HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2024 Special AgendaJ unior City Council
October 23, 2024 - 7:00 P M
City Hall 25 W. Main St. Auburn, W A
98001, Floor 2, Conference Room 3
S P E C IA L ME E T ING
A GE NDA
I .C AL L T O O RD E R
A .Roll Call
I I .ANNO UNC E M E NT S, P RO C L AM AT IO NS, AND P RE S E NTAT I O NS
I I I .AG E ND A M O D I F IC AT I O NS
I V.C O NS E NT AG E ND A
All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered by the City Council to be
routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed.
A .A pproval of October 9th, 2024 Minutes
V.C O M M IT T E E RE P O RT S /E V E NT S
V I .D IS C US S I O N IT E M S
A .Update from Chair Muhsen
Chair Muhsen to update J unior Council on his takeaways from the Community Meeting
he attended.
B .J unior City Council Travel to D.C.
I n March, the National L eague of Cities (NL C) has their annual Congressional
Conference in Washington D C. Mayor and City Council will attend and there is budget
for four J unior Council members (and a chaperone) to attend. W ho would like to
attend?
C.Climate and Health A daptation Modeling Project
Next steps for the youth engagement opportunity on November, 13th.
D.A dministrative Updates
A uburn's Veteran's Parade on November 9th - Any appointed J unior Council Member
can attend, the parade happens rain or shine. J unior Council will have a vehicle to walk
beside (or ride in). A J C C attendees will receive honorable mention during the
Remembrance Ceremony. November 1st is the deadline for registering, reach out to
Melissa if you are interested.
S anta P arade & Tree L ighting on December 7th - Any appointed J unior Council
Member can attend, the parade happens rain or shine. J unior Council has a banner to
hold an decorate and you will receive honorable mention at the tree lighting.
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Mayor's Open House in early December - Held at A uburn's J unior A chievement, it is an
evening of food and festivities with staff, elected officials, and community members.
E .O P MA Training
Training on the Open P ublic Meetings A ct.
V I I .AD J O URNM E NT
Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office, on the City website
(http://www.auburnwa.gov), and via e-mail. Complete agenda packets are available for review
at the City Clerk's Office.
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J unior City Council
October 9, 2024 - 7:00 P M
Council Chambers
A GE NDA
I .C AL L T O O RD E R
Chair Mushen called the meeting to order at 7:13 p.m.
A .Roll Call
P resent: Erica Rios; J oey Rush; L ewand Muhsen; L illy Mertens; Nnamdi
Ometu; P hia Chea; Rowan Santos
A bsent: Mikaela P edraja; Nazli S hamdeen; Prableen Kaur; Caleb Choi
Guest: Oliver Nguyen, potential member
S taff: Dana Hinman, Director of Administration; A cting Deputy Mayor
Yolanda Trout-Manuel
I I .ANNO UNC E M E NT S, P RO C L AM AT IO NS, AND P RE S E NTAT I O NS
I I I .AG E ND A M O D I F IC AT I O NS
I V.C O NS E NT AG E ND A
All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered by the City Council to be
routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed.
A .A pprove J une 26th, 2024 Minutes
Chair Mushen called for motion to approve. Vice Chair Rowan moved,
second by Member Mertens – motion passed.
V.C O M M IT T E E RE P O RT S /E V E NT S
V I .D IS C US S I O N IT E M S
A .Discuss Chair, and Vice-Chair P ositions
Discuss J unior Council Chair, and Vice-Chair positions.
Director Hinman explained that the council is required to select a chair and
vice chair for the 2024-2025 A J C C session. Members nominated and
voted for both positions and selected L ewand Mushen as chair and Rowan
S antos as vice chair.
