Snohomish QUARTERLY
PLANNING OUR FUTURE
City Hall
City of Snohomish 116 Union Avenue
Snohomish, WA 98290
Phone: 360-568-3115
Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Monday, Friday by appt. only
Please see the City’s website to report a concern or for additional information at www.SnohomishWA.gov.
Police
230 Maple Avenue
Snohomish, WA 98290
Phone: 360-568-0888
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergencies: 425-407-3999
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Patrol deputies are on duty 24 hours a day and can be reached by calling 911.
Department Contacts
Linda Redmon, Mayor
360-282-3154
redmon@SnohomishWA.gov
Heather Thomas, City Administrator
360-282-3194
thomas@SnohomishWA.gov
Brooke Eidem, Planning Director 360-282-3167
eidem@SnohomishWA.gov
Nova Heaton, Public Works Director 360-282-3187
heaton@SnohomishWA.gov
Alisha Hendren, Finance Director 360-282-3197
hendren@SnohomishWA.gov
Shari Ireton, Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Initiatives 360-282-3176
ireton@SnohomishWA.gov
Rebekah Park, Human Resources Director 360-282-3155 park@SnohomishWA.gov
Brandi Whitson, City Clerk 360-282-3181
whitson@SnohomishWA.gov
Nathan Alanis, Police Chief 360-568-0888
snohomishpd@SnohomishWA.gov
A New Park is Coming to Snohomish
In 2013, the City acquired the 10-acre site at the 2000 block of Ludwig Road with Park Impact Fee funds to develop Homestead Park. Community input and concepts were gathered while updating the Snohomish Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Long Range Plan and the Parks Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Learn more: www.snohomishwa.gov/HomesteadPark
Farewell Commissioner Cole
Gordon Cole’s last meeting on the Planning Commission was September 18, 2024, coinciding with the Commission’s Public Hearing on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan. Gordy has served on the City’s Planning Commission for nearly 50 years, including helping to develop the City’s very first GMA-mandated Comprehensive Plan in 1995. His volunteer service is greatly appreciated! “Gordy’s thoughtful, informed, and collaborative approach to regulatory processes and long-range planning has always been valued by City staff and fellow Commissioners alike,” said Planning Director Brooke Eidem. “We thank him for his contributions to his community!”
Welcome New Staff
Jacob Olson, Maintenance Worker
Jacob worked with his dad in the construction industry several years before coming to the City of Snohomish. He is following in the footsteps of his grandpa, who also worked in the Water Department for the City from the 1970’s to early 90’s.
Nathan Parker, Seasonal Maintenance Worker
Nathan has worked in finished carpentry, building remodeling, installing wine cellars and saunas. He has also worked in the aircraft industry refueling planes from Boeing 747s to small aircraft. Nathan will be working in the Wastewater Collections Department.
Dan Rohlfing, GIS Specialist
Dan works with mapping and spatial data in the Planning and Development Services Department. He previously worked at Furgro in Frederick, Maryland as a GIS analyst and earned his undergraduate degree from Shippensburg University in geoenvironmental studies. Dan and his girlfriend enjoy backpacking and have completed the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Wonderland Trail.
Reflecting Our Community
BY LINDA REDMON, MAYOR
The work we are doing at the City is a reflection of the needs and aspirations of our community. The City Council, as your elected policy makers, are an extension of you. Their priorities dictate the focus of the work of City staff. Your input to the Council and to City staff helps us work together to serve you better.
For the past year, the City has taken your input and incorporated it into the Comprehensive Plan update that will guide the City for the next 20 years (see Council President Merrill’s article on p. 5) and the 2025-2026 budget.
You can learn more about the Comprehensive Plan here: www.snohomishwa.gov/CompPlan.
For the first time, the budget for the next two years will be available in a budget tool available on the City website for the entire community to view. This budget is based upon a thorough review of current and future needs of the community, a lot of which was done as part of the work for the Comprehensive Plan, and the gaps that were illuminated during that process.
What you will see in the 20252026 budget is how the City plans to begin addressing our infrastructure needs, especially to protect the historic nature of our town. For instance, replacing the water system that is nearly 100 years old to
Our priority is to make wise use of taxpayer funds and promote economic growth that will benefit the community financially in the long run.
Snohomish Quarterly is published by Scenic365 LLC for the City of Snohomish.
ADVERTISING SALES Jennifer Coleman 360-739-0701 / jennifer@scenicwa.com
EDITOR
Shari
Ireton
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Jason Becker
provide adequate water flow in historic areas for fire safety needs. This need has been recognized for years but making the hard decision to spend the money on fixing it has been put off. We cannot wait for a catastrophic failure that will cost rate payers more. We are doing the responsible thing and taking care of the well-being of our community now.
