HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-20-2020 CITY COUNCIL AGENDACity Council Meeting
April 20, 2020 - 7:00 P M
Virtual
AGE ND A
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I .C AL L T O O RD E R
I I .Virtual P articipation L ink
1.Virtual Participation L ink
T he A uburn City Council Meeting scheduled f or Monday, A pril 20, 2020 at 7:00
p.m. will be held virtually and telephonically. To attend the meeting virtually please
click the link or enter the meeting I D into the Z oom app or call into the meeting at
the phone number listed below.
P er the Governor's E mergency P roclamation 20-28, the City of Auburn is
prohibited from holding an in-person meeting at this time. A ll meetings will be held
virtually and telephonically.
T he link to the Virtual Meeting or phone number to listen to the Council Meeting is:
W hen: A pril 20, 2020 07:00 P M Pacific Time (US and Canada)
P lease click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96087631468
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Dial 253 215 8782
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A.P ledge of Allegiance
B.Roll Call
I I I .ANNO UNC E M E NT S, P RO C L AM AT IO NS , AND P RE S E NTAT IO NS
A.Floodplain Management Overview (Tate)
P resentation of the City's floodplain management program, maps and regulations
Page 1 of 137
I V.AG E ND A M O D I F IC AT I O NS
V.NE W B US INE S S
V I .C I T I ZE N INP UT, P UB L I C HE ARI NG S AND C O RRE S P O ND E NC E
A.P ublic Hearings - (No public hearing is scheduled for this evening.)
B.Audience P articipation
Thi s i s the place on the agenda where the public is invited to speak to the City
Counci l on any issue.
1.Virtual Participation
P articipants wishing to speak during a public hearing or public comments are
asked to raise their hand within the Z oom program (on the phone it is *9) to
indicate they would like to speak for public comment or a public hearing, if
applicable. I f you are unable to raise your hand, at the end of the virtual public
comment period the Mayor will open all lines and ask f or additional comments.
You will then be asked to state your name and address for the record and be given
three minutes to speak.
P articipants can alternatively submit written comments to
scampbell@auburnwa.gov. A ll written comments must be received prior to 7:00
p.m. on the day of the scheduled meeting and must be 350 words or less.
C .C orrespondence - (T here is no correspondence for Council review.)
V I I .C O UNC IL AD HO C C O M M IT T E E RE P O RT S
C ouncil Ad Hoc C ommittee Chairs may report on the status of their ad hoc Council
C ommittees' progress on assigned tasks and may give their recommendation to the
C ity Council, if any.
1.F inance A d Hoc Committee (Chair B aggett)
V I I I .C O NS E NT AG E ND A
All matters l isted on the Consent Agenda are considered by the City Council to be
routine and wi ll be enacted by one moti on in the form listed.
A.Minutes of the A pril 6, 2020 R egular C ouncil Meeting
B.Minutes of the A pril 13, 2020 S tudy S ession
C .C laim Vouchers (T homas)
C laim vouchers list dated April 20, 2020 which includes voucher numbers 458028
through 458258 in the amount of $4,201,253.18 and four wire transfers in the amount
of $507,740.59
D .P ayroll Vouchers (Thomas)
P ayroll check numbers 538897 through 538906 in the amount of $233,358.86 and
electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of $2,061,801.54 f or a grand total of
Page 2 of 137
$2,295,160.40 for the period covering A pril 1, 2020 to A pril 13, 2020
(RE C O M M E ND E D AC T IO N: M ove to approve the C onsent Agenda.)
I X.UNF I NI S HE D B US I NE S S
X .O RD I NANC E S
A.Ordinance No. 6768 (Thomas)
A n O rdinance amending Section 13.24.060 relating to applications for reduced utility
rates and setting forth an automatic expiration date of August 1, 2020
(RE C O M M E ND E D AC T IO N: M ove to adopt Ordinance No. 6768.)
B.Ordinance No. 6773 (O'Neil)
A n O rdinance temporarily suspending A uburn City Code 6.01.110 requiring spaying
and neutering of impounded animals that are adopted during the C O V I D -19 pandemic
(RE C O M M E ND E D AC T IO N: M ove to adopt Ordinance No. 6773.)
X I .RE S O L UT IO NS
A.R esolution No. 5510 (O'Neil)
A R esolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an I nterlocal A greement f or the Puget
S ound E mergency R adio Network S ystem (P S E R N)
(RE C O M M E ND E D AC T IO N: M ove to adopt Resolution No. 5510.)
B.R esolution No. 5511 (Hinman)
A R esolution authorizing the adoption of the 2020 K ing C ounty Regional Hazard
Mitigation P lan including the City of Auburn plan annex
(RE C O M M E ND E D AC T IO N: M ove to adopt Resolution No. 5511.)
X I I .M AY O R AND C O UNC I L M E M B E R RE P O RT S
At this ti me the Mayor and City Council may report on significant i tems associated with
their appoi nted positions on federal, state, regional and local organi zations.
A.Fr om the Council
B.Fr om the M ayor
X I I I .AD J O URNM E NT
Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office, on the City website
(http://www.auburnwa.gov), and via e-mail . Complete agenda packets are available for revi ew
at the City Clerk's Office.
Page 3 of 137
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject:
Floodplain Management Overview (Tate)
Date:
April 14, 2020
Department:
Community Development
Attachments:
Floodplain Code update - Memo to City Council
Floodplain Code Power Point Pres entation
Budget Impact:
Current Budget: $0
Proposed Revision: $0
Revised Budget: $0
Administrativ e Recommendation:
Background Summary:
See Memorandum
Rev iewed by Council Committees:
Councilmember:Brown Staff:Tate
Meeting Date:April 20, 2020 Item Numb er:AN.1
Page 4 of 137
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council Members
FROM: Steven Sturza, PE, CFM, Development Engineer Manager,
Department of Community Development
DATE: April 20th, 2020
SUBJECT: Introduction to Floodplain Development Code Periodic Update
PURPOSE
Provide City Council with information regarding policy updates to the City’s Floodplain
Development Code adopted in 2010 to comply with the current requirements set by the
National Marine Fisheries Services’ (NMFS) Biological Opinion, the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) in Western Washington, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
BACKGROUND
The City of Auburn is a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP). In 2010, the NMFS issued a Biological Opinion (referred to in this memo as the “Bi-Op”)
which concluded that continued implementation of the NFIP in the Puget Sound (Western
Washington) region adversely affects the habitat of certain threatened and endangered species
listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Bi-Op required changes to the way
the NFIP is implemented in order to meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act
(ESA).
In 2010, a model floodplain management ordinance was published by FEMA. FEMA developed
the model ordinance to provide NFIP communities with model language that could be adopted
as part of a community’s local land use and building regulatory codes to address the
requirements of the Bi-Op. FEMA requires each NFIP community to select one of the following
three approaches for implementation of the Bi- Op requirements, referred to as the “Three
Doors Approach”:
• Door #1: Adoption of the provisions of the FEMA model ordinance (programmatic
approach);
• Door #2: Checklist (community by community approach); and
• Door #3: Permit by Permit Compliance (project by project approach)
In April 2010, the Auburn City Council adopted Ordinance No. 6295 which accepted the
Planning Commission’s recommendation to incorporate the provisions of the FEMA model
ordinance into the City’s Flood Hazard Area regulations (Chapter 15.68 ACC), and adopting a
Page 5 of 137
revised Regulatory Floodplain Map. The ordinance also amended sections of City Code chapters
14.03, 16.10, 17.04, 17.09, 17.14, and 18.70.
The City’s amended Flood Hazard Area regulations were approved by FEMA on September 21,
2011, recognizing the City as a ‘Door 1’ community and providing the City with coverage under
the Endangered Species Act for its floodplain management activities.
In December 2013, FEMA issued an updated Model Ordinance for regulating floodplain
development. In December 2019, Department of Ecology issued another updated Model
Ordinance for regulating floodplain development. City staff has been waiting to update the
code to coordinate with the updated Federal Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) that are being issued
by FEMA. As anticipated FEMA contacted the City of Auburn to update our FIRM references on
February, 19th 2020 and have until August 19th, 2020 to make the update. City staff has
prepared updates to ACC, Chapter 15.68 to include the changes from the Model Ordinance to
be consistent with City standards/practices.
City staff routed the City’s updated ACC, Chapter 15.68 to FEMA and Department of Ecology’s
(DOE) NFIP State Coordinator, David Radabaugh in 2019 for review and input to ensure it meets
current standards. Between March 3rd and March 30th of 2020 additional comments were
provided by David Radabaugh. These additional comments from DOE were provided in
response to the February, 19th, 2020 Letter of Determination from FEMA directing City of
Auburn to update our floodplain code and adopt the new flood insurance studies that have
been under review for the past 13-years.
STAFF PROPOSED UPDATES
Based on Staff’s implementation of the Floodplain Development Code over the years, the
Model Ordinance for the Puget Sound Region, and required changes from DOE, below are the
substantive changes to ACC, Chapter 15.68:
• Reorganize ACC, Chapter 15.68 to correspond to the layout of the latest FEMA Model
Ordinance for the Puget Sound Region. The changes that are transmitted under cover of
this memo look extensive because of the amount of strikethrough and underline, however
much of that is due to relocating existing adopted code language from one place to another.
In other words, underlined language may not be new and may instead reflect a change in
the organizational structure of the code. For this reason, staff is identifying this bulleted list
of substantive changes.
• Update the definitions section to have the latest definitions per NFIP, NMFS, FEMA, DOE
and City of Auburn. This comes from the latest Model Ordinance and current
correspondence with FEMA and DOE.
• Definition of area to be regulated for floodplain development (see further discussion below)
• Designation of the Channel Migration Area (see further discussion below)
• Remove most of the permit application submittal criteria from ACC, Chapter 15.68 and
include it in the floodplain development permit application only. Some basic permit
application submittal criteria is required in the code per DOE.
• Information already provided in ACC 18.70.025 for variances is removed to avoid
redundancy and some additional variance criteria was added.
• Establishing a minimum setback for structures of 15 feet from the ‘Protected Area’, or if not
met, a habitat assessment is required.
Page 6 of 137
• Remove a date for assessing cumulative improvements.
• Increasing the requirements for what is to be addressed in Habitat Mitigation Plans
prepared for developments located outside of the Protected Area (Note: Does not change
the requirement of whether or not to prepare a Habitat Mitigation Plan).
• Update the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) reference
dates to be August 19, 2020 for King County and March 7, 2017 for Pierce County Areas.
• A new section for Notification to Other Entities was added
• A new section for Standard for Shallow Flooding Areas (AO Zones) was added
Key Ordinance Change No. 1 - Area to be Regulated
In the 2010 Model Ordinance used by the City for development of its current regulations, the
area specified to be regulated is the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and all ‘Protected Areas’.
The 2013 revised Model Ordinance specifies that the area to be regulated is the SFHA (inclusive
of any ‘Protected Areas’ that are located within the extent of the SFHA) and removes the
reference to “Protected Areas”.
Protected Areas include the Riparian Habitat Zone (RHZ), any mapped Channel Migration Area
(CMAs), and the FEMA-designated floodway. The RHZ is a dimensioned zone adjacent to rivers
and streams located within the SFHA, and varies in width from 150 feet to 250 on each side of
the river of stream’s Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM). In a number of cases in Auburn, the
extent of the RHZ reaches beyond the SFHA that the river or stream is located within, resulting
in a regulated area that includes the SFHA and the additional area of the RHZ that occurs
outside of the SFHA in which that reach of river or stream is located within. One significant area
where this occurs is along the western shoreline of the Green River, where there are urban
densities of existing single-family and multi-family residences. In a number of cases, these RHZ
areas outside of the SFHA are also located behind existing levees, or at elevations that are not
expected to experience flooding during the base flood (also referred to as the “100-year” or
“1% annual recurrence probability” flood).
While the primary purpose of regulating this RHZ area outside of the SFHA is to protect or
preserve critical floodplain habitat for federally-listed threatened and endangered species,
many of these areas have previously been heavily developed, and consist of structures, paved
or other impervious surfaces, and urban landscaping, and consequently offer little habitat value
to aquatic species.
Auburn also has a mapped CMA for the Green River that is presently included as part of its
regulatory floodplain as required by the original (2010) Model Ordinance. Similar to the RHZ,
the CMA also extends beyond the SFHA area in a number of areas within the City, and in many
cases portions of this area are also located behind existing levees.
The third element of the Protected Area, the FEMA-designated floodway, is in all cases located
within the FEMA-designated SFHA and therefore does result in any additional areas for
floodplain regulation beyond the SFHA under the City’s current regulations.
City staff recommends revising the regulatory floodplain to include the SFHA and the Protected
Area as it occurs within the SFHA, unless the area is undeveloped with predominately native
vegetation that have benefits to endangered species, in which case the regulations for riparian
habitat zones shall apply and be included in the regulatory floodplain. This so that existing built
Page 7 of 137
out areas are not exposed to development requirements that don’t make sense when they are
expanding or modifying a development. The intent is to apply the critical area and floodplain
regulations to areas where it matters most and to not require habitat protection plans or other
types of efforts in already built out areas.
Key Ordinance Change No. 2 - Designation of Channel Migration Area
The 2010 Model Ordinance required CMAs to be delineated as part of the regulatory floodplain
map, in any areas where channel migration areas had previously been mapped and adopted for
local regulatory purposes, with the addition of 50 feet. It further specified that if there was no
adopted channel migration area map for a water body, that there was no requirement to
prepare a new delineation of a CMA for floodplain regulatory purposes.
The 2013 revised Model Ordinance specifies that where a channel migration area has not been
mapped/adopted by the community, that a floodplain permit applicant shall either designate
the entire SFHA as the channel migration area, or conduct a study to identify the channel
migration area in accordance with FEMA’s Regional Guidance for Hydrologic and Hydraulic
Studies. The revised Model Ordinance also specifies that the floodplain administrator shall use
the most restrictive data available for determining the channel migration area.
At the time of the City’s 2010 flood hazard area amendments, the only established mapped
channel migration area in Auburn was associated with the Green River (identified by a 1993
King County channel migration study). As a result, the only CMA that is designated on the City’s
current regulatory floodplain map is the Green River CMA. A channel migration area has not yet
been mapped for the White River or Mill Creek, and there is therefore no CMA designated or
required to be evaluated for development applications in the SFHA for these water bodies.
The revised Model Ordinance requires that for any floodplain permit application for
development located within the SFHA where a CMA has not yet been mapped (White River
SFHIA, Mill Creek SFHA, and portions of Green River SFHA), the applicant has the option of
treating the entire SFHA within the project area as a CMA, or to submit a special
hydrologic/hydraulic study that establishes the location of the CMA pursuant to FEMA’s
technical criteria.
City staff recommends that we provide applicants for development within the floodplain the
option to either provide a study that locates the CMA for their proposed development site as
described in the revised Model Ordinance or designate that all areas in the SFHA for which no
CMA has been mapped shall meet the requirements for a CMA (i.e. all SFHAs without a mapped
CMA would be automatically included as part of the Protected Area).
Page 8 of 137
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT.
DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING
FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT
CODE UPDATE
STEVEN STURZA, DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING MGR.
CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 20, 2020
Department of Community Development
Planning z Building z Development Engineering z Permit Center
Sustainability z Community Services ŏ Code Enforcement
Page 9 of 137
FEMA’S LETTER OF DETERMINATION
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 10 of 137
Created by the National Flood
Insurance Act of 1968
Participation is voluntary
Adopt and enforce regulations
Eligible for Flood Insurance
Benefits of participation
Flood Insurance
Grants and Loans
Disaster assistance
Federally-backed mortgages
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 11 of 137
Save lives and protect property
Offer low cost flood insurance
Encourage a comprehensive
approach to floodplain
management
Puget Sound area – protect
Endangered Species
GOALS OF NATIONAL FLOOD
INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP)
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 12 of 137
Suspension of NFIP eligibility
No mortgages or home equity loans in
floodplain areas
No renewals of existing flood insurance policies
Loss of most forms of Disaster Assistance
No federal grants or loans
Loss of subsidized insurance for Pre-FIRM
structures
Potential impacts to Endangered Species
Failure of communities to properly regulate
flood hazard areas may bring lawsuits
EFFECT OF ORDINANCE NON-COMPLIANCE
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 13 of 137
Insurance claims are paid with no disaster declaration
20-25% of insurance claims are outside the map flood area
Insurance cannot be canceled for repeat losses
Insurance is available to renters and owners
A loan will be repaid with interest
BENEFITS OF FLOOD INSURANCE
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 14 of 137
Federal - FEMA
National program oversight
Flood Insurance Rate Mapping
Establish development/building standards
Provide Insurance Coverage
State – Department of Ecology
State program oversight
Establish development/building standards
Provide technical assistance to local communities/agencies
Evaluate and document floodplain management activities
NFIP ROLES: FEDERAL & STATE
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 15 of 137
Local Government and Floodplain Administrators
Adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinance compliant with
Federal/State laws
Permit or deny development activities in the regulated floodplain
Inspect development in the regulated floodplain
Maintain records of all development in the regulated floodplain
Make substantial damage determinations
Ensure all permits are obtained from other government agencies when
they are needed in the regulated floodplain
Development oversight in the regulated floodplain is the City of Auburn’s
Responsibility
NFIP ROLES: LOCAL
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 16 of 137
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Zone x
Shaded
Zone X Floodway
Base Flood
Elevation Line
and Value Zone AE
Page 17 of 137
CURRENT EFFECTIVE FIRM (MAY 1995)
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 18 of 137
PRELIMINARY FIRM (8/19/2020)
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 19 of 137
Per FEMA, Development means any unnatural change to improved or unimproved real
estate in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), including but not limited to buildings
or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling
operations or storage of equipment or materials……
ALL DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGULATED
FLOODPLAIN REQUIRES A PERMIT
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 20 of 137
Require permits in Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) per the FIRM’s issued by
FEMA
Development in Floodway is not allowed for single family residential and is difficult
for commercial development
Foundations are allowed as long as there are openings to resist hydrostatic
pressure
Enclosed spaces can only be used for parking, access, and limited storage
Residential buildings: lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above BFE
Non-residential buildings: elevated or floodproofed
No increase in Base Flood Elevation for development within SFHA
Utilities must be waterproof, anchored, and/or elevated
FEDERAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 21 of 137
What are we proposing to update?
Created from the State of Washington Model Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
Reviewed & modified by City of Auburn Community Development and Public Works
Been reviewed by FEMA and Department of Ecology
Additional Comments have been received from Department of Ecology between
March 2nd to the 30th that after the Letter of Determination was received that have
been incorporated into the Draft Code.
STAFF PROPOSED UPDATES TO ACC 15.68
MODEL ORDINANCE
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 22 of 137
Reorganize ACC, Chapter 15.68 to correspond to the layout of the Model Ordinance
Update the definitions section to have the latest definitions per NFIP, NMFS, FEMA,
DOE and City of Auburn.
Remove most of the permit application submittal criteria from ACC, Chapter 15.68
Information already provided in ACC 18.70.025 for variances is removed to avoid
redundancy
Minimum 15-foot setback from the protected area
Remove a date for assessing cumulative improvements
Increasing the requirements for what is to be addressed in Habitat Mitigation Plans
Additional variance criteria was added
A portion of the Urban Growth Area (Near Lake Tapps, Boman Lake, and Creek is in an
area covered by the Pierce County FIS, the City should also adopt the Pierce County
FIS and FIRMs
STAFF PROPOSED UPDATES TO ACC 15.68
MODEL ORDINANCE UPDATES
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 23 of 137
STAFF PROPOSED UPDATES TO ACC 15.68
RIPAIRIAN BUFFER ZONE
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 24 of 137
STAFF PROPOSED UPDATES TO ACC 15.68
CHANNEL MIGRATION ZONE
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 25 of 137
Current Effective FIRMs (May 1995) Preliminary FIRMs (Before 8/19/20)
STAFF PROPOSED UPDATES TO ACC 15.68
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP UPDATE
SERVICE z ENVIRONMENT z ECONOMY z CHARACTER z SUSTAINABILITY z WELLNESS z CELEBRATION
Page 26 of 137
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject:
Minutes of the April 6, 2020 Regular Council Meeting
Date:
April 8, 2020
Department:
City Council
Attachments:
04-06-2020 Minutes
Budget Impact:
Current Budget: $0
Proposed Revision: $0
Revised Budget: $0
Administrativ e Recommendation:
Background Summary:
Rev iewed by Council Committees:
Councilmember:Staff:
Meeting Date:April 20, 2020 Item Numb er:CA.A
Page 27 of 137
City Council Meeting
April 6, 2020 - 7:00 P M
City Hall Council Chambers
MINUT E S
Watch the meeting L IV E !
Watch the meeting video
Meeting videos are not available until 72
hours after the meeting has concluded.
I .C AL L T O O RD E R
I I .Virtual P articipation L ink
1.Virtual Participation L ink
T he C ity C ouncil Meeting was held virtually and in person in the C ouncil
Chambers.
A.P ledge of Allegiance
Mayor Nancy B ackus called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the
C ouncil Chambers of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main S treet in A uburn and
led those in attendance in the P ledge of A llegiance.
B.Roll Call
C ouncilmembers virtually present: Deputy Mayor C laude DaC orsi, Bob
B aggett, L arry B rown, J ames J eyaraj, R obyn Mulenga, C hris Stearns and
Yolanda Trout-Manuel.
Mayor Nancy B ackus and the f ollowing department directors and staff
members were present: I nnovation and Technology Director D avid Travis,
I nnovation and Technical S upport S pecialist Danika Olson, Network
A nalyst B rian Nguyen, Chief of P olice D an O’Neil and City Clerk S hawn
C ampbell.
