Auburn council approves reappointments, comprehensive plan amendments, school impact fees and PERS option

The Auburn City Council on Dec. 1, 2025 approved a slate of routine reappointments, land-use and financial ordinances, and resolutions to fund tourism and emergency food assistance.

Appointments and reappointments: Council approved reappointments and appointments to boards and commissions by voice vote, including Deanna Clark and Andrea Preiss to the Airport Advisory Board (three-year terms through 12/31/2028); Jean Hicks to the Cemetery Board (three-year term through 12/31/2028); Tiffany Lindsay to the Parks and Recreation Board (three-year term through 12/31/2028); William Stewart, Aaron Vanderpoel and Lynn Walters to the Planning Commission (three-year terms through 12/31/2028); and George Frazier to the Independent Salary Commission (four-year term through 12/31/2029). Council thanked volunteers and noted the Planning Commission’s heavy workload on the comprehensive plan rewrite.

Land-use and fees: Ordinance 6990 — adopting the 2025 annual comprehensive plan text and map amendments and a corresponding rezone pursuant to chapter 36.70A RCW — was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote. During public comment Virginia Haugen expressed concern about privately initiated amendments and limited public input. Ordinance 7009 adopted school impact fees for 2026 by amending Chapter 19.02 of the Auburn City Code to reflect requested fees from the school districts serving Auburn residents.

Benefits and pensions: Ordinance 7010 affirmed that council members and the deputy mayor are eligible for optional participation in the Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and authorized the city to remit employer contributions for those who opt in. One council member stated they would abstain from voting because they might personally apply for the benefit; the meeting record shows the motion passed with six yeses and one abstention.

Resolutions and grants: The council adopted Resolution 5,839 to approve lodging tax (LTAC) grant disbursements and authorized the mayor to execute associated agreements; council members noted LTAC-approved grants for local events and organizations. Resolution 5,875 amended the Community Development Block Grant annual action plan for 2025 to permit reallocating funds to implement emergency food assistance and to submit necessary plans to HUD. Resolution 5,878 amended the City Council rules of procedure after a study-session process; that resolution passed by a 4-3 hand count.

The consent agenda (minutes and claims/vouchers) also passed. Council reports noted multiple members attended the National League of Cities conference and highlighted local volunteer and nonprofit activity.

Votes at a glance (selected): - Airport Advisory Board reappointments (Deanna Clark; Andrea Preiss): approved (voice) - Cemetery Board reappointment (Jean Hicks): approved (voice) - Parks & Rec reappointment (Tiffany Lindsay): approved (voice) - Planning Commission appointments (William Stewart; Aaron Vanderpoel; Lynn Walters): approved (voice) - Independent Salary Commission (George Frazier): approved (voice) - Ordinance 6990 (Comprehensive plan amendments / rezone): approved (voice) - Ordinance 7009 (School impact fees 2026): approved (voice) - Ordinance 7010 (PERS optional participation): approved (6 yes, 1 abstain) - Resolution 5,839 (LTAC grants): approved (voice) - Resolution 5,875 (CDBG amendment for emergency food assistance): approved (voice) - Resolution 5,878 (Council rules amendments): approved (4-3 hand count)

Several council members and a public commenter raised questions about process and transparency during study sessions; council directed no additional immediate action on those procedural concerns that evening.