You will also see that we are working to modernize and increase access to the services we provide, with the benefit to residents and businesses of reliability, responsiveness, and convenience. The Public Safety and City Services Campus (see p. 13) is one of the biggest projects the City has ever undertaken, and will result in improved service efficiency, energy efficiency, and emergency response.
Our priority is to make wise use of taxpayer funds and promote economic growth that will benefit the community financially in the long run.
Linda
Redmon, Mayor redmon@snohomishwa.gov 360-282-3154
The City of Snohomish Comprehensive Plan
This is the year!
Every ten years the cities and counties of Washington are required to review and submit updates to their Comprehensive Plans.
Snohomish City Staff and the Planning Commission have conducted a deep review and update over the last two years and are nearing completion. Much of the changes and additions have come from you, the residents of Snohomish, via the extensive outreach program conducted by City Staff (more on this below).
What is the “Comprehensive Plan?"
The Comprehensive Plan contains a set of goals, objectives and policies that captures our community vision. That vision identifies those characteristics the community wants to retain, reinforce, and achieve as the City moves into the future.
Why do we have one?
Well, Washington State law requires every city and county to have one. The more relevant answer comes from Yogi Berra: “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”
Community Outreach
The first phase of the project was to ask what you love most about Snohomish and how we should plan for future growth. Community input was collected from Town Halls, a Carnival at the Carnegie, social media surveys (Facebook and Next Door), and Civic Ambassadors drawn from the community to engage with their friends, neighbors, and associates and a booth at the Farmers Market. Also, from visits to classes of a variety of ages in the Snohomish School district so that the kids could contribute to their future. Input was also sought from Urban Planning graduate students at the University of Washington, the Tribes, and various state agencies. This isn’t a complete list but hopefully you get the idea.
The most mentioned feedback was to keep Snohomish as a special place to live, work, and play –to maintain the small-town identity.
So, what’s in this Plan?
The Plan addresses nine different areas of planning, called elements. Each element includes an inventory or assessment of the current situation as well as policies and recommendations to direct decisions in a way that supports the community’s vision. A quick look at what's in each Element:
• Land Use
Where we can build.
• Housing
What we can build and how close together.
• Capital Facilities
The big stuff – water, sewer, and city buildings.
• Utilities
Working with the non-city providers of internet, phones, natural gas, etc.
• Transportation Streets and sidewalks, buses and bikes.
• Economic Development Keeping our economy healthy by attracting and retaining businesses.
• Parks Places for people and families to meet and play.
• Climate & Environment
Adapting to climate change.
• Shoreline
Maintaining healthy lands adjacent to our rivers and lakes.
For a deeper look I invite you to read more by visiting www.snohomishwa.gov/CompPlan.
What’s next?
Work is nearing completion but there is still time to provide input! Send a note to a City Council member or City Staff. Testify at the November 19 City Council Public Hearing. Come to any City Council meeting and add suggestions. But time is running out – the City Council will hold a final Public Hearing in November and adopt the Plan.
Please feel free to reach out to me with comments or suggestions at (425) 327-6668 or merrill@snohomishwa.gov.
Human Services Advisory Board
The City of Snohomish is excited about the formation of the first Human Services Advisory Board (HSAB). HSAB will play a crucial role in assessing the social service landscape within the City, identifying gaps in service delivery, and advocating for initiatives that promote equity and accessibility to essential human services.
The board will actively engage with stakeholders to gather input and assess community needs, effectively supporting vulnerable populations such as low-income families, seniors, veterans, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Key responsibilities for this board will include conducting regular needs assessments, community engagement, program development and collaboration with other agencies. This board’s work can lead to systemic changes that address long-standing barriers to accessing human services. This can result in more sustainable improvements in the quality of life for all residents.
2024-25 HSAB Members:
Melissa Carico
Having just moved from Idaho to the City of Snohomish, Melissa brings years of experience working with various human services organizations, including as an appointed representative to the Governor’s Early Childhood Coordinating Council and with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Taylor Koenig
Taylor is a Certified Peer Counselor affiliated with Conquer Clinics in Monroe whose goal is to support those within Snohomish in their recovery from substance use and mental health challenges.
Melissa MacDonald
A resident of Snohomish, Melissa has previously worked in health and human services and is committed to promoting the well-being of the community and addressing the unique challenges faced by residents.