The f ollowing department directors and staff members attended the
meeting virtually: C ity A ttorney K endra Comeau, D irector of F inance J amie
Thomas, D irector of P ublic Works I ngrid Gaub, Director of Community
D evelopment J ef f Tate and A ssistant Director of I nnovation and
Technology Ashley Riggs.
I I I .NE W B US INE S S
A.C ouncil Rules of Procedure
(R E C O MME ND E D A C T I O N: Move to extend the suspension of Council R ules of
P rocedure 3.1(H), 4.1, 10.1, 11.2(B ) and 16.1 that were amended on March 12, 2020
during the Special Council through April 27, 2020 and to allow generally the virtual and
telephonic participation in Council meetings.)
Page 1 of 5Page 28 of 137
D eputy Mayor DaC orsi moved and Councilmember B aggett seconded to
approve extending the suspension of Council R ules of P rocedure 3.1(H),
4.1, 10.1, 11.2(B) and 16.1. through May 5, 2020.
MO T I O N C A R R I E D UNA NI MO US LY. 7-0
I V.ANNO UNC E M E NT S, P RO C L AM AT IO NS , AND P RE S E NTAT IO NS
A.S exual Assault Awareness Month
Mayor B ackus to proclaim April 2020 as "Sexual Awareness Month" in the C ity of
A uburn
Mayor B ackus read and proclaimed A pril 2020 as S exual A ssault
Awareness Month in the City of A uburn.
B.National P ublic S af ety Telecommunicators Week
Mayor B ackus to proclaim April 12-18, 2020 as "National P ublic Safety
Telecommunicators Week" in the C ity of A uburn
Mayor B ackus read and proclaimed A pril 12-18 as National P ublic S af ety
Telecommunicators Week in the City of Auburn.
V.AG E ND A M O D I F IC AT I O NS
There were no modifications to the agenda.
V I .C I T I ZE N INP UT, P UB L I C HE ARI NG S AND C O RRE S P O ND E NC E
A.P ublic Hearings - (No public hearing is scheduled for this evening.)
B.Audience P articipation
Thi s i s the place on the agenda where the public is invited to speak to the City
Counci l on any issue.
B ob Z immerman - 33029 46th P lace South, A uburn
Mr. Z immerman submitted comments to be read by the City Clerk. Mr.
Zimmerman expressed concerns about the City of Auburn's preparedness
for an emergency.
1.Virtual Participation
T here was no virtual participation.
C .C orrespondence
There was no correspondence f or Council to review.
Page 2 of 5Page 29 of 137
V I I .C O UNC IL AD HO C C O M M IT T E E RE P O RT S
C ouncil Ad Hoc C ommittee Chairs may report on the status of their ad hoc Council
C ommittees' progress on assigned tasks and may give their recommendation to the
C ity Council, if any.
1.F inance A d Hoc Committee (Chair B aggett)
C ouncilmember Baggett, C hair of the F inance ad hoc committee,
reported he and Councilmember Stearns have reviewed the claims
and payroll vouchers described on the C onsent Agenda this evening
and recommended their approval.
V I I I .C O NS E NT AG E ND A
All matters l isted on the Consent Agenda are considered by the City Council to be
routine and wi ll be enacted by one moti on in the form listed.
A.Minutes of the March 12, 2020 and March 23, 2020 S pecial
C ity C ouncil Meeting
B.Minutes of the March 16, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting
C .Minutes of the March 23, 2020 and March 30, 2020 S tudy
S ession
D .C laim Vouchers (T homas)
C laim vouchers list dated April 6, 2020 which includes voucher numbers 457802
through 458027 in the amount of $2,399,150.59 and ten wire transf ers in the amount of
$739,287.77
E.P ayroll Vouchers (Thomas)
P ayroll check numbers 538887 through 538896 in the amount of $585,050.12 and
electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of $2,086,753.22 f or a grand total of
$2,671,803.34 for the period covering March 12, 2020 to March 31, 2020
D eputy Mayor DaC orsi moved and Councilmember B aggett seconded to
approve the consent agenda.
MO T I O N C A R R I E D UNA NI MO US LY. 7-0
I X.UNF I NI S HE D B US I NE S S
There was no unfinished business.
X .NE W B US INE S S
There was no additional new business.
Page 3 of 5Page 30 of 137
X I .O RD I NANC E S
A.Ordinance No. 6764 (Thomas)
A n O rdinance amending the 2019-2020 B iennial B udget, which represents the sixth
budget amendment f or the 2019-2020 biennium and the second budget amendment
for 2020
C ouncilmember Baggett moved and C ouncilmember Trout-Manuel
seconded to adopt Ordinance No. 6764.
MO T I O N C A R R I E D UNA NI MO US LY. 7-0
B.Ordinance No. 6765 (Gaub, Comeau, T homas)
A n O rdinance amending sections Chapter 3.10 and 3.12 relating to public contracting
and purchasing
C ouncilmember Brown moved and Councilmember J eyaraj seconded to
adopt O rdinance No. 6765.
MO T I O N C A R R I E D UNA NI MO US LY. 7-0
X I I .RE S O L UT IO NS
A.R esolution No. 5491 (O'Neil)
A R esolution amending the agreement with the A uburn S chool District related to law
enf orcement services
C ouncilmember Stearns moved and Councilmember Trout-Manuel
seconded to adopt R esolution No. 5491.
MO T I O N C A R R I E D UNA NI MO US LY. 7-0
B.R esolution No. 5505 (Gaub)
A R esolution to execute an interlocal agreement with the C ity of A lgona regarding water
and sewer utility service for properties located along the boundaries between A uburn
and A lgona
C ouncilmember J eyaraj moved and D eputy Mayor DaCorsi seconded to
adopt Resolution No. 5505.
MO T I O N C A R R I E D UNA NI MO US LY. 7-0
X I I I .M AY O R AND C O UNC I L M E M B E R RE P O RT S
At this ti me the Mayor and City Council may report on significant i tems associated with
their appoi nted positions on federal, state, regional and local organi zations.
A.Fr om the Council
D eputy Mayor DaC orsi reported he attended a virtual meeting with the
Washington L ow I ncome Housing A lliance and a National L ow I ncome
Page 4 of 5Page 31 of 137
Housing Webinar.
C ouncilmember J eyaraj thanked the essential service employees that
continue to work.
C ouncilmember Trout-Manuel said she met with the Knights of C olumbus
to pray for the City.
C ouncilmember Baggett reported he attended meetings with the P ierce
C ounty Department of Public Health.
B.Fr om the M ayor
Mayor B ackus reported she has attended several meetings in the last two
weeks regarding C O V I D-19. S he thanked Deanna Dawson with Sound
C ities A ssociation f or helping coordinate information sent to the cities and
A ssociation of Washington C ities (AW C) f or organizing a Mayor's meeting.
S he also thanked the members of Team A uburn f or their work and
dedication and encouraged the public to continue social distancing.
X I V.AD J O URNM E NT
There being no further business to come bef ore the Council, the meeting
was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
A P P R O V E D this 20th day of A pril, 2020.
_____________________________ ____________________________
NA NC Y B A C K US , MAYO R S hawn Campbell, C ity C lerk
Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office, on the City website
(http://www.auburnwa.gov), and via e-mail . Complete agenda packets are available for revi ew
at the City Clerk's Office.
Page 5 of 5Page 32 of 137
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject:
Minutes of the April 13, 2020 Study Session
Date:
April 15, 2020
Department:
City Council
Attachments:
04-13-2020 Minutes
Budget Impact:
Current Budget: $0
Proposed Revision: $0
Revised Budget: $0
Administrativ e Recommendation:
Background Summary:
Rev iewed by Council Committees:
Councilmember:Staff:
Meeting Date:April 20, 2020 Item Numb er:CA.B
Page 33 of 137
City Council Study Session P W C D S FA
April 13, 2020 - 5:30 P M
Virtual
MINUT E S
Watch the meeting L IV E!
Watch the meeting video
Meeting videos are not available until 72
hours after the meeting has concluded.
I .C A L L TO O R D E R
Deputy Mayor DaCorsi called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street in A uburn.
I I .Virtual Participation L ink
A .Virtual Participation L ink
The City Council Meeting was held virtually and in person in the Council Chambers.
B .Roll Call
Councilmembers virtually present: Deputy Mayor Claude DaCorsi, B ob
B aggett, L arry Brown, J ames J eyaraj, Robyn Mulenga, Chris S tearns and
Yolanda Trout-Manuel.
Mayor Nancy Backus and the following department directors and staff
members were present: Chief of Police Dan O'Neil, I nnovation and
Technical Support S pecialist Danika Olson and City Clerk Shawn
Campbell.
The following department directors and staff members attended the
meeting virtually: S enior City Staff A ttorney Harry B oesche, A ssistant
I nformation and Technology Director A shley Riggs, Director of
A dministration Dana Hinman, Director of Community Development J eff
Tate, Director of P ublic Works I ngrid Gaub and E mergency Manager J erry
Thorson.
I I I .A NNO UNC E ME NT S , R E P O RT S , A ND P R E S E NTAT I O NS
The Study Session agenda was modified to add Ordinance No. 6768 and
Ordinance No. 6769.
I V.A G E ND A I T E MS F O R C O UNC I L D I S C US S I O N
A .K ing County Regional Mitigation Plan (Hinman)(15 Minutes)
Overview of the F ederal Disaster Mitigation A ct which requires state and local
governments to develop all-hazard mitigation plans as a condition of federal grant
assistance.
Page 1 of 3Page 34 of 137
Manager T horson provided Council with an update on the King County
Regional Mitigation P lan. He gave a brief explanation of the plans that are
required for the City to update.
B .Ordinance No. 6768
An Ordinance extending the deadline for the public to apply for reduced utility
rates
Director T homas explained to Council that A uburn City Code sets a
deadline of May 31, 2020 for low income S eniors and permanently
disabled utility customers to submit an application for the Utility Discount or
Rebate program. Due to the Utility Customer Service Center being closed
and many of the documents required to apply being difficult for applicants
to obtain during the Stay At Home Order, she recommended an extension
of the deadline to apply until J uly 31, 2020 and to extend the reduced rates
approved in 2019 through J uly 31, 2020.
C.Ordinance No. 6769
An Ordinance to suspend the requirement that pets be spayed or neutered prior
to adoption during the C O V I D P ublic Health emergency
Mayor Backus explained that Auburn Valley Humane S ociety (AV HS) is
requesting a temporary suspension of the requirement to have a pet spade
or neutered prior to adoption until the Stay At Home Order has been lifted
and veterinarians are allowed to perform non-emergency surgeries.
V.P UB L I C W O R K S A ND C O MMUNI T Y D E V E L O P ME NT D I S C US S I O N I T E MS
A .S ound Transit Parking and Access Presentation (Tate)(15 Minutes)
S ound Transit staff to provide City Council with an update on the A uburn S tation
P arking and A ccess I mprovements P roject
Councilmember S tearns presided over this section of the meeting.
Director Tate introduced the S ound Transit staff; High Capacity Transit
P roject Manager Z ac Eskenazi, S outh Corridor Development Director
Chelsea L evy, Government and Community Relations Office K atie Drewel
and Acting S outh Sound P roject Director Melissa F lores.
Ms. Drewel provided Council with a update on funding for this project
regarding C O V I D-19. Mr. Eskenzai provided Council with a brief
background of the project, the components that have been environmentally
cleared, the next steps for the projects regarding traffic and aesthetics, the
community outreach plan and the potential benefits.
V I .O T HE R D I S C US S I O N I T E MS
There were no other discussion items.
Page 2 of 3Page 35 of 137
V I I .A D J O UR NME NT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
A P P R O V E D this 20th day of April, 2020.
________________________________ ______________________
C L A UD E D A C O R S I , D E P UT Y MAYO R S hawn Campbell, City Clerk
Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office, on the City website
(http://www.auburnwa.gov), and via e-mail. Complete agenda packets are available for review
at the City Clerk's Office.
Page 3 of 3Page 36 of 137
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject:
Claim Vouchers (Thomas)
Date:
April 13, 2020
Department:
Finance
Attachments:
No Attachments Av ailable
Budget Impact:
Current Budget: $0
Proposed Revision: $0
Revised Budget: $0
Administrativ e Recommendation:
Approve Claim Vouchers
Background Summary:
Claim vouchers list dated April 20, 2020 which includes voucher numbers 458028 through
458258 in the amount of $4,201,253.18 and f our wire transfers in the amount of
$507,740.59.
Rev iewed by Council Committees:
Councilmember:Staff:Thomas
Meeting Date:April 20, 2020 Item Numb er:CA.C
Page 37 of 137
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject:
Payroll Vouchers (Thomas)
Date:
April 13, 2020
Department:
Finance
Attachments:
No Attachments Av ailable
Budget Impact:
Current Budget: $0
Proposed Revision: $0
Revised Budget: $0
Administrativ e Recommendation:
Approve Payroll Vouchers
Background Summary:
Payroll check numbers 538897 through 538906 in the amount of $233,358.86 and electronic
deposit transmissions in the amount of $2,061,801.54 f or a grand total of $2,295,160.40 for
the period covering April 1, 2020 to April 13, 2020.
Rev iewed by Council Committees:
Councilmember:Staff:Thomas
Meeting Date:April 20, 2020 Item Numb er:CA.D
Page 38 of 137
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject:
Ordinance No. 6768 (Thomas)
Date:
April 15, 2020
Department:
Finance
Attachments:
Ordinance nO. 6768
Budget Impact:
Administrativ e Recommendation:
City Council to adopt Ordinance No. 6768.
Background Summary:
The Auburn City Code allows qualifying residents to apply for reduced rates. Applications
must be renewed or applied for annually bef ore the end of May, in order to receive the
reduced rates beginning the first billing cycle in June. However, due to the COVID-19 virus,
getting application materials submitted may be dif f icult and unsafe for qualif ying individuals.
This amendment accomplishes two things: 1. extends reduced rates that residents received
in 2019, through July 31, 2020; and 2. Extends the 2020 renewal and application period from
May until July. 2020 reduced rates will go into effect the first billing cycle of August.
Rev iewed by Council Committees:
Councilmember:Staff:Thomas
Meeting Date:April 20, 2020 Item Numb er:ORD.A
Page 39 of 137
--------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6768
April 13, 2020
Page 1 of 2 Rev. 2019
ORDINANCE NO. 6768
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AMENDING SECTION 13.24.060
OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE RELATING TO
APPLICATIONS FOR REDUCED UTILITY RATES AND
SETTING FORTH AN AUTOMATIC EXPIRATION DATE OF
AUGUST 1, 2020
WHEREAS, Chapter 13.24 of the Auburn City Code allows qualifying residents to
apply for utility rate exemptions; and
WHEREAS, currently, applications for utility rate exemptions must be renewed or
applied for annually in the month of May; and
WHEREAS, due to the state of emergency occasioned by the COVID-19 virus, it
is appropriate to extend the deadline to renew or apply for reduced rates to July 31, 2020;
and
WHEREAS, due to the state of emergency occasioned by the COVID-19 virus and
the economic impact on Auburn residents, it is appropriate for the City to extend those
exemptions granted in 2019 through July 31, 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. Amendment to City Code. Section 13.24.060 of the Auburn City
Code is amended to read as follows:
13.24.060
Annual Application required.
All exemptions from the minimum monthly charges for the specified utilities will be
required to be renewed or applied for annually between May 1 and July 31. Exemptions
for individuals with their own accounts will start with the next billing after July. Exemptions
for individuals without their own account will be in the form of a rebate for the previous 12
months or any eligible portion thereof for which the applicant can show proof of residency
in the household for which the exemption applies in the form of rent receipts, providing
Page 40 of 137
--------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6768
April 13, 2020
Page 2 of 2 Rev. 2019
that the total annual rebate for a building does not exceed the total amount billed in the
previous 12-month period.
Section 2. Implementation. The Mayor is authorized to implement those
administrative procedures necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
Section 3. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are declared to be
separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision,
section, or portion of this ordinance, or the invalidity of the application of it to any person
or circumstance, will not affect the validity of the remainder of this ordinance, or the validity
of its application to other persons or circumstances.
Section 4. Effective date. This Ordinance will take effect and be in force five
days from and after its passage, approval, and publication as provided by law.
Section 5. Expiration date. This ordinance shall be automatically repealed
without subsequent Council action on August 1, 2020.
INTRODUCED: _______________
PASSED: ____________________
APPROVED: _________________
____________________________
NANCY BACKUS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________________
Shawn Campbell, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
Kendra Comeau, City Attorney
Published: ____________________
Page 41 of 137
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject:
Ordinance No. 6773 (O'Neil)
Date:
April 15, 2020
Department:
Police
Attachments:
Ordinance No. 6773
Budget Impact:
Current Budget: $0
Proposed Revision: $0
Revised Budget: $0
Administrativ e Recommendation:
City Council to adopt Ordinance No. 6773.
Background Summary:
Currently, city code requires the Auburn Valley Humane Shelter (AV HS ) to spay and neuter all
dogs and cats made available for adoption. T his requirement is in A C C 6.01.110 and
requires that the new owner pay the fee for the operation. T he purpose of this requirement is
to reduce the number of dog and cat strays by decreasing pet fertility.
I n response to the coronavirus pandemic, the National A nimal Care and Control Association
recommends suspension of this practice during the crisis. T he association observes that
spay and neuter operations both increase the number of staff that must be at a shelter, and
lengthens the time pets remain at the shelter. A nimal populations are increasing at many
shelters due to the crisis and the “stay at home” orders imposed in response.
W hile the Auburn Valley Humane Society shelter is not at capacity, it is holding more animals
than normal. I t also has observed that it is nearly “kitten season” when the cat population at
the shelter usually increases. To address the possible risk of reaching shelter capacity, and
to reduce staf f and volunteer hours at the shelter, AV HS seeks to implement the National
A nimal Care and C ontrol Association recommendation during the period of the governor’s
S tay Home-S tay Healthy order. To do so, the spay & neuter requirement of A C C 6.01.110
needs to be suspended.
Rev iewed by Council Committees:
Councilmember:Staff:O'Neil
Meeting Date:April 20, 2020 Item Number:ORD.B
Page 42 of 137
--------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6773
DATE April 15, 2020
Page 1 of 3 Rev. 2019
ORDINANCE NO. 6773
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO TEMPORARILY
SUSPENDING AUBURN CITY CODE 6.01.110 REQUIRING
SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS
THAT ARE ADOPTED DURING THE EMERGENCY
DECLARED TO ADDRESS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
WHEREAS, the coronavirus identified as COVID-19 has reached pandemic
proportions and the United States, the State of Washington, and King County have each
proclaimed emergencies to exist as a result; and
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2020, the Mayor proclaimed an emergency to exist in
Auburn as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the city council ratified the
proclamation on March 12, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the facts giving rise to that proclamation continue to exist as the
country, state, and county still suffer deaths from coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, due to a series of actions taken by the Governor to help slow the
spread of the virus, most notably ordering individuals to quarantine in their homes unless
needing to perform essential activities, the Auburn Valley Human Society has operated
with a reduced staff, an absence of volunteers, and while practicing social distancing, all
of which delay accomplishment of the organization’s mission; and
WHEREAS, to address the emergency, the National Animal Care & Control
Association recommends that shelters limit surgeries to emergency operations, and
reduce the number of animals in custody by adopting or fostering animals without
conducting spay or neutering surgeries first; and
Page 43 of 137
--------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6773
DATE April 15, 2020
Page 2 of 3 Rev. 2019
WHEREAS, Auburn City Code 6.01.110 requires that as a condition of adopting
an animal from the Auburn Valley Humane Shelter, an unaltered animal be spayed or
neutered; and
WHEREAS, the authority to temporarily suspend the aforementioned obligation to
spay and neuter prospective adoptive animals should be of limited duration expiring on
the date the Governor rescinds the Stay Home - Stay Healthy order.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. Unaltered adoptive animals. The Auburn Valley Human Society is
temporarily authorized to offer unaltered animals for adoption during the time the
prohibitions in Governor’s proclamations 20-25 and 20-25.1, as amended or extended,
are in effect.
Section 2. Suspension of ACC 6.01.110. This ordinance will not be codified
but will nonetheless temporarily supersede Auburn City Code section 6.01.110.
Section 3. Implementation. The Mayor is authorized to implement those
administrative procedures necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are declared to be
separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision,
section, or portion of this ordinance, or the invalidity of the application of it to any person
or circumstance, will not affect the validity of the remainder of this ordinance, or the validity
of its application to other persons or circumstances.
Page 44 of 137
--------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6773
DATE April 15, 2020
Page 3 of 3 Rev. 2019
Section 5. Effective date. The City Council finds that an emergency exists
necessitating that this ordinance take effect immediately upon passage.
INTRODUCED: _______________
PASSED: ____________________
APPROVED: _________________
____________________________
NANCY BACKUS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________________
Shawn Campbell, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
Kendra Comeau, City Attorney
Published: ____________________
Page 45 of 137
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject:
Resolution No. 5510 (O'Neil)
Date:
April 13, 2020
Department:
Police
Attachments:
Res No. 5510
Operational Interlocal Agreement
MOU
About PSERN
PSERN Operator Interlocal Agreement Summary
PSERN Operator Rates and Cos t Allocation
Budget Impact:
Current Budget: $0
Proposed Revision: $0
Revised Budget: $0
Administrativ e Recommendation:
City Council to adopt Resolution No. 5510.
