HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-2025 MinutesCITY OF
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CALL TO ORDER
City Council
Study Session
PW & CD Special Focus Area
November 24, 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,
Clinton Taylor, and Tracy Taylor. Councilmembers Lisa Stirgus and Yolanda Trout -
Manuel were excused.
Mayor Nancy Backus and the following staff members present included: City Attorney
Jason Whalen, Assistant Chief of Police Samuel Betz, Director of Public Works Ingrid
Gaub, Human Resources and Risk Management Director Candis Martinson, Parks,
Arts, and Recreation Director Julie Krueger, Assistant Director of Public Works Jacob
Sweeting, Parks Planning and Development Manager Thaniel Gouk, Senior Project
Engineer Jeffrey Bender, Project Engineer Sheli Moyer, Senior Planner Dinah Reed,
Planner II Gabriel Clark, and Deputy City Clerk Hannah Scholl.
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. Soos Creek Botanical Garden Conservation Efforts Presentation
(Krueger/Whalen) (15 Minutes)
Councilmember T. Taylor, Chair of the Public Works and Community
Development Special Focus Area, chaired this portion of the meeting.
Manager Gouk provided Council with a presentation on the Soos Creek
Botanical Garden conservation efforts, including background on the
Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) Levy Grant and recent City of Auburn CFT
projects. He discussed the timeline for the Soos Creek Botanical Garden CFT
purchase, history of the Gardens, area map and amenities, public benefits,
boundary/property line locations, and potential next steps.
Council discussed maintenance and partnerships with the City.
B. Capital Projects Status Update and Featured Capital Project: 1st Street
NE/NW & Division Street Pedestrian Improvements (Gaub) (20 Minutes)
Engineer Bender provided Council with an overview of the Capital Projects
Status Update including the current status of the City's 41 active Capital
Projects and the Capital Projects Interactive Mapping Tool. He highlighted four
projects currently under construction, including CP1622: Auburn Way S
Widening — Hemlock to Poplar, CP2211: 49th Street NE Improvements,
CP2412: 2025 Local Street Preservation, and CP2332: Lea Hill Safe Routes to
School.
Engineer Moyer provided Council with an overview of the Featured Capital
Project CP2424: 1st Street NE/NW & Division Street Pedestrian Improvements,
including a vicinity map of the project, existing conditions, and the purpose for
improvements. She discussed the scope of improvements to be completed, the
Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) program, and the project
budget and schedule.
Council discussed parking and notifications to businesses and the public.
C. Ordinance No. 6990 (Krum) (10 Minutes)
An Ordinance relating to Planning; Adopting the 2025 Annual Comprehensive
Plan Text Amendments and Plan Map Amendment pursuant to the provisions
of Chapter 36.70A RCW and adopting a corresponding Rezone
Planners Reed and Clark provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No.
6990, including the Privately -initiated and City -initiated Map Amendments and
the Planning Commission recommendations to City Council.
Council discussed the proposed amendments.
D. Ordinance No. 7009 (Krum) (5 Minutes)
An Ordinance adopting School Impact Fees for 2026, amending Chapter 19.02
of the Auburn City Code
Planner Clark provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No. 7009,
including the background of Auburn City Code Chapter 19.02, current 2025
fees and proposed 2026 fees for the Auburn School District and Dieringer
School District, and staff recommendations.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Ordinance No. 7010 (Martinson) (15 Minutes)
An Ordinance affirming that Councilmembers and the Deputy Mayor are
eligible for optional participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System
(PERS) and authorizing payment of the required employer contribution for
those who elect membership
Director Martinson provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No. 7010,
including eligibility, enrollment, service credits, and contributions.
Council discussed contribution costs and budget.
B. Update to Council Rules of Procedure (Council)
Deputy Mayor Rakes recessed the meeting at 6:29 p.m. for ten minutes.
She reconvened the meeting at 6:39 p.m.
Councilmember Baldwin, Chair of the Council Rules of Procedure Ad Hoc
Committee, provided Council with an overview of the Committee's
presentation.
City Attorney Whalen provided Council with an overview of the Legislative
Branch.
Councilmember C. Taylor called for a Point of Order regarding Councilmember
Amer's back and forth comments. Councilmember Baldwin ruled that the point
stands.
Councilmember Amer appealed the ruling, then withdrew her appeal.
Councilmember Amer called for a Point of Order stating Councilmember
Baldwin was not being respectful. Councilmember Baldwin stated her intent
was to be respectful.
Councilmember C. Taylor called for a Point of Order regarding the remark
Councilmember Amer made about Councilmember Baldwin. Councilmember
Baldwin ruled the point stands.
Council discussed the purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee, the review process,
and the proposed edits.
There was consensus from the Council to move the Council Rules of
Procedure forward for a vote at the December 1, 2025, City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
APPROVED this 15th day of December 2025.
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CHER L RAKES, DEPUTY MA OR Hannah Scholl, Deputy City Clerk