We have recently expanded our utility assistance program to be available to more Snohomish utility customers! Low-income households may apply to receive water, sewer, and garbage services at a discount of the monthly minimum charge. Customers may apply by filling out the Reduced Utility Rate Application Form online (www.snohomishwa.gov/ReducedUtilityApp) or requesting a paper copy of the application by contacting or stopping by City Hall (116 Union Ave).
Kristi Myers
Kristi is the Chief Operating Officer for the Volunteers of America of Western Washington who is “passionate about helping people who live and work in this beautiful city”.
Greg Osborne
Greg is an Assistant Fire Chief with Snohomish County Fire District 4 who has more than three decades of experience helping community members in times of need.
Emma Waltz
A Snohomish resident, Emma served on the Snohomish School District’s Student Advisory Council for two years representing AIM High School and was a student representative on the District’s Strategic Planning Committee.
Mary “Mo” Zwerling
Mary is a retired Snohomish resident who worked for years in administering programs for the unemployed and uninsured who wants to apply her experience to help enhance and increase human services in her hometown.
Heads in Beds
How the City re-invests lodging tax revenues into Snohomish
What are the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and Lodging Tax Grant Program?
There are a lot of acronyms in government. If you work or volunteer to bring visitors to Snohomish, an important acronym for you to know is “LTAC.” LTAC stands for “Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.” This committee reviews and recommends proposals for grant funding from the City’s Lodging Tax Grant Program. LTAC currently includes:
Two members who are representatives of lodging businesses required to collect the lodging tax:
• Alina Williams, Snohomish Inn
• Nancy Keith, Terrace Hideaway
And two members who are persons involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received from the lodging tax:
• Denya Ardis, Historic Downtown Snohomish Association
• Grant Harrington, Snohomish Running Company
The committee also includes City Councilmember Lea Anne Burke.
The grant program is funded by the transient rental income tax, which is not a separate tax but rather a credit against the state sales and use tax paid by lodging businesses such as hotels or short-term rentals. For the 2025–26 biennium, the City estimates a total of $40,000 - $50,000 will be available through the Lodging Tax Grant Program.
What does the Lodging Tax Grant Program fund?
Grant funding may be used for tourism promotion, acquisition of tourismrelated facilities, or operation of tourism-related facilities. In Snohomish, most proposals are for events that draw visitors to town. In 2024, the Lodging Tax Grant Program awarded funding to:
• Snohomish Pride
• Kla Ha Ya Days
• Kla Ha Ya Adult Soccer Tournament
• Snohomish Block Party
• Snohomish Studio Tour
• Snohomish River Run
• Snohomish Brewfest
• Winterfest 2024
How do I apply for funding?
To review the requirements and submit an application, please visit www.snohomishwa.gov/LTAC . The deadline to apply is Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM.
How are applications evaluated?
LTAC evaluates applications using several criteria, such as the proposed scope of work, the predicted overnight stays, and how innovative the project is. Ultimately, the committee wants to see projects that help create a positive feedback loop of visitation to Snohomish – projects that put “heads in beds” and bring in revenue that can then be used for further visitor promotion.
Do you have a project to bring visitors to Snohomish?
Consider applying for Lodging Tax Grant Program funding.
A Look Back at a Summer of Arts & Culture!
Avenue C Mural
Have you noticed that the Avenue C Mural, located on the east side of Worthy at the corner of First Street and Avenue C, changes every year?
The Historic Downtown Snohomish Association runs a contest to pick the next muralist, and this year’s winner was Snohomish High School student Makenzie Sinson. Be sure to swing by next time you’re downtown.
It was a summer to remember in Snohomish, where new public art and a bustling Carnegie Building showcased the community’s embrace of creativity and culture.
First Street Planters
Last fall, the City installed planters along First Street as temporary replacements for the street trees that were removed due to storm damage. As spring transitioned into summer this year, these planters were beautified with art from Brooke Westlund, Jeff Vileta, Kendall Clouser, Laurie Olsen, and Emma Fontenot. An additional planter installed outside the City’s Public Works Shop was painted by Jennifer Oak. We are grateful these artists shared their talents and interpretations of the theme “bringing the Snohomish community together” with us.
