HomeMy WebLinkAbout5863RESOLUTION NO. 5863
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE THE KING COUNTY -CITIES CLIMATE
COLLABORATION (K4C) INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT,
THEREBY MAKING THE CITY OF AUBURN A PARTNER
CITY
WHEREAS, the King County -Cities Collaboration (K4C) is a partnership of local
governments working together to accelerate climate action; and
WHEREAS, K4C partners collaborate to equitably reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
emissions, prepare for climate impacts, promote the health of residents, economy, and
the natural environment; and
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn, in joining K4C, will benefit in the sharing of
resources, information, and staff expertise as Auburn prepares to implement the Climate
Element of the Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn, in joining K4C, will benefit in the collaboration on
regional issues related to climate change; and
WHEREAS, City staff and elected officials will have opportunities to meet with
partner cities in two annual workshops and monthly staff committee meetings; and
WHEREAS, membership with K4C requires execution of an interlocal agreement,
payment of annual dues based on the member's population size, and a commitment to
regular staff participation; and
WHEREAS, the financial impact of membership for cities with a population
exceeding 65,000 is $2,500 annually and will be paid from the existing Community
Development budget.
Resolution No, 5863
January 9, 2026
Page 1 of 2
Rev. 2026
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, RESOLVES as follows:
Section 1. The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the King County -Cities
Climate Collaboration Interlocal Agreement making the City of Auburn a partner city, a
copy of the agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this
reference.
Section 2. The Mayor is authorized to implement those administrative
procedures necessary to carry out the directives of this Resolution.
Section 3. The City Clerk is authorized to make necessary corrections to this
Resolution including, but not limited to, the correction of scrivener's/clerical errors,
references, Resolution numbering, section/subsection numbers, and any references
thereto.
Section 4. This Resolution will take effect and be in full force on passage and
signatures.
Dated and Signed this 2nd day of February, 2026.
CITY OF AUBURN
NANCY BA S, YOR
ATTEST: TasonWhalen,
OVED A
I�Z
Shawn Campbell, MMC, City Clerk City Attorney
Resolution No. 5863
January 9, 2026
Page 2 of 2
Rev. 2026
Page 1
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR CLIMATE COLLABORATION
This Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into pursuant to Chapter 39.34 RCW among
participating Cities of King County, (hereinafter referred to as the "Cities"), and King
County, (hereinafter referred to as the "County"), 401 5th Avenue, Suite 800, Seattle, WA
98104 (collectively, “the Parties”) Chapter 39.34 RCW.
Whereas, we, King County and the undersigned Cities of King County, wish to work
together to directly respond to climate change and reduce global and local sources of climate
pollution;
Whereas, we believe that by working together we can increase our efficiency and
effectiveness in making progress towards this goal;
Whereas, we are interested in achieving this goal in a way that builds a cleaner, stronger and
more resilient regional economy;
Whereas, we are interested in focusing on local solutions to leverage and partner with related
collaborative efforts;
Whereas, partnering on sustainable solutions will advance progress towards Cities’
environmental, climate change, and energy goals such as those adopted by the nearly half of
King County Cities that have signed on to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Cities and King County mutually agree as follows:
1.Purpose and Scope of this Agreement
1.1 The purpose of this Agreement is to outline responsibilities and tasks related to
the County and Cities that are voluntarily participating in the King County-
Cities Climate Collaboration. The Parties will develop and coordinate on the
following efforts:
(a)Outreach: Develop, refine, and utilize messaging and tools for climate
change outreach to engage decision makers, other cities, and the
general public.
(b)Coordination: Collaborate on adopting consistent standards,
benchmarks, strategies, and overall goals related to responding to
climate change.
(c)Solutions: Share local success stories, challenges, data and products
that support and enhance climate mitigation efforts by all partners.
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(d)Funding and resources: Collaborate to secure grant funding and other
shared resource opportunities to support climate related projects and
programs.
1.2 It is not the purpose or intent of this Agreement to create, supplant, preempt or
supersede the authority or role of any individual Party.
1.3 All tools, outreach materials, data, collaborative efforts, and other resources
that are developed as part of this Agreement are optional for Cities and King
County to adopt or utilize.
2.Organization
2.1 Each Party shall appoint one designee and an alternate to serve as its
representative. Upon the effective execution of this Agreement and the
appointment of designees and alternate designees for each Party, designees
shall meet and choose, according to the voting provisions of this section,
representatives to serve as Chair and Vice Chair to oversee and direct the
activities associated with meetings including the development of the agendas,
running the meeting and providing leadership.
2.2. No action or binding decision will be taken without the presence of a quorum
of active designees or alternates. A quorum exists if a majority of the
designees present at the meeting. Each designee shall have an equal vote, with
a supermajority vote of 75% of all designees being required to approve the
final scope of the collaboration program or amend the scope. Any vote to
increase the amount of funding required by each Party, however, shall only be
binding on those who specifically agree to such increase.