Background Summary:
Rev iewed by Council Committees:
Councilmember:Staff:O'Neil
Meeting Date:April 20, 2020 Item Number:RES.A
Page 46 of 137
--------------------------------
Resolution No. 5510
April 8, 2020
Page 1 of 3 Rev. 2019
RESOLUTION NO. 5510
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE
PUGET SOUND EMERGENCY RADIO NETWORK SYSTEM
(PSERN)
Whereas, King County currently has a countywide emergency public safety radio
network. The King County Emergency Radio Communication System (“KCERCS”)
supports over seventeen thousand radios and nearly two hundred separate police, fire,
emergency medical and other governmental agencies;
Whereas, portions of KCERCS are separately owned by the Eastside Public Safety
Communications Agency, Valley Communications Center, the City of Seattle, and King
County with a jointly owned switch controlling the entire network;
Whereas, KCERCS is over twenty years old and is increasingly unsupported by
the supplier of the system’s equipment, software and related parts;
Whereas, the cities of Auburn, Bellevue, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland,
Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, Seattle, and Tukwila and King County (“Parties”)
determined that it is in the public interest that a new public safety radio system, referred
to as the Puget Sound Emergency Radio System (“PSERN”), be implemented to provide
public safety agencies and other user groups in the region with improved coverage and
capacity, as well as uniformly high-quality radio communications;
Whereas, the Parties entered into the Puget Sound Emergency Radio
Implementation Period Interlocal Cooperation Agreement (“Implementation Period ILA”)
that designates King County as the lead agency for planning, procurement, financing,
Page 47 of 137
--------------------------------
Resolution No. 5510
April 8, 2020
Page 2 of 3 Rev. 2019
implementation and limited operation of PSERN. The Implementation Period ILA also
establishes a Joint Board to oversee the PSERN Project implementation;
Whereas, the Parties each gave 800 MHz frequencies to the PSERN Project that
will become the new PSERN system and will eventually be owned by the PSERN
Operator;
Whereas, the Parties to the Implementation Period ILA have negotiated a separate
agreement, the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator Interlocal Cooperation
Agreement to create a new separate governmental agency under RCW 39.34.030(3)(b)
that is organized as a non-profit corporation under Chapter 24.06 RCW to assume the
ownership and control of PSERN following full system acceptance;
Whereas, in addition to creating the new agency to be called the PSERN Operator,
the PSERN Operator ILA establishes the terms for governance of the PSERN Operator
and the terms under which the PSERN Operator will undertake responsibility for the
ownership, operations, maintenance, management and on-going upgrading/replacing of
the PSERN system during its useful life; and
Whereas, the PSERN Joint Board, created by the Implementation Period ILA,
approved the PSERN Operator ILA by unanimous vote.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, RESOLVES as follows:
Section 1. The Mayor is authorized to execute an Interlocal Agreement between
the City of Auburn, King County, and the cities of Bellevue, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent,
Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, Seattle and Tukwila, for the Puget Sound
Page 48 of 137
--------------------------------
Resolution No. 5510
April 8, 2020
Page 3 of 3 Rev. 2019
Emergency Radio Network Operator (PSERN). The agreement will be in substantial
conformity with the agreement attached as Exhibit A.
Section 2. The Mayor is authorized to implement those administrative
procedures necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
Section 3. This Resolution will take effect and be in full force on passage and
signatures.
Dated and Signed:
CITY OF AUBURN
____________________________
NANCY BACKUS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________________
Shawn Campbell, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
Kendra Comeau, City Attorney
Page 49 of 137
Page 1
PUGET SOUND EMERGENCY RADIO NETWORK OPERATOR
INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT
This Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator Interlocal Cooperation
Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW (the “Interlocal
Cooperation Act”) by and among King County and the cities of Auburn, Bellevue, Federal
Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, Seattle, and Tukwila,
each a political subdivision or municipal corporation of the State of Washington
(individually, a "Party" and collectively, the "Parties").
RECITALS
A. The Parties, under various interlocal agreements, have been responsible for
the ownership, operation and maintenance of various elements in the current King County
Emergency Radio Communications System (KCERCS), a voice radio system that is
nearly twenty years old and is increasingly unsupported by the supplier of the system’s
equipment, software and related repairs.
B. The Parties determined that it is in the public interest that a new public safety
radio system be implemented that will provide public safety agencies and other user
groups in the region with improved coverage and capacity, as well as uniformly high-
quality emergency radio communications. Said new system is referred to herein as the
“Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network System” or “PSERN System.”
C. The costs of implementing the PSERN System are financed through a funding
measure approved by voters at the April 2015 election.
D. The Parties executed a separate agreement (“Implementation Period ILA”) that
designates King County to act as the lead agency for planning, procurement, financing
and implementation of the PSERN System with the oversight of a Joint Board established
pursuant to the Implementation Period ILA.
E. The Implementation Period ILA contemplates that the Parties will create a new
separate governmental agency under RCW 39.34.030(3)(b) that is organized as a non-
profit corporation under Chapter 24.06 RCW as authorized by the Interlocal Cooperation
Act to assume the ownership and control of the PSERN System following Full System
Acceptance and be responsible for the ownership, operations, maintenance,
management and on-going upgrading/replacing of the PSERN System during its useful
life.
F. The purpose of this Agreement is to create the new governmental agency to be
known as the “PSERN Operator” and establish the terms for governance of the PSERN
Operator and the terms under which the PSERN Operator will undertake the ownership,
operations, maintenance, management and on-going upgrading/replacing of the PSERN
System. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, benefits and
covenants contained herein and other valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is
hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree to the above Recitals and the following:
Page 50 of 137
Page 2
1.0 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS
1.1 Rules of Construction
1.1.1 Unless the context requires otherwise, the singular form of a word shall also
mean and include the plural (and vice versa), and the masculine gender shall also
mean and include the feminine and neutral genders (and vice versa).
1.1.2 References to statutes or regulations include all current and future statutory
or regulatory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute or
regulation referred to.
1.1.3 References to sections, exhibits, attachments or appendices to this
Agreement and references to articles or sections followed by a number shall be
deemed to include all subarticles, subsections, subclauses, subparagraphs and
other divisions bearing the same number as a prefix.
1.1.4 The words “including,” “includes” and “include” shall be deemed to be
followed by the words “without limitation.”
1.1.5 The words “shall” or “will” shall be deemed to require mandatory action.
1.1.6 Words such as “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” are not limited to the
specific provision within which such words appear but shall refer to the entire
Agreement taken as a whole.
1.1.7 Words such as “person” or “party” shall be deemed to include individuals,
political subdivisions, governmental agencies, associations, firms, companies,
corporations, partnerships, and joint ventures.
1.1.8 References to “days” shall mean calendar days unless expressly stated to
be “Business Days.” If the due date for a task, payment, or any other requirement
falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday observed by King County, the due date shall
be deemed to be the next Business Day.
1.1.9 The headings and captions inserted into this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and in no way define, limit, or otherwise describe the scope or
intent of this Agreement, or any provision hereof, or in any way affect the
interpretation of this Agreement.
1.1.10 This Agreement was negotiated and prepared by the Parties and their
respective attorneys. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the rule of
construction that an ambiguous contract should be construed against the drafter
shall not be applied in any construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
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1.2 Definitions
Words and terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein (including in
the recitals which are hereby incorporated into this Agreement by this reference) shall be
given their ordinary and usual meanings or their well-known technical industry meanings
except that the following terms are defined for this Agreement as follows:
1.2.1 Board of Directors or Board means the board described in Section 4.0 of this
Agreement and shall be the governing body of the PSERN Operator.
1.2.2 Agreement means this Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator
Interlocal Cooperation Agreement, as it may hereafter be amended or modified
from time to time, together with all exhibits and appendices hereto, as they may
hereafter be amended or modified.
1.2.3 Consolidated Service Area means those geographic areas of King County,
Pierce County and Snohomish County, Washington, previously served by the
emergency radio networks of King County, the City of Seattle, EPSCA and Valley
Com, and which areas are to be prospectively served by the PSERN System. The
Consolidated Service Area shall also include those other geographic areas that
are added to the area served by the PSERN System as expanded in accordance
with action of the Board of Directors.
1.2.4 Director means a person designated as a member of the Board of Directors
pursuant to Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
1.2.5 Dispatch Center means an organization that has entered into an agreement
with King County or the PSERN Operator for console service on the PSERN
System.
1.2.6 EPSCA means the Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency, formed
pursuant to chapters 39.34 and 24.06 RCW, created by the cities of Bellevue,
Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Redmond, or its successor agency.
1.2.7 Executive Director means the chief executive officer for the PSERN Operator
appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
1.2.8 Full System Acceptance or FSA means the determination issued to the
PSERN System Contractor upon the Contractor satisfactorily completing the final
system development phase milestone pursuant to King County Contract No.
5729347 (Contract for the Design, Development, Implementation, Testing and On-
Going Support, Maintenance and Upgrade of the Puget Sound Emergency Radio
System, executed on December 17, 2014).
1.2.9 KCERS means the King County Emergency Radio Communication System.
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1.2.10 Operations Period means the period that commences with the first full
month after FSA and continuing through the life of the PSERN System.
1.2.11 PSERN Transitional Employee means an individual: (1) who, at the time of
FSA, is employed by King County, the City of Seattle, EPSCA, or ValleyCom in a
management, administration, finance, operations, and/or maintenance position for
a subregion of KCERCS; (2) whose employment with King County, the City of
Seattle, EPSCA, or ValleyCom will be eliminated as a direct result of the PSERN
project; and (3) who will not be hired by the PSERN Operator in a comparable
capacity because the PSERN Operator has no or fewer comparable positions.
1.2.12 Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator or PSERN Operator
means the governmental agency formed under this Agreement and RCW
39.34.030(3)(b) that is organized as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 24.06
RCW as authorized by the Interlocal Cooperation Act for the purpose of owning,
operating, maintaining, managing and ongoing upgrading/replacing of the PSERN
System during the Operations Period.
1.2.13 Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network System or PSERN System means
the land mobile radio system constructed under the Implementation Period ILA. It
also means all equipment, software, and other work deployed during the
Operations Period to provide public safety communication service(s) or an addition
to an existing infrastructure during the Operations Period to provide new or
additional public safety communication service(s).
1.2.14 System means an infrastructure that is deployed to provide public safety
communication service(s) or an addition to an existing infrastructure to provide new
or additional public safety communication service(s).
1.2.15 Service Rate means the rate or rates charged to User Agencies in
accordance with the Rate Model at Exhibit A, or as it may be amended by action
of the Board of Directors.
1.2.16 Services means voice, data, video, or other communication services
provided to User Agencies and Dispatch Centers through an agreement with King
County or the PSERN Operator.
1.2.17 User Agency means an entity that is authorized under an agreement with
King County or the PSERN Operator to register and use a radio or other device on
the PSERN System.
1.2.18 Valley Communications Center or Valley Com means the Governmental
Administrative Agency formed by interlocal agreement under Chapter 39.34 RCW,
created by the cities of Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, and Tukwila.
2.0 DURATION OF AGREEMENT
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This Agreement shall be effective on the date it is last signed by an authorized
representative of each the Parties and is filed and/or posted as provided in Section 15.2
("Effective Date"). This Agreement shall remain in effect until terminated as provided in
Section 12.0.
3.0 PURPOSE OF THE AGREEMENT; FINANCING; SERVICES
The purpose of this Agreement is to provide communication Services throughout the
Operations Period to User Agencies and any other agencies permitted to be licensed in
the 800 MHz Public Safety Radio Spectrum pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Part 90 that are within
the boundaries of the Consolidated Service Area. To effectuate this purpose, the Parties
hereby create a governmental administrative agency called the “Puget Sound Emergency
Radio Network Operator”. The Parties each assign to the PSERN Operator the
responsibility of owning, operating, maintaining, managing and ongoing
upgrading/replacing of the PSERN System during the Operations Period as permitted by
the Interlocal Cooperation Act. The PSERN Operator shall be formed pursuant to RCW
39.34.030(3)(b) and shall be organized as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 24.06
RCW.
The Parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each is executing this Agreement in order
to facilitiate the creation of the PSERN Operator as a separate governmental
administrative agency pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act and not a “joint board”
within the meaning of RCW 39.34.030(4)(a). All debts, obligations and liabilities incurred
by the PSERN Operator shall be satisfied exclusively from the assets and properties of
the PSERN Operator and no creditor or other person shall have any right of action against
the Parties hereto, the User Agencies or any other public or private entity or agency on
account of any debts, obligations, or liabilities of the PSERN Operator unless explicitly
agreed to in writing by the Party hereto, the User Agency, or such entity or agency.
The expenses of the PSERN Operator shall be financed through a funding measure
approved by voters at the April 2015 election and with user fees (Service Rates) to be
assessed against and paid by all User Agencies. It is the intent of the Parties that Service
Rates be computed as provided in Exhibit A and be set to cover all operating expenses
of the PSERN Operator, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.
This Agreement shall not obligate the Parties to incur debt on behalf of the PSERN
Operator. Each Party’s financial obligations to PSERN shall be limited to payment of
Service Rates unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.
The PSERN Operator shall have the responsibility and authority for providing
communication Services as provided in this Agreement, including but not limited to
owning, operating, maintaining, managing and ongoing upgrading/replacing of the
PSERN System during the Operations Period and all related incidental radio
communications functions.
4.0 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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4.1 Creation of Board of Directors
The PSERN Operator shall be governed by a Board of Directors that is hereby created
pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act and chapter 24.06 RCW that shall act in the
best interests of PSERN and in furtherance of the purpose of this Agreement. The Board’s
composition, powers, responsibilities, quorum and meeting requirements shall be
included in the PSERN Operator’s articles of incorporation or bylaws.
4.2 Composition of the Board of Directors
4.2.1 The Board of Directors shall be composed of the four following voting
members:
4.2.1.1 the King County executive, or a designee of the executive approved
by the King County council;
4.2.1.2 the City of Seattle mayor, or his/her designee;
4.2.1.3 one mayor or city manager or his/her designee representing the
Cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Redmond (the
“EPSCA Cities”); and
4.2.1.4 one mayor or city manager or his/her designee representing the
Cities of Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton and Tukwila (the “Valley Com
Cities”).
4.2.2 The Board of Directors shall also include two nonvoting members to
comment and participate in discussions but who are not entitled to vote on any
matter. One nonvoting member shall be appointed by the King County Police
Chiefs Association and one member selected jointly by the King County Fire
Commissioners Association and the King County Fire Chiefs Association.
4.2.3 An authorized representative of King County, the City of Seattle, the Valley
Com Cities and the EPSCA Cities shall provide written notice of its initial Board of
Directors member and alternate member to the Chair of the Joint Board
established under the Implementation Period ILA. Thereafter, notice of a change
to a Party’s Board of Directors member or alternate shall be effective upon delivery
of written notice to the Chair of the Board of Directors. The notice shall include the
name and contact information for the new member or alternate.
4.2.4 An authorized representative of King County, the City of Seattle, the Valley
Com Cities and the EPSCA Cities shall promptly replace any vacancy in its Board
of Directors member or alternate and may, at any time, replace its Board of
Directors member or alternate by giving notice as provided in Section 4.2.3. If the
County or the City of Seattle fails to fill a vacancy for its Board of Directors member
and alternate, its chief executive officer or his/her designee shall attend all
meetings until one of the vacancies is filled. If one of the groups of cities listed in
Sections 4.2.1.3 or 4.2.1.4 fails to fill a vacancy for its Board of Directors member
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and alternate, then the chief executive officer or his/her designee of one of the
cities in that group shall attend all meetings until one of the vacancies is filled.
4.2.5 The officers of the PSERN Operator shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, a
Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers and assistant officers as may be
deemed necessary and set forth in the bylaws. Any two or more offices may be
held by the same person, except the offices of Chair and Secretary. The officers
shall be elected from among the voting members of the Board. The Chair shall
preside at the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Vice Chair shall serve in the
absence of the Chair.
4.3 Quorum and Meeting Procedures
4.3.1 A quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be all four of the
Board members who have voting authority. Action by the Board of Directors shall
require the affirmative vote of all four voting Board members, except as provided
otherwise in this Agreement.
4.3.2 Any Board of Directors member who has voting authority may request that
a vote on a measure be deferred until the next meeting. The measure shall then
be deferred for one meeting unless the other three voting members find either that
there is an emergency requiring that the vote be taken at the originally scheduled
meeting or that a delay would likely result in harm to the public, User Agencies or
the PSERN Operator. A vote on the same measure shall not be deferred a second
time without the concurrence of the majority of the Board of Directors’ voting
members.
4.3.3 The Board of Directors shall establish bylaws and procedures for its
operations and meetings including setting a regular meeting schedule and location,
providing for the scheduling of special and emergency meetings, and providing for
attendance by telephone or other electronic voice communication.
4.3.4 The regular meeting schedule shall be established by the Board of Directors,
with a minimum of two meetings being held each calendar year. Special or
emergency meetings may be called by the Chair or by at least two voting members
of the Board.
4.3.5 The first meeting of the Board of Directors will be held as soon as
practicable and necessary to begin operations of the PSERN Operator. The
members described in Section 4.2.3 shall attend the meeting and shall elect a
Chair and Vice Chair to serve a term that will begin upon election and extend
through the remainder of that calendar year and the calendar year immediately
following. Thereafter, the Board of Directors shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair at
the final meeting of each year to allow each to serve a two-year term that will begin
on January 1 of the following year.
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4.3.6 The Board of Directors shall hold an annual meeting to coincide with the
first regular meeting each year. During the annual meeting, the Executive Director
shall report on the state of the PSERN Operator.
4.3.7 The Board of Directors shall take actions by vote and each voting Board
member shall be entitled to one vote. All votes shall have equal weight in the
decision-making process. Any voting Board member may call for a vote on an
issue. Meetings shall be conducted according to the most recent edition of Robert’s
Revised Rules of Order unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.
4.3.8 Board members must be present at a meeting to vote and may not vote by
proxy, provided that, if provided for in the bylaws, a member may participate in
Board meetings and may vote on Board issues via telephone or other electronic
voice communication.
4.3.9 The Board of Directors shall comply with applicable requirements of the
Washington State Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW.
4.3.10 An alternate attending Board of Directors meetings on behalf of a regular
member of the Board shall be considered to be a member for purposes of that
meeting and entitled to exercise all rights of the member to participate in such
meetings, including participating in discussion, making motions, and voting on
matters coming before the Board.
4.3.11 Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Board of
Directors may take action by three affirmative votes when each of the following
conditions is met: (1) a matter has been identified for action in the notice or
proposed agenda for at least two meetings in a row, and (2) both meetings were
regularly scheduled meetings or properly notified and scheduled special meetings
in accordance with the bylaws and RCW 42.30, and (3) the same voting member
failed to attend both meetings and failed to send an alternate. In this event, for this
one action item only, a quorum of the Board of Directors will consist of three
members.
4.4 Board of Directors Actions
The PSERN Operator, through its Board of Directors, shall have all powers allowed by
law for interlocal agencies created under RCW 39.34.030 and chapter 24.06 RCW, as
they now exist or may hereafter be amended, and as authorized, amended, or removed
by the Board of Directors, as provided for in this Agreement, and including but not limited
to the following:
a. Amend this Agreement, subject to Section 15.13;
b. Establish committees and advisory groups to perform activities related to the
PSERN System;
c. Adopt and amend budgets and approve expenditures;
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d. Adopt and amend policies and bylaws for the administration and regulation of
the PSERN Operator;
e. Adopt and amend purchasing and contracting policies consistent with state
law;
f. Direct and supervise the activities of the Operating Board;
g. Direct the activities of the Executive Director;
h. If the Board determines that the Executive Director will be directly hired as an
employee of the PSERN Operator, then the Board shall hire, set the
compensation for, and be authorized to terminate the employment of the
Executive Director.
i. If the Board determines that the Executive Director will be a contracted
employee from another governmental agency, the Board will contract for an “at
will” employee approved by the Board and who may be terminated from the
position by a unanimous vote by the Board.
j. Evaluate the Executive Director's performance and give the Executive Director
a written evaluation of his or her performance at least annually;
k. Establish a fund or special fund or funds as authorized by RCW 39.34.030;
l. Establish Service Rates in accordance with Exhibit A or any amendments
thereto;
m. Review and amend terms of use for User Agencies, as necessary;
n. Conduct regular and special meetings;
o. Approve PSERN operation and maintenance standards;
p. Determine the Services the PSERN Operator shall offer and the terms under
which they will be offered;
q. Approve agreements with third parties;
r. Incur financial obligations in the name of the PSERN Operator to make
purchases or contracts for Services to implement the purposes of this
Agreement; provided, however, nothing in this Agreement shall authorize the
PSERN Operator to issue bonds or incur indebtedness in the name of any Party
hereto or that shall be considered a debt or a guarantee of any Party hereto
without its express written consent;
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s. Purchase, take, receive, lease, take by gift, or otherwise acquire, own, hold,
improve, use and otherwise deal in and with real or personal property, or any
interest therein, in the name of the PSERN Operator;
t. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, transfer, and otherwise
dispose of all of its real or personal property, or any interest therein, and assets;
u. Sue and be sued, complain and defend, in all courts of competent jurisdiction;
v. Hold licenses for radio frequencies;
w. Recommend action to the legislative bodies of the Parties and User Agencies;
w. Delegate the Board of Directors' authority under this Agreement subject to any
applicable law and to such limitations and conditions as the Board of Directors
may establish;
x. Enter into agreements with other agencies to accomplish tasks for the PSERN
Operator such as agreements for services such as procurement and property
leasing;
y. Contract for staff through agreements with other agencies that specify the
employment policies, compensations amounts, and supervisory structure that
will apply to such staff;
z. Exercise any powers necessary to further the goals and purposes of this
Agreement that are consistent with the powers of the Parties;
aa. Add parties to this Agreement and concurrently amend the membership of the
Board of Directors, subject to the limitations of Section 15.13;
bb. Take necessary actions to prepare and plan for a public safety radio system(s)
to succeed the PSERN System;
cc. To the extent permitted by law, accept loans or grants of funds from any federal,
state, local or private agencies and receive and distribute funds; and
dd. The PSERN Operator shall have no power to levy taxes.
