Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press council on Pope John, Old Everett High and Everett Square at lengthy public-comment session
Summary
Dozens of residents and groups used the public-comment period to urge the council to renovate Pope John or the old Everett High School, criticize proposed Everett Square changes, and request transparency about ARPA and insurance expenditures; environmental and veterans presenters also addressed council.
A broad range of public commenters used the council’s public participation period to press for action and clarity on multiple issues: the future of Pope John, the proposal to fix the roof at Old Everett High School, concerns about the cost and purpose of Everett Square improvements and calls for transparency on insurance and ARPA spending.
Speakers including Peggy Serino, Maria Bussell and Bill Thompson criticized perceived administrative secrecy around Pope John and asked why the building remains unused; some questioned whether funds should be borrowed for a roof while Pope John remains closed. Serino told the council, "Any renter or taxpayer in this city could go through the budget and cut out 12% or more," arguing for greater fiscal scrutiny.
Community representatives also asked the council to consider neighborhood impacts: Steve Iannaco argued that Everett Square renovations would worsen traffic and reduce green space, while others urged that Pope John be preserved or repurposed to relieve school overcrowding. Tim White and other members of an international student environmental group presented a 'Blue Carbon' initiative seeking a city Blue Carbon Week and related partnerships to protect marine and aquatic ecosystems.
Non-agenda speakers included State Representative McGonigal, who defended his record on veterans funding and cited state figures and recent legislation. The council took no formal action during the public-comment period but later addressed several related items on the agenda during committee and administration presentations.
