Charter review commission outlines public-hearing plan and outreach approach for Everett

The Everett Charter Review Commission discussed logistics and outreach for upcoming public hearings, agreeing members should begin community outreach and that staff will provide shareable materials.

Commission members brainstormed candidate venues in South Everett and elsewhere — libraries, the old grocery outlet near Everett Mall Way, the Silver Lake park facility, high schools and low-cost city-run rental spaces. Several members stressed choosing accessible locations with good parking and transit; one member flagged that March 26 is the Seattle Mariners’ opening night and might reduce turnout. The group discussed holding an early public hearing (to solicit “blank slate” ideas) and a later hearing on a near-final draft so residents can comment on preliminary recommendations. Members suggested an early hearing in the week of March 12 or March 19 (date to be confirmed based on facility availability) and additional hearings later in the process.

Moderator (Speaker 2) and staffer Jennifer (Speaker 10) confirmed the city can provide social-media copy and slide decks to support outreach and that neighborhood meetings and district town halls are complementary outreach opportunities. Members volunteered to help identify venues and to email topic ideas to staff in advance; staff said it would collect proposed agenda items and circulate them with meeting packets.

The commission emphasized equitable outreach to neighborhoods that members said feel underrepresented, including South Everett and Silver Lake. Members also discussed using smaller working groups to assist logistics so the full commission can focus on substantive charter questions at regular meetings.

Next steps: staff will check facility availability for proposed dates, prepare outreach templates for commissioners to share, and report back on venue options at the next meeting; commissioners agreed to send proposed agenda items in advance by email to staff.