4.5 Impasse Resolution Procedure
4.5.1 If a matter requiring Board action is moved at a Board of Directors meeting
but fails for lack of a unanimous vote by all four (4) Directors, a voting Director may
submit written notice of an impasse to the other Directors and the Executive
Director. The notice shall include a statement of the action being sought and the
history of any Board deliberation or vote(s) on the matter.
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4.5.2 Within seven (7) days of receipt of a notice of impasse, the Board Chair shall
designate a mediator to assist the Board in resolving the impasse. The mediator
shall be experienced in resolving disputes among public sector and/or nonprofit
agencies and may not be an employee or consultant of any of the Parties, unless
otherwise agreed to by the Parties.
4.5.3 The Parties agree that it is essential to the success of the PSERN System
that any impasse be resolved as quickly as possible and accordingly agree to
instruct their respective Directors to cooperate with the mediator in good faith,
including expediting responses to any mediator requests for information and
discussion.
4.5.4 The mediator shall promptly investigate the impasse and the respective
positions of the voting Directors. The mediator may recommend one or more non-
binding alternatives for resolving the impasse. Regardless of the outcome of the
mediation, the cost of the mediator’s fees and expenses shall be divided into four
equal parts to be paid by (1) the County, (2) the City, (3) the EPSCA Cities and the
(4) Valley Com Cities. The EPSCA Cities and Valley Com Cities shall each be
responsible for apportioning their one quarter share of the costs among their
members and for informing the PSERN Operator of the apportionment. The
PSERN Operator shall pay the mediator and invoice each Party for its share. Each
Party shall pay the PSERN Operator within thirty (30) days of the Party’s receipt
of the invoice.
4.5.5 If the impasse is not resolved within ten (10) days of the mediator providing
his/her recommendation(s), the Elected Executives Committee (EEC) shall meet
with the Board of Directors to attempt to resolve the impasse. The EEC shall be
composed of the King County Executive; the Mayor of the City of Seattle; one
elected official designated by the EPSCA Cities; and one elected office designated
by the Valley Com Cities. The Board of Directors and the EEC shall convene to
consider the matter and attempt to reach a resolution, which may include re-
submitting the matter for a Board of Directors vote, not later than twenty (20) days
after the date the mediator provided his/her recommendation(s).
5.0 OPERATING BOARD
The Board of Directors will create an Operating Board of PSERN System User Agencies,
which will include at least one fire commissioner as a member, to provide advice and
perform other duties as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. The obligation to
create and maintain an Operating Board shall be included in the PSERN Operator’s
articles of incorporation or bylaws.
6.0 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
If the Executive Director is directly hired as an employee of the PSERN Operator, the
Board shall be responsible for the appointment and termination of the Executive Director.
If the Board enters into an agreement with another governmental agency to contract for
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an Executive Director, the agreement shall give the Board the authority to appoint the
Executive Director and to terminate the Executive Director from his/her position.
The Executive Director shall report to the Board of Directors and shallregularly advise the
Board on matters related to the operation and functions of the PSERN System and the
PSERN Operator, including proposed budgets, financial and liability issues, and all other
appropriate matters related to the PSERN System and the PSERN Operator. The
Executive Director may also request assistance from the Operating Board to address
tasks calling for technical and user-related expertise.
6.1 Executive Director Duties
The Executive Director shall:
a. Manage the PSERN Operator’s day-to-day activities consistent with applicable
policies, procedures, and standards;
b. Retain appropriate PSERN Operator staff either through the direct hire of such
staff or through an agreement with an agency to provide such staff;
c. Hire, evaluate, supervise, discipline, and terminate staff in compliance with
applicable budget, policies, procedures, agreements and standards;
d. Propose and administer Annual Budgets including a contingency;
e. Consistent with applicable budget and procurement policies adopted by the
Board, approve expenditures and sign contracts in amounts as established by
the Board of Directors without additional approval of the Board of Directors;
f. Track the performance of PSERN systems and Services;
g. Provide support to the Board of Directors;
h. Recommend policies, procedures, and standards, and changes thereto,
including without limitation policies governing the procurement of goods,
services, public works and improvements, staffing and emergency responses;
i. Provide written monthly reports to the Board of Directors describing the PSERN
Operator’s budget status, PSERN System performance against targets, partial
or full PSERN System outages, purchases equal to or greater than $10,000,
and usage statistics;
j. Maintain and manage records in accordance with applicable state and federal
laws and regulations;
k. Prepare an annual report for the PSERN Operator as required by RCW
23.95.255; and
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l. Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
6.2 Qualifications and Status of the Executive Director
The Executive Director shall have experience or comparable equivalent skills in the
technical, financial and administrative fields of public safety radio and his or her
appointment shall be on the basis of merit only. If the Executive Director is directly hired
by the PSERN Operator, he/she will serve in an “at will” position that may not be modified
by any PSERN Agency policy, rule, or regulation regarding discipline or termination of
PSERN Agency employees, and accordingly, the Executive Director may only be
terminated from his or her position by the Board of Directors.
7.0 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
In the case of an emergency, the Executive Director shall have the authority to issue a
determination of emergency under applicable law. The Executive Director shall
communicate to the Board of Directors each decision made pursuant to any emergency
determination as soon as reasonably possible and shall issue a written finding of the
existence of the emergency no later than two weeks following the award of any contract
executed pursuant to the emergency determination.
8.0 PSERN OPERATOR EMPLOYMENT
8.1 Employees Generally
The Board of Directors shall require the PSERN Operator to comply with all applicable
federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to all current and
future employees. In addition, the PSERN Operator shall be an equal opportunity
employer and make reasonable efforts to maintain a diverse work force.
8.2. Employment of Current Regular Employees
8.2.1 Offer of Employment
8.2.1.1 As of the Effective Date of this Agreement, there are 3.0 FTE City
of Seattle employees and 8.0 FTE King County employees who are
employed to primarily work on KCERCS infrastructure and whose job
duties will be assumed by the PSERN Operator after FSA (“Qualified
Employees”). It is the intention of the Parties that each of those Qualified
Employees have the option of working for the PSERN Operator and that
the PSERN Operator and the County and City of Seattle will work
cooperatively to transition the employees who accept such option to work
for the PSERN Operator on a schedule that does not adversely impact
public safety functions prior to FSA.
8.2.1.2 Directly Hired Employees
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If the Board of Directors determines that PSERN Operator staff shall be
directly hired by the PSERN Operator and to implement the intent of
Section 8.2.1., then no later than the date to be set by the Board of
Directors, the PSERN Operator will offer employment to each of the
Qualified Employees for similar employment with the PSERN Operator.
The offer shall remain open for no more than thirty (30) days unless
otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. Each Qualified Employee
who accepts the offer shall become a “Transferring Employee.” The
PSERN Executive Director shall use best efforts to ensure each
Transferring Employee a smooth and prompt transition to employment with
the PSERN Operator.
The Board of Directors shall require the PSERN Operator to use its best
efforts to offer the Transferring Employees opportunities for professional
advancement and a package of employee benefits that are similar to the
opportunities and benefits available to the Transferring Employees at their
current agency at the time of transition to PSERN employment.
8.2.1.3 Agency-Provided Employees
If the Board of Directors determines that PSERN Operator staff will be
contracted for through an agreement with another governmental agency,
then no later than the date set by the Board of Directors, the agency
providing such staff will offer employment to each of the Qualified
Employees for similar employment with the agency for PSERN Operator
work. The offer shall remain open for no more than thirty (30) days unless
otherwise determined by the agency providing the PSERN Operator staff.
Each Qualified Employee who accepts the offer shall become an “Agency
Employee.” The agency providing PSERN Operator staff shall use best
efforts to ensure each Agency Employee a smooth and prompt transition to
employment with the agency and work for the PSERN Operator.
8.2.2 Retirement Benefits
If the Board of Directors determines that PSERN Operator staff shall be directly
hired, then the PSERN Operator will participate in the Public Employees’
Retirement System (PERS) and will offer PERS retirement benefits through the
Washington State Department of Retirement Systems to Transferring Employees
and Transitional Employees.
8.3 Temporary Employment of PSERN Transitional Employees
8.3.1 Any PSERN Transitional Employee who requests temporary employment
with the PSERN Operator shall be employed as a temporary employee by the
PSERN Operator or if the PSERN Operator does not directly hire its employees,
then by the agency providing staff for the PSERN Operator.. The period of
temporary employment shall not exceed eighteen (18) months from the time of
transition to such employment or a shorter duration if requested by the PSERN
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Transitional Employee. The time of transition shall be within 60 days after FSA
unless another date is agreed to by the PSERN Operator and the PSERN
Transitional Employee.
8.3.2 While employed as temporary employees performing work for the PSERN
Operator, PSERN Transitional Employees shall be entitled to a salary and package
of benefits similar to what the Transitional Employee received prior to his or her
transition to PSERN Operator work. The full cost of compensation, including salary
and benefits, provided to PSERN Transitional Employees shall be paid by the
PSERN Operator, either directly or pursuant to an agreement with another agency
for the provision of staff.
8.3.3 While employed as temporary employees performing work for the PSERN
Operator, PSERN Transitional Employees must meet all employment
requirements applicable to permanent PSERN Operator employees or employees
of the applicable employing agency. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the
PSERN Operator’s or applicable employing agency’s ability to take employment
action, up to and including termination of employment, regarding a PSERN
Transitional Employee who fails to meet any requirement of his/her employment.
8.3.4 Nothing in this section shall preclude the PSERN Operator or an applicable
employing agency from hiring a PSERN Transitional Employee serving as a
temporary employee to a permanent position.
8.4 No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
Employees affected by this Agreement are not intended to be third-party beneficiaries to
this Agreement and cannot sue to enforce its terms.
9.0 Service Level Requirements
9.1 Contractor Services
The PSERN Operator shall ensure the following services are provided by the Contractor
throughout the expected service life of the PSERN System:
(i) technical support;
(ii) infrastructure repair;
(iii) System updates; and
(iv) System upgrades.
9.2 Minimum Performance
The PSERN Operator shall ensure the following minimum performance requirements for
the PSERN System:
(i) DAQ 3.4;
(ii) 97% reliability;
(iii) 97% portable on-street coverage in the Primary Bounded Area;
(iv) 95% portable on-street coverage in the Highway Buffer Covered Areas;
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(v) grade of service of 1.0;
(vi) 99.999% availability of backhaul;
(vii) at least 17db added signal above the baseline PSERN design within the
three (3) polygon coverage areas shown in Exhibit B; and
(viii) provide 97% portable on-street coverage with 97% SAR (service area
reliability) in the three (3) polygon coverage areas shown in Exhibit B.
10.0 RESERVED
11.0 WITHDRAWAL AND REMOVAL
11.1 Withdrawal of a Party
11.1.1 A Party may withdraw from this Agreement effective on the last day of a
calendar year by giving written notice to the Board at least two years prior to the
proposed effective date for withdrawal.
11.1.2 Any Party that has given notice of its intent to withdraw must meet with the
Executive Director or his or her designee to develop a departure plan that is intended
to ensure an orderly separation of the Party from the PSERN Operator in a manner
that is consistent with this Agreement. The departure plan may include the transfer
of funds and equipment or other assets and such plan must be approved by
unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.
11.1.3 Costs of Withdrawal
11.1.3.1 A Party that withdraws shall remain responsible for any obligations
that arose prior to the effective date of the withdrawal and for any that are
specified under Section 15.17 as surviving a withdrawal.
11.1.3.2 As a condition of withdrawal, the withdrawing Party must pay any
direct costs resulting from the withdrawal. The Board of Directors may also
set a different withdrawal date as it deems appropriate; however, the
withdrawal date shall not be later than one year after the withdrawing Party’s
proposed withdrawal date.
11.1.3.3 Any costs or other amounts owed by a withdrawing Party under this
Agreement or any other agreement between the withdrawing Party and the
PSERN Operator shall be paid prior to the effective date of the withdrawal
or, if such amounts are not then known or established, then within thirty (30)
days after the amount is known or established. However, the withdrawing
Party shall not be responsible for amounts not known or established within
one hundred (100) days of the date of withdrawal.
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11.1.4 A member of the Board of Directors representing a Party that has given
notice of withdrawal which is effective at a future date, shall be authorized to cast
votes with the Board of Directors only on budgets and other items to be
implemented prior to the withdrawal date unless permission to vote on a matter is
granted by all remaining Board members.
11.1.5 A Party that has given its notice of withdrawal may revoke its notice of
withdrawal by delivering a written notice of such revocation to the Board of
Directors. The Board, in its sole discretion, may by unanimous vote of the
remaining members of the Board, determine to accept or deny the revocation and
under what conditions any acceptance shall be permitted.
11.1.6 If a Party withdraws from this Agreement, the withdrawing Party will forfeit
any and all rights it may have to PSERN System real, personal, or intellectual
property and any rights to participate in the PSERN Operator, unless otherwise
provided by the Board of Directors.
11.2 Removal of a Board Member.
The Board of Directors may, by majority vote and for cause, remove a Board member
from the Board of Directors and terminate the Board member’s right to participate in
governance of the PSERN Operator. Immediately after the vote removing a Board
member, the Party’s alternate shall become its Board of Directors member. If the Party
has not designated an alternate, the vacancy provisions in Section 4.2.4 shall apply.
Cause for removal may include failure to act in good faith in participating in the Board of
Directors and willful, arbitrary failure to perform the Board member’s obligations as set
forth in this Agreement.
12.0 DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION
12.1 Three (3) or more Directors may, at any one time, call for a vote on the complete
dissolution of the PSERN Operator and termination of this Agreement. Upon both: (a) the
affirmative vote of a majority of the full Board for dissolution and termination; and (b) the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Parties’ legislative bodies for dissolution and
termination, the Board shall establish a task force to determine how the PSERN System
assets and liabilities will be divided upon such dissolution and termination. For purposes
of this section, each Party shall determine what constitutes an affirmative vote of its
legislative body.
12.2 Approval of the plan for disposition of the PSERN System assets and liabilities (the
“Disposition Plan”) shall require a unanimous affirmative vote of the full Board. If the Board
fails to approve the Disposition Plan within one (1) year of the last legislative body vote
under Section 12.1.b, the Parties shall proceed with the impasse resolution procedures
in Section 4.5.
12.3 Following the approval of the Disposition Plan, the PSERN Operator shall wind up
business in accordance with the Disposition Plan and any other terms set by the Board.
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The Board shall set the date for termination of this Agreement by affirmative majority vote
of the full Board.
13.0 LEGAL RELATIONS
13.1 Employees and No Third Party Beneficiaries
13.1.1 Nothing in this Agreement shall make any employee of one Party an
employee of another Party for any purpose, including, but not limited to, for
withholding of taxes, payment of benefits, worker's compensation pursuant to Title
51 RCW, or any other rights or privileges accorded by virtue of their employment.
No Party assumes any responsibility for the payment of any compensation, fees,
wages, benefits or taxes to or on behalf of any other Party's employees. No
employees or agents of one Party shall be deemed, or represent themselves to
be, employees of another Party.
13.1.2 It is understood and agreed that this Agreement is solely for the benefit of
the Parties and gives no right to any other person or entity.
13.2 Indemnification.
Each Party to this Agreement shall protect, defend, indemnify, and save harmless the
other Parties and their respective officials and employees, from any and all claims, arising
out of, or in any way resulting from, the indemnifying Party's willful or negligent acts or
omissions arising out of this Agreement. No Party will be required to indemnify, defend,
or save harmless any other Party if the claim, suit, or action for injuries, death, or damages
is caused by the sole negligence of that other Party. Where such claims, suits, or actions
result from concurrent negligence of two or more Parties, these indemnity provisions shall
be valid and enforceable only to the extent of each Party's own negligence. Each of the
Parties agrees that its obligations under this Section 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 of the Parties, by mutual negotiation, hereby waives, with respect to each
of the other Parties only, any immunity that would otherwise be available against such
claims under the Industrial Insurance provisions of Title 51 RCW. Any loss or liability
resulting from the negligent acts, errors, or omissions of the Board of Directors, Operating
Board, Executive Director and/or staff, while acting within the scope of their authority
under this Agreement, shall be borne by the PSERN Operator exclusively.
13.3 Insurance
The Board of Directors, Executive Director, and PSERN Operator shall take such steps
as are reasonably practicable to minimize the liability of the Parties, including but not
limited to the utilization of sound business practices. The Board of Directors shall
determine which, if any, insurance policies or self-insurance programs for governmental
entities authorized in the State of Washington may be reasonably and practicably
acquired to cover liability exposures and other potential losses arising from the operations
of the PSERN Operator and the activities of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement (which
may include Directors and Officers, Commercial General Liability, Auto, Workers’
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Compensation, Stop Gap/Employer’s Liability, errors and omissions, crime/ fidelity
insurance, CyberRisk, property damage or loss), and shall direct the acquisition of same.
14.0 PUBLIC RECORDS
14.1 The Executive Director shall keep records related to the PSERN System and
PSERN Operator as required by law and in accordance with the policies, procedures and
retention schedules as may be established by the Board of Directors.
14.2 Each Party shall keep records related to the PSERN System and PSERN Operator
as required by law and in accordance with such the policies, procedures and retention
schedules as may be established by the Party, and each Party shall be responsible for
responding to public disclosure requests addressed to it in accordance with the
Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW, and such procedures as may be
established by the Party.
14.3 The Executive Director shall be responsible for responding to public disclosure
requests addressed to the PSERN Operator in accordance with the Washington Public
Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW, and such procedures as may be established by the
Board of Directors.
15.0 GENERAL
15.1 RESERVED
15.2 Filing of Agreement
Pursuant to RCW 39.34.040, prior to its entry into force, this Agreement shall be filed with
the King County Recorder's Office or, alternatively, listed by subject on a Party's web site
or other electronically retrievable public source.
15.3 Time of the Essence
The Parties recognize that time is of the essence in the performance of the provisions of
this Agreement.
15.4 Compliance with Laws
During the term of this Agreement, the Parties hereto agree to comply with all federal,
state, and local laws as necessary to carry out the terms of this Agreement. Further, to
the extent that any emergency communication Services involve the retention, security,
confidentiality or other handling of certain “protected” health information under the federal
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) and its
implementing regulations thereunder by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services and other applicable laws including chapter 70.02 RCW, the Washington
Uniform Health Care Information Act, as amended, the Parties agree to comply with such
laws and execute documents as necessary to implement the requirements under such
laws.
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15.5 Specific Performance
In the event a Party fails to perform an obligation under this Agreement, the other Parties
or any one of them shall have the right to bring an action for specific performance,
damages and any other remedies available under this Agreement, at law or in equity.
15.6 No Waiver
No term or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed waived and no breach excused
unless such waiver, excuse, or consent shall be in writing and signed by the Party or
Parties claimed to have waived or consented. If the waiving or consenting Party is the
PSERN Operator, then the writing must be signed by all of the voting members of the
Board of Directors. Waiver of any default of this Agreement shall not be deemed a 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. Waiver of such default and
waiver of such breach shall not be construed to be a modification of the terms of this
Agreement unless stated to be such through written approval of all Parties.
15.7 Parties Not Relieved of Statutory Obligation
Pursuant to RCW 39.34.030(5), this Agreement shall not relieve any Party of any
obligation or responsibility imposed upon it by law except that, to the extent of actual and
timely performance thereof by the Board of Directors, the performance may be offered in
satisfaction of the obligation or responsibility.
15.8 Nondiscrimination
The Parties shall comply with the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable federal,
state and local statutes and regulations.
15.9 No Assignment
No Party shall transfer or assign a portion or all of its responsibilities or rights under this
Agreement, except with the prior authorization of the Board of Directors.
15.10 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets
Approval of the merger or consolidation of the PSERN Operator with another entity, or
the sale of all or substantially all assets of the PSERN Operator, shall require a unanimous
vote of the Board of Directors.
15.11 Dispute Resolution
If one or more Parties believe another Party has failed to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, the affected Parties shall attempt to resolve the matter informally. If the
Parties are unable to resolve the matter informally, any Party may submit the matter to
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mediation under Section 4.5. In any event, if the matter is not resolved, then any Party
shall be entitled to pursue any legal remedy available.
15.12 Entire Agreement
The Parties agree that this Agreement, including any attached exhibits, constitutes a
single, integrated, written contract expressing the entire understanding and agreement
between the Parties. No other agreement, written or oral, expressed or implied, exists
between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and the Parties
declare and represent that no promise, inducement, or other agreement not expressly
contained in this Agreement has been made conferring any benefit upon them.
15.13 Amendments
15.13.1 Except as provided in this Section, the Agreement may be amended by the
Board of Directors from time to time in order to carry out the corporate purposes of
the PSERN Operator. Any such modification shall be in writing and executed by the
Chair of the Board of Directors after providing not less than thirty (30) days’ advance
written notice to all Parties of such proposed modification, and upon unanimous
approval of the Board of Directors. However, the following terms of this Agreement
may only be amended in writing after approval of each of the legislative bodies of
Seattle, King County, EPSCA, and Valley Com; however, for purposes of this
legislative determination, EPSCA and Valley Com will each be responsible to
determine what constitutes legislative approval or disapproval from their member
cities, before tendering their single vote on amendment:
a. Expansion of the PSERN Operator’s scope of services or Party funding
obligations described in Section 3.0.
b. The composition of the Board of Directors.
c. Addition of new Parties.
d. Voting rights of members of the Board of Directors.
e. Powers of the Board of Directors.
f. Hold harmless and indemnification requirements.
g. Provisions regarding duration, dissolution, termination or withdrawal.
h. The conditions of this Section.
15.13.2 Nothing in this Section 15.13 shall be construed to require legislative
authority consent for the agreement to serve an additional User Agency.
15.14 Notices
15.14.1 Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be addressed
to the Parties as listed below. Any notice may be given by certified mail, courier
delivery, or personal delivery. Notice is deemed given when delivered. Email,
acknowledgement requested, may be used for notice that does not allege a breach
or dispute under this Agreement. Email notice is deemed given when the recipient
acknowledges receipt.
