this council for welcoming us and giving this moment a place on your agenda. As I look around this room, I feel deep pride We are joined by educators, business owners, artists, musicians, nonprofit leaders, public servants, and so many others who give their time and their talent every day to make Snohomish County stronger. We are also honored by the presence of our Courier Consul, Gerardo Guisa Vargas, of the Consul of Mexico in Seattle, and Luis Fernando Esteban, former Honorary Consul of Spain. Thank you both for your presence and for your continued support in our community. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor where we came from. It is also a time to recognize what we are building together. I came to Washington from Guerrero, Mexico, carrying my language, my culture, my family's values, and many dreams. My story is only one among thousands. Across this country, Hispanic and Latino families are starting business, teaching children, making music and art, caring for neighbors, serving our communities, and helping shape the future of Snohomish County. Our heritage is not only something we remember, it is something we live every single day. in our language, our food, our music, our traditions, our work, our families, and the values we pass from one generation for the next. By standing in this chamber today, we send a clear message to our children and young people. You belong here. Your voice matters. Your heritage is our source and strength. And your dreams have a place in this county. Representation matters. But it is not only about having a seat at the table. It is about holding the door open for those who will come in after us. Today, we celebrate many countries, many journeys, and many stories. We stand together as one community. Nuestra historia importa. Nuestras voces cuentan. Nuestra cultura nos fortalece. Y nuestros sueños también pertenecen aquí. We honor those who came before us celebrate those who live today, and keep opening doors for the generations still to come. On behalf of our Hispanic and Latino community, thank you to the Snohomish County Council for this recognition and for sharing all these opportunities for us. Thank you so much. And I would like to invite career counsel, Gerardo Giza. And later, if you invite Liz Esteban. Thank you.

Muy buenos dias. Good morning, everyone. I'll try to... I'll do some words in Spanish, but I'll stick to English most of my remarks. Honorable Megan Dunn, chair of the Sonomish County Council. Honorable Sam Lowe, vice chair of the council. Honorable council members, Nat Heeran, Stump Peterson, and Jared Mead. Dr... Juliet Altamirano-Grosby, Vice President of the Tsunamis County Public Utility District Board of Commissioners and Commissioner for District 2, distinguished colleagues, and a distinguished representative from Spain, community leaders, friends, and members of the Hispanic community. On behalf of the Consulate of Mexico here in Seattle, grateful for the opportunity to share this occasion as the Sonomish County recognizes and celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. As I said, I offer a special welcome to the representative of Spain joining us today. His presence remind us that Hispanic world is not a single or uniform identity, but a plural community made up different nations, histories, accents, and traditions. all connected by a shared language and centuries of cultural exchange. Spanish Heritage Month is observed from September 15th until October 15th. This period includes the dependence and celebrations of many Latin American countries, including Mexico. As well, October 12th, a date of specific and very particular significance for Spain and the nations of Latin America. Today, more than 70 million people of Hispanic origin live in the United States, approximately one out of five residents. Hispanic represents about 15.5 percent of the population of the state of Washington, and they nearly represent 13 percent of the population of the Snohomish County. But truly, our measure, our Importance cannot be measured by numbers alone. Hispanic contribute every day to agriculture, construction, education, science, technology, medicine, arts, commerce, business leadership. We are workers, entrepreneurs, professionals, public servants, and community leaders. Now, I would like to speak especially to the Mexican community. and I'll do this in Spanish as well. We should proudly preserve our language, culture, traditions. Mexico will always remain part of our identity and our deepest affections. But those who have made the United States their home must also fully embrace their belonging to this country. Quiero dirigirme especialmente a la comunidad mexicana Integration does not mean erasing our roots. It means adding a new sense of belonging, understanding, and respecting our institutions, learning English without giving up Spanish, and participating actively in our schools, neighborhoods, and community organizations. Integrarse no significa borrar nuestras raíces. Significa sumar a una nueva pertenencia. conocer y respetar las instituciones, aprender inglés sin renunciar al español y participar activamente en las escuelas, los vecindarios y las organizaciones comunitarias. Para quienes son ciudadanos estadounidenses, significa también ejercer plenamente sus derechos y sus responsabilidades, registrarse, votar, servir en consejos y comisiones, y participar en espacios donde se toman decisiones. For those who are United States citizens, it also means fully exercising their rights and responsibilities, registering, voting, serving on boards and commissions, and participating wherever decisions are made. Ser mexicano y ser estadounidense no son identidades contradictorias. Una no sustituye a la otra. Podemos honrar a nuestros padres y a nuestros abuelos, y al mismo tiempo comprometernos profundamente con el presente y con el futuro de Estados Unidos. Being Mexican and being American are not contradictory identities. One does not replace the other. We can honor our parents, honor our fathers, while committing ourselves deeply to the present and the future of the United States. Que el mes de la herencia hispana renueve nuestro compromiso con las culturas de las que provenimos y con la nación que ahora forman parte. Que conservemos nuestras raíces, construyamos nuevos lazos y sigamos trabajando por una sociedad más participativa, incluyente y unida. May this Hispanic Heritage Month renew our commitment both to the cultures from which we come and to the nation of which we are now part. May we preserve our roots, build new bonds, and continue working towards a more engaged, inclusive, and united society. Thank you to the Sonomish County Council for this proclamation and for recognizing the contributions of our community. Long live our Hispanic heritage and long live our friendship among our people. Thank you very much. Ahora, if I may, I'd like to bring up to the microphone my colleague, dear colleague, honorary former consul of Spain, Luis Esteban. May I approach the microphone? Thank you very much.

