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Record of Proceedings

Auburn City Council Regular Meeting - November 2, 2026

City Council — Monday, November 2, 2026
BodyAuburn, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, November 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:02

Recording in progress.

Speaker 2

2:43

Good evening.

2:44

We will call the Auburn City Council meeting for Monday, November second, twenty twenty six to order, and we will begin with a land acknowledgement.

2:53

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

3:01

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

3:09

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

3:14

And before we go any further, I do have a statement that I would like to read.

3:25

So like many in our community, I have seen the video of the Wednesday, October twenty-eighth incident on Auburn Way North, and I understand why it has raised serious concerns.

3:37

The footage is difficult to watch, and I recognize and empathize with the questions people are asking about what happened that afternoon.

3:48

Across the city of Auburn, we take these concerns very seriously.

3:53

Officer Bryant has been placed on administrative leave.

Speaker 3

4:57

Thank you.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

All

Speaker 2

5:00

right, now if you would all please rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:12

And to the Republic for which it stands.

5:15

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

5:20

Thank you.

5:21

Please be seated.

Speaker 4

5:24

And Sean, will you please call roll?

5:28

Deputy Mayor Tracy Taylor.

Speaker 5

5:30

Here.

Speaker 4

5:30

Councilmember Amher.

5:31

Here, Councilmember Baldwin.

5:33

Here.

5:33

Councilmember Lott.

5:34

Here.

5:34

Council Member Rakes.

5:35

Here.

5:36

Councilmember Sturgis.

Speaker 2

5:37

Here.

Speaker 4

5:37

Councilmember Taylor.

Speaker 6

5:39

Here.

Speaker 2

5:40

All right.

5:41

So we do have some announcements and presentations this evening.

5:47

So I'm going to go over to the podium.

6:02

And the first proclamation this evening is for Native American Heritage Month.

6:08

And I believe, yes, Dr.

6:11

Denise Bill from the Mukleshoot Indian Tribe is here.

6:15

And I don't know if you're wanting to come up as well.

6:18

Yes.

6:21

Rita Gray, our Chief Equity Officer.

6:26

Thank you so much, Dr.

6:27

Bill, for being here this evening.

6:28

It's great to see you.

Speaker 7

6:29

Welcome.

6:29

Good to see you too.

Speaker 2

6:32

All right.

6:33

Mayor's Proclamation.

6:35

Whereas, since time immemorial, Native Americans, Alaskan natives, and indigenous peoples have maintained rich histories, cultures, and traditions that are deeply woven into the foundational fabric of our community and our nation.

6:51

And whereas indigenous peoples have woven rich and diverse threads into the tapestry of our nation's heritage and throughout their long history on this great land.

7:01

They have made significant contributions to the social, political, environmental, military, and economic well-being of the United States of America, its states, and local communities, including here in Auburn.

7:14

And whereas the City of Auburn recognizes that we gather on the traditional lands of the Mucklechute Indian tribe and other indigenous communities.

7:22

And whereas this month offers a critical opportunity to honor the unique heritage of indigenous peoples, to learn about their diverse cultural histories, and to listen to the contemporary voices and perspectives of Native leadership and community members.

7:38

And whereas the contributions of American Indians have strengthened and enriched our communities and nation.

7:45

Their cultures, traditions, and continued contributions are respected and celebrated as part of a rich legacy.

7:53

And now, therefore, I, Nancy Bacchus, Mayor of the City of Auburn, do hereby proclaim November 2026 as Native American Heritage Month in the City of Auburn and urge our community to honor and recognize the important contributions, cultures, and continued presence of Native Americans in strengthening and enriching our community, dated the second day of November 2026.

8:18

Dr.

8:18

Bill, I'd be honored to present that to you.

8:21

Thank you.

8:21

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Pending Litigation███████████████████████████27%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Miscellaneous█████████████13%
Procedural███████████11%
Youth Programs███████████11%
Arts And Culture██2%
Fiscal Sustainability██2%
Racial Equity██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Auburn City Council Regular Meeting - November 2, 2026

The Auburn City Council held a regular meeting on November 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting began with a land acknowledgement of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, a statement from Mayor Backus regarding an incident involving Officer Bryant on October 28, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. Proclamations were issued for Native American Heritage Month (accepted by Dr. Denise Bill of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe) and Small Business Saturday (accepted by representatives of local business organizations). Councilmember Amer received the AWC Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership. The meeting included four public hearings, public comment, an executive session, a consent agenda, and a contentious discussion on a resolution regarding statewide ballot initiatives.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (7-0) the consent agenda including minutes of October 19 and October 26 meetings, claims vouchers totaling $4,212,086.87 across three lists, payroll vouchers totaling $2,647,527.99, and electronic fund/wire transfers.