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15.14.2 The names and contact information set forth in this Agreement shall apply
until amended in writing by a Party providing new contact information to each other
Party and the date the amendment is effective.
15.15 Conflicts
15.15.1 In the event that any conflict exists between this Agreement and any
exhibits hereto, the Agreement shall control.
15.15.2 In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and a
provision of the Implementation Period ILA, the Implementation Period ILA shall
control unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to vote
under Section 4.3.1.
15.16 Choice of Law; Venue
This Agreement and any rights, remedies, and/or obligations provided for in this
Agreement shall be governed, construed, and enforced in accordance with the
substantive and procedural laws of the State of Washington. The Parties agree that the
Superior Court of King County, Washington shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue
over any legal action arising under this Agreement.
15.17 Severability
The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any portion, provision, or part of this
Agreement is held, determined, or adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, unenforceable, or void for any reason whatsoever, each such portion, provision,
or part shall be severed from the remaining portions, provisions, or parts of this
Agreement and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
15.18 Survival Provisions
The following provisions shall survive and remain applicable to each of the Parties
notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement and notwithstanding a
Party's withdrawal or removal from this Agreement.
Section 13 Legal Relations
Section 14 Public Records
Section 15.16 Choice of Law; Venue
15.19 Counterparts
This Agreement shall be executed in counterparts, any one of which shall be deemed to
be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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15.20 Execution
This Agreement shall be executed on behalf of each Party by its duly authorized
representative, pursuant to an appropriate motion, resolution, or ordinance of such Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, authorized representatives of the Parties have signed their
names and indicated the date of signing in the spaces provided below.
KING COUNTY CITY OF AUBURN
________________________________ ________________________________
Name ___________________________ Name ___________________________
Title ____________________________ Title ____________________________
Date ____________________________ Date ____________________________
Attest:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
________________________________ ________________________________
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney City Attorney
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CITY OF BELLEVUE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
________________________________ ________________________________
Name ___________________________ Name ___________________________
Title ____________________________ Title ____________________________
Date ____________________________ Date ____________________________
Attest: Attest:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Attorney City Attorney
CITY OF ISSAQUAH CITY OF KENT
________________________________ ________________________________
Name ___________________________ Name ___________________________
Title ____________________________ Title ____________________________
Date ____________________________ Date ____________________________
Attest: Attest:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Attorney City Attorney
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CITY OF KIRKLAND CITY OF MERCER ISLAND
________________________________ ________________________________
Name ___________________________ Name ___________________________
Title ____________________________ Title ____________________________
Date ____________________________ Date ____________________________
Attest: Attest:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Attorney City Attorney
CITY OF REDMOND CITY OF RENTON
________________________________ ________________________________
Name ___________________________ Name ___________________________
Title ____________________________ Title ____________________________
Date ____________________________ Date ____________________________
Attest: Attest:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Attorney City Attorney
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CITY OF SEATTLE CITY OF TUKWILA
________________________________ ________________________________
Name ___________________________ Name ___________________________
Title ____________________________ Title ____________________________
Date ____________________________ Date ____________________________
Attest:
________________________________
City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Attorney City Attorney
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Exhibit A
Cost Allocation Model
For the first year of PSERN System operation, rates to be paid by each User Agency and
Dispatch Center will be computed as provided in this Exhibit A. The PSERN System annual
operating budget and the number of public safety radios, other radios, and consoles will be
known quantities at the time the rates are computed.
Division of Budget Between Radios and Consoles
Percentage of annual budget to be paid with radio user fees = X.
Percentage of annual budget to be paid with console user fees = Y.
X = [83% of employee-related costs in the PSERN System annual operating budget +
annual vendor costs for radio-related equipment] / PSERN System annual operating budget
x 100.
Y = [17% of employee-related costs in the PSERN System annual operating budget +
annual vendor costs for console-related equipment] / PSERN System annual operating
budget x 100.
Public Safety and Other Radio Rates
X% of the PSERN System annual operating budget will be paid with public safety radio rates
and other radio rates combined.
The other radio rate shall be 78% of the public safety radio rate.
X% of PSERN System annual operating budget = [12 x the monthly public safety radio rate
x the number of public safety radios] + [12 x the monthly other radio rate x the number of
other radios].
Console Rates
Y% of the PSERN System annual operating budget will be paid with console rates.
Y% of PSERN System annual operating budget = 12 x the monthly console rate x the
number of consoles.
END OF EXHIBIT A.
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Page 28
Exhibit B
Polygon Coverage Areas with Added Signal
Page 77 of 137
1
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into among the cities of
Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, and Tukwila, the five member cities that formed
Valley Communications Center, a Governmental Administrative Agency created by
interlocal agreement under Chapter 39.34 RCW (Valley Com).
RECITALS
A. Valley Com is responsible for the ownership, operation and maintenance of
various elements in the current King County Emergency Radio Communications System
(KCERCS), a voice radio system that has been in existence since 1993 and is
increasingly unsupported by the supplier of the system’s equipment, software, and related
repairs.
B. Valley Com, King County, the city of Seattle, and the Eastside Public Safety
Communications Agency (EPSCA) determined that it is in the public interest to implement
a new public safety radio system, the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN),
that will provide public safety agencies and other user groups in the region with improved
coverage and capacity, as well as uniformly high-quality emergency radio
communications.
C. The costs of implementing the PSERN system are financed through a funding
measure approved by voters at the April 2015 election, and the above-mentioned parties
then executed a separate implementation agreement (“Implementation Period ILA”) that
designated King County to be the lead agency to plan, procure, finance, and implement
the PSERN system with the oversight of a joint board established pursuant to the
Implementation Period ILA. Valley Com’s Executive Director has represented the Valley
Com member cities on this joint board, reporting back to the Valley Com Administration
Board, which is comprised of the five mayors from Valley Com’s member cities.
D. The Implementation Period ILA contemplates creation of a new separate
governmental agency under RCW 39.34.030(3)(b) that is organized through an interlocal
agreement as a non-profit corporation under the Interlocal Cooperation Act (Operator
ILA). Once formed, this agency will assume the ownership and control of PSERN during
its useful life. Just as with the Implementation Period ILA, the Operator ILA will be subject
to oversight by a Board of Directors, comprised of one representative each from King
County, Seattle, the Valley Com member cities, and the EPSCA member cities.
E. Under the Operator ILA, Section 4.2.1.4, the Valley Com member cities’
representative will be selected from one mayor or city manager or his/her designee
representing the Cities of Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton and Tukwila. The Operator
ILA also provides that the Valley Com member cities retain the right to determine who will
represent them on the PSERN Board of Directors. The purpose of this MOU is to
designate the manner in which the five Valley Com member cities will select its
representative.
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2
NOW, THEREFORE, the Valley Com member cities agree to the above Recitals
and the following:
AGREEMENT
1. The five Valley Com member cities authorize the Valley Com Administration
Board to select their representative on the PSERN Board of Directors at the times and
within the constraints established in the Operator ILA. To be eligible to represent the
Valley Com member cities, the selected representative must be a mayor from one of the
member cities. It is understood, but not required, that the Valley Com Executive Director
may act as the representative’s designee on a full-time or an occasional basis, or the
representative may select any other alternate or designee when needed, as provided in
the Operator ILA.
2. Selection of the Valley Com member cities’ representative for the PSERN Board
of Directors shall be only by supermajority vote of the full Valley Com Administration
Board. The regular term of the selected representative shall be two year(s) commencing
on January 1 of even numbered years and ending December 31 of odd numbered years.
3. The Valley Com member cities’ representative on the PSERN Board of Directors
and his/her designee, will comply with all the rights, obligations, and limitations provided
to PSERN Board members through the Operator ILA and this MOU.
4. The Valley Com member cities’ representative on the PSERN Board of
Directors must, at each regular Valley Com Administration Board meeting, report to the
Administration Board on PSERN’s current operational status. The Valley Com member
cities’ representative must, whenever possible and practical, brief the Valley Com
Administration Board on issues the representative determines to be material before voting
on those matters as a PSERN System Board member.
5. Before voting on any PSERN matter that (a) materially expands the scope of
the PSERN system, (b) that materially increases the operational cost of the PSERN
System, (c) or that materially amends the Operator ILA, the Valley Com member cities’
representative on the PSERN System Board of Directors must brief the Valley Com
Administration Board for direction and must vote as a PSERN Board member in
accordance with that direction, which must be provided by at least a majority vote of the
full Valley Com Administration Board.
6. Notwithstanding the preceding Paragraph 5, the Valley Com member cities’
representative, or designee, shall not vote to amend the Operator ILA on matters requiring
legislative approval under Section 15.13.1 of the Operator ILA without affirmative
authority from each cities’ governing body.
6. This MOU will terminate upon the earlier of the expiration or termination of the
separate non-profit governmental agency formed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act
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3
through the Operator ILA or a Valley Com member city’s withdrawal from Valley Com,
unless terminated earlier by unanimous agreement from the five Valley Com member
cities.
7. This MOU will take effect on the last date signed below.
IN WITNESS, the authorized representatives of the Valley Com member cities have
signed their names and indicated the date of signing in the spaces provided below.
CITY OF AUBURN CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
________________________________ ________________________________
Name ___________________________ Name ___________________________
Title ____________________________ Title ____________________________
Date ____________________________ Date ____________________________
Attest: Attest:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Attorney City Attorney
CITY OF KENT CITY OF RENTON
________________________________ ________________________________
Name ___________________________ Name ___________________________
Title ____________________________ Title ____________________________
Date ____________________________ Date ____________________________
Attest: Attest:
________________________________ ________________________________
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4
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
________________________________ ________________________________
City Attorney City Attorney
CITY OF TUKWILA
________________________________
Name ___________________________
Title ____________________________
Date ____________________________
Attest:
________________________________
City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
________________________________
City Attorney
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he PSERN Project upgrades and expands the current King
County Emergency Radio Communications System (KCERCS).
It’s an 800 MHz digital network. This system will be primarily
used by law enforcement, fire fighters, and other emergency
personnel to communicate with each other during E-911
activities – from small incident response to large scale emergencies.
Some general government agencies will also use it for daily
operations.
PSERN will consolidate operations of the current countywide emergency communications system into
a single, independent agency providing operations and maintenance of PSERN.
Contact PSERN: PSERN-Info@kingcounty.gov | 206-47-PSERN | https://psern.org
T
• The PSERN Project is funded by a property
tax levy lid lift that was approved by
voters in April of 2015.
• The Project has a current budget of
approximately $283 million.
• PSERN is comprised of radio towers, fiber
optic cables, computers, and a variety of
other equipment to support the ability of
first responders and other government
personnel to communicate through a
dedicated network.
• The Project is governed by a board of
system owners and first responder
representatives.
• Two active committees advise on the
Project plans, strategies, technical
impacts, and end-user needs.
• Improved coverage, capacity, capability,
and connectivity throughout King County.
• Overall, PSERN will provide better on-
street and in-building coverage with
additional coverage along I-90, Highway 2,
and Highway 410.
• PSERN will provide updated technology for
countywide emergency radio
communications including a change from
analog to digital.
• PSERN will provide new features such as
encryption and remote configuration of
radios in the field.
• The project will purchase: up to 19,000
radios and 144 Dispatch consoles at 19
dispatch centers.
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PSERN Operator Interlocal Agreement Summary
Section 1 – Rules of Construction and Definitions: sets the grammatical and stylistic rules for
interpreting the ILA as well as defining terms to be used in the ILA.
Section 2 – Duration of the Agreement: The agreement will be effective perpetually from the date
signed by the last Party until terminated in accordance with Section 12.
Section 3 – Purpose of the Agreement: States the reason for having the agreement - provide emergency
communications and to form a single PSERN Operator - and sites the applicable state laws for formation
of the PSERN Operator.
Section 4 – Board of Directors: sets the conditions for the operations of the Board of Directors. It
touches on:
• Section 4.1 – Creation of the Board of Directors
• Section 4.2 – Sets the composition as 4 voting directors (representing King County, Seattle,
EPSCA, Valley Communications Center), and two non-voting members representing police and
fire. This section also specifies the Officers of the Board of Directors.
• Section 4.3 – sets the voting, quorum and meeting rules.
o All votes are unanimous except as specified below.
o All four voting members are required for a quorum.
o Other voting procedures such as deferral of a vote are covered, as well as meeting
schedules and a requirement to establish bylaws. Only three votes are required if the
same director fails to attend two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings where
action was scheduled and the director failed to send an alternate. In this event only
three directors will be required to vote and form a quorum.
• Section 4.4 – Lists specific actions or powers the Board of Directors may exercise. This includes:
o Ability to amend portions of the ILA
However, Section 15.13 prohibits the Board from amending the following
provisions:
• PSERN Operator scope beyond that established in Section 3.0
• Composition of the Board of Directors
• Addition of new parties to the agreement
• Voting rights for Directors which includes who can vote or voting rules
• Powers of the Board of Directors
• Hold harmless and indemnification requirements
• Provisions regarding duration, termination or withdrawal
o Establishing advisory boards
o Approve budgets and expenditures
o Adopt policies and bylaws
o Perform procurements
o Direct and supervise the activities of the advisory boards
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o Direct the activities of the Executive Director
o If the Board directly hires the Executive Director, then hire/fire and set the employment
terms for the Executive Director
o Evaluate Executive Director’s performance in writing annually
o Establish funds for PSERN operations
o Establish service fees (including monthly fees to end user agencies or ad hoc time and
materials fees)
o Conduct regular meetings
o Approve maintenance and operations standards
o Determine services the PSERN Operator will offer (additional services)
o Approve 3rd party agreements
o Incur debt but not incur debt or issue bonds in the name of any Party
o Own or acquire assets or real property
o Dispose of assets or real property
o Sue or be sued
o Hold radio licenses
o Make recommendations to legislative bodies of parties & users
o Delegate authority
o Enter into agreements
o Exercise powers necessary to further the purpose of the agreement
o Add parties to the agreement subject to Section 15.13
o Plan for a successor public safety radio system
o Accept loans or grants
o Statement that the Operator shall have not power to levy taxes
• Section 4.5 – when the board cannot agree, this section sets the impasse resolution procedures,
which includes non-binding mediation and formation of an Elected Executives Committee.
Section 5 – Operating Board: creates an Operations Board to advise the Board of Directors.
Section 6 – Executive Director: sets the employment conditions for the Executive Director and lays out
the Executive Director duties, which include:
• Managing the day to day operations of PSERN
• Manage other PSERN staff
• Propose annual budgets
• Approve expenditures consistent with the approved budget
• Monitor and track PSERN system performance
• Support the Board of Directors
• Recommend policies, standards and procedures
• Provide written monthly reports to the Board on expenditures, system performance, system
failures, and usage statistics.
• Maintain and manage records
• Prepare the annual report
Page 84 of 137
Section 7 – Emergency procedures: provides the Executive Director limited authority to act in the case
of emergencies and sets up reporting requirements.
Section 8 – PSERN Operator Employment: This section lays out employment terms for individuals who
will work for the PSERN Operator. The section allows for the PSERN Operator to directly hire employees
or to contract with another agency for staff. This section also provides for temporary employment, not
to exceed 18 months, for Transitional Employees, defined as employees with King County, the City of
Seattle, EPSCA or Valley Com whose employment will be terminated as a result of PSERN and who will
not be hired by the PSERN Operator.
Section 9 – Service Level Requirements: creates commitments by the PSERN Operator to provide
services to maintain PSERN and sets minimum performance requirements for the system.
Section 10 – (reserved but not used)
Section 11 – Withdrawal or Removal of a Party: sets the terms and conditions for the withdrawal of one
or more parties from the agreement. Parties must give notice at least two years in advance and must
develop a departure plan. Withdrawing parties are still responsible for any cost obligations that were
incurred prior to notice of withdrawal. Also, for cause, the Board of Directors may vote to remove a
party by majority vote.
Section 12 – Dissolution – This section sets the conditions and process for complete dissolution of the
PSERN Operator. Addresses requirements for voting, disposition of assets, and timing for final
termination date.
Sections 13-15 – Legal terms and conditions -- insurance, indemnification, non-discrimination, public
records, notice requirements, dispute resolution, severability, amendments etc.
--------------
Exhibit A – Cost Allocation Model: sets the model and formula for determining the first-year rates for
the PSERN Operator for public safety radios and other (general government) radios, as well as for
dispatch consoles. Future rate models will be determined by the Board of Directors.
Exhibit B – In-Building Coverage: map of three areas designated to receive improved in-building
coverage.
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Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network
Background on PSERN Operator End User Rate & Cost Allocation Model
Prepared: April 2020
Purpose:
This document outlines the process for determining the rate and cost allocation model behind
proposed monthly charges to agencies for access to and use of the Puget Sound Emergency
Radio Network (PSERN) by radios and consoles. This model was adopted by the 12 owner
agencies of the current King County Emergency Radio Communications System (KCERCS)
through the Implementation Period Interlocal Agreement (IPILA). The IPILA was the instrument
used to create the governance for the PSERN Project.
The topics addressed in this document include constraints, assumptions, and specific
recommendations for the final rate and cost allocation model that would, if approved by the
future PSERN Operator Board of Directors, determine Year 1 operating costs for the PSERN
Operator.
Background:
KCERCS is the existing emergency radio communications system supporting E-911 response and
other government operations throughout King County. KCERCS is technically a single system
that is owned by four different entities and coordinated through a joint board to ensure the
system is operating effectively countywide. The four owner entities are:
1. Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA),
2. King County,
3. City of Seattle, and
4. Valley Communications Center (ValleyCom).
Recognizing that equipment comprising KCERCS is over 20 years old and is no longer supported
by the system equipment vendor, Motorola Systems, Inc., the owner entities worked on a plan
to replace KCERCS. From this planning process, the PSERN Project (via the IPILA) was created
and the PSERN Operator (the Operator) was envisioned (via a Memorandum of Agreement that
was an attachment to the IPILA). Once the owners determined that a new non-profit
governmental agency would be created, staff from the owner entities created a draft budget
and a rate and cost allocation model that would fund the future Operator.
The PSERN Project Steering Committee (the Committee) was the predecessor to the PSERN
Project’s oversight body, the Joint Board. The Committee made early decisions about the
PSERN Project and made recommendations to establish the Operator, including development
of the Operator’s budget and preferred rate model.
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The Committee membership was comprised of a representative from each of the four owner
entities listed above and a chair (a former King County Deputy Executive). This Committee
appointed a staff working group to perform the rate model analysis. Ultimately, the Committee
voted to approve the recommendations revealed later in this document.
Analysis Team:
City of Seattle staff led the analytical work on options for the proposed rate and cost allocation
formula to fund the PSERN Operator budget. The full team consisted of staff from the PSERN
Project, the KCERCS system managers, and technical staff from the partner agencies.
Initial Assumptions:
The analysis team laid out initial assumptions that they would follow while working on the rate
and cost allocation model. The assumptions are listed below.
A. The same rate model will apply to all radio/console end users.
B. Rates should align with biennial budget cycles.
C. The PSERN system will be upgraded continuously via a support agreement.
D. The PSERN Operator will owns dispatch consoles as a part of the system.
E. Individual agencies own their radios.
F. Public safety agencies need to use PSERN. (They have no reasonable alternative if local
government personnel want to communicate effectively and transparently countywide.)
G. Non-public safety agencies can choose not to use PSERN if rates are too high.
H. Have as many eligible agencies as possible using PSERN (because the higher the number
of agencies, the lower the rates and the greater the interoperability with adjacent radio
systems).
Constraints Considered:
The following constraints were considered:
• There must be reliable, readily-available data to support the rate model chosen.
• The model must comply with RCW 43.09.210 (the “Accountancy Act”), meaning one
service may not subsidize another, nor can one agency subsidize another either directly
or indirectly.
• The PSERN Operator must be able to bill individual end user agencies directly.
Rate Model Options:
The purpose of the rate model analysis was to define how radio and console end users would
be charged for their usage of the PSERN system. The staff team reviewed five different rate
models including concepts such as all users paying the same rate, rates based on usage, rates
based on geographic or population size served, and even a combination of the rate models.
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Initial Recommendations:
After the above information was analyzed, the partner staff team proposed the following
recommendations to the Committee:
1. Use an Unbundled Rate to ensure compliance with the Accountancy Act. An Unbundled
Rate means separate rates for each type of PSERN equipment used by an agency –
public safety radios, non-public safety (general government) radios, and dispatch
consoles.
2. Keep charges as simple as possible – avoid multiple charges for each type of equipment.
3. Have a separate fixed charge for dispatch consoles.
4. Have fixed charges for two categories of subscriber radios – general government and
public safety.
5. Do not have charges related to geography or population. (The group found these factors
to be imprecise and disputable data as the basis for rates.)
6. Do not charge based on how much each agency uses the system.
7. Use operating costs – not initial capital costs – to determine rates. Use best estimates
based on available data for the PSERN Operator’s first year budget, and then actual user
data thereafter.
8. Do not charge for radios accessing PSERN that are primarily used on another (disparate)
radio system and that are cross-programmed to work on PSERN for the purpose of
mutual aid.
9. Determine proportional costs for each of the three equipment rate categories – public
safety radios, general government radios, and dispatch consoles.
The rate model ultimately recommended by the partner staff team to the PSERN Project
Steering Committee was as follows:
• The PSERN Operator rate model is to be based on the level of labor effort (costs) and
vendor costs to maintain the system.
• The PSERN Operator’s Budget will be funded by end users of radios and dispatch
consoles. (Historically, there has been no system access charge for consoles.)
• The following formulas were used to determine the radio and console rates that will
fund the future PSERN Operator in Year 1 of its network operations:
o Radio end user contribution =
[public safety radio rate * # of public safety radios] + [general
government radio rate * # of general government radios] = 78% of PSERN
Operator budget
o Console contribution =
console rate * # of consoles = 22% of PSERN Operator budget
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o NOTE: It was assumed that general government radio users need less features
for their radios than public safety radios, so their monthly rates should be lower.
