EVERETT — City attorneys say Everett’s recently challenged redistricting public input sessions were A-OK.
A representative of Everett Districts Now, the forerunners of Everett’s change to using districts, said the District 1 meeting held Aug.7 at the downtown library wasn’t located within the district’s boundaries. Representative Paula Townsell said this obstructed public engagement, and asked for the council’s approval to be voided and the process redone.
The library meeting was at a place 100 yards outside District 1’s boundaries, attorneys gauged.
“We’ve looked carefully at this. We haven’t seen anything that would invalidate the council approving the map,” city attorney David Hall told the City Council last week.
Districts Now representatives warned the next level of appeal is superior court.
Voters now elect five council members geographically.
A volunteer districting board slightly modified map this year. Of the tweaks, the boundary for District 1’s seat shifted south to Hewitt Avenue, for example. The board rejected an alternative map that would have overhauled the northern districts to split District 1 and 2 vertically down Broadway.
In more Everett news:
City animal code revision vote postponed
EVERETT — The City Council paused on adjusting the city’s animal code Nov. 2 when last-minute edits sprang up. Councilwoman Mary Fosse intercepted a vote to approve the changes by asking to table it. The forthcoming edits are because city attorneys are doing more research.
The city plans to ban roosters and prohibit selling dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores. It also will make it a cruelty crime to crop any dog’s ears, dock the tails of puppies after their first week of birth, or remove vocal cords by anyone other than a licensed veterinarian.
Council didn’t set a date for when this item will return.
Lifeguard academy for teens at Y
EVERETT — YMCA of Snohomish County this month launched a Lifeguard Academy on Saturday, November 5. This program, designed for teens ages 15+who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), teaches lifeguard skills, as well as necessary leadership and communication skills.
“Current research has shown that over 70 percent of youth in the BIPOC community do not have access to opportunities that provide basic water safety and swimming skills,” said Kim Gaffney, YMCA Executive Director of Youth Leadership.
Teens in the academy learn leadership career skills as well as pool lifeguarding lessons including CPR and First Aid.
