Mayor's corner

In my neighborhood I’m starting to see the tips of tulips and daffodils poking up; trees and shrubs are budding with new life – all signals that spring is just around the corner – a time of new growth and new beginnings.

All around our city there are signs of hope and a fresh start. Our infection and hospitalization rates continue to slow, and vaccination availability is improving. Under Phase 2, we’re seeing more businesses and restaurants opening up and adding capacity. This week we kicked off Everett Restaurant Month, which supports our local restaurants, cafes and bars with a month-long offering of great deals and deliciousness. I hope you’ll show them some love! And our schools are beginning a phased, hybrid return to in-person education. I know it will be a bit of an adjustment for our young learners, teachers and parents alike, and I am grateful to our education partners for their hard work to help make this as smooth a transition as possible. Also, this week we opened up our libraries with new public health measures in place. Our library teams are doing everything they can to ensure visiting the library remains a safe and welcoming experience.

These are just some examples, and more will hopefully follow soon if we can keep up this positive momentum. We’ve been through some dark times and we still have a ways to go, but spring is in the air! Please get outside, enjoy the beginnings of the season, share kindness and continue our commitment to help keep each other and our community safe. Thank you and be well.

Warmly,
Mayor Cassie

Share your feedback on the Public Right of Way ADA Transition Plan

We’re asking for feedback to finalize our 2021 Public Right-of-Way (ROW) ADA Transition Plan. The plan provides a framework to improve pedestrian facilities within the city ROW to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. Pedestrian facilities include sidewalks, paths, curb ramps and pedestrian signals/push buttons. Check out the online open house at everettwa.gov/ADAopenhouse to learn about the plan, share feedback and report a barrier.

Everett Restaurant Month

March is going to be Everett’s most delicious month yet! We worked with local eateries to launch Everett Restaurant Month and celebrate Everett’s amazing culinary scene with great deals like three-course meals for just $30 per person, and more. The restaurant industry could use some support and we all could use a little something to spice up our routines. So get your appetite and stretchy pants ready, and dig in to some Everett deliciousness at visiteverett.com/yum.

City works to limit water pollution & monitor stream health

Swimmable and fishable waters is the goal of water quality efforts. We support water quality improvement through educational efforts to reduce pollutants from getting into surface water, collecting samples to monitor water quality in lakes and streams, constructing capital projects to reduce erosion and sedimentation in streams, and complying with the NPDES Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. Learn about our Stormwater Management Program, and comment through March 15, at everettwa.gov/surfacestormwater.

Library reopens with limited in-building services

Now that we are in phase two of the Roadmap to Recovery Plan, and with COVID-19 cases steadily declining, the Everett Public Library welcomed customers back into their buildings on March 2. Both locations are open at 25% capacity for limited services, including browsing and computer use. They’ll continue working with the City, Governor’s Office and Snohomish Health District to monitor the pandemic and follow health and safety guidance. Learn more about their current operations, hours and safety procedures at epls.org.

Sunday transit service returns on March 14

Everett Transit will resume Sunday service effective March 14. This announcement comes after a lengthy public process in which improvements to weekday service or the restoration of Sunday service were considered. The majority of those surveyed expressed how important Sunday service is to them. Additionally, service between Mukilteo and Boeing (route 70) will be suspended until there is greater demand. Route 6 between Everett Station and the waterfront will continue to be suspended until state COVID-19 guidance allows for more passengers on a bus. Find more route information and sign up for rider alerts at EverettTransit.org.

COVID-19 updates

The state added educators and licensed child care workers to the current COVID vaccine eligibility phase (Phase 1b1). Vaccines are expected to be carried out through the Federal Pharmacy Program. The state Department of Health will share more information soon about how those workers can access vaccines.
In case you missed it, Snohomish County councilmembers hosted a panel of local leaders and health officials for a virtual town hall on COVID vaccination efforts in Snohomish County.
Visit Snohomish County’s Hub for COVID-19 information and resources, including information on vaccines, COVID-19 and testing, as well as food resources, volunteer opportunities and more.