Residents urge council to uphold municipal code 20.12 and press for removal of derelict vessel 'Pacific Express'

Several members of the public used the Oct. 8 public-comment period to press the council to support enforcement of Municipal Code 20.12, a citizen‑initiated ordinance addressing protection of the Snohomish River watershed, and to highlight the derelict vessel Pacific Express as an ongoing hazard.

Annie Lyman and Holly James, both speaking as residents and members of groups supporting the municipal code, said 56% of voters approved the initiative and asked the council to uphold the ordinance ahead of a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 24. James said her organization, Standing for Washington, has researched derelict vessels and identified the Pacific Express — described in the comment as a 187-foot retired fishing vessel stuck north of the trestle — and urged city attention and legal standing for citizens under the municipal code.

James described past cleanup attempts, a bankruptcy by the vessel’s owner (named in her remarks as Felix Vero), and unpaid dock fees she said exceed $200,000. She noted the U.S. Coast Guard previously pursued cleanup actions on another of the owner’s vessels and said Standing for Washington supports enforcement and cleanup measures.

Another commenter, Carrie Reed, identified herself as a survivor of domestic violence and autism advocate and requested a meeting with Mayor Cassie Franklin and Chief Deroos to discuss protections, buffer zones, the neighbor-reporting app and how services and orders are administered; she said she had submitted written requests and not received a response and asked for a meeting.

Speakers urged the council to read and defend the municipal code, to consider citizen standing, and to pursue cleanup or remediation of derelict vessels. Councilmembers did not take immediate action during the Oct. 8 meeting but were informed of the speakers’ concerns; the court date for related litigation was noted as Oct. 24, 2025.