Marysville Middle School Sports Partnership

Due to budget constraints, the Marysville School District made the difficult decision to cut middle school sports this year. As a former student athlete and current youth sports coach, I understand the value of athletic programs and the importance of these extra-curricular activities for the well-being of our youth. In addition, we know from many community conversations about the consequences of COVID that one of the largest concerns coming out of the pandemic is the negative impact that isolation and shutdowns had on the social and mental health of our youth. 

That is why I joined the Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, the YMCA, and the Marysville School District to develop an alternative sports program for middle school students this year. With a contribution from Snohomish County, the Boys and Girls Club and YMCA will be running flag football, volleyball, basketball, and soccer for middle school students this academic year. 

These programs will look different from traditional middle school sports, but I am thankful for the partnership between these organizations to bring this important alternative opportunity to Marysville youth this year.  

Bolt Creek Fire Update

On Saturday, September 10th, a wildland fire started just north of the town of Skykomish near Highway 2. The fire, since named the Bolt Creek Fire, grew quickly and has since burned approximately 12,070 acres.  

Initially it looked like the fire was going to move into the populated areas of Baring, Grotto, and Index, but weather patterns changed and there has been minimal property loss and thankfully no loss of life as a result of the fire.  

At this time, fire crews are actively monitoring the fire to keep it away from the highway and within the containment lines that have been created to the east and west of the fire. I would like to thank all of the fire and EMS personnel who have come from across the region to assist as well as the local officials, community leaders, community members, Red Cross, and emergency management personnel who stepped up to help those who were displaced. 

Give Your Input on Arts and Culture in Snohomish County with the Future of Arts and Culture Project 

Snohomish County is seeking input on preferences for arts and culture experiences, activities, and community spaces to identify economic growth opportunities across the county through December 2022. Residents, cultural workers, businesses, and those who are interested in Snohomish County arts and culture are urged to speak out, get involved, and influence change. Click here to get started: www.bit.ly/SnoCoArtsFutures

Learn more about the Snohomish County Arts Commission here.

Update on Broadband Efforts

We are continuing our Broadband Action Team (BAT) efforts to expand broadband access across Snohomish County. On Wednesday, September 14th, Councilmember Sam Low and I met with representatives from the WSU Extension Office to talk about partnerships moving forward. 

WSU Extension has been awarded funds from the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) to assist local Broadband Action Teams in their efforts. I am looking forward to partnering with WSU Extension and our BAT to do more outreach to communities, identify areas of need, and pursue funding opportunities to make these expansion projects a reality.  

Our next Broadband Action Team meeting will occur in early November where we will receive updates on the ongoing efforts and plan for our future initiatives related to broadband. 

PSA Video on Police Reforms

I was happy to join Sheriff Adam Fortney as well as local Mayors and Police Chiefs in a public service announcement video related to public safety and needed police reforms. The video, led and produced by the Sheriff’s Office, highlighted the current public safety crisis we are facing in Snohomish County and throughout the State.  

The video participants discussed the issues surrounding the Blake Decision related to drug use and possession, the legislation limiting police pursuits, and the current staffing crisis we are seeing amongst law enforcement personnel.  

If you would like to watch the video, you can find it at this link.  

WSAC Board of Directors Meeting

I represent the Western Washington region on the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) Board of Directors. WSAC is an organization that represents all 39 counties in the state and works on legislative issues affecting our communities as well as providing opportunities for county elected officials to collaborate on common issues. 

On Thursday, September 22nd, we had a board meeting in Ellensburg. At the meeting, we discussed the WSAC budget for 2023, set the membership of our Legislative Steering Committee and Federal Issues and Relations Committee, as well as some other administrative actions and updates. 

I enjoy serving on the WSAC Board of Directors to bring the voice of Snohomish County residents and Western Washington communities to collaborate with my fellow elected officials from across the state on good, sound policy. 

Arlington CIC Event

The Cascade Industrial Center is a 4,000 acre area spanning North Marysville and South Arlington which has been designated by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) as a regional manufacturing/industrial center. This area has been set aside through a partnership between the two cities and the county for local, family-wage job growth.  

