Council committee approves two department-head reappointments; administration outlines upcoming confirmations

The Everett City Councils Community and Legislative Affairs Committee on May 20 approved favorable committee action for two department-head reappointments and heard an administration update on other pending confirmations.

Jerry Navarro was nominated for reappointment as executive director of Public Works to a term ending Jan. 5, 2026. Navarro summarized his tenure, saying he started with the Department of Public Works in 2014, returned in mid-2020 and described the departments responsibilities as "maintain all municipal buildings, all parks, stadium, cemetery" and operations including snow removal. Councilors moved and approved favorable action by voice vote.

The committee also approved the reappointment of Matt Lattanzi to serve as executive director of Planning and Development to a term ending Jan. 5, 2026. Lattanzi told the committee he graduated from Boston College Law School in 2018 with a concentration in land use and environmental law, worked in the solicitors office and served as interim planning director before his permanent appointment in January 2022. He said the planning department is "branching a lot more into sustainability, conservation, into grants, into energy advocacy." Councilors praised his experience and the committee approved favorable action by voice vote.

Later in the meeting the administration reported it has submitted an order to confirm a recommended candidate for the Everett Police Department; the committee was told that confirmation is planned for the June 10 meeting. The administration also said a Fire Department chief finalist is expected this summer after a civil-service assessment center scheduled for June 5, and that reappointments for the city assessor and the city engineer will be forthcoming.

The administration offered to bring other recently created or reorganized department heads before the council for introductions even when those positions are not enumerated in the administrative code. The committee did not take additional votes on those pending confirmations at the May 20 meeting.