[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5982734,"mediaKeyId","5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9","parentId",5793341,"title","King County Library System highlights rising use, programs and peer navigator work at Auburn branch","audioSeconds",425,"startMs",2514000,"endMs",2939000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9&start=2514&end=2939","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9/thumbnail_2514000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5982734/Auburn/King-County/Washington/King-County-Library-System-highlights-rising-use-programs-and-peer-navigator-work-at-Auburn-branch","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982734-66efb61869f719cd8745979f3653566b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776488291&Signature=JMlFFFxUXbEpVx1ehMXi48soSeSqAmsknD6w~uG2iwP7eFefBktXHUnAdjZK-SeR41Nxs1dJ0my-s4HIjxXQlweiZSOwHomKuDUueE6LVVqc6hSyiUWruyISACq08PsOGE8l4SQ9~IAG~texTc1LwBvscDHPqKRJGY6-6wzh9zCo7pkzA3K1D24hHJjQ0As3lVrevPQOkrwicyg-88tz5FxOS7zJprT31gEVR-RzNQZNfgo6uCyja6y83f-54tOcv9yClf4no~jbaGsHUwtkw5E0PLCkvpdwDnGGUifi9EDoxRL9tprPz-LCkEj4-DxEHClP2hHA3d8sIfDsEyfhKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Auburn City, WA","date","2025-09-16T15:54:19Z","article","David Wright, regional manager for the King County Library System, updated the Auburn City Council on Sept. 15 about library usage and local programs.

Wright said KCLS had 677,000 active cardholders systemwide in 2024 and that the system recorded 11.5 million physical checkouts and 10.9 million digital checkouts. He said Auburn residents used the Auburn Library about 160,000 times from June through July and that 14,000 community members used their Auburn library card at least once in the past year. \"In the past year, 3,500 people here in Auburn have signed up for a library card for the very first time,\" Wright said.

Wright described local programming — summer reading, teen events, fiber art meetups and a \"get ready for kindergarten\" program for Spanish‑speaking families — and highlighted an upcoming author event on Nov. 7 featuring Stephen Graham Jones, moderated by Muckleshoot tribal member Madrian White.

Wright also described a peer navigator program funded through Peer Community and Peer Washington that helps people experiencing homelessness access housing, employment and other services. He said Auburn’s peer program had 403 service encounters year‑to‑date, averaging about 29 unique individuals per month, and resulted in 43 referrals to shelters, housing assistance, medical treatment and recovery services.

Discussion vs. decision: This was an informational presentation. No council action was taken.

What’s next: Wright invited council members and residents to KCLS programming and the Nov. 7 author event; the peer navigator program will continue coordinating referrals and outreach in Auburn.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Auburn City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","KCLS Regional Manager David Wright told Auburn council that the system has 677,000 active cardholders, reported heavy physical and digital circulation and described local programming and a peer navigator program that had 403 service encounters this year in Auburn.","taxTitle","Auburn, King County, Washington","taxId",2616,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982740,"EZ Fiber holds public hearing on Auburn franchise agreement; company pitches high‑speed, community investment",98,4000000,4098000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9&start=4000&end=4098","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9/thumbnail_4000000.jpg","/articles/5982740/Auburn/King-County/Washington/EZ-Fiber-holds-public-hearing-on-Auburn-franchise-agreement-company-pitches-highspeed-community-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982740-61fe60f2c9e80bd2d6be544f663789e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776488291&Signature=i5jRgylc1obXULPzmZ5qwBjVSAZNBpV5dawHv~P~duitFCaIt0HEyGtSsR6cJEifO4QtFtoO7yMdJMBOBUs6I6i3NOf3yI~QD--~YBtch9hY2S2bccv2UH1fqrAGOtRhVnlmEnDBmQE7AsGn3OsLlYdapHifW2mQzUXCEngYXsyAylXyVgD1IPUReF7UNNteoqcQygfQJEgI8Ftmc-L23VS0FJdZosAH-BuFx6~v7F1bsFIngMh3dty~GVwp01OQfwX~wIy1SqfLauhqnPVu0j3Oap~-y6LmMrJOWsBLhDrzTCJ2ycjcs-xrNukSTJ2C6D6pq3WZHMGUahzkEhnybQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Auburn City Council opened and closed a public hearing Sept. 15 on franchise agreement FRN25‑0002 with EZ Fiber Texas LLC, during which Austin Kristofferson, EZ Fiber’s director of government affairs, described the company’s approach and local plans.

Kristofferson said EZ Fiber is based locally (field office in Kent) and offers multi‑gigabit plans (beginning at 2 gigabits) and promotional pricing the company describes as transparent. \"Another thing we like to do differently at EZ Fiber is we invest in our community,\" Kristofferson said, noting a community impact team that runs local events.

The council had no other speakers on the franchise during the hearing and closed the public hearing after hearing from the EZ Fiber representative. The meeting record shows no council vote or final action on the franchise at the Sept. 15 meeting; staff said the council received a briefing Sept. 8 and that no further presentation was scheduled for the hearing.

