General Legislative Session - Regular Meeting

Good morning, everyone. We'll call to order the Snohomish County Council for our general legislative session. Today is Wednesday, 03/06/2026 at 9AM. We're meeting in the Jackson Boardroom and also remotely. I'll read the script for public comment, and then we'll take roll. We'll take public comment beginning in person and then remotely. In Zoom, click on the hand icon to raise your hand. If you're calling in by phone, press 9 to raise your hand and 6 to unmute. Each speaker will have three minutes to speak, and please start your comment with your name and state of residence. Next is roll call.

Chair Dunn? Here. Vice Chair Lo?

Present.

Councilmember Nearing?

Here.

Councilmember Mead?

Here.

Councilmember Peterson?

Here.

Chair, we have five members present.

Thank you. Next is the Pledge of Allegiance, and we've asked Council Member Meade to please lead us in the pledge. Thank you. Next is public comment. Did anyone wish to provide public comment today? Welcome.

Good morning, council members. My name is Patrick Gann. I'm a Clearview resident and a local business owner and the owner of Hanger four twenty. For months now, you've heard from me about the Clearview. We singled out under a 10,000 foot cannabis restriction that does not exist anywhere else in the county. Today, I wanna ask one very simple question. Why is cannabis being treated more restrictively than alcohol? Alcohol retailers in Snowmage County are not separated from one another by 10,000 feet. They're not separated by one another from 5,000 feet. They're not even separated by 2,500 feet.

The cannabis retailers selling illegal licensed age restricted heavily regulated products are being subjected to dramatically harsher restrictions. And the public safety record does not support that disparity. According to the CDC, excessive alcohol use contributes to approximately one hundred and seventy eight thousand deaths every year. According to NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly twelve thousand Americans died in alcohol impaired traffic crashes in 2024 alone, approximately thirty percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide. Here locally in Stonebridge County, there were approximately fourteen seventy two adult alcohol related arrests in 2024 involving DUI offenses, liquor law violations and drunkenness related crimes.

The county also approximately recorded eight sixty three adult violent crime arrests during the same reporting period. And nationally, alcohol has been linked to approximately forty percent to forty five percent of homicides, approximately forty five percent of assaults and sixty three percent of intimate partner violence incidents domestic violences. Yet alcohol retailers face no separation requirements anywhere in Snowmish County. But there's absolutely no evidence in this record showing that cannabis excuse me, licensed cannabis stores create the kind of violent crime or public safety harm that would justify singling out Clearview under a 10,000 foot exclusion zone. And despite the lack of evidence showing cannabis retailers create comparable public safety harms, cannabis remains one of the most heavily regulated and heavily taxed industries in Washington State.

Cannabis is taxed excuse me, tracked from seed to sale, is tested, is age restricted and is taxed at 37%, one of the highest cannabis tax in the county in the country. Excuse me. Washington's legal cannabis industry has generated billions of dollars in tax revenue since legalization, including revenues distributed to counties and cities across the state. The county executive has already stated that cannabis regulations should ultimately be brought and more in line with alcohol, and I agree. Today, I'm simply asking this council to restore the consistency with the rest of the Stonembridge County by returning Clearview to the same 2,500 foot cannabis standard used throughout the rest of the county. Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you for your comment. Other public comment in person? Are there any hands raised?

No hands raised.

Okay. So we'll close public comment and move on to our resolutions. And first, have Resolution 20 six-twenty one.

Council considers resolution 26 dash zero two one, recognizing 05/06/2026 as court interpreter appreciation day in Snohomish County.

Thank you. Comments from council? No. Or online? I know that, councilmember Lowe brought this forward. Just wanted to express my appreciation. We have a number of people here to speak to the resolution. I know this is an issue that we've studied a lot in the Law and Justice, Commission, especially the need for more interpreters and looking at, any workforce issues that might be surrounding that. I think there's there's only three Spanish speaking interpreters that live in the county, so it's a big issue for wanting to support our courts with this. So do we have any speakers today?

Welcome, judges. Okay. Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah. We could open up comment later. Did a interpreter wanted to speak? Anybody? While you're bringing those up? Do you wanna come to the podium? Sorry. That way everyone can hear it online and on the recording.

Good morning. I am p Diane Schneider, certified by the state of Washington as court interpreter for the Spanish language since 1991, which was the first year state of Washington certified court interpreters. And I appreciate and we oh, also, I'm on the board of the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators. But I'm speaking for myself, not necessarily for for the board. But we we appreciate any attention that's given I know there are continuing to be issues of the funding for what the interpreters need.

There are issues of working conditions that may interfere with the quality of the work that we like to provide. And we do the best we can under the circumstances. We try to be as adaptable as possible, but we also like to have the opportunity to express what the concerns are when they come up that interfere with our ability to comply with the guarantees of The US constitution of equal access to justice.

Thank you. Thank you for your comment. Hi, judge.

I'm Jennifer Langban. I'm the presiding judge at Snohomish County Superior Court. Judge Alexander is the chair of our public outreach committee. She prepared some comments, as I indicated. She is doing closing arguments in a jury trial, so I'm going to read those on her behalf.