B .Climate and Health A daptation Modeling Project (C HA MP )
P ublic Health – Seattle & K ing County is working on a community-based participatory
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model building project focused on heat health risks in the City of A uburn. We have
established a 15-person workgroup of people with related lived and professional
experiences that have created a model that visualizes how heat impacts health in
A uburn. T his workgroup has met three times since J uly 2024 and will meet three more
times before April 2025 to finish the model and identify solutions to be shared with
decisionmakers.
We are seeking your input at this mid-point stage of the process so that we can include
your perspective on heat health risks in Auburn in the conversation. We invite you to
participate in a 2-hour discussion in November (exact date forthcoming) which will
include the following activities:
P ublic Health – Seattle & K ing County is working on a community-based
participatory model building project focused on heat health risks in the City
of Auburn called the Climate and Health Adaptation Modeling P roject
(C HA MP). King County would like to use the November 13 meeting to host
a youth event with the goal of sharing the youth perspectives with the 15
member task force. DECISION: the AJ CC agrees to host the meeting
and asked Director Hinman to inform Public Health – Seattle & King
County.
C.Transportation Advisory B oard Position
The Transportation A dvisory Board has a board position open for a High S chool
S tudent.
The Transportation A dvisory Board has a board position open for a High
S chool Student. D E C I S I O N: Chair Mushen has agreed to serve in this
position.
D.A dministrative Updates
A uburn is hosting a series of community meetings with A uburn residents, elected
officials, school and community leaders. I f you are interested is helping with setting up,
tearing down, taking notes, and other duties as assigned, please reach out to Melissa
B ailey.
A uburn's Veteran's Parade on November 9th - Any appointed J unior Council Member
can attend, the parade happens rain or shine. J unior Council will have a vehicle with an
assigned driver to walk beside, or ride in during the parade and you will receive
honorable mention.
S anta P arade & Tree L ighting on December 7th - Any appointed J unior Council
Member can attend, the parade happens rain or shine. J unior Council has a banner to
hold an decorate and you will receive honorable mention at the tree lighting.
Mayor's Open House in early December - Anyone on A J C C can attend, anyone on a
board or commission, city employee, or resident can attend.
P lease reach out to Melissa Bailey to rsvp, or for more information.
Chair Mushen shared with the A J C C the following opportunities for
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participation and encouraged members to reach out to Melissa Bailey if
interested:
1. Assist with community meetings with Auburn residents.
2. Participate in A uburn's Veteran's Parade on November 9.
3. Attend Auburn’s Santa Parade & Tree L ighting on December 7th.
4. Attend Mayor's Open House in early December.
E .Updates from Deputy Mayor
A cting Deputy Mayor Trout-Manuel asked each member to introduce
themselves and share why they joined the Auburn J unior City Council.
A D M Trout-Manuel expressed her gratitude for them serving and that she
is looking forward to seeing what they accomplish this year.
V I I .AD J O URNM E NT
Chair Mushen adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office, on the City website
(http://www.auburnwa.gov), and via e-mail. Complete agenda packets are available for review
at the City Clerk's Office.
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AUBURN
VALUES
SERVICE
ENVIRONMENT
ECONOMY
CHARACTER
SUSTAINABILITY
WELLNESS
CELEBRATION
OPEN GOVERNMENT
TRAINING
Kendra Comeau, Auburn City Attorney
Shawn Campbell, Auburn City Clerk
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Preservation and Destruction of Public Records
Chapter 40.14 RCW
Public Records Act
Chapter 42.56 RCW
Open Public Meetings Act
Chapter 42.30 RCW
OPEN GOVERNMENT TRAINING
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Keep all records created by you or sent to you
Primary Copy Only
Forward all writings containing information relating to the
conduct of government received on your personal device
Councils, Boards, Commissions: Send messages to your Council,
Board, or Commission City liaison unless the communication is from
a City staff member
City staff should not use their personal devices to conduct the
business of the City
RECORDS RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION
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Fines assessed by the Court due to failure to produce
documents needed to fulfill a public records request or as
part of a lawsuit
The possibility of interrupting efficient City operations due to
loss of information
A loss of continuity in business operations in the event of a
disaster
Loss of records of historical significance
Intentional destruction of public records is a crime
CONSEQUENCES FOR DESTROYING
RECORDS TOO EARLY
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Primary copy kept by City Clerk All other copies are secondary and
can be destroyed when no longer
needed.
