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Record of Proceedings

Auburn City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 8, 2026
BodyAuburn, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Unassigned speaker

1:18

So we'll talk about the sword that we have to do.

Speaker 1

1:27

Deputy Mayor Taylor, can I get you to test your mic level one more

Unassigned speaker

1:31

time?

Speaker 2

1:31

Absolutely, Sean.

1:32

One, two, three, can you hear me?

Speaker 1

1:34

I can.

1:35

Thank you so much.

Speaker 2

1:36

Thank

Speaker 1

1:36

you.

1:37

So, Jason, can we boost that just a little

Unassigned speaker

1:39

bit?

Speaker 2

1:42

I'm also having trouble hearing what's happening in chambers, so if there's a way that we can amplify that, that would be great too.

1:48

Thanks.

Speaker 1

1:50

Can you say that one more

Unassigned speaker

1:52

time?

Speaker 2

1:54

I'm also having trouble hearing what's happening in chambers.

1:57

I hear faint voices but not very clear.

2:00

It's kind of garbled.

2:01

So if there's a way that um we can amplify that, that would be wonderful.

2:05

So

Speaker 1

2:06

mine is the only mic that was

Unassigned speaker

2:07

on.

Speaker 3

2:08

Deputy Mayor, can you hear me?

2:10

This is Nancy.

Unassigned speaker

2:11

Uh

Speaker 3

2:12

yes, Mayor, I can.

2:13

Thank

Unassigned speaker

2:13

you.

Speaker 3

2:23

Good evening.

2:24

We will call the Auburn City Council meeting for Tuesday, September 8th, 2026 to order.

2:31

And we will begin with the land acknowledgement.

2:33

We would like to acknowledge the federally recognized Mucklechute Indian tribe, the ancestral keepers of the lands we are gathered on today.

2:41

We thank them for their immense contributions to our state and local history, culture, economy, and identity as Washingtonians.

2:51

Tonight's meeting will be held both in person and virtually.

Unassigned speaker

2:56

And

Speaker 3

2:56

now if you would please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:16

Thank you.

3:16

Please be seated.

3:17

And Sean, will you please call roll?

3:21

Deputy Mayor

Speaker 1

3:22

Tracy Taylor.

3:24

Here.

3:27

Here.

3:28

Councilmember Baldwin.

3:29

Excused.

3:30

Councilmember Lott.

3:31

Here.

3:32

Councilmember Rakes.

3:33

Excuse.

3:34

Councilmember Sturgis.

3:35

Excuse.

3:36

Council Mayor Clinton Taylor.

3:37

Here.

Speaker 3

3:38

All right, we have just enough for a quorum.

3:41

Don't anybody get sick on us during this meeting.

3:46

All right.

4:19

Whereas the observation of Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period and was enacted into law on August 17th, 1988.

4:39

And whereas Hispanic and Latinx people serve honorably in our armed forces, have transformed industries with new innovative ideas, our elected officials, public servants, essential workers, agriculture workers, teachers, and leaders who have led and inspired movements that have made our state more equal and just.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

And whereas this month-long celebration recognizes the valuable contributions and special opportunity for public and private organizations, businesses, the arts, and education to focus on the many Hispanic Americans whose lives have shaped our common history and heritage.

Speaker 3

5:16

And whereas during Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year, it is imperative to embrace the diverse history so that all children can see themselves in our nation's past and know that they have a crucial role to play in shaping our future.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████33%
Public Safety███████████████████19%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Privacy And Data Protection████████8%
Community Engagement████████8%
Economic Development█████5%
Special Focus Areas████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Auburn City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Auburn City Council held a regular meeting on September 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, adjourning at 7:58 PM. Mayor Nancy Backus presided. Present were Councilmembers Hanan Amer, Brian Lott, and Clinton Taylor. Deputy Mayor Tracy Taylor attended virtually. Councilmembers Kate Baldwin, Cheryl Rakes, and Lisa Stirgus were excused. The meeting included proclamations for Hispanic Heritage Month and Constitution Week, an Executive Session, public comment on crime and ALPRs, and unanimous approval of several routine items, zoning updates, and resolutions.

