HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-17-2023 Minutes City Council Meeting
April 17, 2023 - 7:00 PM
CITY OF * City Hall Council Chambers
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER
I I. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
1. Public Participation
The City Council Meeting was held in person and virtually.
A. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Nancy Backus called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street and led those
in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. Roll Call
Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor James Jeyaraj, Bob Baggett,
Kate Baldwin, Larry Brown, Robyn Mulenga, Cheryl Rakes, and Yolonda
Trout-Manuel.
Department directors and staff members present included: City Attorney
Kendra Comeau, Chief of Police Mark Callier, Director of Public Works
Ingrid Gaub, Director of Equity and Inclusion Brenda Goodson-
Moore, Utility Billing Services Manager Joan Nelson, Business Systems
Analyst Chrissy Malave, and City Clerk Shawn Campbell.
1. Executive Session
Mayor Backus adjourned into an executive session at 7:01 p.m. per
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)to discuss with legal counsel representing the
agency in matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to
discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or
potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a
member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party,
when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in
an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency for 30
minutes. City Attorney Comeau, Chief Caillier, Director of Human
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Resources Martinson, and outside Counsel Stew Estes from
Keating, Bucklin, & McCormack were required to attend.
Mayor Backus reconvened the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS, MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS,AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Stress Awareness Month
Mayor Backus proclaimed April 2023 as Stress Awareness Month in the
City of Auburn. Miss Auburn's Teen, Kaitlyn Gallo, accepted the
proclamation. She thanked Mayor and Council for bringing awareness to
the topic.
B. WS DOT Presentation
Blake Jones from WSDOT's I-405/SR 167 Corridor Program to present updates
around SR 167 Master Plan Process
Lisa Hodgson and April Delchamps from WSDOT's I-405/SR 167
Corridor Program provided Council with the Master Plan for the 1405/SR
167 Corridor Program. They discussed the history of the project, the
Executive Advisory Group, the updates to the SR 167 Corridor
Improvements, additional projects from the master plan, the process of
creating the SR 167 Master Plan, the partner and community engagement,
the SR167 Final Study Area, the process to complete the Master Plan, the
Master Plan vision statement, goals and recommendation, and the next
steps of the project.
Council discussed the toll bonding, and funding for the project.
VI. APPOINTMENTS
A. Transportation Advisory Board
City Council to approve the appointment of Derek Ronnfeldt to the Transportation
Advisory Board (Green River College)for a three year term expiring December 31,
2025
Councilmember Rakes moved and Councilmember Trout- Manuel
seconded to approve the appointment of Derek Ronnfeldt to the
Transportation Advisory Board (Green River College)for a three year term
expiring December 31, 2025.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
B. Parks & Recreation Board
City Council to approve the appointment of Tiffany Lindsay to the Parks & Recreation
Board for a three year term expiring December 31, 2025
Councilmember Baldwin moved and Deputy Mayor Jeyaraj seconded to
approve the appointment of Tiffany Lindsay to the Parks & Recreation
Board for a three year term expiring December 31, 2025.
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MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
VII. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
The Stress Awareness Month Proclamation was added to the agenda.
VIII.CITIZEN INPUT, PUBLIC HEARINGS AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. Audience Participation
This is the place on the agenda where the public is invited to speak to the City
Council on any issue.
1. The public can participate in-person or submit written
comments in advance.
Traci Dysart
Ms. Dysart expressed her concerns regarding crime in Auburn and
suggested a City funded Self-Defense Course.
David Chivis 17 S. Division Street
Mr. Chivis thanked the Mayor and Council for the Auburn Magazine
and the art in the downtown core. He expressed concern regarding
drug use in the downtown area.
Virginia Haugen 2503 R Street SE
Ms. Haugen expressed concern about the Mayor's accrual of
vacation and sick leave and the change from Committee meetings to
Special Focus Area meetings.
B. Correspondence
There was no correspondence for Council to review.
IX. COUNCIL AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Ad Hoc Committee Chairs may report on the status of their ad hoc Council
Committees' progress on assigned tasks and may give their recommendation to the
City Council, if any.
1. Finance Ad Hoc Committee (Chair Baldwin)
Councilmember Baldwin, Chair of the Finance ad hoc committee,
reported she and Councilmember Baggett have reviewed the claims
and payroll vouchers described on the agenda this evening and
recommended their approval.