Well, first thing, thank you for inviting me. I am retired. I retired about, you know, in last December after 31 years of the duty of Consul of Spain, but, you know, is when my life start again. Why start again? Because I started my life in Everett 56 years ago, when I take deliver of the serial number 99 for the third $747,200, and I paid $80 million for that one. This case, you know how much Snohomish County changed. This year is a big year of celebration. It's the 250th anniversary of the United States. And one of the things the Spanish government is doing, and we're doing all around the United States, with different movements, different events, is remind like thanks to Spain or Spain contribution to the building of the United States, really we have that nation. And President Biden reminding Spain, thanks to the Spain, today United States exist. It's not its history, and we don't need to forget the history. But the beautiful things, before that one, Spain opened the first trade center in Niag Bay. And it's beautiful to see, like, a sense, you know, in a movie we put together, recognize, like, thanks to Spain, today Washington State is part of the United States, no part of Canadian thing. I don't know if for good or for bad, but that is the fact. But anyway, really, why I am so excited to come here? Because now, like I am retired, I am going to dedicate to finish the thing I did, develop business between Spain and Washington State. You need to recognize we have here Iberdrola, Avant-Grit, have the center in the whole United States in Vancouver, Washington, and we have, Iberdrola today is the first stock market value in the whole Europe, and the second electricity stock market value in the United States. We have, you know, Dragados is the one really big, the Seattle Tunnel, and now is having a contract of $600 million in doing the dam of water close to the airport of the water for Tacoma, $600 million. In this case, but the more beautiful thing, last year, One of the companies of my group, Iberia Airlines, willing make a drastic decision, change a fleet of 100 Voynard planes or Airbus planes to 100. Voynard planes, 737. In this case, before the end of the year, and I am going to try to invite all of you, we are going to take delivery of the first 3737 for Vueling. In this case, really, almost $7 billion investment is not on me, and that is the thing. It's my dream come back true. You know, I started 56 years ago, and now I'm coming back. But why I do in that one? Because first thing, we have the Spanish heritage. You know, when the United States formed, there are the three colonies, but the right of the United States belong to New Spain, center in Mexico. And we bring the dollar, we bring the silver, we bring everything. And you know, the silver, the Spanish... Silver coin has been for 70 years was the coin of the United States, and thanks to that one, it's the same thing to the American dollar. But now, come back to Snohomi, why I am sorry. You know, in all this year, we developed a fantastic relation with Spain. Business, business, education. You know, today we have already in the state of Washington 140 Spanish English schools, 50-50. We have already the University of Washington in the city of Leon with programs, with scholarship for Spanish kids, students with no education. possibilities to go into this program. In this case, we have Zanzibar program. But why Snohomish? Snohomish because, you know, I develop everything in all the south of Seattle. But now it's coming in Snohomish because I believe in Snohomish. I see what you're doing. You know, people, you know, the rain is coming, it's here. And this case, that one is a completely developmental thing. This year, thanks to Nate and the mayor of Marysville, we have a clinic of the Real Madrid. You know, we are the best in soccer. It's no question about it. I know so many people are upset, but we are the number one. And we are in a more beautiful thing, like the president of Real Madrid told me. Soccer is a world... You know, in Spain, we have so much difference. We have the different language, the community, but once we play soccer, everybody get together. After the soccer game, we start fighting again. In this case, we have all the tools. Thank you for inviting me, and we are looking in the future. I am retired, but now my life start again. Okay, thank you very much for inviting me.