On September 22nd, I had the opportunity to attend and speak at a Cascade Industrial Center event hosted by the City of Arlington. At the event, I joined Mayor Tolbert as well as several state legislators in speaking to the importance of economic development and job growth for our community. I want to thank the City of Arlington for hosting this event as well as all who have played a role in making the Cascade Industrial Center a success.  

One CIC business, Eviation, is building the world’s first fully-electric commuter aircraft. The aircraft, Alice, had its first flight recently. I am excited to see our local businesses succeed and look forward to continuing to support our community's workers and employers.  

Sports Officials and Aquasox Resolutions

This past week, the County Council adopted resolutions supporting youth sports officials as well as a new stadium for the Everett Aquasox. Council resolutions don’t set official policy or laws, rather they are a statement of support for a cause or project. 

The resolution supporting youth sports officials recognizes the need for more referees for youth sports and greater sportsmanship from players and parents. It has become increasingly difficult for youth sports organizations to find willing individuals to serve as sporting officials. These officials are critical for continuing youth sports and the resolution calls for more civility toward sports officials and calls on parents, coaches, and athletes to demonstrate respect for those doing the difficult job of officiating. I want to give a special thank you to Councilmember Sam Low for bringing this resolution forward for the Council’s consideration.  

We also passed a joint resolution with Executive Somers, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, and the Everett City Council in support of a new facility for minor league baseball in Everett. In 2021, the MLB promoted the Everett Aquasox to a Class High-A which is the third-highest level of play in the Minor Leagues. 

While this promotion is a great development for the Aquasox program, it also comes with demands for facility upgrades that cannot be accommodated at the current facility. The resolution we adopted indicates the support from Snohomish County and the City of Everett for a new facility that is inclusive of the needs of the Aquasox as well as other events to help drive economic activity and family-friendly activities in Snohomish County.  

SEPA Exemption Ordinance

On Wednesday, September 28th, the Snohomish County Council adopted my proposal to adopt new State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) exemptions. Ordinance 22-037, which passed on a unanimous vote, eliminates redundancies and increases efficiency in the permitting process.   

Under the new code, developments where the proposed density is roughly equal to what is called for and studied in the comprehensive plan would be exempt from additional SEPA review and appeal processes. The impacts of these developments are already considered during the comprehensive plan process. Redundant regulatory processes add time and cost to new developments which are subsequently passed on to home buyers, leading to higher housing costs.  

The SEPA exemptions ordinance is part of a suite of housing affordability I introduced this year. Earlier this year, the Council adopted Ordinance 22-006 creating more flexibility for detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) and Ordinance 22-016 encouraging the production of more “missing middle” housing.   

NWCI Training Center Grand Opening

The Northwest Carpenters Institute (NWCI) has been one of our great partners in the development and operation of the Regional Apprenticeship Pathways (RAP) Program. They provide great assistance and mentorship to students going through the program to help prepare them for future careers in the trades. 

On Thursday, September 29th, I joined the NWCI for the grand opening of their new training center in Burlington. This new facility will help train the next generation of carpenters for our region. These are critically important jobs and we are currently facing a shortage of workers in the building and construction trades. I am happy to see this new facility open and look forward to continuing our partnership with the NWCI and RAP Program. 

2023 Executive Recommended Budget

On Tuesday, September 27th, Executive Somers delivered his 2023 budget address and presented his recommended budget to the County Council. Each year the budget process begins with the County Executive recommending a budget to the Council.

Once the Council receives the recommended budget, we spend the next few weeks hearing department presentations about their priorities and requests, listening to community input, deliberating as a legislative body, and ultimately adopting a county budget for the next calendar year. 

If you would like to provide testimony on the budget or learn more about the budget process, you can find more information on the County Council’s 2023 budget webpage at this link.  

Share your thoughts

In this month’s newsletter survey, I am asking residents what they want to see prioritized in the County’s 2023 budget. You can take this one-question survey at this link to share your thoughts.   

I encourage you to take the survey and share with your family and friends.