The city manager reported several community updates: Snohomish County provided $7,500 to support the city’s SCOUT program and embedded social worker, bringing that program’s resources to a little over $12,000; the city will launch a community academy running Feb. 26 through April 2 and already had five applicants the day the announcement was released; a tree-survey effort drew about 270 participants; and the library is hosting an Operation Art To Heal exhibit focused on veterans throughout January.

Why it matters: the county funding increases support available to officers and social workers who connect residents to nonemergency needs; the community academy and tree-survey participation indicate resident interest in civic engagement and urban forestry; the library exhibit is a scheduled cultural program for January.

Details given by the city manager included the SCOUT program funding note, the community-academy start and end dates and the tree-survey participant count; the manager said remaining details would be shared as they become available.

Ending: Councilors asked clarifying questions during the report; staff agreed to follow up on specific questions about the funding source (a councilor asked whether the sheriff’s office or county proper gave the funds), and the manager said he would report back to council with any additional details.