Mayor Franklin with the US Fed Cup tennis team

Mayor's corner

2020 has been off to a cold, wet and even snowy start! Our incredible City teams have been hard at work to keep Everett moving during all the rain, snow and wind. Despite the weather, there have been lots of exciting things going on in Everett including the Fed Cup at the Angel of the Winds Arena with the great Serena Williams and the annual Wendt and Mayor’s Arts awards celebrating Everett’s fabulous arts community.

Last month I delivered my 2020 State of the City address, reflecting on the City's accomplishments in 2019 and sharing my vision for 2020 and beyond. Work is already underway for the four initiatives I shared in my address:

Adding 24 officers to Everett’s police force by 2022
Forming a task force to solve student homelessness in Everett
Revisiting plans to improve recreation opportunities and pathways around Silver Lake
Forming a stakeholder committee to explore fiscal options and address revenue challenges.

If you missed the State of the City, you can watch and read my full address at everettwa.gov/SOTC.

Everett Community Police Academy returns

The Everett Police Department's Community Police Academy returns after a 20-year hiatus and applications are now open. This hands-on, 10-week program gives participants the opportunity to engage with Everett Police and gain a deeper understanding of what, why and how Everett Police works toward enhancing local quality of life and reducing crime. Learn more and apply to participate in this unique, interactive learning experience.

Rebates for rain gardens

Put your yard to work during the rainy months to prevent flooding, filter pollution and reduce your lawn maintenance. Come learn why people are installing rain gardens and happy that they did! Join Everett Public Works at a free informational workshop to learn more on the purpose and benefits of rain gardens, as well as how you may qualify for a $2,500 rain garden rebate. Workshop dates are March 3, March 12 and March 21. No registration required. Learn more and find the workshop schedule at everettwa.gov/raingardens.

Forest Park playground closed for upgrades

Everett families and visitors will soon be able to enjoy new equipment in place at Everett’s most popular playground. The playground at Forest Park closed Monday, Feb. 10 to begin construction and is expected to reopen by summer, 2020.

The new playground design features plenty of climbing opportunities, accessible ramps, slides and interactive spaces to encourage safe, creative physical play for a wide range of ages and abilities, as well as new ADA-compliant surfaces. All other areas of Forest Park will remain open during construction. For more information and progress updates, visit everettwa.gov/parkprojects.

Pet of the month

If you’re looking for your next loyal companion, Koda 2.0 may be your guy. Koda found himself at Everett Animal Shelter when his owners were having difficulty managing his energy level and anxiety. But once he decides you're safe, he has endless love to give. He wants his family all to himself so he needs to be the only pet in the home, and will repay your love and attention ten-fold! Koda is looking for a home where his people will be around more often than not and can provide him with training, structure and consistency to help him be the best he can be. And can we look at those ears!? Come meet Koda today!

To learn more about Koda 2.0 or any of our available animals at everettwa.gov/animals.

Community events

TEDx comes to Everett’s Edward D Hansen Conference Center Feb. 22. Based on the event theme “The Rivers Run Through Us,” eleven speakers will offer talks, music, dance, comedy and poetry for a moving, informative and entertaining day to remember. Learn more and get tickets at tedxeverett.com.

Join the Rethink Zoning open house on Thursday, Feb. 27 to explore housing types and discover what you think housing should look like in your neighborhood. The open house will also explore what larger multifamily development might look like and will explore draft building heights, including how heights can transition from one neighborhood to another. Visit everettwa.gov/rethink to learn more.

A simple spray could save a life. Join Amy Hill, Opioid Outreach Specialist with Snohomish County Human Services, on Feb. 27 for a free Narcan training to learn how to administer Narcan (Naloxone), a drug that can block the effects of an opioid overdose. The training will also include information about what opioids/opiates are, how they affect our bodies, who is at risk for overdose, what an opioid overdose looks like, and what the antidote to an opiate overdose is. Learn more.

Save the date! Families and music lovers are invited sing along and dance to their favorite Beatles hits for a good cause at the Come Together benefit concert with the Lonely Hearts Club on Friday, March 13, 7:30-9 p.m. at Floral Hall (802 E Mukilteo Blvd., Everett). Tickets are $10 and now available online, by calling 425-257-8300 ext. 2, or at the door. Proceeds benefit youth and families through the Everett Parks & Community Services Scholarship Fund.