The Everett City Council used its new-business period to request staff follow-up on several resident-facing issues and to approve outreach referrals.

On water and lead communication matters, Councilor Wayne Matuski raised constituent complaints about water bills not applying payments and one report of a $44,100 bill; the council voted to postpone the matter and request the water superintendent (Item 24) and the CFO (Item 28) appear at upcoming January meetings to explain billing credits, late charges and next steps.

Councilor Katie Rogers presented a resolution asking the administration to add YouTube streaming to the city's existing cable, website and Facebook coverage to increase accessibility and archival access. Rogers said, "I do think that having it on YouTube would increase that transparency even for our own sake to be able to look back at an archival record of, our meetings." The council agreed to refer the resolution back to the sponsor and to coordinate with the mayor's office on implementation.

The council also considered a resolution to honor Rosie Lacourse as the city’s first and longest-serving woman on the council by commissioning a portrait; members shared anecdotes and voted to postpone the item to the second meeting in February while staff locate a high-quality photograph and confirm service dates.

Other items referred included a resolution to include Everett restaurants in an Encore gift-card program (referred to the legislative aide and administration) and a request to the traffic commission to consider making Summit Avenue a one-way street (referred). The council adjourned after offering holiday greetings to residents and public employees.