2. Mayoral Benefits and Leave Compensation ReviewAd
Hoc Committee (Chair Baldwin)
Councilmember Baldwin, Chair of the Mayoral Benefits and Leave
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Compensation Review ad hoc committee provided the full Council
the background for the proposed ad hoc committee, she reviewed
the defined duties for the ad hoc committee, the timeline of the
process, the materials received by the ad hoc committee, and the
comparison spreadsheet. The Committee discussed the need to
clarify the Independent Salary Commission's scope and roll, the
vacation leave accruals, and the sick leave accruals.
Council discussed the option of vacation leave balances and caps,
the Independent Salary Commission's roll, the comparisons from
other jurisdictions, and historical precedents.
X. CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered by the City Council to be
routine and will be enacted by one motion in the foram listed.
A. Minutes of the April 3, 2023 City Council Meeting
B. Claims Vouchers (Thomas)
Claims voucher list dated April 17, 2023 which includes voucher number 471551
through 471687, in the amount of$3,970,985.11 and three wire transfers in the amount
of$870,450.27
C. Payroll Voucher(Thomas)
Payroll check numbers 539483 through 539485 in the amount of$78,448.18,
electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of$2,756,038.99 for a grand total of
$2,677,590.81 for the period covering March 30, 2023 to April 12, 2023
Deputy Mayor Jeyaraj moved and Councilmember Trout-Manuel seconded
to approve the consent agenda.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
XII. NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Baldwin moved and Deputy Mayor Jeyaraj seconded to
request that the City Attorney's Office draft an Ordinance amending ACC
2.08.020 to clarify that the City's Independent Salary Commission sets
only the salary for the Mayor and City Councilmembers.
Council discussed the roll of the Independent Salary Commission.
MOTION CARRIED 6-1 Councilmember Brown voted no.
Councilmember Baldwin moved and Deputy Mayor Jeyaraj seconded to
request that the City Attorney's Office draft an Ordinance setting vacation
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and sick leave benefit provisions for the Office of the Mayor pursuant to the
ad hoc committee's report and recommendations to the Council to
establish a vacation leave cap of 364 hours and to establish a graduated
payout of sick leave accrual based on rates used for unaffiliated staff and
to follow a method to implement now.
Council discussed the implementation of the Ordinance.
MOTION CARRIED 6-1 Councilmember Brown voted no.
XIII. ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance No. 6900 (Thomas)
An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 6879, the 2023-2024 Biennial Operating
Budget Ordinance, and Ordinance No. 6888, the 2023-2024 Biennial Capital Budget,
authorizing amendment to the City of Auburn 2023-2024 Budget as set forth in
Schedule "A" and Schedule "B"
Councilmember Baldwin moved and Councilmember Mulanga seconded
to approve Ordinance No. 6900.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
XIV. RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution No. 5701 (Thomas)
A Resolution reviewing a schedule of prices for services provided by the Auburn
Valley Humane Society to ensure competitive service prices
Deputy Mayor Jeyaraj moved and Councilmember Baggett seconded to
approve Resolution No. 5701.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
B. Resolution No. 5713 (Thomas)
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between the City of
Auburn and King County to implement the 2023-2024 Local Hazardous Waste
Management Program and to accept and expend program grant funds
Councilmember Trout-Manuel moved and Councilmember Mulenga
seconded to approve Resolution No. 5713.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
C. Resolution No. 5715 (Caillier)
A Resolution declaring an Auburn Police Department canine as surplus property and
approving its transfer to a purchaser by contract
Councilmember Mulenga moved and Councilmember Baggett seconded
to approve Resolution No. 5715.
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MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
XV. MAYORAND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
At this time the Mayor and City Council may report on significant items associated with
their appointed positions on federal, state, regional and local organizations.
A. From the Council
Councilmember Rakes reported she attended the Arbor Day Tree Planting
event, and the Terry's Home Benefit event.
B. From the Mayor
Mayor Backus reported she hosted US Congressman Adam Smith and
King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove on a tour of encampments
around Auburn, Behavioral Health meeting with Kent, Renton and Tukwila,
US Conference of Mayors meeting, and a Tamil Celebration.
Mayor invited people to the State of the City, and she will be presenting at
The Cities and Schools Meeting a proposal to create an Opioid and
Fentanyl Task force.
XVI.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the
meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
APPROVED this 1st day of May, 2023.
IANCY AKUS, tAY• Shawn Campbell, City Clerk
Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office, on the City website
(http://www.aubumwa.gov), and via e-mail. Complete agenda packets are available for review
at the City Clerk's Office.
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