Thank you so much.

you gonna let the soccer comment go well I think we'd be remiss if we didn't congratulate Spain on the World Cup win right we got to get that on the record thank you and again just very grateful for everybody being here today and especially grateful for the contributions of our Hispanic community in Snohomish County add so much value and really make us who we are as a county so thanks everybody for coming thank you so much were there other comment or speakers to the resolution other council comments sorry

OK. Hello, everybody. My name is Paola Madrigal, and I am so proud to be American citizen and also Mexican. And thank you all the representatives for remembering this important day, or this important month, the Hispanic Heritage Month. Thank you. Spain and our Mexican consul. I am a music teacher. I'm the tool. They are talking about traditions and roots, past, present, and future. As a music teacher, I'm the tool that brings the roots of our culture, the Mexican music. The present are my kids, and the futures, I'm building their souls for the future. A tree without roots, what is going to happen? Tell me. What is going to happen to a tree without roots? It's going to die. It's very important. In the United States, we have different culture, religions, things of thinking. And we have to feed our roots, all different roots, Latinos, African-Americans. No, we have to feed our roots. And thank you for feeding this root of the Hispanic Heritage Month. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, Julieta, for doing this possible. And nice meeting you.

Thank you so much. That was well said. Thank you. Okay, any other council comments? Okay, is there a motion?

I move approval of Resolution 26-043. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve Resolution 26-043. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0. So we will take a brief recess for photos. So council is now in recess.

No.

I don't know what you meant.

Thank you.

Council has returned from recess and will continue in our agenda and next is the consent agenda I move approval of the consent agenda items one through seven second It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the consent agenda any discussion hearing none all in favor. Please say aye Chair votes aye any opposed hearing none that passes unanimously next is administrative matters I move approval of administrative matters motion 26-3 7 3 second It's been properly moved and seconded to approve administrative matters. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0. Next, we have action on items from committee, and we have public infrastructure and conservation. And first is item A, motion 26-343. Council considers motion.

26-343, approving and authorizing the county executive to execute Amendment 5 to the technology solution contract for an electronic content management solution with open text.

Good morning, Chair Dunn and council members. For the record, Depp Bell Council staff, proposed motion 26-343 was first heard at the September 1st Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee and is for Amendment 5 to the existing contract with open text for ECM. The original contract was a piggyback using the Washington Department Enterprise of Services for the amount of $314,149. The contract was extended and altered over the years to the point that the total aggregate contract is just now over $1.1 million. In this instance, the executive is seeking relief from the purchasing code as the aggregate amount has been exhausted and any new change, no matter how minor, would need to come before council approval. Before you today, you have three options. One is to pass the original motion as written. Second is to pass Amendment Sheet 1, which reverts to the adopted code. And number three, which uses the proposed contract language that would reset the dollar amount and apply the code limitations. This also appears to be the favorite for the executive when they were consulted. The requested action is to direct the clerks to fix the signature block also on the contract amendment and to consider the motion either with or without the correction. This concludes my staff report and I'm available for any questions.

Do you need a motion for the correction?

It's my understanding we need a, yes, a motion for the correction.

An oral motion or? A verbal. So you verbal direction or a motion to correct it.

A verbal direction. Sorry.

Okay. Um, questions from council. So you sent an email as well. So if we pass amendment sheet two, we do not need one. Correct. So it's either amendment sheet one or two and two is the preferred, um, correction. Correct. Okay. Okay. Other questions. Okay, is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26-343 with the verbal correction of the signature. Second.

