HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-2021 Minutes City Council Meeting
* May 17, 2021, - 7:00 PM
CITY OF ,. Virtual
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER
II. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION LINK
1. Virtual Participation Link
The City Council Meeting was held 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.
B. Roll Call
Councilmembers virtually present: Deputy Mayor Claude DaCorsi, Bob
Baggett, Larry Brown, James Jeyaraj, Robyn Mulenga, Chris Stearns and
Yolanda Trout-Manuel.
Mayor Nancy Backus, City Attorney Kendra Comeau, Innovation and
Technical Support Specialist Danika Olson, Director of Innovation and
Technology David Travis, Police Chief Dan O'Neil and Deputy City Clerk
Teresa Mattingly were in Chambers.
The following department directors and staff members attended the
meeting virtually: Senior City Staff Attorney Harry Boesche,Director of
Community Development Jeff Tate, Director of Public Works Ingrid Gaub,
Director of Finance Jamie Thomas,Assistant Finance Director Kevin
Fuhrer, Director of Administration Dana Hinman, Director of Human
Resources and Risk Management Candis Martinson, Director of Parks,
Arts, and Recreation Daryl Faber, Real Estate Manager Josh Arndt, Equity
Program Manager Brenda Goodson-Moore and Assistant Director of
Innovation and Technology Ashley Riggs.
III. ANNOUNCEMENTS, PROCLAMATIONS,AND PRESENTATIONS
There were no announcements, proclamations or presentations.
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IV. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
There were no modifications to the agenda.
V. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
VI. CITIZEN INPUT, PUBLIC HEARINGS AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. Public Hearings -(No public hearing is scheduled for this evening.)
B. Audience Participation
This is the place on the agenda where the public is invited to speak to the City
Council on any issue.
1. Virtual Participation
Jeff Pechacek, Emily Wittman, Robert Henry, Matt Welch, MaryAnn
O'Connell, Way Scarff, Steve Brock, Joe and Lorie Blevins, Kristin
Small, Seth Winbolt, Lynne Crist, Robert Pries and Dave Liesse
submitted comments in opposition of Ordinance No. 6814.
Catherine Holm, Seth Headley, Marie Anne Harkness, Donald Helts,
Greg Saar and Lorena and Joseph Blevins submitted public
comments in opposition of Ordinance No. 6818.
Bob Zimmerman provided comments about propane and structural
related safety codes.
Julien Loh submitted comments regarding the COVI D Bill
Assistance Program Puget Sound Energy is offering to qualified
customers.
C. Correspondence
There was no correspondence for Council to review.
VII. 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 Baggett)
Councilmember Baggett, Chair of the Finance ad hoc committee,
reported he and Councilmember Jeyaraj have reviewed the claims
and payroll vouchers described on the agenda this evening and
recommended their approval.
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2. Grocery Worker Hazard Pay(Chair Brown)
Councilmember Brown, Chair of the Grocery Worker Hazard Pay ad
hoc committee, reported he, Deputy Mayor DaCorsi and
Councilmember Jeyaraj met on May 12, 2021.
VIII. 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 form listed.
A. Minutes of the May 3, 2021 Regular Council Meeting
B. Claims Vouchers (Thomas)
Claim voucher list dated May 17, 2021 which includes voucher numbers 463296
through 463441 in the amount of$4,308,162.71 and five wire transfers in the amount of
$525,093.37
C. Payroll Vouchers (Thomas)
Payroll check numbers 539141 through 539146 in the amount of$74,796.86, and
electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of$2,291,494.98, for a grand total of
$2,366,291.81 for the period covering April 29, 2021 to May 11, 2021
Deputy Mayor DaCorsi moved and Councilmember Trout-Manuel
seconded to approve the consent agenda.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
X. ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance No. 6814 (Thomas)
An Ordinance adding new Chapters to Title 3 of the Auburn City Code (Revenue and
Finance)to be known as Business and Occupation Tax(Chapter 3.53)and Business
and Occupation Tax Administrative Code (Chapter 3.54); providing for a referendum
process; and providing a severability clause and an effective date
Councilmember Stearns moved and Councilmember Brown seconded to
adopt Ordinance No. 6814.
Council thanked the Mayor, Director Thomas and Staff for their work on this
Ordinance. Council discussed the lack of business support, Councils
responsibility in the budget review and approval process, concerns of
implementing new taxes, potential budget cuts, the impacts COVI D-19 has
had and continues to have on businesses, the need to replenish revenue
sources and the importance of moving forward with this Ordinance.
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MOTIONED CARRIED 5-2 (Deputy Mayor DaCorsi and Councilmember
Trout-Manuel voted no.)
B. Ordinance No. 6818 (Council)
An Ordinance Protecting the Health, Safety, and Prosperity of Grocery Workers and
the General Public during the existing State of Emergency
Councilmember Brown moved and Councilmember Steams seconded to
adopt Ordinance No. 6818.
