On Monday, January 6^th The Auburn City Council held their first regular meeting of the new year, Monday, January 6^th. This meeting was also the first for newly elected Councilmembers Robyn Mulenga, Chris Stearns, and James Jeyaraj; as well as the first of the new term for reelected Councilmember Bob Baggett. All Councilmembers were present at this meeting.

Before the meeting began each department director introduced themselves and what their department handles to the new councilmembers. (click here)

Appointments
First on the agenda were appointments to the Auburn Junior City Council. With a 7-0 vote, Kailee Sin, Kelly Oh, Madelyn Nichole Taylor, and Briseyda Sandate were appointed for a two-year term to expire in 2021. (click here)

Audience Participation
Next was Audience Participation. One person came to congratulate the new councilmembers. He also raised concerns about the Reddington Trail becoming unsafe due to the homeless and debris they leave. A member of the Junior City Council spoke, also congratulating the council, and expressed that he looks forward to working with the new Junior Councilmembers and City Councilmembers. (click here)

Committee Reports and Consent Agenda
With no one else speaking, and no correspondence, it was on to Ad Hoc Committee reports. Deputy Mayor Claude DaCorsi provided the Finance Committee report. The report included Payroll Vouchers totaling $2,598,820.79 and Claims Vouchers totaling $2,311,184.03.

Council then moved to the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the December 16^th Regular City Council Meeting, the Claims Vouchers, The Payroll Vouchers, Public Works Project CP1807 and CP1917, and it set the hearing date for the modification of the City’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). The Consent Agenda was approved 7-0. (click here)

New Business
Next was the confirmation of the Deputy Mayor, which confirmed DaCorsi as the Deputy Mayor for 2020. This vote was a unanimous 7-0. (click here)

A new ad hoc committee was formed by DaCorsi for council seating on the dais. He appointed City Councilmembers Baggett and Yolanda Trout-Manuel to the committee seating. DaCorsi also appointed Baggett and Stearns to the Finance Ad Hoc Committee. (click here)

Resolutions
The council then moved to Ordinances and Resolutions. The Council had no ordinances to consider at this meeting.

Resolution 5488 was the only one on the agenda. This resolution allows the Mayor to negotiate and execute agreements between the City of Auburn, SHI International Corporation and Area Electronics Systems, Inc. for network infrastructure services. The resolution passed 7-0. (click here)

Mayor and Council Reports
Last on the agenda was Mayor and Council Reports. First was DaCorsi, who said he is glad to see such a diverse councilmember and is glad to be able to work with them. Next was Councilmember Larry Brown who said that Washington State has an opportunity to host part of the World Cup in 2026. He also congratulated the new Councilmembers. Jeyaraj had no report. Trout-Manuel echoes that she is excited for this new dais. Next was Mulenga who said she is glad to be here. Stearns also said he was glad to be here. Baggett provided a welcomed the new Councilmembers in his report.

Last was Mayor Nancy Backus, who thanked the Auburn area non-profits and volunteers for their work over the holidays. She then shared about the ribbon cutting for Pacific Ballroom. Backus reported it was one of the biggest ribbon cutting in terms of attendance she has ever seen. She then talked about the Town Hall for Representative Kim Schrier which took place on January 5^th. Backus concluded her report with a welcome and congratulations to the new councilmembers. (click here)

With no need for an executive session, the meeting was adjourned.

The next Auburn city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st at 7:00pm. Meetings are held at City Hall in the Council Chambers. If you are unable to make it in person you can watch live on Comcast channel 21, or watch the livestream on the City of Auburn’s YouTube channel, WatchAuburn.