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Council tables $600,000 stadium‑related budget item after transparency concerns
Summary
Council members debated adding $600,000 for consultants and legal fees tied to the multi‑purpose stadium to a broader 2025 budget amendment. Some council members said the stadium line had not been adequately noticed for public review; after discussion the council voted to table that portion of the amendment for further public briefing.
The Everett City Council debated and then tabled (postponed) a $600,000 component of a 2025 budget amendment that would fund consultants and legal work connected to a proposed outdoor multi‑purpose facility. Council discussion centered on transparency and public notice before committing the consultant and legal funds.
Administration described the $600,000 as a due‑diligence package to support lease negotiations, property appraisals and relocation analysis tied to the stadium effort. The slide staff presented broke the $600,000 into line items: $45,000 for PFM financial advisory work; $75,000 for an initial relocation analysis by Kimley‑Horn; $120,000 estimated for appraisals of about 14–22 properties; and $180,000 for work by the Stafford Group to validate lease, operations and revenue assumptions, with about $180,000 remaining for legal fees associated with lease and property work.
Council members asked about timing and next steps. Staff said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with prospective stadium proponents was in outside counsel review, that the MOU was expected to move to the teams early the following week, and that a fuller revenue, cost and financing package will accompany later phases. Staff and outside counsel said bond counsel fees for any future bond issuance are not included in the $600,000 because bond‑issuance legal fees are paid from bond proceeds.
Several council members said they supported moving forward with planning, but several others objected to adding the $600,000 within the budget amendment without separate public notice; one council member asked that the $600,000 be removed from this amendment and placed on a separate agenda item so the community could review it. The council voted to table the agenda item including the $600,000 portion pending additional public briefing.
Ending: Administration told the council it can reintroduce the funding line with clearer public notice or include the item on next week’s agenda for an extended briefing; staff flagged two major program decision points later in the year (progress to 30% design and the final funding/lease package) where the council will have further off‑ramp decisions.