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The people do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies
which serve them.”
“The people, in delegating authority, do not give public
servants the right to decide what is good for the people to
know and what is not good for them to know.”
“The people insist on remaining informed so they may retain
control over the instruments they have created.”
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
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"Public record" includes:
any writing containing information relating to the conduct of
government or the performance of any governmental or
proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any
state or local agency regardless of physical form or
characteristics
RCW 42.56.010 DEFINITIONS
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IDENTIFIABLE PUBLIC RECORDS
May 24, 20
Attn: Human Resources
I would like to know how
the city handles
employment
discrimination claims.
Please advise at your
earliest convenience.
Ann Smith
The first request is for information.
The second request is for an “identifiable public record.”
To: City of Tukwila
Date: June 1, 2014
I would like to receive a copy
of the city’s policy for
handling employment
discrimination claims.
Thank you.
Paul Jones
May 24, 2020
Attn: Human Resources
I would like to know how
the city handles
employment discrimination
claims. Please advise at
your earliest convenience.
Ann Smith
To: City of Auburn
Date: June 1, 2020
I would like to receive a copy
of the city’s policy for
handling employment
discrimination claims.
Thank you.
Paul Jones
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PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS
Public Records Portal on City’s Website City Hall- Records Request Form
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•An agency should read the request carefully to understand what records are
requested.
Clarify the request if needed.
An agency can also ask the requestor to suggest search terms.
•An agency must conduct an adequate search for responsive records.
Consider all formats (paper, electronic, etc.)
Consider records of current staff/officials, and former staff/officials, if
potentially responsive.
Consider possible locations (e.g., file cabinets, agency website, audio files,
etc.)
•The search should be reasonably calculated to uncover responsive records.
The search should follow obvious leads to possible locations where records are
likely to be found.
It is a good idea to document search efforts (locations, search terms used, etc.).
The agency bears the burden of proof to show the adequacy of the search.
SEARCHING FOR RECORDS
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•There is no general “privacy” exemption in the Public Records Act.
•If privacy is an express element of another exemption, privacy is
invaded only if disclosure about the person would be:
“highly offensive to the reasonable person” and
“not of legitimate concern to the public.”
This means that if information does not satisfy both these factors, it
cannot be withheld as “private” information under the applicable
exemption.
~ RCW 42.56.050
PRIVACY
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Hoffman v. Kittitas Cnty (Sept. 26, 2019): Court fined the
County $15,498 based on a penalty of $.50 per
page/photo/video for 246 days.
Zink v. City of Mesa (June 19, 2018): Court fined City of Meza
$200,746.47 and attorneys’ fees of $25,746.47 in a case
involving 172 records requests over 3 years related to the
City’s decision to terminate the Zinks’ building permit.
UPDATE WITH RECENT COURT CASES
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Applies to:
Governing bodies (“multimember boards, commissions, committees, councils, or other policy or rule-making bodies of a public agency”).
Public Agencies of Auburn:
The City Council
The City’s subagencies (commissions, boards, agencies, etc. that are “created by statute, ordinance, or other legislative act…”); and
Any committee of the council or a subagency when:
•the committee acts on behalf of the governing body,
•conducts hearings, or
•Takes testimony or public comment
-- RCW 42.30.020
“The purpose of the OPMA is to allow the public to
view the “decision-making process.”
~ Washington State Supreme Court
OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT (OPMA)
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“Action” means the transaction of the official business of the public agency and includes but is not limited to:
Public testimony
Deliberations
Discussions
Considerations
Reviews
Evaluations
The requirements of the OPMA are triggered whether or not “final” action is taken.
