Every year, each councilmember hosts an evening time Administrative Session Meeting in our District in an effort to make our council meetings more accessible to the public. This year I’m hosting our May 28 Administrative Session at Hibulb Cultural Center in Tulalip. The meeting starts at 6p, is open to public, and I encourage you to join. There will be cookies! 🍪
If you haven’t recently visited Hibulb Cultural Center, I encourage you to stop in to tour the facility and exhibits. It’s a great way to learn more about the original inhabitants of our county, their heritage, culture, and history.
Recently, the Snohomish County Council unanimously approved a Motion to place the Port’s petition for annexation on the August primary ballot. Currently, The Port’s boundaries include most of Everett, part of Mukilteo, portions of Marysville, and unincorporated Snohomish County, and an expansion would cover all of Snohomish County, except for the Port of Edmonds and parts of the Town of Woodway. If passed on August 6, the measure would allow the Port to invest in transportation, economic development, community projects, and environmental projects beyond the current District. Voters can learn more by attending informational open houses in locations throughout the county. For more information, visit www.portofeverett.com/boundarymeasure or email Kate Anderson: katea@portofeverett.com.
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The Council recently approved money from an allocation provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce to help fund the replacement of a bridge and culvert that was washed out by a storm in the Aqua Hills neighborhood in the The neighborhood was completely cut off from the main road and has been using a temporary foot bridge to access services. The situation has been especially worrisome because without this roadway, emergency services are not able to access the neighborhood should residents experience an emergency of any type. I’m grateful for the hard work of the county, the State and Tulalip Tribes to respond quickly to this need and identify ways that we could respond to help these residents. The roadway should be replaced in the coming months.
Paula and I recently visited and toured the Everett Food Bank located on 13th and Broadway. It is operated by Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) and currently serves over 900 individuals per week. Before the VOAWW’s Food Distribution Center in Arlington opened last year, the center here in Everett served as the distribution hub for most food banks in all of Snohomish County. During the pandemic, the county supported local food banks and food programs for households in need with federal relief funding. During the tour staff shared with us that during the pandemic, there was a sharp increase in demand for food, and that those new levels of service have not returned to pre-pandemic levels but they’ve increased, which is a key indicator that the need is great.
No one should experience hunger. If you are in a position where you can support a local food bank, I encourage you to donate your time or money to support their efforts. Or if you are in need of food, please visit the Snohomish County Food Bank Coalition page to find a food bank near you.
L-R: Paula Rhyne, Tonya Glen the Everett Food Bank Manager, Chris Eck the Vice President of Programs with VOAWW, John Glennon the Executive Director of Hunger Prevention Services, and Myself
This March, the County kicked off our 25th March Against Hunger campaign. This charitable campaign goes to support anti-hunger efforts across the county to support vulnerable children and families who are struggling with food security. Departments from across county government host events and fundraisers in an effort to reach our goal of raising $50,000.
It all started in 1999 by Valarie Davis - a Treasurer’s Office employee who believed strongly in the importance of serving others. Sadly, later that year Valerie passed away after a long battle with kidney failure, but the county has carried on Valarie’s vision for the last 24 years in partnership with Volunteers of America, providing food and support to families in need.
This year I joined for the March Against Hunger 5K Fun Run/Walk and Food Drive. Despite the very rainy weather, it was a great turnout to support the cause. Many thanks to all of the departments who put on exciting events - I especially appreciated the delicious pancake breakfasts and baked goods sales!
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With Jill Ford, Council's Administrative Assistant, who was our council office's lead organizer and enthusiast for MAH. |
April is home to both Earth Day and Arbor Day and each year I’m so glad to see various clean-up events across the county to promote environmental stewardship. Below are some events that I have spotted and encourage you to join!
Earth Week FREE Recycling Event
Snohomish County is hosting a Free Recycling Event at Evergreen State Fair Park on Saturday, April 27, from 10-2p. You can bring hard-to-recycle items like styrofoam, fluorescent lightbulbs, household batteries, electronics, tires, and metals to the West (Red) Parking Lot for proper disposal. The full list of items accepted and additional information can be found on their website.
Adopt-A-Stream Foundation Planting Event
The Adopt-A-Stream Foundation is hosting an Earth Day Planting on Saturday, April 20, from 9-noon at Quilceda Creek. This effort is in partnership with the Tulalip Tribes to help restore the creek’s riparian zone and strengthen the health of the habitat for salmon. For more information, please visit the event website.