The general government radio rates were set to be at 78% of the public safety
radio rate.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
The analysis team concluded that there are flaws in all the rate setting methods they studied.
They also concluded that the recommended rate model should be revised / reaffirmed after the
first year of full operations when more concrete data on costs could be obtained by the
Operator.
The guidelines and model listed above were approved by the PSERN Project Steering
Committee at its October 28, 2014 meeting as the PSERN Operator’s proposed Year 1 rates for
radio and console end users.
Page 89 of 137
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject:
Resolution No. 5511 (Hinman)
Date:
April 15, 2020
Department:
Administration
Attachments:
RES 5511 - King County Regional Mitigation
Plan
King County Regional Mitigation Plan
Budget Impact:
Current Budget: $0
Proposed Revision: $0
Revised Budget: $0
Administrativ e Recommendation:
City Council to adopt Resolution No. 5511.
Background Summary:
The City of Auburn and other jurisdictions within King County have expressed a cooperative
interest in disaster mitigation planning efforts. A locally adopted plan reviewed and approved
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA) is required under the Disaster
Mitigation Act of 200, 44 CFR 201, and regular revisions and updates are required by FEMA.
FEMA has reviewed the plan proposed f or adoption and approved it pending adoption by
Council.
Rev iewed by Council Committees:
Councilmember:Staff:Hinman
Meeting Date:April 20, 2020 Item Number:RES.B
Page 90 of 137
--------------------------------
Resolution No. 5511
April 20, 2020
Page 1 of 2 Rev. 2019
RESOLUTION NO. 5511
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION
OF THE 2020 KING COUNTY REGIONAL HAZARD
MITIGATION PLAN INCLUDING THE CITY OF AUBURN
PLAN ANNEX
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn and other jurisdictions within King
County, State of Washington, have expressed a cooperative interest in disaster
mitigation planning efforts; and
WHEREAS, the City supports disaster mitigation efforts and regional
disaster planning; and
WHEREAS, a locally adopted plan reviewed and approved by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is required under the
Disaster Mitigation Act of 200, 44 CFR 201; and
WHEREAS, regular revisions and updates are required by FEMA; and
WHERAS, FEMA has reviewed the plan proposed for adoption and
approved it pending adoption by Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, RESOLVES as follows:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Auburn does
hereby adopt the 2020 King County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan including
the City of Auburn plan annex.
Section 2. The Mayor is authorized to implement those administrative
procedures necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
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--------------------------------
Resolution No. 5511
April 20, 2020
Page 2 of 2 Rev. 2019
Section 3. This Resolution will take effect and be in full force on passage and
signatures.
Dated and Signed:
CITY OF AUBURN
____________________________
NANCY BACKUS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________________
Shawn Campbell, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
Kendra Comeau, City Attorney
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Auburn Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 1
City of Auburn Plan Annex
Introduction
The following is a summary of key information about t he
jurisdiction and its history.
Population
The City of Auburn was incorporated in 1891. As of April 2019,
the population has grown to 81,720, according to the Washington
State Office of Financial Management (OFM).
Between 2000 and 2010 the population of Auburn increased
74.1% however, a significant portion of this growth was the
result of two annexations consisting of Lea Hill (east) and West
Hill (west) that became effective in 2008. Between 2010 and
2019 the city increased in population by 16.44% (OFM, 2019).
In 2017, Auburn was one of the top ten cities for population
growth within Washington State; the top ten cities in descending
order were: Seattle, Vancouver, Spokane,
Federal Way, Kent, Tacoma, Auburn, Redmond, and
Everett (OFM, 2017).
Location and Description
The City of Auburn is located in the Southern Puget Sound area of the State of Washington, approximately 20
miles south of Seattle. Auburn has an area of approximately 29.83 square miles, with approximately 28.17 square
miles located in King County and approximately 1.66 square miles located in Pierce County. The City lies at the
south end of State Route 18, at its intersection with State Route 167. Mount Rainier lies approximately 55 miles to
the southeast of the City. The diverse geography of the City presents a need to consider all hazard mitigation
planning efforts and also influences the probability of landslides, floods, earthquakes, and volcano/lahar events.
The topography includes the centrally located, north south aligned Green River Valley, as well as the West
Hill, East Hill, and Southeast plateaus. The City is part of two watersheds that flow to Puget Sound; the
northern portion of the City occurs within the Green -Duwamish Watershed (Water Resource Inventory Area
9) and the southern portion lies within the Puyallup -White Watershed (Water Resource Inventory Area 10).
The City boundaries include the Green and White Rivers, Bowman, Mill and Olson Creeks and as well as
numerous small streams throughout the City.
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (MIT) is located both inside and outside the city limits of Auburn . The MIT
was established in 1874, and is comprised o f the descendants of the area's original Coast Salish peoples . The
Muckleshoot Reservation consists of six sections of land situated diagonally, has 20 miles of boundaries, and
encompasses six square -miles. Three sections (3 square miles) are within the mu nicipal limits of the City of
Auburn. Many of the landowners within the reservation boundaries are not tribal members over which the
city has authority. The sections located outside the City are mostly surrounded by farms and rural areas, with
urbanization encroaching on the western portion. The Muckleshoot Tribe is one of Washington ' s largest
tribes, with a membership of about 3 ,300.
Jurisdiction Profile
As of 2014 Auburn is ranked
as the 14th-most populated
city in the State of
Washington. It is located in
King and Pierce County the
two most populated counties
in the state (Auburn
Community Profile, 2015
Appendix H of the
Comprehensive Plan).
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Auburn Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 2
Brief History
The City of Auburn was home to some of the earliest settlers in King County . Nestled in a fertile river valley,
Auburn has been both a farm community and a center of business and industry for more than 150 years.
Auburn is located near the original confluence of the Green and White rivers, both of which contain runoff
water from the Cascade Mountain range. T he valley was originally the home of the Skopamish, Smalhkamish ,
and Stkamish Indian tribes . The first white men in the region were explorers and traders who arrived in the
1830s.
Settlers first came to the valley in the 1850s. On October 27, 1855, an Native American ambush killed nine
people, including women and children . In November, a military unit led by Lieutenant William Slaughter
camped near what is now present -day Auburn. On December 4, 1855, a group of Native Americans attacked,
killing Lt. Slaughter and two other men.
A new treaty was written which provided the establishment of the Muckleshoot reservation, which is the only
Indian reservation now within the boundaries of King County . The White River tribes collectively became
known as the Muckleshoot tribe.
A group of white settlers, including the Neely and Ballard families , began returning to the area. In 1891 , the
town of Slaughter incorporated . Although many older citizens considered the town ' s name a memorial,
many newer residents understandably felt uncomfortable with it. Within two years, the town was renamed
Aubu rn, taken from the first line of Oliver Goldsmith ' s poem, The Deserted Village: "Sweet Auburn!
Loveliest village of the plain."
Auburn had been a bustling center for hop farming until 1890 when the crops were destroyed by aphids.
After the severe crop loss, the farms were mostly dairy farms and berry farms. Nevertheless, flooding was
still a problem for Auburn farmers up until the Howard Hanson Dam was built in 1962 . The dam on the
Green River, along with the Mud Mountain dam on the White River, provided controlled river management,
which left the valley nearly flood free.
Another impetus to Auburn ' s growth was the railroad. The Northern Pacific Railroad put a rail line through
town in 1883, but it was the Seattle-Tacoma Interurban line that allowed easy access to both cities starting in
1902. The Interurban allowed farmers to get their product to the markets within hours after harvest. The
railroad, along with better roa ds, caused many new companies to set up business in Auburn , among them
the Borden Condensery (which made Borden's Condensed Milk) and the Northern Clay Company.
Auburn grew through the twentieth century like many American towns. The 1920s were prosperous for
citizens, but the Great Depression of the 1930s left many in need. During World War II, many local Japanese
farmers had their land seized and were forcibly moved to internment camps. At the same time, local boys were
sent to fight in the Pacific , and some died in battle.
The postwar era was prosperous to Auburn, bringing more businesses and a community college to the city .
In 1963, The Boeing Company built a la rge facility to mill sheet metal skin for jet airliners. As time went on,
many farms disappeared as the land was converted to industrial use. In the 1990s, a large regional shopping
mall was built in the valley, enticing consumers from all over the Puget S ound region.
Auburn has made the transition from small farms to large industries, but much of the city ' s history remains.
A monument in the memory of Lieutenant Slaughter , erected in 1918, still stands in a local park . The Neely
Mansion, built by the son of a pioneer in 1891, has been refurbished and is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Auburn' s downtown still maintains a "Main Street U.S.A." appearance. (Sources: Clarence B.
Bagley, 1929 and Josephine Emmons Vine , 1990)
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Auburn Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 3
Climate
Auburn's average annual snowfall is 6.8 inches per year and the average annual rainfall is 39.14 inches per
year. Temperatures range between an annual average high of 61.7 degrees and an average low of 44.6 degrees.
While the climate of Western Washington is mild on average, high-hazard storms and weather patterns impact the
area on a frequent basis. The most frequent weather-related impacts come as a result of windstorms that can cause
widespread damage and coastal flooding; atmospheric river events that cause flooding, landslides, and can increase
the threat of dam or levee failure; and winter storms that can result in transportation impacts. Western Washington
sometimes experiences extreme weather events, including heat and cold that challenge health and infrastructure
systems, severe thunderstorms that can produce wind damage, and even occasional tornadoes. Finally, weather can
also strongly influence other hazards such as wildfires as well as HAZMAT incidents, ash fall, and smoke plumes
which can result in hazardous health conditions.
Governing Body Format
The City of Auburn is a non -charter code city retaining the council -mayor form of government, as provided
in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 35A.02.030 of the Optional Municipal Code for the State. The
Mayor and seven Council Members serve the City of Auburn . The City Council is responsible for setting
City policies as well as reviewing and approving Auburn's Hazard Mitigation Annex . Auburn Emergency
Management will oversee the plan's implementation. The City is organized into the following departments:
Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Risk and Property Management, Information Services, Legal,
Parks, Arts and Recreation, Community Development, Police, and Public Works.
Development Trends
The City of Auburn established its land use pattern with adoption of the first modern Comprehensive (Land
Use) Plan in 1986. The Plan was amended to comply with the Growth Management Act (GMA) in April
1995 and is updated annually. The most recent major update to the Comprehensive Plan was adopted by City
Council on December 14, 2015 (Ordinance No. 6584).
The overall urban form of the City is heavily influenced by its location in a river valley surrounded by
relatively steep hillsides. The organization of the land use pattern of the plan generally separates the City into
five areas (reference Map 1.2 “Districts” below):
North Auburn - a regional serving area which is a concentration of employment base .
South Auburn - a community serving area which contains a majority of the older, more established
residential areas and locally oriented businesses .
Southeast Auburn - a low density residential and environmentally sensitive area .
The Plateau – a residential area featuring land within the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s reservation
boundary and jurisdiction, and the Seven Day Adventists “Academy .”
Lakeland – a master planned community featuring a mix of residential and commercial uses .
West Hill - a residential area featuring a mix of older, established low density, rural development
without a commercial area .
Lea Hill – a residential area comprised of rural development, traditional suburban development, and
small locally serving commercial areas .
The downtown area which uniquely serves both the region and local community.
The annexation of Lea Hill, West Hill, and Lakeland Hills South substantially increased the number of
households and development potential within the City. The West Hill and Lea Hill annexations, resp ectively,
brought relatively low-density rural uses intermixed with traditional suburban residential developments, and a
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Auburn Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 4
range of levels of infrastructure. As shown on Map 1.2. “Districts” below, Lea Hill is bound by the Green
River, Highway 18, S. 277th St., and Kent. Much of this area was annexed into Auburn in 2008. West Hill is
bound by West Valley Highway, 51 st Ave., and agricultural lands to the north. Much of West Hill was
annexed in 2008, although annexations occurred throughout the 1990s. Lakelan d Hills South together with
Lakeland Hills (North) is considered “Lakeland”. Lakeland Hills South is bounded by Lakeland Hills to the
north, with the county line between King and Pierce County as the upper bound, and unincorporated Pierce
County to south. Lakeland Hill South was annexed into the City of Auburn between 1998 and 2005.
In 2004, Auburn's downtown was designated and stills remains an "Urban Center" pursuant to the King
County Countywide Planning Policies. Urban Centers are areas with concentrate d housing and employment ,
supported by high capacity transportation systems and retail, recreational, public facilities parks and open
space. Much of the county's growth in employment and a significant share of new housing is focused within
urban centers.
In 2017 Lakeland Hills South was designated as a “Center of Local Importance” (COLI) pursuant to the
Pierce Countywide Planning Policies. Centers of Local Importance are considered concentrations of activities
and land uses that provide a sense of place fo r the community and neighborhood. As a master planned
community, Lakeland Hills South features a number of land uses, including residential, civic, recreational,
commercial, and cultural areas that provide a sense of place for the community and surrounding area.
Within Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC) Vision 2040 (adopted in 1995) the regional long -range plan,
the City of Auburn is considered a “Core City,” a regionally designated growth center that is intended to
accommodate a significant share of fu ture growth within the region. PSRC is in the process of adopting
Vision 2050, an update to Vision 2040, and under the revised regional long -range plan, Auburn will still be
considered a Core City.
The City's development regulations, which include zoning, closely align with and implement the land use
designations of the Comprehensive (Land Use) Plan. The zoning regulations are periodically updated. The
City adopted its Critical Areas Ordinance in compliance
with GMA in May 2005 (Ordinance No. 5894) to
provide for the identification, regulation and protection
of environmentally sensitive areas including wetlands ,
streams, wildlife habitat , geologic hazard areas,
groundwater protection areas, and flood hazard areas.
The city updated its floodplain regulations, Chapter
15.68 of the City code, in 2008 (Ordinance No. 6161)
and updated its Shoreline Management Program in April
2009 (Ordinance No. 6235) in compliance with the State
Shoreline Management Action RCW 90.58. The Green
and White Rivers are subject to the shoreline
regulations. The City is currently in the process of
updating its Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline
Management Program and intends to have the update
complete by the end of December 2 019.
Jurisdiction Point of Contact:
Name: Jerry E. Thorson
Title: Emergency Manager
Entity: Auburn, City of
Phone: 253-876-1909
Email: jthorson@auburnwa.gov
Plan Prepared By:
Name: Jerry E. Thorson
Title: Emergency Manager
Entity: Auburn, City of
Phone:253-876-1909
Email: jthorson@auburnwa.gov
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Auburn Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 5
Jurisdiction Risk Summary
Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Summary
HAZARD RISK SUMMARY VULNERABILITY SUMMARY IMPACT SUMMARY
Earthquake City of Auburn is
susceptible to multiple
fault lines that can
produce major
earthquakes. The largest
fault lines can produce
earthquakes that induce
damages ranging from
2.8% (M9.0 Cascadia
Earthquake) to 7.4%
(M7.1 Tacoma Fault) of
total building and
contents.
A significant percentage
of structures in Auburn
reside within a
liquefaction risk zone.
According to the 2018 King
County Risk Report, Auburn has
a total of 15,352 Structures for a
total value (buildings and
contents) of $11.9B. Of those
structures, 447 have an
earthquake loss ratio of greater
than or equal to 10% of total
building and contents.
Auburn has 6,715 structures
located in moderate or higher
liquefaction zones. That is
43.7% of the total structures
within the city. The exposed
value of those structures
(building and contents) is
approximately $8.1B. The high
dollar amount comparatively, is
due in part to the commercial
areas and density of the
structures in the Auburn valley
area.
Also located in the liquefaction
zone are key infrastructure
include, but not limited to:
Streets
Bridges
Railroad
Hospitals
Schools
Utilities
Government Facilities
Airport
Over 78% of the planning
area’s building stock was built
prior to 1994, when seismic
provisions became uniformly
applied through building code
applications.
Earthquakes can trigger other
natural hazard events such as
dam failures and landslides,
which could severely impact
the planning area.
In addition to all of King
County, much of Auburn is
likely to experience a major
disruption in flow of goods
and services due to the
destruction of major
transportation infrastructure
across the broader region.
Development of new
structures and infrastructure
continues through the
liquefaction prone zone.
Flood
6.43% of the total land
area of the city is within
the Special Flood
Hazard Area. The city
has good floodplain
management regulations
and has limited
development; however,
there are some
structures already
There are 114 structures exposed
in the special flood hazard area,
with an exposed value (building
and contents) of $685.5 M. We
have zero repetitive loss
properties located in the special
flood hazard area. Structures
within the Special Flood Hazard
area consist of residential,
commercial and institutional
organizations.
Since 2015, there have been
few flooding events that
produced minor impacts
within the City. Auburn’s last
major flood event was during
the 2015 declared flood
emergency in Washington
State. Lowland flooding and
localized small landslides
occurred in Auburn.
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Auburn Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 6
present in the
floodplain.
The frequent, yet minor
flooding events that occur
during flood season poses a
unique risk that gradually
increases over time due to the
accumulation and build-up of
silt and river debris within the
river channel.
In 1996 the City purchased
1508 W Main St. (parcel no.
1421049036) in Auburn, WA
for open space utilizing Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program
funds. This property was a
repetitive loss property; but
because the city acquired it and
demolished the building it is no
longer in that category.
Landslide The City of Auburn is
susceptible to landslides
along our many hills.
Landslides can be some
of the most destructive
events in nature, posing
a serious hazard to
people and properties
on or below hillsides, in
addition to critical
infrastructure such as
transportation. The
majority of significant
slide events in King
County have occurred
during or shortly after
storm events.
143 (>1%; $142 M) structures
are exposed to landslide hazard
areas within city limits.
Most of the structures within the
landslide prone areas are
residential. However, critical
infrastructure consisting of
transportation, streets, and
bridges are often heavily
impacted during slide events.
Due to landslide hazard zones,
both city residents and critical
infrastructure are greatly
impacted during slide events.
Many homes are located in
landslide hazard zones posing
serious risk to life safety.
Main transportation routes
within landslide hazard areas,
key roads are periodically
closed due to landslides. These
closures cause a disruption to
flow of goods and services,
creating traffic elsewhere,
delaying response times for
emergency responders, and
impacting city residents.
Severe
Weather
The City of Auburn is
susceptible to a variety
of different severe
weather events including
thunderstorms, hail
storms, damaging winds,
tornadoes, drought and
excessive heat.
All critical facilities are exposed
to severe weather. Additional
facilities on higher ground may
also be exposed to wind damage
or damage from falling trees.
The most common problems
associated with severe weather
are loss of utilities. Downed
power lines can cause blackouts,
leaving large areas isolated.
Phone, water and sewer systems
may not function. Roads may
A severe weather event that
causes damage to 10% of the
structures and infrastructure
within the City can potentially
result in upwards of $2 B.
An event that causes damage
to 50% can potentially result in
upwards of $9 B.
Severe weather can cause
damage to residential,
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Auburn Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 7
become impassable due to
secondary hazards such as
landslides.
commercial, institutional and
government assets including:
Streets
Bridges
Railroad
Hospitals
Schools
Utilities
Government Facilities
Airport
Severe Winter
Weather
The City of Auburn is
susceptible to a variety
of different severe
winter weather events
including any dangerous
cold-weather
phenomena with the
potential to cause
damage, serious social
disruption, or loss of
human life. It includes
snowstorms, ice storms,
hail storms, blizzards,
damaging winds, and
extreme cold.
Severe winter weather can
significantly impact city services,
stranding commuters, stopping
the flow of supplies, and
disrupting emergency and
medical services.
Accumulations of snow can
collapse buildings and knock
down trees and power lines.
Significant snow events may
result in residential homes and
local businesses being without
power and heat for a prolonged
amount of time, causing major
life safety issues throughout the
city.
In underdevelopment and/or
low density residential areas,
homes and farms may be
isolated for days, and
unprotected livestock may be
lost.
The City of Auburn is
particularly vulnerable to snow
and ice events due to steep hills
and roads.
Ice and snow events, in
combination with wind, can
increase the severity and impact
of severe winter weather.
Severe winter weather, such as
the February 2019 snowstorm,
can immobilize a region and
paralyze a city.
The most recent snow event in
February 2019, forced closures
of several roads throughout the
City:
Mt View Drive,
Terrace View Drive,
105th SE, S 292nd St
and the Lakeland
Parkway were all
closed due to
snow/ice.
Oravetz was closed
due to downed trees
and power lines,
Riverwalk was closed
because of a semi-
truck was stuck.
Kersey due to an
accident investigation.
Snow and ice storms have a
significant impact on the City’s
public works department.
Additional staffing, extended
work hours, and specialized
resources are required during
such events in order to
maintain traffic systems and
critical infrastructure.
The city activates an
Emergency Snow & Ice
Removal Plan that prioritizes
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specific routes such as main
arterials, transit and school bus
routes, and life line routes.
Secondary and lower-priority
routes will be maintained after
primary routes are managed,
based on conditions and
resources available.
The City’s most vulnerable
populations are especially
impacted by severe winter
weather events, such as
snowstorms and prolonged
cold spells. Impacts include
loss of power and heat,
interruption of transportation
services, and inability to obtain
food and water.
Depending on conditions, city
staffing levels may be impacted
or reduced due to employees
unable to report to work safely.
These conditions compounded
by lower staffing levels, are
likely to increase response
times for public safety
personnel.
Volcano Past eruptions of Mt.
Rainier have caused
lahar flows through the
Auburn valley. The
Auburn valley floor is at
risk of a future lahar.
The mud flow would
likely follow the White
River basin and flow
north through the city.
This flow, would likely
cover the infrastructure
and buildings along the
valley.
6,712 (43.7%) of structures in
Auburn are within the Lahar risk
zone in the event of a Volcanic
eruption.