~ RCW 42.30.020
WHAT IS ACTION
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“Final action” means a collective positive or negative decision
or an actual vote by the members of the governing body upon a
motion, proposal, resolution, order, or ordinance.
HB 1329 (2022):
Requires that the City provide an opportunity for public
comment at or before every regular meeting at which final
action is taken.
Requires an opportunity for individuals to provide remote oral
comment if the person will have difficulty attending the
meeting.
Public agencies are encouraged to provide for remote comment.
WHAT IS FINAL ACTION
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All meetings of a governing body of a public agency must be
held in a physical location where the public can attend, with
an exception:
If required by the emergency, the public agency can either fully
prohibit or limit in-person public attendance at the meeting.
It is highly encouraged that a governing body provide a remote
meeting attendance option when there are no limitations to
in-person meeting attendance by the public.
MEETING LOCATION
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The OPMA permits members of the governing body to attend
the meeting by phone or other electronic means that allows
for real-time verbal communication.
Your staff liaison will make a recommendation for required
types of meeting attendance for City Boards and
Commissions.
The meeting must be held in a physical location and must
allow the public to attend in-person (absent an emergency).
REMOTE MEETING ATTENDANCE
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Avoid an inadvertent on-line
public meeting
Quorum Action
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PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS
Regular Meetings
(recurring meetings held according to a schedule fixed by ordinance, resolution, bylaws or other rule)
Governing bodies are required to make the agenda of each Regular Meeting of the governing body available on-line no later than 24 hours in advance of the published start time of the meeting.
Special Meetings
(a meeting that is not a Regular Meeting, called by the presiding officer or majority of the members)
ALL MEETINGS MUST BE NOTICED BY THE CITY CLERK
Written notice must be given 24 hours before the Special Meeting and must specify the date, time and place of the meeting and the business to be transacted.
Emergency Special Meetings
Notice is not required for a Special Meeting called to deal with an emergency:
When the emergency involves injury or damage to persons or property or the likelihood of such
injury or damage
Where time requirements of notice make notice impractical and increase the likelihood of such
injury or damage
~ RCW 42.30.070, RCW 42.30.077, RCW 42.30.080
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For specified purposes set out in the OPMA -no final action can
be taken.
Examples:
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
National security
Real estate:
•Site selection or acquisition of real
estate—
•Lease or purchase
•Public knowledge would likely
increase price
•Sale or lease—
•Public knowledge would likely
decrease price
•Final action selling or leasing public
property must be taken at an open
meeting
Publicly bid contracts:
•Review negotiations on the
performance of publicly bid contracts
•Public knowledge would likely increase
costs
Evaluate qualifications of an applicant for
public employment
Meet with legal counsel regarding
enforcement actions, litigation or potential
litigation
Other purposes listed in RCW 42.30.110
~ RCW 42.30.110Page 25 of 27
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING THE OPEN
PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT
A court can impose a $500 civil penalty against each member
(personal liability) for a first violation, and $1,000 for each successive
violation.
Any action taken at meetings held in violation of the OPMA are “null and void.”
A court may order an agency to pay the costs and reasonable attorney’s fees of a
person who sues the agency for a violation.
An OPMA violation may provide a sufficient legal basis for a recall effort against a local
elected official.
But…if the court finds that the action was frivolous and advanced without
reasonable cause, it may award to the agency reasonable expenses and
attorney fees.
~ RCW 42.30.120; RCW 42.30.060
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OPMA – WHAT DOES AUBURN DO?
Agendas are posted on the City’s website at least 24 hours in
advance of meetings.
Procedures have been formalized for override of the front
door locks to ensure access.
Documentation is retained: meeting minutes and executive
sessions (purpose, time, attendees).
Training has been provided for staff who serve as liaisons to
the City’s Boards and Commissions (need more training?
Contact Shawn Campbell).
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