HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2025 MinutesCITY OF - 1- �.
VB�URN
WASHINGTON
CALL TO ORDER
City Council
Study Session
PW & CD Special Focus Area
January 27, 2025 - 5:30 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
MINUTES
Deputy Mayor Cheryl Rakes called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Study Session Meeting was held in person and virtually.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Cheryl Rakes, Hanan Amer, Clinton Taylor,
Tracy Taylor, and Yolonda Trout -Manuel. Councilmember Kate Baldwin arrived at 5:31
p.m, and Councilmember Larry Brown was excused.
Mayor Nancy Backus and the following staff members present included: City Attorney
Jason Whalen, Assistant Chief of Police Samuel Betz, Director of Community
Development Jason Krum, Director of Public Works Ingrid Gaub, Assistant Director of
Public Works Jacob Sweeting, Economic Development Manager Jenn Francis,
Economic Development Coordinator Emerson Folker, Senior Project Engineer Matt
Larson, Senior Project Engineer Jeffrey Bender, Real Estate Manager Josh Arndt,
Airport Manager Tim Mensonides, and Deputy City Clerk Rebecca Wood -Pollock
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
There were no modifications to the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS, AND PRESENTATIONS
There were no announcements, reports, or presentations.
PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Economic Development - 2024 Year in Review (Krum) (45 Minutes)
This portion of the meeting was Chaired by Councilmember T. Taylor, Chair of
the Public Works & Community Development Special Focus Area.
Manager Francis and Coordinator Folker provided Council with a presentation
on the Economic Development 4th Quarter Update including an overview of
time spent, business outreach and visits, local events, and the Economic
Development website.
Kristina Driessen with the Downtown Auburn Cooperative (DAC) provided
Council with a presentation on an overview of the DAC, including its purpose,
an overview of the Business Improvement Area Board (BIA), downtown
revitalization projects, local events, goals for the future, and their mascot
"Duke".
Kacie Bray with the Auburn Chamber of Commerce provided Council with a
presentation on Explore Auburn, including an overview of their website, social
media and marketing efforts, sponsorship locations, and local event
participation.
Council discussed Explore Auburn, the business spotlight on social media,
business meet and greet recruitment, local event success metrics, hotel
capacities during events, downtown safety and security, wreath donations, key
takeaways from DAC events, downtown revitalization efforts, the Washington
State Main Street Program accreditation process, membership fees, business
community outreach and collaboration, networking events, support for small
businesses, and Tourism and Lodging Taxes.
B. 2024 End of Year Capital Projects Wrap Up and 2025 Preview (Gaub) (20
Minutes)
Engineers Bender and Larson provided Council with a presentation on the
Capital Project Status including an overview of completed and active projects
from 2024, the Auburn Ave Theater rebuild, upcoming construction on
improvement projects in 2025, and estimated timelines.
Council discussed the pedestrian bridge project, the Maintenance and
Operations building upgrade, new lamp posts on R Street, the Auburn Ave
Theater rebuild, and the Auburn Way South widening project.
Councilmember T. Taylor called for a 5 minute recess at 7:29 p.m.
Councilmember T. Taylor reconvened the meeting at 7:34 p.m.
C. 2025 Engineering Design Standards Update (Gaub) (20 Minutes)
Assistant Director Sweeting provided Council with an overview of the 2025
Design and Construction Standards Update including the background and
purpose, an overview of House Bill 1110 and related changes, the 2024
Comprehensive Transportation Plan, and an estimated timeline on the new
published Standards.
Council discussed street lane widths, truck access on side streets, shared
driveway access, and alley maintenance.
D. Resolution No. 5806 (Whalen/Gaub) (10 Minutes)
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an amendment to the Auburn
Municipal Airport Land Lease with Cascade Helicopter Services relating to the
implementation of the 2025 Fair Market Value Lease Rate Adjustment
Managers Arndt and Mensonides provided Council with an overview of
Resolution No. 5806 including lease amendments for the Auburn Airport.
Council discussed the airport's courtesy car, fuel maintenance, and airport
employees.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Ordinance No. 6971 (Whalen) (10 Minutes)
An Ordinance relating to the time period to correct Code Violations, and
amending Section 1.25.030.A.2 of the Auburn City Code
City Attorney Whalen provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No.
6971 including new timelines to respond to notices of infractions.
B. Resolution No. 5810 (Krum) (10 Minutes)
A Resolution approving the Lodging Tax Grant disbursements recommended
by the Auburn Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and authorizing the Mayor to
execute an agreement between the City of Auburn and the Auburn Area
Chamber of Commerce for the purposes of providing Tourism and Marketing
Services
Director Krum and Manager Francis provided Council with an overview of
Resolution No. 5810 including the approval of a contract with the Chamber of
Commerce for tourism services.
Council discussed grant applications, the grant funding process, and timelines.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
APPROVED this 3rd day of February, 2025.
CHERYL FAKES, DEPUTY MAYOR
Rebecca Wood -Pollock, Deputy City Clerk