Summary

Council adopts critical areas update, battery storage rules, and budget amendment; confirms judge and board appointments

AuburnApr 20, 20263 min read

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At the April 20, 2026 Auburn City Council meeting the Council unanimously confirmed multiple appointments (including a municipal court judge), approved a Critical Areas Ordinance update, enacted regulations for Battery Energy Storage Systems after voting down a postponement, amended the 2025–2026 biennial budget, approved municipal court code housekeeping, and authorized a grant agreement with the Port of Seattle for economic development. Consent items including claims and payroll were approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationCommerceEnvironmentalUtilities

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Key decisions

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Confirmed the appointment of Matthew Leyba to Auburn Municipal Court Judge Position No. 1 for a three-year term (Jan 1, 2027–Dec 31, 2029). Motion carried 7-0.
Confirmed reappointments of Tyson Hiffman and Derek Ronnfeldt to the Transportation Advisory Board for three-year terms expiring Dec 31, 2028. Motion carried 7-0.
Confirmed the appointment of Benjamin Rolls to the Auburn Junior City Council for a two-year term expiring Aug 31, 2027. Motion carried 7-0.
Approved Consent Agenda (minutes, claims vouchers, payroll) including claims totaling multiple items and payroll transmissions totaling $3,158,398.00. Motion carried 7-0.
Approved Ordinance No. 6999 — Critical Areas Ordinance Update (amending multiple sections of Chapter 16.10). Motion carried 7-0.
Considered Ordinance No. 7014 — Battery Energy Storage Systems: motion to postpone to May 4, 2026 failed 3-4; Ordinance No. 7014 then approved (Council discussed safety, regulations, Planning Commission recommendation, data, and research). Main motion carried 4-2 with one abstention.
Approved Ordinance No. 7017 amending the City's 2025–2026 Biennial Budget. Motion carried 7-0.
Approved Ordinance No. 7019 updating Chapter 2.14 in preparation for opening Auburn Municipal Court. Motion carried 7-0.
Adopted Resolution No. 5895 authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the Port of Seattle to accept and expend grant funds for economic development. Motion carried 7-0.

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Meeting information

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04-20-2026 City Council Meeting

Apr 20, 2026, 7:00 PMCity Hall Council Chambers, 25 West Main St, Auburn WA 98001completed

Agenda

CALL TO ORDER
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to acknowledge the Federally Recognized Muckleshoot 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.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
ANNOUNCEMENTS, MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS, AND PRESENTATIONS
APPOINTMENTS
A. Municipal Court Judge City Council to confirm the appointment of Matthew Leyba to Auburn Municipal Court Judge Position No. 1, for a three-year appointed term from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029
Decision: APPOINTMENTS
B. Transportation Advisory Board City Council to confirm the reappointments of Tyson Hiffman and Derek Ronnfeldt to the Transportation Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2028
Decision: APPOINTMENTS
C. Auburn Junior City Council City Council to confirm the appointment of Benjamin Rolls to the Auburn Junior City Council for a two-year term expiring August 31, 2027
Decision: APPOINTMENTS
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
This is the place on the agenda where the public is invited to speak to the City Council on any issue.
CORRESPONDENCE
CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered by the City Council to be routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed.
A. Minutes from the April 6, 2026, City Council Meeting
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
B. Claims Vouchers (Thomas) Claims voucher list dated April 1, 2026, which includes voucher number 483265, in the amount of $16,068.50
reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
C. Claims Vouchers (Thomas) Claims voucher list dated April 2, 2026, which includes voucher number 483266, in the amount of $9,429.12
reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
D. Claims Vouchers (Thomas) Claims voucher list dated April 8, 2026, which includes voucher numbers 483267 through voucher 483382, in the amount of $3,327,261.92, nineteen electronic fund transfers in the amount of $8,888.86, and three wire transfers in the amount of $281,751.37
reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
E. Payroll Vouchers (Thomas) Payroll check numbers 539807 through 539814 in the amount of $88,417.22, electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of $3,069,980.78, for a grand total of $3,158,398.00 for the period covering March 26, 2026, to April 8, 2026
reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance No. 6999 (Krum) An Ordinance relating to Critical Areas Ordinance Update, amending Sections 16.10.010, 16.10.020, 16.10.030, 16.10.040, 16.10.050, 16.10.070, 16.10.080, 16.10.090, 16.10.100, 16.10.110, 16.10.130, 16.10.140, and 16.10.150 of the Auburn City Code
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: ORDINANCES
B. Ordinance No. 7014 (Krum) An Ordinance relating to Battery Energy Storage Systems, amending Sections 18.07.020, 18.23.030, 18.35.030, Chapter 18.29 and establishing two new Sections 18.04.174 and 18.31.240 of the Auburn City Code
attachments=7 | reports=1
Decision: ORDINANCES
C. Ordinance No. 7017 (Thomas) An Ordinance amending the City's 2025-2026 Biennial Budget
attachments=4 | reports=1
Decision: ORDINANCES
D. Ordinance No. 7019 (Martinson) An Ordinance amending Chapter 2.14 of the Auburn City Code to provide necessary updates and housekeeping amendments in preparation for the opening of the Auburn Municipal Court
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: ORDINANCES
RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution No. 5895 (Krum) A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Auburn and the Port of Seattle to accept and expend Grant Funds for Economic Development
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
At this time the Mayor and City Council may report on significant items associated with their appointed positions on federal, state, regional and local organizations.
A. From the Council
Decision: MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
B. From the Mayor
Decision: MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
ADJOURNMENT