Located in the lahar risk zone
are key infrastructure include,
but not limited to:
Streets
Bridges
Railroad
Utilities
Government Facilities
Schools
Critical infrastructure within
the lahar risk zone include, but
are not limited to:
Streets
Bridges
o R Street
o A Street
Schools
o Ilalko Elementary
School
o Auburn Riverside
High School
o Mt. Baker Middle
School
o Gildo Rey
Elementary School
o Pioneer Elementary
School
o Holy Family
Catholic School
o Olympic Elementary
School
Railroad
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o Passenger Trains
o BNSF
o Union Pacific
Utilities
o BPA Transmission
Lines
Government Facilities
o Auburn
Maintenance &
Operations
o Government
Services
Administration
(GSA)
o VRFA Fire Stations
In addition to the lahar risk,
the area north of the lahar
zone is identified as a post-
lahar flooding and
sedimentation area that poses
significant risk to the Auburn
valley floor north of HWY18.
Additional critical
infrastructure located within
the post lahar sedimentation
and flooding area include:
Auburn Municipal
Airport
City Hall and the
Annex Building
Multicare Auburn
Medical Center
(Hospital)
Cyber Attack The City uses a variety
of systems, services, and
devices that reply upon
both internal and
external computer
networks in order to
function properly. These
networks as a whole are
commonly referred to
“cyberspace” and
failures in them,
regardless of cause, are
commonly referred to as
“cyber incidents”. Cyber
incidents have the
potential to disable city
services release non-
Major cyber incidents can occur
with or without warning.
Significant cyber events may be
malicious or
accidental/inadvertent, but initial
response must not be dependent
on determining which.
Cyber vulnerabilities are both
technological and human caused
and will continue to exist
regardless of the number of
safeguards put in place and the
amount of training conducted.
Cyber incidents have the
potential to disable city
services, release non-
disclosable information to
unknown parties, and create
public safety issues, among
other things.
Cyber events could reduce our
ability to provide water and
sewer services to residents, our
ability to receive payments for
utilities bills, lose our ability to
provide payroll and residents
lose their ability connect to the
City.
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disclosable information
to unknown parties, and
create public safety
issues, among
other things.
Regardless of cause, major cyber
incidents have the potential to
shutdown critical infrastructure,
negatively affect life safety,
reveal protected information,
and to cause harm to people,
data, and physical assets.
Incidents may start and end on
systems that are outside of the
City’s direct control.
Dam Failure There are seven active
dams that protect the
City of Auburn. The
four with the most
potential for damage are
the Howard Hanson
Dam, Mud Mountain
Dam, Lake Youngs
Reservoir Dam, and the
Lake Tapps System of
dikes around the lake.
At full capacity, both the
Howard Hanson, and Mud
Mountain Dams have the
potential of flooding the entire
Auburn Valley floor in the event
of a dam failure.
The Lake Tapps system of dikes
poses significant risk to many
residential homes, and much of
the Auburn Valley floor.
If Dikes #6-12 (generally located
along the north side of Lake
Tapps) were to fail, the flow of
water would inundate the White
River causing significant
flooding throughout the valley
floor.
A failure of the Lake Youngs
Reservoir dam would also have
significant impact on the City of
Auburn. A breach would follow
the Soos creek system to the
Green River and then flow
through the city.
Within the projected flood risk
zones for each major Dam, the
City has the following critical
infrastructure that would be
greatly impacted:
Streets
Bridges
Railroad
Utilities
Airport
Schools
Howard Hanson Dam: A
significant failure of the
Howard Hanson dam, while at
maximum capacity of the
reservoir, would reach the area
north of the airport in less than
three hours, providing little
time for evacuation of the
Auburn valley floor.
Mud Mountain Dam: A
significant failure of the Mud
Mountain Dam, while at
maximum capacity of the
reservoir would reach the
southwest part of Auburn in
less than two hours.
All city facilities in the Auburn
valley would likely be unusable,
after a failure of either dam,
including the equipment and
vehicles stored in those
locations. Most homes and
businesses in the same area
would also be untenable.
Lake Youngs Reservoir: A
failure of the Lake Youngs
Reservoir dam would also have
significant impact on the City
of Auburn. A breach would
follow the Soos creek system
to the Green River and then
flow through the city. The
most significant impacts would
be in the north end of the city,
from the Green river on the
east to nearly SR 167 on the
west and from approximately
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The remaining 3 Dams within
City limits are smaller and pose
significantly less risk to
structures and critical
infrastructure within the City.
15 St. NW to the northern city
boundary. A breach of the
Lake Youngs Dam could reach
the city limits in approximately
4.5 hours, and could reach the
area north of 15th St. NW
within approximately 5 hours.
A significant portion of city
facilities in this area, including
the Auburn Airport could be
inundated with flood waters.
Lake Tapps: A significant
breach of the dikes on the
north end of Lake Tapps
would have a significant impact
on the area of Auburn between
Oravetz Road and the white
river. This would impact
residents and businesses in the
area along with any
infrastructure.
Other Dams: The three
remaining Dams would have
less impact on the City, and
likely be confined to
neighborhoods immediately
downstream.
Public Health
Emergency
A Public Health
Emergency could
include a number of
issues such as Measles,
Mumps, and Influenza.
The worldwide public
health and scientific
community is
increasingly concerned
about the potential for a
pandemic to arise from
the widespread and
growing avian influenza
outbreak across several
continents.
Auburn will continue to
participate in
Seattle/King County
Public Health initiatives
and did not include this
The creation of a novel virus
means that most, if not all,
people in the world will have
never been exposed
to the new strain and have no
immunity to the disease. It also
means that new vaccines must
be developed
and therefore are not likely to be
available for months, during
which time many people could
become
infected and seriously ill.
A significant pandemic may
generate patient loads sufficient
to exceed capacity of local
healthcare facilities and sectors.
In addition, public demand for
lab testing, vaccine, antiviral
medications and
There are several
characteristics of an influenza
pandemic that differentiate it
from other public health
emergencies. First, it has the
potential to suddenly cause
illness in a very large number
of people, who could
easily overwhelm the
healthcare system throughout
the nation. A pandemic
outbreak could also jeopardize
essential City and community
services by causing high levels
of absenteeism in critical
positions in every workforce. It
is likely that vaccines against
the new virus will not be
available for six to eight
months following the
emergence of the virus.
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as a separate mitigation
strategy.
health information may
overwhelm day-to-day local
public health and healthcare
systems, providers
and facilities.
Basic services, such as
healthcare, law enforcement,
fire, emergency response,
communications, transportation,
and utilities, could be disrupted
during a pandemic. Finally, the
pandemic, unlike many other
emergency events, could last for
several weeks, if not months.
Tsunami The City of Auburn is
not susceptible to
impacts from a Tsunami
and did not include this
hazard in the mitigation
planning process.
Avalanche The City of Auburn is
not susceptible to
impacts from an
Avalanche and did not
include this hazard in
the mitigation planning
process.
Wildfire While Auburn does face
some risk in regards to
Wildfire, those risks are
addressed through other
planning processes in
partnership with Valley
Regional Fire Authority.
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Plan Update Process
The City of Auburn’s planning process was open and inclusive. It began with participation in the multi-
jurisdictional planning process led by King County. City staff attended training and briefings, learning about the
process and requirements for completion of the plan. Staff then assembled a workgroup to develop a timeline to
complete the City of Auburn annex to the Regional plan. At the early plan development stage, Valley Regional Fire
Authority (provider for fire and EMS for the City) was also involved in the planning process.
Once the timeline was developed staff performed a hazard risk analysis, evaluating the potential risks within the
city. Staff reviewed past mitigation plans, FEMA, King County and City of Auburn maps and records. The FEMA
Risk Report: A Risk Assessment Database Summary was also considered in the risk analysis. A public open house
was conducted on August 15 at 6:00 PM in City Hall to gather public feedback on the draft Hazard Risk Analysis.
This open house was attended by 13 people. The attendees were a mix of residents and people that lived outside
the city but worked in Auburn. Attendees were invited to review posters with the hazards, with Risk, vulnerability
and impact summaries for each hazard. Once they reviewed the information and discussed the risks and impacts
with staff, they were all invited to complete a questionnaire for city staff to consider while completing the
mitigation planning process.
Key partners within the city such as the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Multicare
Auburn (hospital) Auburn Public School District, Green River Community College, the Boeing Company, and
other community groups were also invited to attend a briefing on the developing plan and provide input.
City staff reviewed the Hazard Risk Analysis and then assembled a larger group representing City Departments
and evaluated City Assets at Risk to further evaluate the impact or risks directly on City assets. This group also
evaluated the impact on residences and businesses due to each hazard. This information was considered as the
work group developed Hazard Mitigation Strategies in an effort to mitigate the hazards as identified.
Once the risk analysis and mitigation strategies were developed by the larger group a second public open house
was conducted on October 30th at 5:30 PM in the City’s EOC. The purpose of this open house was to educate the
public to the developing plan and solicit feedback from the public prior to adoption of the plan. This open house
was attended by 14 residents and provided feedback on the draft plan before it’s completion and submission to
King County.
Jurisdiction Planning Team
NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION CONTRIBUTION
Randy Bailey Assistant Director,
Public Works
City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped identify
assets at risk, develop
mitigation strategies.
Dane Carson Senior GIS/Database
Specialist
City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped develop
and provide maps for
Mitigation Planning
process
Scott Currie Emergency
Preparedness Assistant
City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings
Ingrid Gaub Director, Public Works City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped develop
assets at risk, mitigation
strategies.
Brenda Goodson-
Moore
Customer Care Manager City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped develop
assets at risk, mitigation
strategies.
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Hannah Heyrich Disaster Educator AmeriCorps volunteer
with City of Auburn
Attended planning
meetings, helped develop
assets at risk, mitigation
strategies.
Dana Hinman Director of Emergency
Management
City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, provided
direction for planning
process
Melissa Medisch Human Resources
Analyst
City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped identify
assets at risk, develop
mitigation strategies
Lisa Moore Facilities Manager City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped identify
assets at risk, develop
mitigation strategies.
Brian Petty Recreation Manager City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped identify
assets at risk, develop
mitigation strategies.
Ashley Riggs Assistant Director, IT City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped identify
assets at risk, develop
mitigation strategies
Doug Ruth Assistant City Attorney City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped identify
assets at risk, develop
mitigation strategies
Alexandria Teague Planner II City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, coordinated
with Community
Development staff, helped
develop timeline for
planning process
Jerry Thorson Emergency Manager City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped draft
language for Risk
Assessment, and
preparation for Public
Open House. Attended
Public Outreach event
with the public on August
15, 2019.
David Travis Director of Innovation
and Technology
City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped identify
assets at risk, develop
mitigation strategies.
Tyler Turner Emergency Management
Specialist
City of Auburn Attended planning
meetings, helped draft
language for Risk
Assessment, and
preparation for Public
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Open House. Attended
Public Outreach event
with the public on August
15, 2019.
Sarah Yancey Emergency Management
Coordinator
Valley Regional Fire Attended planning
meetings, helped develop
Timeline for planning
process.
Plan Update Timeline
PLANNING ACTIVITY DATE SUMMARY ATTENDEES
Initial Mitigation
Planning Team
Meeting
7-19-19 Discussed goals of
planning process,
timeline, development of
the Auburn Annex to the
plan, Risk Assessment
process, meeting
schedule, other plans,
data.
Hinman, Turner, Currie,
Teague, Carson, Yancey-
Nuss, Thorson
Mitigation Planning
Committee
7-25-19 Developed timeline,
developed a plan to
complete Risk
Assessment, assets at
risk, identified options
for Public Outreach.
Teague, Turner, Thorson
Risk Assessment
Development
7-29-19
7-30-19
7-31-19
Reviewed historical data,
past plans, Risk
assessment Database,
developed draft Risk
assessment document
Turner, Thorson
Review of Risk
Assessment by
mitigation planning
team
8-6-19 Reviewed draft of Risk
Assessment, discussed
plan for identifying assets
at risk, and created plan
for public outreach event
that occurred on August
15, 2019.
Thorson, Yancey-Nuss,
Turner, Carson, Teague,
Currie, Hinman
Review and
development of assets
at risk
8-8-19 Identification of
Auburn’s critical assets
and their vulnerability to
hazards. This review
included city-owned
facilities, landmarks,
industries, etc.
Thorson, Turner, Moore,
Currie, Bailey, Petty,
Medisch, Teague,
Hinman
Planning 8-22-19 Review work completed
and develop plan for next
steps
Thorson, Carson, Turner,
Currie, Teague
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Assets at Risk Meeting
(HR, Finance, Legal,
Admin)
9-10-19 Review and consider
assets at risk for Human
Resources, Finance,
Administration, Legal,
Facilities
Thorson, Turner, Moore,
Martinson, Goodwin-
Moore, Ruth, Heyrich
Assets at Risk Meeting
(PW, Parks)
9-11-19 Review and consider
assets at risk for Public
Works and Parks
Bailey, Petty, Gaub,
Thorson, Turner,
Heyrich
Assets at Risk Meeting
(IT)
9-12-19 Review and consider
assets at risk for Police
and IT
Hinman, Travis, Turner,
Thorson
Cyber Attack
Mitigation Strategy
9-24-19 Develop strategies for
mitigating Cyber Attacks
Thorson, Riggs, Travis,
Turner
Review of Draft Plan 10-15-19 Review final draft of plan
before second public
open house to review
plan
Hinman, Gaub, Teague
Turner, Currie, Heyrich,
Thorson
Public Outreach
Public Outreach Events
EVENT DATE SUMMARY ATTENDEES
Public Open House August 15, 2019, in City
Hall from 6:00-7:30.
Staff prepared maps
showing the hazard areas
along with descriptions
of the hazard and
potential impact. The
public was invited and
reviewed materials, had
the opportunity to ask
questions and provide
feedback on all aspects of
the risk analysis and
assets at risk. Suggestions
were considered by staff
and changes to the draft
were made as
appropriate.
We had 13 members of
the public attend the
Open House, they
reviewed 10 large posters
with maps; risk
Vulnerability, and impact
summaries for each
natural hazard faced in
Auburn. They also
viewed 2 additional flood
inundation maps. Staff
were on hand to engage
the attendees, and answer
any questions. After
reviewing the
information and asking
questions, the attendees
were asked to complete a
questionnaire. The
feedback from the public
outreach was considered
in the development of
the Auburn Annex to the
plan.
Public Open House October 30, 2019 Staff used the maps and
other documents from
We had 14 members of
the public attend the
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the first Open House and
new displays showing the
mitigation strategies to be
included in the plan. The
public was invited to
review materials and had
the opportunity to
provide feedback on all
aspects of the draft plan.
Open House, staff
engaged with the public
and filled in the details of
the plan as needed. The
public viewed, the hazard
maps, the strategies to
mitigate the hazards and
shared their thoughts on
the plan. The draft plan
was posted on the City’s
website for review prior
to the Open House.
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Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Program
Hazard mitigation strategies were developed through a two-step
process. The City of Auburn met with an internal planning team
made up of staff from all departments to identify a comprehensive
range of mitigation strategies. These strategies were then
prioritized using a process established at the county level and
documented in the base plan.
Each city department that has submitted a strategy plan will
continue to work towards progress on that strategy. This includes
advocacy for budget allocations, workload assignments, and grant
applications that support accomplishment of those strategies.
Plan Monitoring, Implementation, and Future Updates
King County leads the mitigation plan monitoring and update
process and schedules the annual plan check-ins and bi-annual
mitigation strategy updates. Updates on mitigation projects are
solicited by the county for inclusion in the countywide annual
report.
As a participant in the 2020 update to the Regional Hazard
Mitigation Plan, the city of Auburn agrees to convene their
internal planning team at least annually to review their progress on
hazard mitigation strategies and to update the plan based on new
data or recent disasters. This will be accomplished by a subgroup
of the City’s Emergency Management Committee.
When King County sends federal notices of funding opportunity
for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, the city will
evaluate the viability of projects eligible for such grants and submit
grant applications if appropriate to align with the priorities of the
Hazard Mitigation Plan. This will be a key strategy to implement
the plan.
The next plan update is expected to be due in April 2025. The City
of Auburn will submit a letter of intent by 2023, at least two years
prior to plan expiration. The county will lead the next regional planning
effort, beginning at least 18 months before the expiration of the 2020 plan.
Continued Public Participation
The City of Auburn already maintains substantial public outreach capabilities, focusing on personal preparedness
and education. Information on ongoing progress in implementing the hazard mitigation plan will be integrated
into public outreach efforts. This will provide Auburn residents, already engaged in personal preparedness efforts,
with context and the opportunity to provide feedback on the county’s progress and priorities in large-scale
mitigation. In the vertical integration of risk-reduction activities from personal to local to state and federal, it is
important that the public understand how its activities support, and are supported by, larger-scale efforts.
The outreach and mitigation teams will also continue to work with media and other agency partners to publicize
mitigation success stories and help explain how vulnerabilities are being fixed. When possible, public tours of
mitigation projects will be organized to allow community members to see successful mitigation in action.
King County Overall Plan
Goals:
1.Access to Affordable,
Healthy Food
2.Access to Health and
Human Services
3.Access to Parks and
Natural Resources
4.Access to Safe and
Efficient
Transportation
5.Affordable, Safe,
Quality Housing
6.Community and
Public Safety
7.Early Childhood
Development
8.Economic
Development
9.Equitable Law and
Justice System
10.Equity in
Government Practices
11.Family Wage Jobs and
Job Training
12.Healthy Built and
Natural
Environments
13.Quality Education
14.Strong, Vibrant
Neighborhoods
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Hazard Mitigation Authorities, Responsibilities, and Capabilities
Plans
PLAN TITLE RESPONSIBLE AGENCY POINT OF CONTACT RELATIONSHIP TO
HAZARD MITIGATION
PLAN
Comprehensive Plan Community
Development
Jeff Tate The City’s development
regulations including the
comprehensive plan
provide for identification,
regulations, and
protection of
environmentally sensitive
areas, geological hazard
areas, and flood hazard
areas. The
comprehensive and
mitigation plans are
mutually supportive and
provide direction for the
City’s planning efforts.
Comprehensive
Emergency
Management Plan
(CEMP)
Emergency Management
Division
Jerry E. Thorson The CEMP has a direct
relationship to the
Hazard Mitigation plan.
Many aspects of the
CEMP are based on the
risks outlined in the
Mitigation Plan. Our
CEMP is both “generic
and hazard specific” in
reaction to the hazards
identified in the risk
assessment part of the
plan.
Capital Facilities Plan Finance Department Jamie Thomas The Capital Facilities
Plan and the Mitigation
Plan are linked in that
mitigation efforts related
to the City’s
infrastructure will
normally be included in
the Capital Facilities Plan
for consideration and
funding by the city’s
leadership.
Programs, Policies, and Processes
PROGRAM/POLICY RESPONSIBLE AGENCY POINT OF CONTACT RELATIONSHIP TO
HAZARD MITIGATION
PLAN
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Building Codes Community
Development
Jason Krum The building codes
utilized by the city are
considered all-hazards.
The City has the ability to
modify building codes
upon adoption reflecting
risks and hazards for the
City.
Emergency
Management Program
Emergency Management
Division
Jerry Thorson The City of Auburn’s
emergency management
program is based off of
the risk assessment in the
Mitigation Plan. Our
educational programs use
the risks identified to
inform the public of what
may happen in Auburn
and how to prepare for
the impact on residences
and businesses.
Critical Areas
Ordinance
Community
Development, Planning
Services Division
Jeff Dixon The relationship of the
mitigation plan and the
critical areas ordinance is
that they both address
some of the same
subjects that relate to
natural features,
especially flood,
groundwater protection
areas and geologic
hazards. Additionally, the
mitigation plan and the
critical areas ordinance
share the comment
purpose of protecting
public health, safety and
general welfare.
Entities Responsible for Hazard Mitigation
AGENCY/ORGANIZATION POINT OF CONTACT RESPONSIBILITY(S)
Public Works Ingrid Gaub Identifying departmental assets at risk, creating
mitigation strategies, and implementing of strategies
as possible.
Community
Development
Jeff Tate Identifying departmental assets at risk, creating
mitigation strategies, and implementing of strategies
as possible.
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Office of the Mayor Dana Hinman As Director of Emergency Management, responsible
for mitigation planning process and identifying
departmental assets at risk, creating mitigation
strategies, and implementing of strategies as possible.
Innovation &
Technology
David Travis Identifying departmental assets at risk, creating
mitigation strategies, and implementing of strategies
as possible.
Human Resources Candis Martinson Identifying departmental assets at risk, creating
mitigation strategies, and implementing of strategies
as possible.
Legal Steve Gross Identifying departmental assets at risk, creating
mitigation strategies, and implementing of strategies
as possible.
Police William Pierson Identifying departmental assets at risk, creating
mitigation strategies, and implementing of strategies
as possible.
Finance Jamie Thomas Identifying departmental assets at risk, creating
mitigation strategies, and implementing of strategies
as possible.
Parks, Arts & Recreation Daryl Faber Identifying departmental assets at risk, creating
mitigation strategies, and implementing of strategies
as possible.
National Flood Insurance Program
National Flood Insurance Program Compliance
What department is responsible for floodplain
management in your community?
Department of Community Development
Who is your community’s floodplain
administrator? (title/position)
Jeff Tate, Director of Community Development
What is the date of adoption of your flood
damage prevention ordinance?
Ordinance 6295 May 3rd, 2010
When was the most recent Community
Assistance Visit or Community Assistance
Contact?
2007 CAV visit with March 2008 final report
Does your community have any outstanding
NFIP compliance violations that need to be
addressed? If so, please state what they are?
No
Do your flood hazard maps adequately address
the flood risk within your community? If so,
please state why.