Consent Calendar

  • The council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda (4-0), which included multiple claims vouchers and payroll vouchers. Key items included a claims voucher list dated August 12, 2026, with vouchers totaling $5,172,840.41, electronic fund transfers of $10,733.65, and five wire transfers of $3,036,009.08; other claims lists dated August 19, 25, 26, and 28 aggregating various amounts, the largest being $4,202,133.54 in vouchers on August 28; and payroll vouchers covering periods from July 30 to September 2, 2026, totaling $3,332,645.09 and $5,382,892.47 respectively.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Written Comment: A written comment was received from Bruce Ironheart.
  • Deanna Hagan (South Auburn resident): Expressed strong dissatisfaction with crime and homelessness. Cited AreaVibes statistics reporting Auburn's safety grade dropped from a D- to an F, with total crime 113% above the national average and murder rates among the highest. Criticized the police department for allowing illegal driving by homeless individuals.
  • Rosemary (Auburn resident): Described a prolonged and difficult situation reclaiming her property from an occupant who refused to leave, stating the current system does not adequately protect property owners and expressing fear for her safety.
  • Eric Mathson (Auburn resident since the 1970s): Reminisced about Auburn's history and expressed concern that the city has lost sight of basic public order, safe streets, and community character amidst plans for growth and development.
  • Ava Hahn (Auburn, Les Cove): Advocated for canceling the city's contracts with Flock Safety (ALPR cameras), arguing the cameras collect and sell metadata to third parties, pose risks to privacy, have been inaccurate (citing 71% faulty data in LA), and have not improved public safety.
  • Jeff Wright (Auburn resident, 19 years): Expressed frustration over the council's lack of response to public opposition to ALPRs and requested a town hall meeting. Mentioned an $18,000 settlement paid by the city to Jose Rodriguez related to Flock data and asked the council to provide data on the efficacy of the cameras.
  • Rocky Salvador (Auburn resident, 10 years): Voiced strong disapproval of ALPRs, noting that Texas and Florida have canceled contracts with Flock Safety and citing a report on Flock hosting webinars for police to track protesters.
  • Corr Ash (Auburn resident, most of life): Argued the risks of ALPRs outweigh the benefits, citing a lack of improvement in crime clearance rates in Atlanta, the cost of $240,000 for 40 cameras, and the risk of lawsuits from wrongful arrests.

Executive Session

  • Mayor Backus adjourned the public meeting into an Executive Session at 7:30 PM for 10 minutes, per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), to discuss potential litigation with legal counsel. The session was extended by 5 minutes, and the public meeting reconvened at 7:45 PM. No action was taken.

Discussion Items (Ordinances & Resolutions)

  • Ordinance No. 7025 (Daycare Zoning Regulations): Councilmember Amer moved, seconded by Councilmember C. Taylor, to approve an ordinance updating daycare zoning regulations to comply with state requirements and expand access to childcare. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
  • Ordinance No. 7026 (Live/Work Zoning Regulations): Councilmember C. Taylor moved, seconded by Councilmember Amer, to approve an ordinance implementing new supplemental development standards for live/work units. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
  • Resolution No. 5925 (Soos Creek Botanical Garden): Councilmember C. Taylor moved, seconded by Councilmember Lott, to authorize the Mayor to execute an updated Interlocal Agreement with King County accepting $200,000 for site stabilization costs on the Soos Creek Botanical Garden Property. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
  • Resolution No. 5926 (PSE Easement): Councilmember C. Taylor moved, seconded by Councilmember Amer, to authorize a utility easement to Puget Sound Energy for underground power facilities for the Auburn Avenue Theater and Downtown Park Project. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
  • Resolution No. 5927 (APD Firearm Surplus): Councilmember C. Taylor moved, seconded by Councilmember Amer, to declare a surplus police sniper firearm and authorize its transfer to a licensed dealer for fair market value. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).

Mayor and Councilmember Reports

  • Deputy Mayor Tracy Taylor: Reported on the Sound Cities Association Aging and Disabilities Board and legislative priorities for 2027. Announced a diaper drive on October 11 in memory of community volunteer Amy Hatcher.
  • Councilmember Brian Lott: Had nothing to report.
  • Councilmember Clinton Taylor: Reported attending a Port of Seattle roundtable with Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed, discussing economic development and advocating for Auburn's interests in regional growth.
  • Councilmember Hanan Amer: Reported on the Sound Cities Association regional water quality committee meeting and the Fairwood fire board meeting. Announced Fire Station 36 in Northeast Auburn is expected to be active by the end of September.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (4-0).
  • Executive Session: Held for 15 minutes on potential litigation; no action taken.
  • Ordinance 7025 (Daycare Zoning): Approved unanimously (4-0).
  • Ordinance 7026 (Live/Work Zoning): Approved unanimously (4-0).
  • Resolution 5925 (Soos Creek Funds): Adopted unanimously (4-0).
  • Resolution 5926 (PSE Easement): Adopted unanimously (4-0).
  • Resolution 5927 (APD Surplus Firearm): Adopted unanimously (4-0).
  • Meeting Adjourned: 7:58 PM.

Meeting Transcript

So we'll talk about the sword that we have to do. Deputy Mayor Taylor, can I get you to test your mic level one more time? Absolutely, Sean. One, two, three, can you hear me? I can. Thank you so much. Thank you. So, Jason, can we boost that just a little bit? I'm also having trouble hearing what's happening in chambers, so if there's a way that we can amplify that, that would be great too. Thanks. Can you say that one more time? I'm also having trouble hearing what's happening in chambers. I hear faint voices but not very clear. It's kind of garbled. So if there's a way that um we can amplify that, that would be wonderful. So mine is the only mic that was on. Deputy Mayor, can you hear me? This is Nancy. Uh yes, Mayor, I can. Thank you. Good evening. We will call the Auburn City Council meeting for Tuesday, September 8th, 2026 to order. And we will begin with the land acknowledgement. We would like to acknowledge the federally recognized Mucklechute Indian tribe, the ancestral keepers of the lands we are gathered on today. We thank them for their immense contributions to our state and local history, culture, economy, and identity as Washingtonians. Tonight's meeting will be held both in person and virtually. And now if you would please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Please be seated. And Sean, will you please call roll? Deputy Mayor Tracy Taylor. Here. Here. Councilmember Baldwin. Excused. Councilmember Lott. Here. Councilmember Rakes. Excuse. Councilmember Sturgis.

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