HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2025 Special Meeting MinutesCITY OF x
UBURN
WASH I NGTON
CALL TO ORDER
City Council
Special Meeting
February 26, 2025 - 6:00 PM
Muckleshoot Casino Resort
White River, Green River, and Medicine
Convention Rooms
2402 Auburn Way South, Auburn, WA
98002
MINUTES
Mayor Backus called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the
Muckleshoot Casino Resort, 2402 Auburn Way South, Auburn, WA 98002.
Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Cheryl Rakes, Hanan Amer, Clinton Taylor,
Tracy Taylor, and Yolanda Trout -Manuel.
Mayor Nancy Backus and the following staff members present included: City Attorney
Jason Whalen, Director of Community Development Jason Krum, Director of Public
Works Ingrid Gaub, Director of Human Services Kent Hay, Director of Parks, Arts, and
Recreation Daryl Faber, Chief of Police Mark Caillier, Utility Billling Services Manager
Joan Nelson, and City Clerk Shawn Campbell.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Mayor Backus acknowledged the Federally Recognized Muckleshoot Indian Tribe as
the ancestral keepers of the land we are gathered on today.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Special City Council Meeting was held in person and virtually.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Mayor Backus' State of the City Address
Mayor Backus thanked all the City of Auburn staff and Councilmembers for
their hard work and dedication to the City. She recognized former Deputy
Mayor Larry Brown, former Councilmembers, area Mayors, Junior City
Councilmembers, representatives from the Valley Regional Fire Authority
(VRFA), Auburn School District, King County Councilmember Pete von
Reichbauer, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, friends, and family.
Mayor Backus spoke about public safety, new construction in Auburn, the
Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the Auburn Regional Airport,
Maintenance and Operations work, City infrastructure, and the Next Step
Auburn Internship Program. She also spoke about planning for the future of
Auburn, the Auburn Avenue Theater, growth in population, growth projects,
climate resilience, the Comprehensive Plan updates, Parks Department
activities and programs, the homelessness program, the Auburn Resource
Center, Community Court, and congratulated Directors Hinman and Faber on
their retirement, acknowledging their dedication to the City.
Mayor Backus shared a story about an Auburn community member, Aaron
Baker, who had turned his life around with the help and resources provided by
Auburn's Anti -Homelessness Team.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
APPROVED this 17th day of March 2025.
NANC , MAYOR Shawn Campbell, City Clerk