HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-08-2023 Minutes.._.._.......... .......................... _............. _.............................. _..................... ..._._.......................... ....... _.._.._................................. ..
City Council Study Session Finance,
Technology and Economic Development
Special Focus Area
May 8, 2023 - 5:30 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A. Public Participation
The City Council Meeting was held in person and virtually.
B. Roll Call
Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor James Jeyaraj, Bob Baggett,
Kate Baldwin, Larry Brown, Robyn Mulenga, Cheryl Rakes, and Yolanda
Trout -Manuel.
Department directors and staff members present include: City Attorney
Kendra Comeau, Senior Staff City Attorney Harry Boesche, Chief of
Police Mark Caillier, Utility Billing Services Manager Joan Nelson, Director
of Community Development Jeff Tate, Economic Development Manager
Jenn Francis, and City Clerk Shawn Campbell.
III. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
The King County Solid Waste RE+ Presentation was removed from the
agenda.
A. Executive Session
Deputy Mayor Jeyaraj adjourned into an executive session at 5:33 p.m. per
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss Litigation or legal risks of a proposed
action or current practice that the agency has identified when public
discussion of the litigation or legal risks is likely to result in an adverse legal
or financial consequence to the agency for 30 minutes. City Attorney
Comeau, Special Appointed Legal Council Charlotte Archer, and Director
Martinson were required to attend. There was no action after the executive
session.
Deputy Mayor reconvened the meeting at 6:03 p.m.
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IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS, AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Waste Management 2022 Annual Report Presentation (Thomas) (20 Minutes)
Manager Nelson and Laura Mouser provided Council with an overview of
the 2022 Waste Management Annual Report. Ms. Mouser reviewed the
community activities Waste Management participates in. They discussed
the Waste Management Litter Crew accomplishments, the Recycle Corps
Intern Program, Waste Management Educational and Outreach with
commercial customers, the Recycle Right Collection Events, amounts of
garbage collected, recycling and compost collected in 2022, investments
to the Waste Management Recycle Center, and Recycling Center virtual
tours.
Council discussed the paid internship program, the amount of garbage
collected, the virtual tours, the rules about plastic in recycling, the current
Waste Managment contract, and commercial composting,
V. AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Changing a Land Use Law (Tate) (20 Minutes)
An overview of what it takes to change a Land Use Law
Director Tate provided Council with an overview of what it takes to change
Local Land Use Laws. He reviewed what a land use regulation consists of,
the Federal and State laws that govern the Land Use laws, the process for
changing a Land Use law, and samples of a change to the Code.
Council discussed the Comprehensive Plan updates, vacant buildings,
river temperatures, and low impact development.
VI. FINANCE, TECHNOLOGYAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Economic Development Update - 1 st Quarter 2023 (Tate) (15 Minutes)
An update on Economic Development Division activity
This portion of the meeting was Chaired by Councilmember Baldwin.
Manager Francis provided Council with an overview of the Economic
Development First Quarter Update including an overview of the
department, the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, marketing
campaigns, business connect events, the Downtown Auburn Cooperative
and a BIA update, downtown engagement, the Comprehensive Plan
Update, business outreach meetings, tourism, Green River College Small
Business Center, Good Neighbor Agreement meetings, presentation to
the Women's Council of Realtors, preparation for 2023 Civics Academy,
and upcoming topics for second quarter.
Council discussed the costs of the marketing campaigns, what brings
people to Auburn from the marketing campaigns, vendors for tracking, and
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metrics of economic activity.
B. Ordinance No. 6906 (Council)
An Ordinance amending Section 2.08.020 of the Auburn City Code related to the
purpose of the City's Independent Salary Commission
Councilmember Baldwin provided a brief history of the process of the ad
hoc committee. She provided Council with a overview of the changes
proposed by Ordinance No. 6906.
Council discussed the Salary Commission's historical roll with benefits.
Deputy Mayor moved to suspend the Council Rules of Procedure, Rule
No. 2.2C and Councilmember Baldwin seconded.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
Deputy Mayor moved to move Ordinance No. 6906 forward to the May 15,
2023, Council Meeting for a vote and Councilmember Baldwin seconded.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
Council Discussed the reason for making the updates to the Code.
City Clerk Campbell informed Council Section 3 of the Council Rules of
Procedure states: The City Clerk shall then prepare a proposed agenda
according to the order of business, for approval by the Mayor, or their
designee. She added Mayor Backus has not approved any items being
placed on the Council agenda for the May 15, 2023, Council Meeting. If
the Council brings this item forward for action on May 15, 2023, the item
will not be published on the Council Agenda in advance due to the Mayor's
directive. This directive does not prevent the Council from proceeding with
this motion tonight.
C. Ordinance No. 6907 Option A (Council)
An Ordinance relating to the Salary and Employment Benefits of the City Mayor
Position, amending Auburn City Code Sections 2.03.020, 2.63.120 and 2.63.160, and
providing (in a non -codified section) Employment Benefit Payment Terms for the
current City Mayor
Councilmember Baldwin provided Council with the background for
Ordinance No. 6907 option A and option B she reiewed the differences
between the two options.
Council discussed the accumulation rates, current accumulation of Mayor
Backus at this time, and vacation payouts, when the Mayor would be able
to receive the payouts, history of the Code updates, implementation at the
end of the current Mayor's term, relationships between the Mayor and
Council, ensuring a fair and equitable outcome to both the taxpayer and the
current Mayor, and ensuring respectful treatment.
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Deputy Mayor moved to suspend the Council Rules of Procedure, Rule
No. 2.2C and Councilmember Baldwin seconded.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
Deputy Mayor moved to move Ordinance No. 6907 Option B forward to
the May 15, 2023, Council Meeting for a vote and Councilmember Trout -
Manuel seconded.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6-1. Councilmember Brown
opposed.
City Clerk Campbell informed Council Section 3 of the Council Rules of
Procedure states: The City Clerk shall then prepare a proposed agenda
according to the order of business, for approval by the Mayor, or their
designee. She added Mayor Backus has not approved any items being
placed on the Council agenda for the May 15, 2023, Council Meeting. If
the Council brings this item forward for action on May 15, 2023, the item
will not be published on the Council Agenda in advance due to the Mayor's
directive. This directive does not prevent the Council from proceeding with
this motion tonight.
D. Ordinance No. 6907 Option B (Council)
An Ordinance relating to the Salary and Employment Benefits of the City Mayor
Position, amending Auburn City Code Sections 2.03.020, 2.63.120 and 2.63.160, and
providing (in a non -codified section) Employment Benefit Payment Terms for the
current City Mayor
See Ordinance No. 6907 Option A.
E. Audience Participation
Virginia Haugen 2503 R ST SE Auburn 99001
Ms. Haugen expressed her concerns regarding the action taken.
VIL ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting
was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
APPROVED this 5th day of June, 2023.
JAMES JE x OTY MAYOR Shawn Campbell, City Clerk
Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office, on the City website
(http.//www.aubumwa.gov), and via e-mail. Complete agenda packets are available for review
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at the City Clerk's Office.
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