Public Hearings

  • Shaw Business U.S., Inc. Franchise Agreement No. FRN23-0001: No public testimony; hearing opened and closed at 7:20-7:21 PM.
  • NFC Northwest, LLC Franchise Agreement No. FRN26-0001: No public testimony; hearing opened and closed at 7:22 PM.
  • Ordinance No. 7033 (Property Tax Levy): Establishing levy of $26,282,992 for 2027 collection; no public testimony; hearing opened and closed at 7:22-7:23 PM.
  • Ordinance No. 7034 (2027-2028 Biennial Operating Budget): Four speakers provided comments. Matt Lanier (Auburn resident, CPA) expressed concerns about depleting reserves (general fund balance decreasing 30%, cumulative reserve fund 60%) and unsustainable spending. Ashley Sprecher questioned inclusion of Flock cameras in budget and opposed surveillance spending. Corr Ash criticized mass surveillance spending (ALPRs, Axon/FUSIS system at $772,500 per year) and lack of evidence of effectiveness. Another speaker named Matt called for investing in community presence over "trinkets and gadgets." Hearing opened at 7:24 PM, closed at 7:32 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Written comments were received from Nguyen Tran, Monte Turner, Lori Morgan, Matt F, Regen Langholz, and Tim Johnson (read into record).
  • In-person comments (approximately 15 speakers) focused on two main themes: (1) opposition to police brutality and the incident involving Officer Bryant, and (2) opposition to statewide initiatives I-001 and I-638, urging the council to take a stance. Speakers included Jim Farrell (opposed I-638, supported women's sports), Lori Morgan (questioned timing of resolution), Atlas Turner (expressed fear and called for accountability), Hannah Brenlan (opposed I-638, cited costs and impact on girls), Nick Jenkins (criticized police violence and spending), Vicki Bates (urged council to support LGBTQ youth), Erla Champ-Gibson (called for mental health crisis response teams), Ava Hahn (questioned police advisory committee suspension), Reina Harington (detailed excessive force concerns), Arlee Champ-Gibson (asked for vetting processes and de-escalation training), Ashley Sprecher (criticized police misconduct and surveillance), Rocky (silent protest), Janelle Martin (school counselor, opposed I-001), and others. David Fairchild expressed embarrassment and called for change.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution on "No Hate in Washington State" (Opposing Initiatives I-001 and I-638): Council debated a resolution initially proposed by Councilmember Baldwin on October 19, which had been postponed to this meeting. Deputy Mayor Taylor introduced a striker amendment to replace the original text with a neutral resolution encouraging informed civic participation without taking a position. After extensive discussion (lasting over two hours), the council voted 4-3 to adopt the striker amendment (Councilmembers Baldwin, Lott, and Rakes opposed). A subsequent motion by Councilmember Baldwin to replace the striker with her original language failed 3-4. The final amended resolution, which does not take a position on the initiatives, was approved 4-3. Councilmembers articulated differing views on the role of municipal government in statewide ballot measures, with some arguing it is outside the city's scope and others asserting a duty to protect vulnerable youth.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda approved (7-0).
  • Resolution on Initiatives I-001 and I-638: Adopted in amended form (4-3), encouraging informed civic participation and affirming respect for all residents, without endorsing or opposing the measures.
  • Executive Session: Held from 8:24 PM to 9:20 PM to discuss potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) (legal counsel present). The meeting adjourned at 10:52 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Good evening. We will call the Auburn City Council meeting for Monday, November second, twenty twenty six to order, and we will begin with a land acknowledgement. We would like to acknowledge the federally recognized Mucklechute Indian tribe, the ancestral keepers of the land 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 city council meeting will be held both in person and virtually. And before we go any further, I do have a statement that I would like to read. So like many in our community, I have seen the video of the Wednesday, October twenty-eighth incident on Auburn Way North, and I understand why it has raised serious concerns. The footage is difficult to watch, and I recognize and empathize with the questions people are asking about what happened that afternoon. Across the city of Auburn, we take these concerns very seriously. Officer Bryant has been placed on administrative leave. Thank you. All right, now if you would all please rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please be seated. And Sean, will you please call roll? Deputy Mayor Tracy Taylor. Here. Councilmember Amher. Here, Councilmember Baldwin. Here. Councilmember Lott. Here. Council Member Rakes. Here. Councilmember Sturgis. Here. Councilmember Taylor. Here. All right. So we do have some announcements and presentations this evening. So I'm going to go over to the podium. And the first proclamation this evening is for Native American Heritage Month. And I believe, yes, Dr. Denise Bill from the Mukleshoot Indian Tribe is here. And I don't know if you're wanting to come up as well. Yes. Rita Gray, our Chief Equity Officer. Thank you so much, Dr. Bill, for being here this evening. It's great to see you. Welcome. Good to see you too. All right. Mayor's Proclamation. Whereas, since time immemorial, Native Americans, Alaskan natives, and indigenous peoples have maintained rich histories, cultures, and traditions that are deeply woven into the foundational fabric of our community and our nation. And whereas indigenous peoples have woven rich and diverse threads into the tapestry of our nation's heritage and throughout their long history on this great land.

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