Yes. The City is utilizing the Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRM) required by FEMA. FEMA is in the
process of updating the Green River FIRM’s. The
City of Auburn intends on adopting these maps by or
before 180 days after FEMA issues a Letter of
Determination to the City of Auburn to adopt the
new maps.
Does your floodplain management staff need any
assistance or training to support its floodplain
The City of Auburn currently has three Certified
Floodplain Managers. These staff members and other
City of Auburn staff engage in continuing education
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management program? If so, what type of
training/assistance is needed?
offered by FEMA and other agencies to stay current
with floodplain management regulations. City staff
contacts Washington State Department of Ecology
and FEMA Region X as needed for support.
Does your community participate in the
Community Rating System (CRS)? If so, what is
your CRS Classification and are you seeing to
improve your rating? If not, is your community
interested in joining CRS?
Our classification is a 5. This classification was last
updated/provided as a result of a CRS audit at the
end of 2018 and final score determined on February
21, 2019.
How many Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) and
Repetitive Loss (RL) properties are located in
your jurisdiction?
SRL: 0
RL: 0
Has your community ever conducted an elevation
or buy out of a flood-prone property? If so, what
fund source did you use? If not, are you
interested in pursuing buyouts of flood prone
properties?
In 1996 the City purchased 1508 W Main St. (parcel
no. 1421049036) in Auburn, WA for open space
utilizing Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds.
This property was a repetitive loss property; but
because the city acquired it and demolished the
building it is no longer in that category.
Hazard Mitigation Strategies
The first step in creating Auburn’s 2019 Mitigation Strategies was a review of the 2015 plan. Staff reviewed the
plan, and determined past accomplishments and challenges. Staff then evaluated whether any of the items from
the 2015 plan should be carried over into the 2019 updates. Once that step was accomplished, plan participants
began development of the 2019 strategies. Once the Mitigation Plan is adopted by City Council, the appropriate
departments will consider the strategies as future budgets are developed and will work with regional partners to
leverage funding options and mutual benefits of working together.
2015 Hazard Mitigation Strategy Status
STRATEGY DESCRIPTION PRIORITY STATUS
AU-1 Maintain
compliance under
the National Flood
Insurance Program
The City of Auburn has maintained
compliance with the National Flood Insurance
Program since adoption of the flood damage
prevention ordinance on May 3rd, 2010
(Ordinance No. 6295). The City has
maintained compliance by using the Flood
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) required by
FEMA, participating in the Community Rating
System, and certifying staff to function as
certified floodplain managers.
High Completed/Ongoing
AU-2 Retrofit
Maintenance and
Operations Facility
to reduce
susceptibility to
earthquake damage.
The City is completing a space planning effort
in 2019 including the potential for relocation
or partial relocation of the M&O
facilities. Should relocation become the City’s
preferred alternative, retrofitting the existing
site may not be necessary.
Low Not completed- Carry
over to 2019 plan
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AU-3 Installation of
seismic protection
valves on City
reservoirs to provide
for automatic
shutoff in event of
an earthquake
3 reservoirs are completed, 5 more remaining
to retrofit.
Medium Not completed- Carry
over to 2019 plan
AU-4 Upgrade
computer server
racks throughout
the City to reduce
susceptibility to
earthquake damage
Completed per the 2015 action plan. No new
rack added since.
High Do not carry over to
2019 plan.
AU-5 Implement
software and
hardware to comply
with State
Certification
requirements for
destruction of
source documents
after digitizing. This
will safeguard
records in case of
disaster
The City purchased the software, license and
hardware and have since implemented Laser
fiche for official document storage. The
project is slated for 2019 to implement
retention, electronic forms, electronic
signatures and automated workflows, however
that is for operational efficiencies. The City is
compliant with the state now.
High Completed
AU-6 Expand and
reconfigure
stormwater
detention ponds on
West Hill along S.
296th St to reduce
wintertime flooding
along the valley
floor below
The proposed expansion of the South 296th
Street storm pond would result in only a minor
reduction in flows to the valley tributary and
not improve the overall existing conditions.
N/A Not completed- Do not
carry over to 2019 plan.
AU-7 Prepare and
adopt a new
optional
Comprehensive Plan
element for Natural
Hazard Reduction
While this was identified and remains of value,
it is not a Mandatory or listed Optional
element of Comprehensive (land use) Plans; it
is not a subject that this required to be
addressed under the WA State Growth
Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A.070)
(RCW 36.70A.080) and therefore has a low
priority in comparison to other required
updates to land use plans. There are also
higher priorities of the dept. in light of staff
resources. Also, this effort may be duplicative
of some portions of the CEMP and Mitigation
plan.
Low Do not carry over to
2019 plan.
AU-8 Measures to
prevent acts of
terrorism from
occurring at key City
Identify methods, processes or procedures to
prevent and or mitigate acts of terrorism. This
could include, barriers, structural changes, and
policies.
High Limited progress due to
funding issues.
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facilities (Justice
Center, EOC, City
Hall, etc.)
AU-9 Develop and
adopt changes to
City Code to limit
tree removal within
certain sloped or
landslide susceptible
area
Restricting tree removal on sloped or landslide
areas happens now on a case-by-case basis
under the authority of the CAO. This allows
the restriction to be tailored to the
circumstance; a more requirement of general
applicability could be less flexible. While this
was identified and remains of value, it is lessor
priority.
Low Geologic hazard areas
including lands or areas
susceptible to varying
degrees of risk of
landslides also known as
landslide hazard areas,
are subject to the City’s
Critical Areas Ordinance
(CAO). The CAO
classifies landslide hazard
areas into four categories,
with Class I landslide
hazards indicating a low
hazard and Class IV
indicating a very high
hazard. The CAO
establishes when a
landslide hazard area may
be or may not be altered
– alteration including
removal of trees and
vegetation.
AU-10 Create part
or full time FTE
position to conduct
disaster related
public education
throughout the city
For the last four years, we’ve used AmeriCorps
Disaster Educator(s) to meet this need. We
will continue to recruit, train and utilize
AmeriCorps personnel in the future
High Completed Carry over to
2019 plan
AU-11 Enhance
capability to
produce City stats
and data capability
City statistics are needed for understanding
hazard risks and mitigation options for city
leadership to consider.
High Completed- in
coordination with IT
department.
AU-12 Create, fund,
and administer a
grant or low interest
loan program that
allows homeowners
to retrofit single
family homes to
protect against
impacts from
hazards of concern
within the City
Program intended to help homeowners obtain
low cost funding to retrofit homes, mitigating
potential damages from future events in
Auburn.
Medium Not completed due to
funding.
AU-13 Conduct
community
education campaign
to address pandemic
flu issues
Promotion of flu shots; also public education
related to mumps and measles
High Partially completed,
continue to support and
follow Seattle-King
County Public Health
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initiatives. Do not carry
over to 2019 plan.
AU-14 Continue to
support county-wide
initiatives identified
in this plan
As a partner in the regional mitigation effort,
the City will continue to participate and
support the regional plan.
High Completed Carry over to
2019 plan.
AU-15 Actively
participate in the
plan maintenance
strategy identified in
this plan
As a partner in the regional mitigation effort,
the City will continue to participate and
support the regional plan.
High Completed Carry over to
2019 plan.
2020 Hazard Mitigation Strategies
STRATEGY LEAD AGENCY/POC TIMELINE PRIORITY
AU-1 Retrofit
Maintenance and
Operations Facility to
reduce susceptibility to
earthquake damage.
Public Works Ongoing Low
AU-2 Installation of
seismic protection valves
on City reservoirs to
provide for automatic
shutoff in event of an
earthquake
Public Works Ongoing Medium
AU-3
Evaluating/Hardening
City Network systems to
mitigate cyber security
events.
IT New High
AU-4 Develop and
implement a Community
Organizations Active in
Disaster (COAD)
program to increase
community resiliency
Emergency Management New Medium
AU-5 Create part or full
time FTE position to
conduct disaster related
public education
throughout the city
Emergency Management Ongoing High
AU- 6 Funding/
Partnership Mitigation
Strategy
Emergency Management Ongoing Medium
AU-7 Continue to
support county-wide
initiatives identified in
this plan
City of Auburn Ongoing High
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AU-8 Actively participate
in the plan maintenance
strategy identified in this
plan
City of Auburn Ongoing High
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Hazard Mitigation Strategy
AU- 1: Retrofit Maintenance and Operations Facility to reduce susceptibility to earthquake damage.
Lead Points of
Contact:
Randy Bailey
Assistant Director of
Public Works Services
Partner Points
of Contact:
Hazards Mitigated:
Seismic
Goals Addressed:
4, 6, 8, 14
Funding Sources and
Estimated Costs: TBD
Real Estate Excise Tax
Revenues, General fund,
Grant funding
Strategy Vision/Objective:
Create a facility to house operations that would be available after a large seismic event. This facility is crucial to
the operation of the City’s Water , Sewer, Street and Storm systems during all emergency events. This facility
also is home to our Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for all City utilities and the
Department’s Operation Center (DOC). This facility also provides maintenance and repair of the City’s entire
fleet, including Police. These services can be crucial to maintain during emergencies to keep our staff able to
provide response to the community.
Mitigation Strategy:
Retrofit existing 1970’s era concrete tilt-up building to current seismic standards. This building is used as the
City of Auburn Public Works Maintenance facility for street, utilities and fleet services. This building needs to
be available for operations after a seismic event.
2-Year Objectives
Apply for Funding for design
and construction
Select consultant and begin
design
5-Year Objectives:
Start and complete retrofit
construction
Long-Term Objectives:
Implementation Plan/Actions:
Apply for grant opportunities in 2020
Budget for Design in 2021
Begin construction in 2023
Performance Measures
Design for Current seismic code at the time of building permit application
Seek Grant funding
Complete construction in 2023.
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AU- 2: Installation of seismic protection valves on City reservoirs to provide for automatic shutoff in
event of an earthquake
Lead Points of
Contact:
Susan Fenhaus
Water Utility
Engineer, Public
Works Department
Partner Points of
Contact:
Hazards Mitigated:
Earthquake
Goals Addressed:
1, 6, 8
Funding Sources
and Estimated
Costs: TBD
General fund,
FEMA Hazard
Mitigation Grants
Strategy Vision/Objective:
All City reservoirs have automatic shutoff valves to retain water in the reservoir in the event of an earthquake.
Mitigation Strategy:
Some of the City’s reservoirs currently have automatic shutoff valves; however, several facilities do not include
this measure. The proposed mitigation would complete the installation of automatic shutoff valves on all
reservoirs that do not currently have them. During an earthquake, broken pipes within the water system could
cause a large amount of water to escape the reservoir(s). This could cause fluctuations in pressures within the
system causing potential damage, it could also cause potential local flooding and would reduce the potable
water available within the City’s system. Closed valves keep water in the reservoir, preventing flooding.
2-Year Objectives:
1 or 2 reservoirs without automatic
shutoff valves will have valves
installed
5-Year Objectives:
1 or 2 additional reservoirs without
automatic shutoff valves will have valves
installed.
Long-Term Objectives:
All reservoirs will have
automatic shutoff valves
Implementation Plan/Actions:
Identify reservoirs without automatic shutoff valve
Seek available grant funding
Design valve installation projects specific to each reservoir
Construct facility
Regularly test and exercise valve operation
Performance Measures:
Valves at reservoirs automatically close in the event of an earthquake
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AU- 3 Evaluating/Hardening City Network systems to mitigate cyber security events.
Lead Points of
Contact:
David Travis,
Director of
Innovation &
Technology
Partner Points of Contact:
Network Security Vendors,
Counties, State, Federal,
All City Departments/Personnel
Hazards Mitigated:
Cyber Attack
Goals Addressed:
4, 6, 8, 9
Funding Sources
and Estimated
Costs: $250,000
General Fund,
Grants
Strategy Vision/Objective:
The City uses a variety of systems, services and devices to protect assets from a Cyber Attack.
Mitigation Strategy:
The City will use a combination of software, hardware, artificial and human intelligence to protect the City’s
assets from a Cyber Attack.
Innovation & Technology will increase education levels of City employees on best practices for Cyber
Defense.
2-Year Objectives:
Increase awareness of
communication tools with
industry leaders and experts.
Review and evaluate security
spending and employee
training to ensure adequate
cyber defense.
5-Year Objectives:
Review legislative cyber
security agendas to ensure
alignment.
Optimizing Network for
City staff against Cyber
Attacks.
Have security systems in
place to contain a Cyber
Attack.
Long-Term Objectives:
Partner with subject
matter experts to
perform Cyber Attack
tests, audits and table
top exercises.
Implementation Plan/Actions:
Evaluate Cyber Security threat levels and impacts.
Identify all risks and formulate mitigation strategies for each scenario.
Train all City staff on their role to help protect and prevent the City’s systems against a Cyber Attack.
Secure necessary funding to achieve Cyber Security goals.
Implement necessary changes to achieve Cyber Security goals.
Performance Measures:
Systems implemented have prevented or mitigated Cyber Attacks against City Assets or services.
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AU- 4 Develop and implement a Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) program to
increase community resiliency
Lead Points of
Contact:
Jerry Thorson,
Emergency Manager
Partner Points of Contact:
COAD Members
Hazards Mitigated /
All Hazards
Goals Addressed:
1, 2, 6, 14
Funding Sources
and Estimated
Costs: TBD
General Funding
Strategy Vision/Objective:
The City of Auburn will form a network of resiliency by connecting and educating community organizations,
businesses, nonprofits, volunteer organizations, and the citizenry through the development of a COAD
(Community Organizations Active in Disasters).
Mitigation Strategy:
The City of Auburn’s Emergency Management Division will form a COAD (Community Organizations Active
in Disasters) and provide member organizations with plan-development support while encouraging
partnerships between organizations to increase the capacity of Auburn organizations to prepare for, respond
to, and recover from disasters.
2-Year Objectives:
Develop the COAD
mentorship program and
curriculum.
Form sector-level COAD
groups and begin the
mentorship program.
5-Year Objectives:
Evaluate need for
programs to assist COAD
members with emergency
planning for their
organizations.
Evaluate/improve COAD
progress from a whole
community perspective.
Long-Term Objectives:
Support the COAD
network and their level
of preparedness, provide
ongoing
training/support of
COAD members.
Implementation Plan/Actions:
Research and develop the COAD mentorship program, designed to be a guided process for
emergency plan development with ongoing training opportunities and stakeholder engagement.
Identify partners for potential sector-level COADs to promote communication between
agencies/organizations with similar scopes or interests.
Begin mentorship program with interested COAD members and establish the COAD group.
Bridge connections between sector level COAD members to promote whole community resiliency
and partnerships.
Performance Measures:
Feedback from stakeholders and COAD member organizations.
Evaluate participation by COAD members with a variety of measurements on a quarterly basis.
Track progress on the development of emergency procedures within a member organization
throughout the mentorship program.
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AU- 5 Create part or full time FTE position to conduct disaster related public education throughout the
city.
Lead Points of Contact:
Jerry Thorson,
Emergency Manager
Partner Points of Contact:
David Reid, Washington Service
Corps/AmeriCorps
Hazards Mitigated:
All Hazards
Goals Addressed:
6, 14
Funding Sources and
Estimated Costs:
General Fund;
$15,000
Strategy Vision/Objective:
Auburn is well educated on the hazards faced within and around the City. This has created a more resilient and
prepared community for the emergencies faced around the area. The Public Outreach efforts have
incorporated a whole community approach including vulnerable populations and those with Limited English
Proficiency (LEP).
Mitigation Strategy:
Auburn will recruit and hire an AmeriCorps member funded through the Washington Service Corps that will
serve as a Disaster Educator for the Auburn community. The Disaster Educator will complete a 10 month
tenure and perform the following responsibilities:
Coordinate Disaster Education and Preparedness activities.
Coordinate Emergency Response Team program.
Recruit and manage emergency volunteers.
Coordinate Disaster Preparedness Education through the City.
Evaluate on an annual basis whether to continue with an AmeriCorps position or fund via another
source.
2-Year Objectives:
Provide Disaster Preparedness
Education to Schools within the
Auburn School District, Homeowners
Associations, Local Businesses, Faith-
Based Communities, and Local
Events.
5-Year Objectives:
Provide Disaster Preparedness
Education to Schools within the
Auburn School District,
Homeowners Associations,
Local Businesses, Faith-Based
Communities, and Local Events.
Long-Term Objectives:
Provide Disaster Preparedness
Education to Schools within the
Auburn School District,
Homeowners Associations, Local
Businesses, Faith-Based
Communities, and Local Events.
Implementation Plan/Actions:
On an annual basis, City staff will work with Washington Service Corps to recruit, hire and train a Disaster
Educator through AmeriCorps. The educator will work with the Auburn School District, Homeowners
Associations, Local Businesses, Faith-Based Communities, and Local Events to schedule and provide training
for as many community members as possible.
The Emergency Management staff will coach and mentor the Disaster Educator to provide up-to-date disaster
preparedness education to the public.
Performance Measures:
The performance measures may change on an annual basis and will be based on the agreement with the
Washington Service Corps program.
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AU- 6 Funding/Partnership Mitigation strategy
Lead Points of
Contact (Title)
Jerry Thorson
Emergency Manager
Partner Points of Contact (Title)
Washington State Military Department.
EM Division, FEMA
Hazards Mitigated:
All Hazards
Goals Addressed:
4, 6, 8
Funding Sources
and Estimated
Costs
Staff time
City share TBD
Strategy Vision/Objective:
Leverage community partnerships (public and private) and grant funding opportunities to address mitigation
priorities within the city.
Mitigation Strategy:
Reach out to community partners to determine shared concerns and priorities around hazard
mitigation.
Negotiate cost-share agreements for shared projects, or allocate matching funds from city budget to
meet grant requirements.
2-Year Objectives:
Identify new partners for
mitigation projects where
appropriate.
Submit grant applications
when opportunities arise.
5-Year Objectives:
Complete one project with
partner participation and/or
grant funding
Long-Term Objectives:
Continue to cultivate a
community culture that
participates in investment
in mitigation.
Implementation Plan/Actions:
Develop membership contact information to encourage memberships and make new connections with
mitigation partners.
Introduce mitigation concepts in meetings with external stakeholders.
Maintain grant documentation files and tracking systems for applications.
Performance Measures:
Submit one grant application every two years.
Complete one project with partner participation and/or grant funding.
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AU- 7 Continue to support county-wide initiatives identified in this plan
Lead Points of
Contact:
Jerry Thorson,
Emergency Manager
Partner Points of Contact:
Derek Heibert,
King County OEM
Hazards Mitigated
All Hazards
Goals Addressed:
1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 14
Funding Sources and
Estimated Costs:
TBD
General
Fund/Grants
Strategy Vision/Objective:
The City’s hazard mitigation efforts remain aligned with the King County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Auburn’s efforts compliment King County’s initiatives.
Mitigation Strategy:
Auburn will strive to accomplish the goals in the King County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, specifically the
Auburn Annex. City stakeholders will follow the direction and guidelines provided by King County OEM. City
staff will coordinate with County representatives on mutual projects to ensure mitigation efforts are producing
the best possible outcome for the community. Auburn will continue to participate in future renewals of the
Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
2-Year Objectives:
Consider Mitigation Funding
through the City budget
process.
Participate in County
Mitigation Planning efforts.
Collaborate with neighboring
jurisdictions and their
mitigation efforts.
5-Year Objectives:
Participate in the renewal of
the Regional Hazard
Mitigation Plan.
Seek grants to accomplish
goals and objectives listed in
the Auburn Annex.
Long-Term Objectives:
Strengthen stakeholder
relationships between
City and County to
ensure mitigation
efforts are
accomplished
continuously.
Implementation Plan/Actions:
Participate in future King County Mitigation efforts.
Help educate the Public on Mitigation efforts.
Seek funding as needed to participate in Mitigation efforts.
Educate City Leadership & Elected Officials throughout the Mitigation Planning process.
Performance Measures:
Feedback from stakeholders, including City and County Leadership, and the General Public.
Completion of shared goals and objectives.
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AU- 8 Actively participate in the plan maintenance strategy identified in this plan
Lead Points of
Contact:
Jerry Thorson,
Emergency Manager
Partner Points of Contact:
Derek Heibert,
King County OEM
Hazards Mitigated
All Hazards
Goals Addressed:
4, 6
Funding Sources
and Estimated
Costs: $0
Staff time
Strategy Vision/Objective:
The City of Auburn will actively participate in the monitoring, evaluating, and updating of the King County
Regional Mitigation Plan every 5 years. In addition, the City incorporates the requirements of the Mitigation
Plan into other appropriate planning mechanisms. Lastly, the Auburn community continues to be involved in
the plan maintenance process.
Mitigation Strategy:
As possible, the City of Auburn will participate in the Steering Committee which will be involved in key
elements of the plan maintenance strategy and will also participate with King County in performing annual
reviews. As a planning partner with King County OEM, Auburn will provide feedback to the planning team
on items involved in the Annual Progress Report.
Auburn will encourage public involvement based on guidance from the Steering Committee to obtain
feedback from local residents. This strategy will be based on the needs and capabilities of the partners at the
time of the update.
2-Year Objectives:
Auburn will participate in
the annual reviews of the
King County Regional
Mitigation Plan.
5-Year Objectives:
Auburn will participate in
the 5 year cycle update of
the King County Regional
Mitigation Plan.
Long-Term Objectives:
Auburn will actively
participate in the
monitoring, evaluating,
and updating of the
King County Regional
Mitigation Plan.
Implementation Plan/Actions:
Participate in future King County Mitigation efforts through our Steering Committee and Planning
Team.
Help educate the Public on Mitigation efforts.
Educate City Leadership & Elected Officials throughout the Mitigation Planning process.
Performance Measures:
Feedback from stakeholders, including City and County Leadership, and the General Public.
Annual review is completed and progress report is submitted to King County
Five year plan revision is completed and submitted to King County.
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