2.3 Designees shall have the authority and mandate to administer the Tasks
outlined in Section 3.
2.4 Designees may approve a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to secure a
vendors or consultants needed to accomplish any Task, and shall interview one
or more applicants and make an appointment provided sufficient funds are
available.
2.5 Designees shall meet and report on a quarterly basis to ensure that Tasks are
efficiently, effectively and responsibly delivered in the performance of this
Agreement, including the allocation of resources.
2.6 Designees shall develop an initial annual work plan and budget which will be
finalized within one month of approval of the Agreement by the Parties.
Subsequent annual work plans will be developed and approved on or before
the anniversary of the adoption of the first years’ work plan in conjunction
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with budget planning for consideration and adoption by the Parties’ legislative
bodies.
2.7 If direct payment in support of the annual work plan, such as for consultant
services or hiring staff, can be arranged by participating Cities, this is
preferred. If direct payment occurs, these funds will be accounted for towards
that city’s contribution. If this is not possible, funds collected from any source
on behalf of the Parties shall be maintained in a special fund by the County as
ex officio treasurer on behalf of the Collaboration. The County shall also serve
as the contractual agent for the Parties in acquiring any serviced needed to
complete Tasks of the Agreement.
3. Tasks
3. 1 Climate Collaboration Work Plan.
Finalize the Scope of Work for this King County-Cities Collaboration
consistent with this Agreement. This will take place after commencement per
Section 5 of this Agreement and will be finalized on or before September 30th,
2011. With support from participating Cities, the County will develop a draft
of the Scope of Work to be approved by vote of the City and County
Representatives. Not all tasks will necessarily be accomplished as they are
funding-dependent.
3.2 Sustain the King County Cities Climate Collaboration (Budget $10,000)
Pay necessary expenses to support expansion of the King County SWD
GreenTools Roundtable program to include every other-month forums on
climate-related sustainability issues. The Roundtables will be held at various
venues throughout King County and topics will focus on the collaborative
actions highlighted in the King County-Cities Climate Pledge: outreach,
coordination, solutions, funding and resources. Speakers will include King
County and City staff and other invited partners.
3.3 Hire a staff member, partial staff member, or consultant to support achieving
the priorities identified in the King County-Cities Climate Pledge (Budget
$9,000-$80,000 depending on commitments made)
(a)The staff member will help lead implementation of the King County-
Cities Climate Collaboration initiatives, including but not limited to:
sustainable transportation; clean fuel vehicles; community energy
retrofits; renewable energy projects; community outreach; and other
topics defined and agreed upon in the final Scope of Work or annual
Work Plans. Staff could develop and implement a general countywide
program that supports City sustainability projects or programs. Staffing
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options include hiring a part- to full-time staff from King County or a
participating King County City to lead the effort
(b) Products that will be developed, to be clarified in the process of
finalizing the Scope of Work, and dependent on funding, include:
1. Directory of local climate solutions related resources to include:
a. County technical expert pool. A list of relevant County
technical experts on staff that already support city
sustainability projects and programs. This could be
expanded with mechanisms for cities to directly contract
with County staff to support implementation of specific
projects and programs.
b. Technical experts from all participating jurisdictions that
could help support other cities’ efforts, share local
success stories, or potentially be contracted out to work
with other cities.
c. Technical experts from academia, research institutions,
utilities and other organizations.
d. List of consultants with local experience and expertise
on a diverse range of climate and sustainability related
functions.
e. Best practices and lessons learned from relevant local
projects and programs.
2. Symposium for city and County staff focused on local climate
solutions.
3. Forum for all local technical experts – a broader group than
those engaged in the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration
– to share information and best practices
4. Opportunities for local governments to increase understanding
and gather information on specific climate change mitigation
efforts.
5. Other products as defined and agreed upon in the process of
finalizing the Scope of Work, provided they are consistent with
the King County-Cities Climate Pledge and focused on
sustainability and climate change related outreach, coordination,
solutions, or funding and resources.
4. Funding
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4.1 The minimum required financial contribution for each King County City to
participate in this Agreement is shown below. In no event shall the Cities be responsible
for amounts incurred by King County in excess of what is set forth in this Agreement
without an amendment according to the terms hereof.
4.2 To the extent this Agreement is renewed annually, the Parties shall update the
work plan and contribute funds to King County for estimated costs, as described below,
in advance of services provided. Any funds not used in any given year will be used in the
execution of the following year’s Work Plan or refunded, on a proportional basis based
on initial contributions, within forty-five (45) days in the event of a Party’s termination
of this Agreement.
