HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-2025 MinutesCITY OF
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CALL TO ORDER
City Council
Regular Meeting
May 5, 2025 - 7:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
MINUTES
Mayor Backus called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of
Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street.
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 City Council Meeting was held in person and virtually.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Backus led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Cheryl Rakes, Hanan Amer, Kate Baldwin,
Lisa Stirgus, Clinton Taylor, Tracy Taylor, and Yolanda Trout -Manuel.
Mayor Nancy Backus and the following staff members present included: Senior City
Staff Attorney Taryn Jones, Chief of Police Mark Caillier, Director of Community
Development Jason Krum, Director of Human Services Kent Hay, Director of Public
Works Ingrid Gaub, Director of Finance Jamie Thomas, Recreation Program
Coordinator Rocky Kirwin, and City Clerk Shawn Campbell.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS, AND PRESENTATIONS
A. National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day
Mayor Backus proclaimed May 11 — May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week"
and May 15, 2025, as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" in the City of Auburn.
Chief Caillier accepted the proclamation and thanked the Mayor and Council
for their support of Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day.
B. Professional Municipal Clerks Week
Mayor Backus proclaimed May 4 — May 10, 2025, as "Professional Municipal
Clerks Week" in the City of Auburn.
City Clerk Campbell accepted the proclamation and thanked her staff in the
City Clerk's Office for all their hard work.
C. Affordable Housing Week
Mayor Backus proclaimed May 12 — May 16, 2025, as "Affordable Housing
Week" in the City of Auburn.
D. Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Mayor Backus proclaimed May 2025 as "Asian American, Native Hawaiian and
Pacific Islander Heritage Month" in the City of Auburn.
Pastor Ofa Langi accepted the proclamation and presented Mayor Backus with
a Lei. He thanked the Mayor and Council for their support and
acknowledgment of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month.
E. Jewish American Heritage Month
Mayor Backus proclaimed May 2025 as "Jewish American Heritage Month" in
the City of Auburn.
F. Older Americans Month
Mayor Backus proclaimed May 2025 as "Older Americans Month" in the City of
Auburn.
Recreation Program Coordinator Kirwin accepted the proclamation and
thanked the Mayor and Council for their support of the Auburn Senior Center.
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
An updated version of Resolution No. 5827 was provided to Council prior to the
meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Public Hearing for Level 3 Communications, LLC Franchise Agreement No.
FRN23-0004 (Gaub)
A Public Hearing to consider Franchise Agreement No. FRN23-0004 for Level
3 Communications, LLC
Mayor Backus opened the Public Hearing at 7:22 p.m.
No one came forward to speak.
Mayor Backus closed the Public Hearing at 7:22 p.m.
B. Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 6978 (Krum)
A Public Hearing to consider an Ordinance relating to the adoption of a 6-
month moratorium for Energy Storage System facilities proposed to be located
in the City of Auburn
Mayor Backus opened the Public Hearing at 7:23 p.m.
Written Comments:
Rebecca Collodi, Auburn
Rebecca expressed concerns regarding Lithium Battery Energy Storage
Systems (BESS) Installations and expressed their support of a permanent
moratorium.
James DeLay, Auburn
James expressed concerns regarding BESS and their impact on the
environment.
Trinnette Nelson, Petaluma CA
Trinnette expressed their support of Ordinance No. 6978.
Julien C. Loh, Puget Sound Energy
Julien provided comments regarding support for Energy Storage System
facilities in the City.
In -Person Comments:
Ronnie Morgan, Auburn
Ronnie expressed support for the moratorium.
Mayor Backus closed the Public Hearing at 7:27 p.m.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Corinna Harn, King County District Court
Corinna provided Council with the history of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA), probation
services, and progress made between the City and the County.
Othniel Palomino, Chief Administration Officer for King County District Court
Othniel spoke about the ILA, probation, updates to the building, and King County's full
cost recovery.
Brian Todd, King County District Court South Division Presiding Judge
Brian spoke about the improved relationship between King County and the City of
Auburn, community resources, Community Court, probation services, and Court
services.
Kim House, King County Court Director of Operations
Kim spoke about grant funding.
Ron Morgan, Auburn
Ron spoke in favor of moving to a Municipal Court.
Bonnie Holms, Yelm WA
Bonnie spoke in favor of a moratorium on BESS Installations.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence for Council to review.