Councilmember Jeyaraj motioned to amend Ordinance No. 6818, Section
1. under"Grocery business" item 1, strike 250 and add 500, Section 3.A.
strike 250 and add 500, and Section 4 pages 85 and 86 strike the word
"four" and add "three".
"Grocery business" means a retail store operating in Auburn that:
1. H a s 250 500 or more employees worldwide, and is primarily
engaged in retailing groceries for offsite consumption including but
not limited to the sale of fresh produce, meats, poultry, fish, deli
products, dairy products, canned and frozen foods, dry foods,
beverages, baked foods, and/or prepared foods; and
Section 3. Employer coverage.
For the purposes of this ordinance, covered employers are limited to
grocery businesses that employ 250 500 or more employees worldwide
regardless of where those employees are employed, including but not
limited to chains, or integrated enterprises.
Section.4. Hazard pay requirements. Employers shall provide each
employee with hazard pay at a rate of few three dollars per hour for each
hour worked in Auburn. No employer shall, as a result of this ordinance
going into effect, take steps to reduce employee compensation so as to
prevent, in whole or in part, employees from receiving hazard pay at a rate
of fear three dollars per hour for each hour worked in Auburn in addition to
those employees'other compensation. Employers shall maintain records to
establish the reason(s) for any reduction in employee compensation.
Employers bear the burden the proof to show that the additional
compensation is hazard pay for the purposes of working during the
COVID-19 emergency.
There was no second to the motion. The motion died on the floor.
Councilmember Brown motioned to amend the number of employees from
250 to 500. Councilmember Steams seconded to amend the Ordinance.
"Grocery business" means a retail store operating in Auburn that:
1. H a s 250 500 or more employees worldwide, and is primarily
engaged in retailing groceries for offsite consumption including but
not limited to the sale of fresh produce, meats, poultry, fish, deli
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products, dairy products, canned and frozen foods, dry foods,
beverages, baked foods, and/or prepared foods; and
Section 3. Employer coverage.
For the purposes of this ordinance, covered employers are limited to
grocery businesses that employ 250 500 or more employees worldwide
regardless of where those employees are employed, including but not
limited to chains, or integrated enterprises.
Council discussed providing a reasonable accommodation for stores that
cannot afford to pay hazard pay.
_ MOTION TO AMEND FAILED 3-4 (Councilmember Brown,
Councilmember Jeyaraj and Councilmember Steams voted yes.)
Original Ordinance motion:
MOTION FAILED 3-4 (Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Jeyaraj
and Councilmember Steams voted yes.)
C. Ordinance No. 6820 (Gaub)
An Ordinance relating to the management of the Auburn Municipal Airport, repealing
Chapters 2.18 and Section 12.56.010, and amending sections within Chapters 2.33,
12.02, and 12.56 of the Auburn City Code
Councilmember Steams moved and Councilmember Jeyaraj seconded to
adopt Ordinance No. 6820.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
D. Ordinance No. 6821 (Gaub)
An Ordinance relating to the operations of the Auburn Municipal Airport, repealing
Chapter 8.36 and various sections of Chapter 12.56, amending various other sections
of Chapter 12.56, and adding a new section to the Auburn City Code
Councilmember Steams moved and Councilmember Baggett seconded to
adopt Ordinance No. 6821.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.7-0
Xl. RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution No. 5593 (Comeau)
A Resolution reviewing a schedule of prices for services provided by the Auburn Valley
Humane Society to ensure competitive service prices
Councilmember Jeyaraj moved and Councilmember Trout-Manuel
seconded to adopt Resolution No. 5593.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
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B. Resolution No. 5596 (Comeau)
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Ingress, Egress, and Air Rights
Easement burdening City owned property for the benefit of Auburn City Center Senior
Living Associates, LLC
Councilmember Jeyaraj moved and Councilmember Brown seconded to
adopt Resolution No. 5596.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
XII. MAYOR AND COUNCILM EMBER 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
Deputy Mayor DaCorsi reported he attended the Growth Management
Policy Board Meeting.
Councilmember Trout-Manuel reported she met with the Regional
Domestic Violence Task Force.
Councilmember Baggett reported he attended the South County Area
Transportation Board (SCATBd) Meeting and the Regional Transit
Committee (RTC) Meeting.
Councilmember Steams reported he attended an affordable housing event
and a National League of Cities briefing on the American Rescue Plan.
B. From the Mayor
Mayor Backus thanked Jessica Rowe and the Revive Church for
organizing the National Day of Prayer. She reported being selected for the
Puget Sound Regional Council Project Selection Task Force, attended the
City of Auburn Town Hall, Kinship Caregiver Appreciation Day in Kent and
had a check in with Marc Dones, CEO of the King County Regional
Homelessness Authority. She also reported that the first Community Court
date is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, 2021.
XIII.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting
was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
APPROVED this 7th day of June, 2021.
1.a
WAWA
ANCY NCKUS, MAYOR7.„, ,,
Teresa Mattingl , Depu ,,, lerk
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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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