4.3 The Parties represent that funds for service provision under this Agreement have
been appropriated and are available. To the extent that such service provision requires
future appropriations beyond current appropriation authority, the obligations of each Party
are contingent upon the appropriation of funds by that Party's legislative authority to
complete the activities described herein. If no such appropriation is made, the Agreement
shall terminate as to that Party provided the Party provides notice of termination prior to
the other parties prior to the adoption of the annual work plan per Section 2.6.
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5. Duration
This Agreement is effective upon execution by King County and a minimum of eight
King County Cities which will contribute at least $9,000 total, after approval by the
legislative body of each Party. The Agreement will be posted on the web site of each
Party after authorization in accordance with RCW 39.34.040. and .200. The
Agreement will have a term of one year and will automatically renew each year unless
terminated as provided in Section 7.
6.Latecomers
Non-party King County cities may opt into this Agreement at any time. If cities join
after an annual work plan is finalized, they will pay a pro-rated amount, calculated as
the preceding year’s annual financial contribution for that jurisdiction multiplied by
the percentage of the remaining time in the year.
7.Termination
7.1 In addition to termination for lack of appropriation under Section 5, a Party
may end its participation in this Agreement upon written notice to the other
Parties prior to October 1st to be effective at the end of the calendar year.
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Except as set forth in 7.2, no refunds will be paid to individual Parties who
terminate.
7.2 In the event of individual terminations that result in fewer than eight remaining
City participants, this Agreement shall be deemed terminated and all funding
remaining after all services, fees and costs incurred to that date are paid, shall
be returned by King County to the remaining participants pro rata based on
their original relative contribution amounts. Such payment shall be made
within forty-five (45) days of the termination date.
8. Communications
The following persons shall be the contact person for all communications regarding
the performance of this Agreement.
King County City of
Marissa Aho
Director - Executive Climate Office
Office of Executive Shannon Braddock
401 5th Avenue, Suite 800,
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-848-0579 Phone:
E-mail address: maaho@kingcounty.gov Email address:
9. Indemnification
To the extent permitted by state law, and for the limited purposes set forth in this
Agreement, each Party shall protect, defend, hold harmless and indemnify the other
Parties to include the officers, employees, agents and contractors of the Party, while
acting within the scope of their employment as such, from and against any and all
claims (including demands, suits, penalties, liabilities, damages, costs, expenses, or
losses of any kind or nature whatsoever) arising out of or in any way resulting from
such Party’s own negligent acts or omissions, torts and wrongful or illegal acts related
to such Party’s participation and obligations under this Agreement. Each Party agrees
that its obligations under this subsection extend to any claim, demand and/or cause of
action brought by or on behalf of any of its employees or agents. For this purpose,
each Party, by mutual negotiation, hereby waives, with respect to the other Parties
only, any immunity that would otherwise be available against such claims under the
industrial insurance act provisions of Title 51 RCW. The provisions of this subsection
shall survive and continue to be applicable to Parties exercising the right of
termination pursuant to this Agreement.
In no event do the Parties intend to assume any responsibility, risk or liability of any
other Party or otherwise with regard to any Party’s duties or regulations.
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10. Compliance with All Laws and Regulations
The Parties shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations
and standards necessary for the performance of this Agreement.
11. Non- exclusive Program
Nothing herein shall preclude any Party from choosing or agreeing to fund or implement
any work, activities or projects associated with any of the purposes hereunder by
separate agreement or action.
12. No Third Party Rights
Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to, nor shall it be construed to, create
any rights in any third party, or to form the basis for any liability on the part of any
Party , or their officers, elected officials, agents and employees, to any third party.
13. Amendments
This Agreement may be amended, altered or clarified only the unanimous consent of
the Parties represented by affirmative action of their legislative bodies.
14. Entire Agreement
This Agreement is a complete expression of the intent of the Parties and any oral or
written representations or understandings not incorporated herein are excluded.
15. Waiver
Waiver of any default shall not be deemed to be waiver of any subsequent default.
Waiver of breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of any other or subsequent breach and shall not be construed to be a
modification of the terms of the Agreement unless stated to be such through written
approval by the Parties which shall be attached to the original Agreement.
16. RCW 39.34 Required Clauses
a) Purpose. See Section 1 above
a) Duration. See Section 5 above.
b) Organization of separate entity and its powers. No new or separate legal or
administrative entity is created to administer the provisions of this Agreement.
c) Responsibilities of the Parties. See provisions above.
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d)Agreement to be filed and recorded. The City shall file this Agreement with its
City Clerk. The County shall place this Agreement on its web site. The Agreement
shall also be recorded.
e)Financing. Each Party shall be responsible for the financing of its contractual
obligations under its normal budgetary process.
f)Termination. See Section 7 above.
17.Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts.
The persons signing below, who warrant they have the authority to execute this
Agreement.
By: By:
King County Executive
Date: ___________________________
Name: Nancy Backus
Title: Mayor
City of: Auburn
Date:
___________________________
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