COUNCIL AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Council Rules of Procedure Ad Hoc Committee (Baldwin)
Councilmember Baldwin, Chair of the Council Rules of Procedure Ad Hoc
Committee, reported that there is another meeting of the Ad Hoc on May 8,
2025, and they will bring the Rules of Procedure back to the full Council for
review.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes from the April 7 and 14, 2025, Special City Council Meetings
B. Minutes from the April 21, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting
C. Minutes from the April 28, 2025, Study Session Meeting
D. Claims Vouchers (Thomas)
Claims voucher list dated April 23, 2025, which includes voucher numbers
479540 through voucher 479696, in the amount of $2,277,895.89, nine
electronic fund transfers in the amount of $18,186.08, and four wire transfers
in the amount of $878,679.34
E. Payroll Voucher (Thomas)
Payroll check numbers 539673 through 539678 in the amount of $692,244.77,
electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of $2,604,065.33, for a grand
total of $3,296,310.10 for the period covering April 17, 2025, to April 30, 2025
Deputy Mayor Rakes moved and Councilmember Trout -Manuel seconded to
approve the consent agenda.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Baldwin moved and Councilmember Trout -Manuel seconded to allow
the representatives from King County Court to speak to the Council for an additional 10
minutes.
Council discussed historical information and the various options for Court Services.
MOTION FAILED. 3-4, Councilmembers Baldwin, C. Taylor, and Trout -Manuel voted
yes.
ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance No. 6978 (Krum)
An Ordinance relating to adoption of a temporary 6-month moratorium on the
acceptance, processing, and/or approval of applications for Building and Land
Use Development Permits and related Land Use Decisions for Energy Storage
System Facilities proposed to be located within the City of Auburn
Councilmember T. Taylor moved and Councilmember Amer seconded to
approve Ordinance No. 6978.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution No. 5825 (Hay)
A Resolution adopting the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025 Annual
Action Plan
Councilmember Trout -Manuel moved and Councilmember C. Taylor seconded
to adopt Resolution No. 5825.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
B. Resolution No. 5826 (Whalen)
A Resolution declaring certain Real Property as surplus and authorizing its
disposal
Councilmember Baldwin moved and Deputy Mayor Rakes seconded to adopt
Resolution No. 5826.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
C. Resolution No. 5827 (Martinson)
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to terminate the Interlocal Agreement
between the City of Auburn and King County to stand up the City of Auburn
Municipal Court
Councilmember Stirgus moved and Councilmember Amer seconded to adopt
Resolution No. 5827.
Councilmember Baldwin moved and Councilmember Trout -Manuel seconded
to amend the Resolution to not terminate the ILA but to instead amend the ILA
to have Probation Services brought in-house and have King County District
Court provide the remainder of the Court Services.
Council discussed the costs, services lost, transition plans, the unknowns, time
to decide, transparency, decisions with King County, accountability for
criminals, relationships between King County and the City, concerns of
previous staff, staff comments, high use of services due to higher arrests and
charging, budget, and services not specific to the Auburn Community.
Point of Order: During the discussion of Resolution No. 5827, Councilmember
Amer raised a Point of Order regarding comments about personal attacks.
Mayor Backus stated Council must keep comments respectful.
Councilmember Amer moved to Call the Question and Councilmember T.
Taylor seconded.
Mayor Backus asked for a vote on the Call the Question, noting it would require
a two-thirds vote to end the debate.
MOTION CARRIED. 5-2, Councilmembers Baldwin and Trout -Manuel voted
no.
MOTION TO AMEND FAILED. 5-2, Councilmembers Baldwin and Trout -
Manuel voted no.
MAIN MOTION CARRIED. 5-2, Councilmembers Baldwin and Trout -Manuel
voted no.
D. Resolution No. 5830 (Gaub)
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and administer agreements
between the City of Auburn and the Washington State Department of
Commerce relating to Project No. CP2141, Downtown Auburn Theater
Councilmember T. Taylor moved and Deputy Mayor Rakes seconded to adopt
Resolution No. 5830.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
A. From the Council
Deputy Mayor Rakes thanked everyone for attending the Council Retreat.
Councilmember Stirgus reported she attended the Council Retreat.
B. From the Mayor
Mayor Backus had no report.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
APPROVED this 19th day of May 2025.
NANCY B AYOR Shawn Campbell, City Clerk