Discussion vs. decision: The hearing provided a public forum for the franchise applicant to present; no council decision on granting a franchise was recorded at the meeting.

What’s next: The franchise file (FRN25‑0002) will remain on the city’s track for later action per staff briefing schedules and council procedures.","EZ Fiber's government affairs director told Auburn council the company plans gigabit and multi‑gigabit wireline service and community events if granted franchise FRN25‑0002; council opened and closed the public hearing with no objections recorded.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982746,"Council approves rezones, PUD parcel extraction and interlocal payment for mitigation tied to transmission main project",226,4797000,5023000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9&start=4797&end=5023","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9/thumbnail_4797000.jpg","/articles/5982746/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Council-approves-rezones-PUD-parcel-extraction-and-interlocal-payment-for-mitigation-tied-to-transmission-main-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982746-b819b47aadf2726eb2714b02868c380e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776488291&Signature=ZBfTd~czMQzY3Fm-QV~9uRVMhlwsAUiDOIzMrs6gPr8ChkZQ6Fw3d3IHULX0gp4eakFpnAZbGt53GSCTeVxS19tiMkcQBGwABsNJ~pVhQtfAgyvgFzcSZDPzY6Pg4jgayroSvxJKuQ4eX6P9A5RZxtjRVx1fBhOabgYq3j4yYGidjtqC9RYCgzeWnaMePfFQsHTrLgZ3ZziqleTDYX5vdyGhNp9-b5NmG57Zp7r8FVvUJnMCHKB7hTXUyTOt8a7L3ySmZeGQpThz00mCK0L6WPtEGCtZL7iIL6SxyZGE0FNwEYsRstBw0q41XL99DEruC29dHuUKb~9rCtZvDPOJMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Auburn City Council on Sept. 15 approved several land‑use and intergovernmental actions during its regular meeting.

Ordinance 6987 rezoned parcel number 0004200001 from R‑2 (Residential low) to P‑1 (Public use) to make the zoning consistent with a previously adopted land‑use designation for future construction of Cascade Middle School. Council member Tracy Taylor moved to approve the ordinance; it passed on the council voice vote.

Ordinance 6988 approved a major amendment to the Lakeland Hills South Planned Unit Development (PUD) boundary to extract 14 Auburn School District parcels. Council member Tracy Taylor said the extraction is to allow future construction on school‑district‑owned property; the transcript records staff saying the parcels are Auburn School District‑owned and would allow future construction, with the council passing the ordinance on a voice vote.

Resolution 5856 authorized the mayor to execute an interlocal agreement with the City of Sumner relating to Auburn’s Coal Creek Springs transmission main replacement project and Sumner’s levee endpoint bar project. The resolution includes a city contribution of $121,885.63 to satisfy a permit mitigation commitment to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife tied to the transmission main replacement project.

Discussion vs. decision: Council made formal decisions: both ordinances and the resolution were adopted at the Sept. 15 meeting. No substantive amendments to the ordinances were recorded in the meeting minutes.

What’s next: The rezoned parcel and the PUD amendment enable future Auburn School District construction planning. The interlocal agreement will be executed to meet permit mitigation obligations with state regulators.","The council rezoned a parcel for Cascade Middle School, extracted 14 Auburn School District parcels from a PUD for future district use, and authorized a $121,885.63 contribution to Sumner as permit mitigation for a transmission main project.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982751,"Resident says mayor sought leniency in court for a convicted child assailant; urges leaders to prioritize survivors",105,4172000,4277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9&start=4172&end=4277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9/thumbnail_4172000.jpg","/articles/5982751/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Resident-says-mayor-sought-leniency-in-court-for-a-convicted-child-assailant-urges-leaders-to-prioritize-survivors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982751-03750e473afb699367144ff87838072e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776488291&Signature=mFlNqflp7o1FQsD-4XasmEcMGN2QbkiJlFgZaknPuR2uLUB3Yv0hFzZR1uS~SoaMXfQ5uDrsRz723JKln6askViZyTw~Fylvh9VoImm~cy44b~TaTT-ntLQcKgiGext8yt8vT0eFUJIs0cRjNeBuH8djuHMVQWTIGOy2Go8Zyr7KBZ1PlX6ZpqU7JY1LorTlR39Oe6PbgLXUYj-yFywZuhT0NEACV35DowpO1f8PvS~TiXJRjbl72~L1GF5GCQiZReRBO7WFCqvpfclWPtkFC3Ek2EFo2Uvl8uf41~yHhEiceXHTxA94ymUm0RjMdtmpw6D5ReToEl~4kGMfCrmU-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amber Lott, an Auburn resident who identified herself as a survivor, addressed the city council during audience participation on Sept. 15 and said she had learned that the mayor had written a court letter asking for leniency for a man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a child.

\"I'm here tonight because I've been deeply troubled to learn that the mayor wrote a letter to the court asking for leniency for a man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a child,\" Lott said. She said the man had worked with the city on public events and that some city leaders had continued to work with him after his conviction.

