HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-2025 Special MinutesCITY OF
uBTU
WASHINGTON
CALL TO ORDER
City Council
Special Meeting
May 2, 2025 - 8:00 AM
Postmark Center for the Arts
20 Auburn Avenue, Auburn
MINUTES
Mayor Nancy Backus called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in
the Postmark Center for the Arts, 20 Auburn Avenue.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Cheryl Rakes, Hanan Amer, Kate Baldwin,
Lisa Stirgus, Clinton Taylor, Tracy Taylor, and Yolanda Trout -Manuel. Deputy Mayor
Cherly Rakes left the meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Mayor Nancy Backus and the following staff members present included: City Attorney
Jason Whalen, Chief of Police Mark Caillier, Director of Public Works Ingrid Gaub,
Director of Parks, Arts, and Recreation Julie Krueger, Director of Community
Development Jason Krum, Director of Human Services Kent Hay, Director of Human
Resources and Risk Management Candis Martinson, Director of Finance Jamie
Thomas, Chief Prosecutor Charlotte Storey, Director of Innovation and Technology
David Travis, City Council Administrative Assistant Melissa Bailey, and City Clerk
Shawn Campbell
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT DAY TWO
A. Breakfast - 8:00am to 8:25am
Those present shared breakfast
B. Ice Breaker - 8:25am to 8:30am
Mayor Backus led the group in an ice breaker.
C. Overview of the Day - 8:30am to 8:35am
Deputy Mayor Rakes provided Council with an overview of the agenda, the
retreat objectives, and reviewed the Code of Conduct.
D. Visioning - 8:35am to 11:15am
Director Gaub led those present in the Visioning exercise. The Council chose
their top 10 weighted priorities. The combined top items were:
1. Police Expansion
2. Facility Master Plan
3. Main Street Closure to Traffic
4. Incentives Downtown Businesses in Vacant Spaces
5. Homeless Housing
6. Auburn Community Resource Center (ACRC) Build -Out
7. Financial Wellness Center
8. More youth programs
9. Year-round Farmers Market
10. Non-profit services expansion
The Council discussed the options and pros and cons for the top combined
options.
E. Community Engagement- 11:15am to 12:00pm
Director Gaub, Director Krueger, and Director Krum shared the current
opportunities for community engagement for Council in the City.
F. Lunch-12:00pm to 12:30pm
Those present shared lunch.
G. Council Commitments-12:30pm to 1:30pm
Deputy Mayor Rakes led the Council and Directors through a discussion on the
Council's Core Values.
H. Federal Funding Status-1:30pm to 2:15pm
Nina Collier from Washington 2 Advocates provided the Council with an update
on Federal Funding. She reviewed the potential impact of Presidential
Executive Orders on grant funding for the City of Auburn.
Director Thomas provided the Council with an update on potential Federal
funding impacts on the City. She reviewed the grants the City has received
over the last three years.
Council discussed the proposed cuts to Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Funds and grant funding.
Cybersecurity - 2:30pm to 3:15pm
Director Travis provided the Council with a training on Cybersecurity
Awareness.
J. Economic Development - 3:15pm to 4:OOpm
Director Krum provided the Council with a presentation on Economic
Development.
K. Networking Social Hour - 4:OOpm
Those present networked.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 4:18 p.m.
APPROVED this 19th day of May 2025.
NANCY BACKUS, AYOR Shawn Campbell, City Clerk