General Legislative Session - Regular Meeting

Good morning, everyone. Snohomish County Council is called to order for our general legislative session. Today is Wednesday, August 26, 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 clerk will take roll. 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 9 to raise your hand and star 6 to unmute. And 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 Nehring.

Here.

Council Member Mead.

Here.

Council Member Peterson.

Here.

Chair, we have five members present.

Thank you. Next is our Pledge of Allegiance, so we've asked Council Member Peterson to please lead us in the pledge. Thank you. Next is public comment. Did anyone wish to provide public comment today? We see no one in person. Any hands raised online? We have Patrick Gann. Hi, Patrick. Hi, Patrick. Hi, how's it going? Good. We can hear you.

I tried to do this yesterday, and I got lost in Bluetooth land. My comment got cut short. Anyways, okay, so here we go. My name is Patrick Ann. Most of you know me by now. I'm a longtime Snohomish County resident, a Lake Stevens High School graduate, a University of Washington graduate, a Clearview resident, and a business owner, a father of four, an employer of 26 Snohomish County residents and voters. I'm also heavily involved in youth sports in our local community. understand this issue my issue isn't on the agenda today i'm not here asking you to decide it i'm here because i think we need to establish some common ground something went wrong here and it needs to be made right i've been quieter recently because i believe we're finally moving toward a solution to the executive's proposed amended amendment and my docket application I understand these processes are now being brought together, but while that process continues, I don't want the silence to create an impression that this issue has somehow gone away. It hasn't. And I especially want to address the idea that the opposition to my business represents the will of the Clearview community. Where is the evidence of that? We heard a small number of people who have been extremely vocal, but being the loudest voices in the room does not necessarily make you the voice of the community. I've actually gone into that community and asked. I have a petition supporting the opening of my business, signed by approximately 90% of the local businesses in Clearview that I approached. I shook their hands, looked them in the face, talked to them personally. I also have signatures from numerous Norwich County residents supporting the opening of this cannabis retail location. Those aren't hypothetical opinions. Those are actual people and actual businesses putting their names behind their position. I've seen a handful of people repeatedly opposing this project. What I have not seen is a comparable documentation demonstrating broad community opposition. And that's important because this entire situation resulted from a code change that affected my property and my ability to operate with virtually no practical notice to the people whose property and businesses that would be affected. Even Council Member Meade acknowledged during these discussions that unless someone worked for the counties or was specifically involved in this process, they essentially would not have known this change occurred. Meanwhile, I've spent well over a year trying to work through the county's processes. My state license timeline reaches expiration point in July. I've had to seek an extension from the LCB because this remains unresolved. I've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, incurred substantial ongoing carrying costs, and now I've secured an additional financing line of credit so that I can continue this fight. So I want to be very clear about why I'm here today. I'm not asking for anyone or any special treatment. I'm asking the county to recognize that something went wrong, establish common ground around the facts, and finally correct it. I would much rather put my money into opening this business, creating more jobs, and generating more tax revenue for the county and the state than continue spending it fighting the county. But if that's what it takes, I'm prepared to continue. I'm here. I'm engaged. I'm not going away until this matter receives a fair resolution. Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your comment. Are there other hands raised? No other hands raised. So we will move forward in the agenda. The next is resolutions, and first we have Resolution 26-040.

Council considers Resolution 26-040, recognizing August 27th through September 7th, 2026, as Evergreen State Fair Days in Snohomish County. Thank you. Comments from Council?

Did you want to speak to it, Sam, or no?

Sure, I'll speak to it. Love the fair fair is always a fun time of the year and I Try to stay out. Excuse me. I try to stay out at the fair While the fair is going on I'm doing that again this year so it'll be exciting to be around all the people and the animals and everything else and Just want to encourage everybody get out to the fair this year Thank you other comments Councilmember Peterson.

Thank you chair. Somebody told me that councilmember Lowe has the record for most scones eaten

I've just heard that I probably have the record for the most purple cows for free I send the time that just perfect and get a free one I think it's the 13th is free and I I usually get one free one a year. So Okay, is there a motion Yeah, I move approval of resolution 26-0 4-0 second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve resolution 26-0 4-0 any other discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0. Next is Resolution 26-041.