Okay, a motion has been properly made and seconded to approve motion 26-343. Are there any amendments?

I move amendment sheet 2. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve amendment sheet 2. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0. Next, we'll vote on the amended motion. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0. Next, we'll hear Item B, Motion 26-345.

Council considers Motion 26-345, approving and authorizing the county executive to execute an interlocal agreement with the Snohomish County 911 to provide technology services. Ms.

Thank you again for the record, Deb Bell, council staff. Proposed motion 26-345 was first heard at the September 1st Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee meeting and is for an interlocal agreement between Snohomish County 911 and Snohomish County to provide technology and network services. This includes sharing space within the county's data center for purposes of cross-connection to state, county, and other participating agencies. Snohomish County 911 and Snohomish County have maintained a mutual beneficial relationship since 2016, and a new ILA is for a five-year term and allows Snohomish County 911 access and requests for the IT services via the county work order system. This is an income stream to the county. The existing ILA expires on September 13th, and the enacting clause of the proposed motion did not include the not to exceed amount. The requested action is to approve Amendment Sheet 1 and consider the corrected motion. This concludes my staff report. I'm available for any questions. Questions from council?

Is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26-345. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26-345. Are there any amendments?

I move approval of amendment sheet 1. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve amendment sheet 1. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0. Next, we'll consider the amended motion. All in favor?

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0. Next is Item C, Motion 26-321.

Council considers Motion 26-321, approving Amendment 3 to the Agreement with Topcon Solutions.

Thank you. Proposed motion 26-321 was first introduced at the September 1st Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee meeting as for Amendment 3 to the existing contract with Blue Bean Review Extreme Software. The original master contract was awarded via RFP and processed through 23-071JM-C. In 2024, Blue Bean upgraded all software and grandfathered the rate with an annual not-to-exceed increase of 10% per year. This has now exceeded the 20 percent aggregate initial award but is still below the standard rate for new licenses. Amendment 3 has been proposed to extend the award to Topcon Solutions for an additional three years with a not to exceed amount of $360,000. There is a proposed amendment to this enacting clause as the language is unclear if it is just Amendment 3 that it is not to exceed $360,000 or if this refers to the total contract amount not to exceed $360,000 over the additional three years. The requested action is to approve amendment sheet one and then to consider the amended motion.

Questions from council? Is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26-321. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26-321. Are there any amendments?

I move approval of amendment sheet one. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve amendment sheet one. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, the amendment passes 5-0. Next, we'll consider the amended motion. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, amended motion 26-321 passes as amended unanimously. Next is Committee of the Whole, and we have motion 26-368.

Council considers motion 26-368, approve and authorize the county executive to execute amendment number four to the software as a service agreement for a timekeeping and attendance system with UKG Kronos Systems LLC.

Good morning. Proposed motion 26-368 would amend the Software as a Service Agreement TC01-21 with Kronos Incorporated. This would be amendment for the original contract and would authorize the second of six two-year extensions, fix the annual renewal fee through September 30th of 2027, and adjust the number of licenses, remove a software module, and acquire 37 time clocks with associated support and accessories. The proposed Amendment 4 will not exceed $195,909, and funding is included in the proposed 2027-2028 budget. The requested action is for Council to consider the motion.

Thank you.

Questions from Council?

Is there a motion?

I move approval of Motion 26-368. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve Motion 26-368. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, the pass is 5-0. Next, motion 26-350.

Council considers motion 26-350, approving the Office of Head Start Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services application.

For the record, Cynthia Foley, Council Staff, the Human Services Department is seeking approval, seeking Council approval for the Early Head Start Fiscal Year 2027 grant applications. Council approval is required pursuant to the Head Start Act. Funding will support 82 children and their families in early Head Start. The grant total is $1,512,457. The required grant match is $378,114. This is roughly split between in-kind contributions and staff salaries. The request is to consider Motion 26-350. Thank you. Questions from Council? Is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26-350. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26-350. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0. That concludes our agenda, and we are in recess until our 1030 public hearing. Thank you.