Snohomish County Healthy Forest Project
The Snohomish County Healthy Forest Project is celebrating Earth Day with a work party at Lake Stickney Community Park in Lynnwood. In 2020 the group planted 300(!) trees at the park, but over the last few years, invasive ivy and blackberries have been making their way in and choking these trees and habitat and the work party will address this. Forest stewards are welcome to join on Monday, April 22 from either 11-2 or 4-7p to lend a hand. Please use this link to sign up to volunteer.
Everett Station District Alliance Clean Up
On Saturday, April 20 from 9-11am the Everett Station District Alliance is hosting a Spring Community Cleanup in their area near the Everett Transit Station. The group will meet in front of the Everett Station and gloves, grabbers, and traffic vests will be provided, along with donuts and a t-shirt. For more info and to sign up please visit: https://www.everettstationdistrict.com/calendar/spring-community-cleanup-2024
Port of Everett Marina & Jetty Island Cleanup Day
The Port of Everett’s 30th annual Marina & Jetty Island Cleanup Day is taking place this Saturday, April 20. Check-in starts at 9 a.m. at the Fisherman’s Tribute Statue (across from Bluewater Distillery). Volunteers will help pick up around the Port of Everett Marina and on Jetty Island until about noon. All cleanup supplies are provided, including snacks! Pre-registration is requested at www.portofeverett.com/marinacleanup.
Imagine Children’s Museum Earth Hero Day
The Imagine Children’s Museum is celebrating Earth Week by encouraging kids (and their grown-ups!) to come to the museum dressed as a superhero. They will have special exhibits empowering kids to become Eco Hero’s and discover the importance of caring for our planet and be environmental champions. Superhero Earth Day is this Saturday, April 20, from 10-2p and activities celebrating the earth run from April 20-27.
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The Snohomish County PUD is hosting an Energy Block Party on Saturday, April 27, from 11-2 near their PUD Headquarters in Everett located at 2320 California Street. The event will have fun for the kids including prizes, giveaways, food trucks, and the ever-popular Touch-A-Truck. Grownup fun includes getting more information about solar panels or cost-effective energy efficiency measures for their homes. Here’s a link to the map of the event. For more information the the full schedule of events, please visit https://www.snopud.com/community-environment/in-our-communities/energy-block-party/.
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Snohomish County is accepting applications for the 2024 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). SFMNP provides eligible low-income seniors with a free $80 benefit card to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, farm stores, and farm stands. To learn more about the program, including eligibility requirements, and to apply easily online, please visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/1002/Nutrition-Programs.
The Snohomish County Office of Social Justice (OSJ) is accepting applications for its community sponsorship initiative. The initiative provides up to $5,000 in financial support to organizations working to advance efforts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is the second funding round in 2024.
The Snohomish County Human Rights Commission (HRC) is featuring “There’s Something in the Water” during Movie Night on April 30th in Everett. The film shines a spotlight on environmental racism and describes how Indigenous and Black activists in Canada embarked on a crusade to protect their communities from pollution. The powerful documentary, directed by Elliot Page and Ian Daniel, is based on the book written by Dr. Ingrid Waldron. Doors open at 5:30 at the Everett Library Activity Room, located at 2702 Hoyt Avenue. The film starts at 6 p.m.and this event is free and open to the public.
Snohomish County residents are encouraged to provide input through April 25th on a proposed spending plan for affordable housing, public facilities, and service projects for low- and moderate-income people in Snohomish County. The Urban Consortium Draft 2024 Annual Action Plan, which is part of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, is required in order for the county to receive annual federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. For more information and to read the Draft 2024 Annual Action Plan, click here. Written comments may be submitted by contacting Debra May at (425) 388-3264 or via email at debra.may@snoco.org.
Snohomish County Parks and Recreation is developing concept plans for future projects at Martha Lake Airport Park and Martha Lake Park. The plans at Martha Lake Airport Park include adding amenities such as pickleball courts and improving parking, and the plans at Martha Lake Park are considering updates to the play areas and park improvements. Our Parks team is looking for community input on both plans and surveys can be found here:
The surveys will remain open until April 25. More info can be found here.
Workforce Snohomish and WorkSource Snohomish are organizing a mini career fair for DSHS on Monday, April 22, from 1-3p at the WorkSource Center in Everett. Representatives from DSHS’ Developmental Disabilities Administration, Economic Services Administration/Community Services Division, and Division of Child Support will all be on hand to share more about open positions and help provide information. For more information check out this Facebook post, or to register, please click here.
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