Council considers Resolution 26-041, recognizing August 31, 2026, as Overdose Awareness Day in Snohomish County. Thank you. Any speakers to the motion?

Yes, thank you, Chair. So, apparently we've done this resolution a handful of years in a row, but the last couple of years, for whatever reason, it fell off, and so... I was happy to bring this forward. As many of you know, my biological father struggled with addiction his whole life and died in the last few years of a phenol overdose. So it has a special meaning to me. But I've told that story from the dais here before. So I'd rather hear from other people. I know we have some guests joining us. So Lindsey Arrington, I think, is online. And if we could start with giving her a chance to speak. And then we have some more guests here, too.

OK. If we could hear from our speakers online. So Lindsay, are you unmuted?

You should be unmuted. Welcome. Good morning council members. Um, thank you so much for this resolution and for your continued support of our efforts to bring awareness to addiction and overdoses. Um, especially you council chair done. Um, you have continued to show up each and every single year that we have had this event since 2017 and we're very grateful. I just want to thank you also for continuing to work towards other resolutions and initiatives that can help abate the addiction crisis. The Opioid Response Mac Group was a really big one that you guys helped to get past via resolution. This has helped train hundreds, if not thousands, of residents to use naloxone, which is the life-saving antidote to opioid overdoses. We've also watched as you've taken efforts against Purdue Pharma and other pharmaceutical distributors to hold them accountable and declaring the drug epidemic a top county priority, pushing for stronger treatment access. and civil commitment reform, um, that sustained commitment from you guys has helped save lives. And we're very, very thankful for that. I also just want to personally thank you for your support of our overdose awareness event. That's coming up here on Thursday, starting at 5 PM with a resource fair. It really means a lot to have council standing with us as we work to continue raising awareness and support for families and individuals affected by this crisis. Thank you so much for your time and your continued partnership.

Thank you, Lindsay. I'm glad you could join us today. Is there another speaker? Debbie, were you going to speak? Okay. In person? Did you want to say anything?

Yes. I'm Kathy Lee. Oh, sorry.

Never done this.

I'm Kathy Lee, and I'm one of the founders of this International Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil and Resource Center. And again, I want to thank all of you. You have been with us since day one when we started this event and along with the health department as well. And it really means a lot to us. And it's tomorrow night, in case all of you would like to come. I think it's... It's going to be one of the better years. We have more than we've ever had of resources and we are going back to our roots and remembering those that are lost and those that are still struggling. So join us tomorrow night. Thank you.

Thank you. Other comments from council? Appreciate your work and thank you for bringing this forward again, Council Member Mead. I would mention the resource fair, I think, is also really important for tomorrow night's event. And we even had the event online during COVID, and I thought even that was handled really well with the candles. So I appreciate you guys being able to come today again. So if there's no other comments, is there a motion?

I move to approve Resolution 26-041. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve Resolution 26-041. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

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

I move approval of the consent agenda, items one through five. Second.

It's 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 five to zero. Next, we have administrative matters.

I move approval of administrative matters. Second.

Improperly moved and seconded to approve administrative matters motion 26-342. 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 first is item 6A under Committee of the Whole.

Council considers motion 26-339 relating to the 2027-2028 biennial budget process adopting procedures for council action on the budget and related legislation, and suspending certain council rules.

Thank you. Good morning, council members. For the record, Jim Martin, council staff. To facilitate council action on the county budget and related legislation for the biennium beginning January 1, 2027, there is a need to use an ad hoc committee for the purpose of reviewing, discussing, and deliberating the budget. The proposed motion establishes committee of the whole budget for this purpose and for the ultimate adoption of the 2027-2028 biennial budget. Committee of the whole budget shall meet as necessary during the budget deliberation process, and the committee shall automatically be dissolved December 31, 2026. The requested action is to move to council for consideration.

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

I move approval of motion 26-339. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26-339. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0. Next is Motion 26-307.

Council considers Motion 26-307, authorizing approval of Contract Amendment 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with True Wind Collaborative, LLC.