Julius Caesar at the Carnegie
In this bold punk reimagining of Julius Caesar, this classic political drama took on a raw edge with leather jackets, ripped jeans and combat boots, creating a visually striking contrast between Caesar’s authority and the underground revolt led by Brutus. The Shakespearean language added a gritty energy, making the timeless struggles of ambition and loyalty feel fresh and urgent. This production was by Band of Bards in partnership with the Arts and Culture at the Snohomish Carnegie Program. The program is intended to bring the community together through diverse creative events and workshops. Housed in the historic Carnegie Building, it offers a space for local artists and performers to showcase their talents and engage the public. The program is available for a wide range of activities, from art exhibitions and music performances to literary readings and hands-on classes through the end of 2024. By fostering collaboration between artists and the community, it enriches the cultural landscape of Snohomish and encourages artistic expression across generations. With its blend of history and creativity, the program celebrates both the heritage and future of the local arts scene.
Youth Art Show
Centennial Trail Hopscotch
Community members Jeff Vileta, Randy Erickson, Bill Webster, and Donna Ray helped activate the stretch of the Centennial Trail adjacent to the Snohomish Boys & Girls Club with a 100-square hopscotch court. The court was painted using a durable acrylic urethane to withstand foot and bike traffic and features an art accent by Anna Snook on square #79. “Piper’s Safe Landing,” depicted as a lily pad, covers up a spot of spilled paint and is named after a local second grader Vileta met while working on the project. Get to hopping!
The youth art show at the Snohomish Carnegie Building last summer was a vibrant display of creativity and talent, showcasing a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums. The young artists from across the community were impressive with their innovative approaches and expressive works. The event was a testament to the incredible potential and bright future of these budding artists.
Snohomish Thrives!
Updates from the City's small business and nonprofit grant program
In 2022, the Snohomish City Council allocated $450,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to small business and nonprofit support. In 2023, the City launched a grant program to disburse those funds. And now those funds have begun making an impact on the vitality of our community.
While we may be several years removed from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many small businesses and nonprofits are still facing challenges from its lingering impacts – inflation, financial instability, supply chain and service disruptions, etc. To help organizations not just recover but get ahead, the City designed a grant program to get funding to impacted small businesses and nonprofits as efficiently as possible.
Funding has been awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to organizations negatively impacted by the pandemic. These are direct grant awards, meaning funding is not reimbursement-based. Grants have been used for a wide variety of projects, such as:
• Facility improvements
• IT infrastructure upgrades
• Marketing and promotions
• Software development and equipment
• Covering operational and payroll expenses
• Community services and programming
We are excited to see this funding in action! Our community is stronger when our small businesses and nonprofits have the resources they need to not just survive but thrive.
Recipients of the Snohomish Thrives Grant include:
• St. John’s Episcopal Church
• Spark! Hot Yoga, LLC
• Josh’s Taps & Caps
• Christ the King Lutheran Preschool
• Uptown Wine & Beer, LLC
• Kasia Winery
• Snohomish Education Foundation
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, Snohomish Unit
• Worth Holdings LLC (Annie’s on First)
• Brandon M. Simeon Insurance Agency, Inc.
• Board Media Group LLC
• Snohomish United
• Looking Glass Coffee
• Snohomish Community Kitchen
• Snohomish Historical Society
• Great Cascades LLC
• Grain Artisan Bakery
• Snohomish Community Food Bank
• Historic Downtown Snohomish Association
• Freds Rivertown Ale House
• Blanc and Rouge Wine
• Best of Both Worlds
• Snohomish Senior Center
• Snohomish Lions Club
Left: The Boys & Girls Club in Snohomish used Snohomish Thrives Grant funding, in part, to purchase furniture for the homework area in the new teen center, which opened on September 25, 2024.
Spark Yoga was one of the first recipients of a Snohomish Thrives Grant, using the funds to help cover operating expenses and purchase new signage.
A NEW SECTION IN THE SNOHOMISH QUARTERLY:
From the Archives
When a City has been around as long as Snohomish, it has a tendency to create, retain, and dispose of numerous records. What records the City possesses has been influenced by permitting, licensing, and retention requirements that have all changed significantly over the decades, not to mention floods, fires, and the general act of moving an entire City Hall to another building.
State law helps public agencies identify which records need to be retained and for how long. Once that retention is met, many of those records can be destroyed or transferred to the State Archive’s Northwest Branch in Bellingham. The City has already transferred most of its original historic records, but it’s the few remaining ones that are fun to discover.
While the City continues to explore pathways in which to scan, catalog, and share the records it does retain, for preservation and public access, we don’t necessarily have any and all records that residents might seek. For example, will the City have the original building plans of your 1910 Victorian home, or its 1953 remodel? Not likely. The oldest records tend to be related to the City’s infrastructure and services, as the accompanying pictures show.