One of the enduring lessons of the Nuremberg trials is that justice cannot truly exist where people cannot understand the proceedings that determine their rights, liberty, safety, or future. Even in the aftermath of World War II, amid crimes of staggering magnitude, the tribunal recognized that legitimacy required interpretation so that every participant could fully hear, understand, and be understood. The rule of law demanded nothing less. That principle remains just as important in our courtrooms today. Court interpreters are not a convenience or an accommodation.

They are an essential part of meaningful access to justice. They do far more than translate words. They preserve accuracy, protect due process, and ensure that every person who enters our courthouse, whether as a victim, a witness, a parent, a defendant, or a juror, can participate with dignity and understanding. Their work also strengthens our broader community. In a county as diverse and multilingual as ours, public trust depends on people believing that our institutions see them, hear them, and treat them fairly.

When someone can fully understand a court proceeding in their own language, the justice system becomes not only more fair but more human. Families are better able to navigate difficult moments, litigants are better able to comply with court orders, and communities are much more likely to trust the outcomes our courts reach. Access to justice is not simply the ability to enter a courthouse. It is the ability to meaningfully participate once inside. Court interpreters make that possible every single day, and our community is stronger because of their work. We appreciate the counsel's recognition of the important role that interpreters play in our courts every day. Thank you.

Thank you, judge. Any other comments?

Good morning. Judge Anthony Howard. I'm here in the Everett Division of the district court. I just would, recommend supporting a resolution. I think I hope I don't offend anyone else who are who participate in our courtrooms, but I oftentimes think the interpreter in our courtroom is the most skilled person, available.

I think we underappreciate the complexity of the language that we use in our courtrooms that has to be interpreted by a skilled person live in real time listening and talking in a different language. And it must be exhausting. And I think sometimes I neglect to express in real time my appreciation for the work that they do and helping people understand what's going on in the courtroom. So that's all I have to say on behalf of district court. Thank you.

Thank you. Other comments? Yep. Welcome.

Totally unprepared. I'm one of the court certified Spanish interpreters, but I would not be doing my profession justice if I didn't stand up and say a few words. I'm very passionate about what I do because I do believe that we can't have true access to justice without the skill interpreters that we have working in our state. I see how throughout the nation and overall, there's a a movement towards using other, means to provide interpretation like AI. And, it concerns me that we think, like, that's good enough to protect people's due process rights.

And so I, in my profession, try to do everything I can to bring awareness to us because we are getting older. There's not a lot of people that know about our profession that come into it. It is hard to get a certification. I always tell people it's like, you need a college level education in two languages to be able to pass this test. It's really difficult.

But it is important too that as interpreters, we're able to make a living. And so I know that we're all struggling with the funding, and so I wanted to bring awareness to that too as I speak to you that even though all these other means might seem more attractive because it costs less money, we cannot, put a price when it comes to protecting people's rights and access to justice. And I appreciate the time that you're taking to listen to us and to possibly issue this, resolution. So thank you for your time.

Could I get your name for the record, please?

It's Iratze Cardwell, I r a t x e c a r d w e l l.

Thank you. Other speakers to the resolution? Okay. Any comments from council? We'll turn to councilmember Peterson.

Thank you, chair Dunn. I would be remiss to say just how much I appreciate court interpreters. My mother-in-law, who passed just about a year ago, was a court court interpreter for years and years in the state of New Mexico. So, very aware of the critical work that you do. As many of you have said, it's about access to justice. And we have tried, representative Lowe, council member Lowe, as representative Lowe, and myself in Olympia have tried to, help improve the system as well. So I think this is really something that's important for people at all levels of government and all areas of our community need to realize the the critical piece of work that you do. So thank you for, giving people the access to justice that they deserve.

Thank you. Other comments? Is there a motion?

Quick question first. I see both the resolutions are 26Dash021. Is that correct?

I'm sorry. Yeah. 26022 is the second

one. Okay.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Thank you for that. I will, I will move approval of resolution 26Dash021. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve resolution 26Dash021. Is there any discussion? And hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes five to zero. We will take a brief recess, for a quick picture. So we'll take a two minute recess for a photo. So, council's now in recess.

Okay. Council has returned from recess, and we are on our second resolution, resolution 26 dash zero two two.

Council considers resolution 26 dash zero two two, recognizing 05/07/2026 as a national day of Prayer in Snohomish County.

Okay. Comments from council? Okay. Is there a motion?

Move approval of resolution twenty six dash zero two two. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve resolution twenty six dash zero two two. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say

aye. Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes five to zero. Next is the consent agenda.

I move approval of the consent agenda. Second.

Been properly moved and seconded to approve the consent agenda. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes unanimously. Next is administrative matters motion 20 six-one 188.

I move approval of motion 20 six-one 188. Second.

Been properly moved and seconded to approve administrative matters motion 20 six-one 188. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes five to zero. Next, have action on items from committee. And under committee of the whole, we have items a through f. So first, we'll hear motion 26 dash one eight two.

