HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-2025 MinutesCITY OF-
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WASHINGTON
CALL TO ORDER
City Council
Study Session
PW & CD Special Focus Area
September 22, 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, Kate Baldwin,
Lisa Stirgus, Tracy Taylor, Clinton Taylor, and Yolanda Trout -Manuel.
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, Director of Human
Resources and Risk Management Candis Martinson, Director of Parks, Arts, and
Recreation Julie Krueger, Assistant Director of Community Development Steven
Sturza, Economic Development Coordinator Emerson Folker, Senior Project Engineer
Matt Larson, Planning Services Manager Alexandria Teague, Arts Program Supervisor
Allison Hyde, Theater Operations Coordinator Jim Kleinbeck, and Deputy City Clerk
Hannah Scholl.
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
There were no modifications made to the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS, AND PRESENTATIONS
There were no announcements, reports, or presentations.
PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. 2025 Downtown Auburn Cooperative Update (Krum) (15 Minutes)
A presentation by the Downtown Auburn Cooperative to summarize 2025
accomplishments and upcoming items anticipated through the end of this year
Councilmember T. Taylor, Chair of the Public Works and Community
Development Special Focus Area, chaired this portion of the meeting.
Coordinator Folker introduced Stephanie Cox and Kelly Murray with the
Downtown Auburn Cooperative (DAC), who provided Council with a
presentation on the DAC including the purpose of the DAC, connections with
the Business Improvement Area (BIA), and DAC Board meetings. They
provided an overview of past and upcoming events in 2025, future special
projects in the BIA, social media presence and outreach, and volunteers.
Council discussed special projects in the BIA, partnership with the City,
funding, partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, social media and
outreach, Board meetings, support for new businesses, and upcoming events.
B. Capital Projects Status Update and Featured Capital Projects (Gaub) (20
Minutes)
Auburn Ave. Theater Replacement Project, Downtown Park, and Theater &
Park Artwork
Engineer Larson provided Council with an update on the City's Capital Projects
including current status and projects currently under construction.
Council discussed lighting downtown and partnership with the Washington
State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
Director Krueger, Supervisor Hyde, Coordinator Kleinbeck, and Engineer
Larson provided Council with an overview of the featured Capital Projects
including the Auburn Avenue Theater Replacement, Downtown Park, and
Theater and Park Artwork.
Council discussed artwork, grant funding, the Auburn Avenue Theater, and
future events.
C. Ordinance No. 6982 (Krum) (20 Minutes)
An Ordinance amending Chapters 14.03 and 18.60 of the Auburn City Code
relating to Home Occupations
Manager Teague provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No. 6982
including the background and purpose of Home Occupation Permits, summary
of Code changes, and next steps.
D. Ordinance No. 7001 (Krum) (10 Minutes)
An Ordinance amending Sections 15.20.020, 15.20.030, 15.20.040, 15.20.050,
15.20.60, and 15.20.070 of the Auburn City Code relating to the International
Property Maintenance Code
Assistant Director Sturza provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No.
7001 including a summary of Code changes.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Ordinance No. 7002 (Whalen/Martinson) (30 Minutes)
An Ordinance establishing a Municipal Court, and adding Chapter 2.14 of the
Auburn City Code
Director Martinson provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No. 7002
including Code updates to establish the Auburn Municipal Court, and next
steps.
Council discussed the number of judges, timeline for appointments, elections,
terms, Code changes, Community Court, funding, current active cases, and
deferment of minor charges.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
APPROVED this 6th day of October 2025. 4VA4
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CHER RAKES, DEPUTY A R Hannah Scholl, Deputy City Clerk