In this issue, we have a petition to the mayor for a “Cleaning Up Day” from the ladies of the Cosmopolitan Club in 1909, a letter from Andrew Carnegie’s secretary regarding the City’s library (also from 1909) and a Public Dance License from the 1940’s.
For more information on the State Archives’ Northwest Region, please visit their website https://www.sos.wa.gov/archives/archives_ northwest.aspx or search their Digital Archives at https://digitalarchives.wa.gov.
Celebrating Our New Neighbors!
On a sunny Friday afternoon in September, staff from the City, Snohomish Fire District #4, and the Snohomish Police Department joined around 100 residents from the surrounding neighborhoods at Averill Field. The reason? To learn more about the future Snohomish Public Safety and Civic Campus to be built on Pine Avenue between Third and Fourth Streets and to meet our new neighbors.
“The idea behind this event was to find an engaging way to bring the community in to learn more about the city campus. We didn’t think a town hall or workshop would have been as engaging or as inviting to the community,” said Snohomish Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Initiatives Shari Ireton.
There was live music by the Daisy Heads, and leadership from the Fire District grilled hot dogs. Attendees had a chance to see how the site will be built out and provide feedback on how the City could utilize the outdoor
spaces. So far, the overwhelming majority of votes are to have the space be ‘park-like’.
Snohomish Fire District 4 purchased the parcels on Pine Avenue for $6.35M and then the City purchased 57% of the property from the Fire District, with $3.6M paid in full out of the City’s reserves.
“Sharing a campus will use taxpayer funds more effectively
as we plan for the future of Snohomish, maintain the levels of service our community expects, and respond more cohesively in the event of an emergency,” said Snohomish Mayor Linda Redmon.
Mayor Redmon welcoming guests and sharing information about the new civic campus.
Below: Aerial view of the proposed Public Safety and Civic Services Campus site plan
Community Events
Homestead Park
Master Plan Open House
• Snohomish Park and Forestry Board
• Wednesday, October 23
• Snohomish Carnegie Building Downstairs
Fall Into Snohomish and Zombie Walk
• Saturday, October 26
• Snohomish Carnegie Building
Snohomish Sparkles
Tree Lighting
• Saturday, November 30
• Snohomish Carnegie Building
Winterfest
• Friday, December 13 –Sunday, December 15
• Snohomish Carnegie Building
Solstice Walk
• Saturday, December 21
• Snohomish Riverfront Trail
Public Hearings
2025-2026 Preliminary Budget
• Tuesday, October 22
• Snohomish Carnegie Building
• City Council Special Meeting
Comprehensive Plan
Associated Code Clean-up
• Wednesday, November 6
• Snohomish Carnegie Building
• Planning Commission
Final Comprehensive Plan
• Tuesday, November 19
• Snohomish Carnegie Building
• City Council
2025-2026 Final Budget
• Tuesday, November 19
• Snohomish Carnegie Building
• City Council
For more community events, visit www.snohomishwa.gov or snap the QR code below.
Stay Connected with the City!
Attend a City Council, Commission or Board meeting in the lower level of the Snohomish Carnegie Building or via Zoom
• City Council: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 6 PM
• Planning Commission:
1st Wednesday, 6 PM
• Design Review Board:
2nd Wednesday, 6 PM
• Park and Forestry Board:
4th Wednesday, 6 PM
• Public Safety Board: 2nd Tuesday, 5 PM
Read the latest issue of the Snohomish Quarterly www.snohomishwa.gov/SnoQuarterly
Visit us at City Hall 116 Union Ave, Snohomish, Tuesday-Thursday, 8 AM - 4 PM
Sign up to receive notifications about events, news, development and permit applications, meeting agendas, and more! www.snohomishwa.gov/List.aspx
Check out our website and follow us on social media
• www.snohomishwa.gov
• NextDoor
Text “Hi” to 360.282.0094
Embrace the vibrant colors and crisp air of fall while keeping your wellness top of mind! EvergreenHealth Monroe is here to help you make the most of this beautiful season.
24/7 Emergency Room Care
Urgent Care in Monroe
Primary Car e in Monroe & Sultan
Anticoagu lation Management Clinic
Chemical a n d Alcohol Dependency & Recovery Center
Outpatient Ad diction Medicine Care
Diagnostic Imaging
ENT + Head & Neck Surgery
Gastrointestinal Services
Heart Care
3-D Mammography & DXA
Midwifery Care
Learn more about your care team at evergreenhealth.com/monroe
Nutrition Counseling
OB/GYN Care
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Pain Management
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Podiatry
Respiratory Care
Surgical Services – General, Orthopedic, Gastrointestinal & Gynecological
Vascular Care