Council considers motion 26 dash one eight two authorizing the county executive to retroactively sign the microservices agreement with Air Reps LLC for HVAC repair services provided at Denny Juvenile Justice Center.

For the record, Cynthia Foley, counsel staff, the proposed motion authorizes the executive to retroactively sign the microservices agreement with Air Reps LLC for HVAC repair at the Denny Juvenile Justice Center. The facilities maintenance division erred in the process by authorizing work to begin without prior approval in a written estimate and assigned microservice agreement as indicated within the procurement compliance form. The total cost of work is $6,310 The request is to consider motion 20 six-one 182.

Thank you. Questions from counsel? Is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 20 six-one 182. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 20 six-one 182. Hearing none, all in favor, please say

aye. Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes five to zero. Next is motion 26 dash one eight five.

Council considers motion 26 dash one eight five, approving and authorizing the the 2025 to 2030 lease for Dawson Place.

For the record, Cynthia Foley counsel staff, the proposed motion authorizes re retroactive approval and execution of the lease with Dawson's Place, which was renewed without prior council approval. The space has been leased since 2010 for the use as a child advocacy center. The fiscal impact during the twenty twenty five, twenty twenty six biennium is 250,069. The lease was signed on 07/14/2025. Renewer renewal requires council approval under Snohomish County code three point zero four point one forty subsection two. The request is to consider motion 26 dash one eight five.

Thank you. Questions from counsel? Is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26 dash one eight five. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26 dash one eight five. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, passes five to zero. Next is motion 26 dash one eight one.

Counsel considers motion 26 dash one eight one authorizing the county executive to execute contract amendment number two with Smith Fire Systems Incorporated for for fire suppression system services at Snohomish County Airport.

For the record, Cynthia Foley, council staff, the proposed motion approves amendment number two to the contract with Smith's by Smith Fire Systems Incorporated. The amendment allows for required periodic inspection and testing as well as needed repairs of airport fire suppression system services to meet fire code and lease agreements with tenants. Amendment The adds $60,000 to the agreement for a total not to exceed of $1,880,000. The original contract was approved by council via motion 22 dash zero three two. The request is to consider motion 26 dash one eight one.

Questions from council? Is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26 dash one eight one. Second.

Improperly moved and seconded to approve motion 26 dash one eight one. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes five to zero. Next is motion 26 dash one eight three.

Council considers motion 26 dash one eight three, approving sponsorship agreement for the two thousand twenty six Evergreen State Fair and Food Drive.

Good morning, counsel. For the record, Nicole Gourley, council staff. Motion twenty six dash one eight three would approve the sponsorship agreement between the county and Lee Johnson Auto Family, whereby the sponsor will pay for the cost of tickets for the Evergreen State Fair drive in the amount of $5,000. Additionally, there are in kind and trading of services under the agreement. On the sponsor side, they will set up 10 locations for food collection and market the food drive as stipulated under schedule a.

And in return, the county will provide graphics and assets necessary for the food drive and marketing material. Include the sponsor's name on the food drive tickets and communication about the food drive when space allows. The county will also work to market the food drive and provide space for the food drive event on July 11. The estimated value of all the in kind and trade for services is $52,500, which brings the total value of the contract to 57,500, which is why it's before you for approval today. Today's request is for counsel to consider taking action.

Thank you. Questions from counsel? Is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26 dash one eight three. Second.

And properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26 dash one eight three. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say

aye. Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes five to zero. Next, is ordinance 26 dash zero one five.

Count to considers ordinance 26 dash zero one five, vacating and abandoning an an unopened portion of 136th Street Southwest at Snohomish County Road right of way. The proposed action today is to set time and date for a public hearing.

Morning, council members. For the record, Jim Martin, council staff. Twenty six dash zero one five would vacate approximately 1,326 square feet of deeded unopened right of way of one for 136th Street Southwest. County engineers prepared the required engineers report and recommends conditional approval. Cost of roughly $7,610 shall be the responsibility of the petitioner. Today's requested action is to move to council to set time and date for public hearing.

Questions from council. Is there a motion?

I move to set time and date for public hearing for ordinance 26 dash zero one five for Wednesday, June 10 at the hour of 10:30AM. Second?

Okay. It's been properly moved and seconded to set time and date for a public hearing on ordinance 26 dash zero one five. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes five to zero. Next is motion 26 dash one nine six.

Council considers motion 26 dash one nine six authorizing the prosecuting attorney to commence condemnation proceedings for Jordan Creek Bridge. The proposed action today is to also set time and date for a public hearing.

Council was briefed on this yesterday. Today's request is to set time and date for a public hearing.

Any questions from council? Is there a motion?

I move to set time and date for public hearing from, motion 26 dash one nine six for Wednesday, June 10 at the hour of 10:30AM. Second?

It's been properly moved and seconded to set time and date for a public hearing on motion 26 dash one nine six. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Chair votes aye. Any opposed? That passes, five to zero. So that concludes our agenda for the day, and we have no other public hearings, today. So we are, recess for the day. Council's adjourned.