Lott said the city’s decisions had \"shaken trust in our community,\" and urged council members to stand with survivors. \"Healing and safety only comes when leaders stand with survivors and not with abusers,\" she said.

The comments came during the meeting’s audience participation period. The council did not take any immediate action or make a public response to the allegation during that portion of the meeting.

Discussion vs. decision: Lott’s remarks were a public comment and not a formal council action. The allegation that the mayor submitted a court letter is presented as Lott’s claim; the council record at this meeting contains no confirmation or denial of that claim.

Context: Lott said she had not spoken publicly about her experience before and described speaking out to represent other survivors.

What’s next: The transcript shows no formal follow‑up action recorded at the meeting; reporters or community members seeking confirmation of the claim should request records or a public response from city officials or the mayor’s office.","At the Sept. 15 Auburn council meeting, resident Amber Lott said she was troubled to learn the mayor wrote a letter asking the court for leniency for a man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a child and urged leaders to stand with survivors.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982756,"Auburn mayor touts arrests and hiring as residents press city on crime, enforcement and language rights",398,5736000,6134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9&start=5736&end=6134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793341-2f23d5f1155d67887b1822d54bc7c7d9/thumbnail_5736000.jpg","/articles/5982756/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Auburn-mayor-touts-arrests-and-hiring-as-residents-press-city-on-crime-enforcement-and-language-rights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982756-86a0112bfad7e259824634f2fcc5d37b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776488291&Signature=F-m6QQz~uKASOMmv5pAjUypYDSp~WUCKq1dyi6hhihrX~Rc9fDAizqqNhY-2iAAtDTuyhYMv18RVpUhbkE8Cy2eRNKWtkXoosZBj77fFaerCJsSrf98v1GY5QKLo1qyKmJxfG5ao-45bxk2RKhlecKnm2FqkflmTPTV3wkz2agMkHJzApHIZkK7mZaduJWBeETnTazivtq--PwavIGPAL6OIIiyAWLZ~5-u4oJjlSe199NRBKj-mxAUIpz5YbnvvRe-DEVmAwb~Y2~rHuxeFuVuuyvPbIG6mHjB1qrCEjWIzgxPjqAYh-xd0P~AHWkN2golQnfg68WnSajvCpeKeZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Nancy Backus told the Auburn City Council on Sept. 15 that the city has hired 18 police officers this year, invested about $120 million in public‑safety related programs and that violent crime is down 36% compared with this time last year.

The statements came during the mayor’s report, which also noted that the city has spent roughly 42% of its general fund operating budget on policing, prosecution and related safety programs and that city efforts have housed 121 people so far this year. Backus said new tools such as Flock Safety cameras and expanded traffic cameras have helped investigators and traffic enforcement.

The mayor framed the spending and hires as part of a broader public‑safety strategy that includes prosecution support and community programs: \"Public safety is our top priority, and we continue to invest significant resources to ensure Auburn is a place where residents, businesses, and visitors feel secure,\" she said.

At the same meeting, several residents disputed the mayor’s characterization of public safety and economic conditions. Ronnie Morgan, an Auburn resident, said crime has worsened in commercial areas and that long‑time businesses are closing. \"It's doubled and you have no explanation as to why,\" Morgan told council members, adding he had run for office because he said the city had failed on public safety.

Another resident, Kobe Clark, urged the city to defend constitutional rights and said people who speak other languages are being treated unfairly. \"These rights aren't privileges ... they are inalienable rights memorialized in our constitution,\" Clark said during audience participation.

Council members and the mayor pointed to specific initiatives and upcoming forums intended to address public concerns. Backus announced a series of public‑safety town halls beginning Sept. 23 at Evergreen Heights Elementary School and said council members and city directors will attend. The mayor also highlighted a recent officer ride‑along and described de‑escalation efforts by officers.

Discussion vs. decision: The mayor reported statistics and announced community meetings (discussion/direction). The council did not adopt new public‑safety ordinances or budget adjustments at this meeting.

Context: Backus said the city has invested heavily in policing and related services and credited technology and prosecution support with reducing several crime categories. Residents called for additional outreach to businesses and stronger protections for non‑English speakers and immigrant communities.

What’s next: The city will host town halls this fall to solicit public feedback; no formal policy changes or new budget votes were taken at the Sept. 15 meeting.","Mayor Nancy Backus told the council that Auburn has hired 18 officers this year, violent crime is down 36% year‑to‑date and the city has housed 121 people; residents countered with complaints about business losses, rising theft and concerns over treatment of non‑English speakers and accountability for past partnerships.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

King County Library System highlights rising use, programs and peer navigator work at Auburn branch

EZ Fiber holds public hearing on Auburn franchise agreement; company pitches high‑speed, community investment

Council approves rezones, PUD parcel extraction and interlocal payment for mitigation tied to transmission main project

Resident says mayor sought leniency in court for a convicted child assailant; urges leaders to prioritize survivors

Auburn mayor touts arrests and hiring as residents press city on crime, enforcement and language rights