For the record, Cynthia Foley, Council Staff, the Department of Emergency Management is contracting with True Wind Collaborative, LLC, for the Snohomish County Wildfire Protection Annex and Partner Engagement Project. Plan annexes are funded by Community Wildfire Defense Grant. Motion 26-307 approves a one-year extension of the contract. The request is to consider motion 26-307.

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

I move approval of motion 26-307. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26-307. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, the pass is 5-0. Next is motion 26-317.

Council considers motion 26-317, authorizing approval of FY25 State Homeland Security Program grants.

Snohomish County, through the Department of Emergency Management, is seeking to enter into an agreement with the Washington State Military Department for the fiscal year 25 State Homeland Security Grant. The grant not to exceed amount is $269,527.00. Funds will support regional coordination, alert and warning, communications, and law enforcement specialty team equipment. The request is to consider motion 26-317.

Questions from council? Is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26-317. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26-317. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor please say aye.

Aye.

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

Next is item D. Council considers motion 26-320, authorizing approval of fiscal year 25 Urban Area Security Initiative Homeland Security Grant.

Snohomish County, through the Department of Emergency Management, is seeking to enter into an agreement with the Washington State Military Department for fiscal year 25 Urban Area Security Initiative Homeland Security Grant. The grant not to exceed amount is $1,484,603.00. Funds will support regional planning, purchase of an armored vehicle, and the purchase of helicopter rotor blades. The request is to consider Motion 26-320.

Questions from Council? Is there a motion?

I move approval of Motion 26-320. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve Motion 26-320. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0.

Next is item E. Council considers motion 26-325, authorizing the executive to sign agreement with Tacoma Pierce County Health Department to issue food worker cards.

Snohomish County, through the Health Department, is seeking to enter into an agreement with the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department for the issuance of food worker cards. The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department will provide online food worker training, testing, and card issuance to residents of Snohomish County. The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department will remit fees owed to Snohomish County on a quarterly basis. The request is to consider motion 26-325.

Thank you. Council Member Lowe?

Yeah, I've done this program several times before. I think it's very convenient for the people of Snohomish County, and so I'll be supporting this today.

Any other questions? Okay, is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26-325. Second.

Been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26-325. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0.

Next is item F. Council considers motion 26-313, approving a budget transfer or reallocation within the Department of Human Services.

A budget transfer in the amount of $355,000 from pending grant expenditure and revenue to energy administration and program support is needed to provide the appropriation necessary to operate the energy assistance program at planned levels for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The transfer supports the LIHEAP program. An increase in 2025 grant funding resulted in additional staffing and supply charges beyond what was anticipated in the approved 2025-2026 budget. This transfer will enable consumer education services through the end of 2026. The request is to consider motion 26-313. Thank you. Questions from council?

Is there a motion?

I move approval of motion 26-313. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to approve motion 26-313. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, that passes 5-0.

Next is item G. Council considers ordinance 26-036 relating to growth management concerning lot splitting amending Snohomish County Code. This item was continued from general legislative session on August 19th and proposed action today is to remain in committee of the whole to establish a future date and time for public hearings.

Good morning, Chair Dunn and council members for the record, Deb Everson-Bell, council staff. This ordinance was first assigned to the August 18th Committee of the Whole, and during review of the ordinance, some inconsistencies were noted, and a substitute ordinance is currently being drafted and reviewed. The requested action is to allow this item to remain in Committee of the Whole and to establish a future date and a time for a public hearing of the substitute ordinance. This concludes my staff report, and I'm available for any questions. Thank you.

Did we have a presentation?

No, not on this one. Okay.

Okay. Any questions from council? Okay. We need a motion to continue it. We're referring it back to Committee of the Whole? Correct. Okay. So is there a motion?

I move to refer back to Committee of the Whole, Ordinance 26-036. Second.

Motion has been properly made and seconded. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please say aye.

Aye. Aye.

Chair votes aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, the pass is 5-0. Next, we have an executive session.

Thank you. Council has need for an executive session for potential and pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110, paragraph 1, subsection I. Estimated duration is for 10 minutes with any extensions announced in this general legislative session, which puts our conclusion time currently at 928. Thank you. Council is now in executive session.

Council has returned from executive session. We have no other action on our agenda today, and we have no public hearing, so we are adjourned for the day.