Update from Mayor Nancy Backus

City of Auburn sent this bulletin at 01/01/2021 12:05 AM PST

Mayor's Update header with Mayor wearing mask

nbackus@auburnwa.gov (253) 931-3041 view online version at facebook.com/mayorbackus

January 1, 2021

Happy New Year!

Mask with Goodbye 2020 Hello 2021 writing

Happy New Year, Auburn! As we move into 2021, I wanted to take a moment to recognize the amazing work that City of Auburn staff have accomplished during these crazy past 12 months.

This year, we had Kent Hay join our team as the City’s Outreach Program Administrator in April and he has already made hundreds of contacts in our homeless community, tracked and assisted 102 and successful housed 12 people.

I was also proud to present 20 community proclamations, the most memorable being raising the Pride Flag with my daughter at City Hall for the first time in Auburn’s history!

Here's a closer look just a few of the many things that each department has accomplished!

Administration

The start of construction on two major downtown projects following over 7 years of working with the developers.
Processed over 450 small business assistance grants with a value of $650,000 to date.
Obtained $65,000 in grant funding from Port of Seattle.
Finalized the long-term lease for the Auburn Resource Center.
Negotiated the purchase of property for Public Works to be used for future right of way and pump station.
Facilitated the purchase of the theater in conjunction with the Parks Department.
Facilitated emergency response for major winter storm and flooding on White and Green Rivers and COVID-19 pandemic.
Activated Emergency Operations Center for several weather events, COVID-19, social justice demonstrations, and veterans processional.
Assisted with establishment of COVID testing site at GSA and senior living facilities with COVID plans and response.
Distributed over 24,000 masks and increased stockpile for future pandemic waves.
Assisted with CARES Act funding

Community Development

Overhauled City Codes and Policies for Floodplains, Building, and Airport.
Delivered virtual Civics Academy, Hearing Examiner, and Planning Commission.
Completed our transition to 100% electronic permitting and joined MyBuildingPermit.com.
Continued to manage all 53 contracts with non-profit agencies and made $1.8 million dollars available for agencies supporting our community.
Completed 40 housing repair projects, 25 signal box art wraps, and the F Street mural under Hwy 18.
Issued 2,481 permits, completed 1,882 building inspections, and opened 803 new code enforcement cases and closed 790 cases.
Saw the commencement of the Legacy Plaza project Copper Gate, Bridge Point Warehouse, New Auburn Elementary School on Lea Hill, and replacement of Pioneer Elementary School.

Finance

Streamlining the Payroll Process
Adopting a balanced budget
Two bond refinances and reaffirmed S&P AA bond rating

Human Resources

Inclusive Auburn: Council training, organizational assessment, keynote for all staff, hiring of DEI program manager.
Ongoing implementation of Auburn/King County District Court Community Court and Community Resource Center.
Researching and implementing COVID procedures and process: federal leave, telecommuting policies, safety protocols, furloughs, Shared Work, return to work procedures.
Negotiated ILA for King County District Court.
Processed 3,538 applications.
116 new hires, rehires and promotions.
One of two finalists for YesVets annual award with 26% of new hires as vets, 89% retention of vets and 13% of overall workforce as vets.

Innovation and Technology

Implemented virtual council meetings.
Stood up cloud-based desktops and email.
Launched new employee portal.
Stood-up and connected new off-site data center.
Implemented always-on virtual private networks.
Rolling out two-factor authentication.
Moving storage systems to provide employee flexibility and better disaster recovery.

“What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened yet.”

—Anne Frank

Legal

Received & responded to ~3,800 public records requests
Transitioned all public meetings to virtual
Completed phase 1 of electronic signature routing
Kept court operations running with COVID-19 restrictions.
Transitioned to new state-of-the-art case management system
Joined with cities of Kent, Renton, Federal Way & King County Sheriff’s Office to appeal Dow Constantine’s Executive Order on inquests. City prevailed and Court found changes to the inquest process were biased against law enforcement and both procedurally and substantively unfair. This matter is currently pending review by the Washington State Supreme Court.

Parks, Arts & Recreation

Completed ball field lighting project at Game Farm 4.
Partnered with Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group for habitat improvement along the Green River at Issac Evans, Fenster & Dykstra.
Veterans Monument repaired and repainted.
Addition of four new pickle ball courts.
Completion of Lewis Lake Park with help of local service clubs including new foot bridge and planting 65 trees and shrubs.
Golf Course: Now home to 750 Club members – one of largest in Washington.
Golf Course: Applied 1,000 tons of sand applied, 4th year of program, allowing playability year-round
White River Valley Museum: Created #SquadGoals online exhibit about suffragettes.
White River Valley Museum: Created virtual fieldtrip videos for students for museum and farm.
White River Valley Museum: Started Memory Box 2020 initiative and spotlighted Auburn history with eight new articles on historylink.org.
Used Masterpiece on local art to motivate residents to mask up.
Welcomed first artist in residence to Mary Olsen Farm.
Transitioned Farmers Market setup to meet COVID safety guidelines.
Created virtual recreation opportunities and promoted through email, social & website
Hosted nearly 400 kids at camp.
Held week-long Salute to Veterans celebration in lieu of annual parade.
Moved to virtual Dog Trot model to allow participation from home.
Organized Jolly Holiday Lane in lieu of Santa Parade.
Senior Center: Began weekly newsletter and other virtual events like virtual games and Mindful Monday videos to engage with seniors and reduce isolation
Senior Center: Converted to daily lunch delivery and pick up for folks to receive nutritious meals. Delivered food to more than 300 residents during lock down
Auburn Avenue Theater: Held Hunker Down from Home Talent Competition for residents to compete in and virtual tribute band competition.

Police

Maintained operations through Covid, responded to 67,937 calls for service and made 4,510 traffic stops.
Handled two protests, one with over 1,000 citizens in attendance without a single arrest, injury, or damage to any property.
Reaccredited through Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
Established new Police Advisory Committee and recruited community members to create varied and diverse group.
Welcomed two new mascots to Auburn and launched community contest to name them.
Hired 10 commissioned officers.
Named as one of 25 agencies in the U.S. and Canada to receive ABLE train-the-trainer course.

Public Works:

Completed the transition to electronic processes for Engineering Plans, Contractor Payments, Contracts/Agreements, & ROW Use Permits.
Overhauled the City Code and Policies and Processes on Franchises.
Adopted an ADA Transition Plan.
Updated the Trans./Airport Comprehensive Plan and overhauled the Transportation Improvement Plan.
Awarded nearly $4M in Grants for Road Preservation and Safety.
Executed an MOU with MIT for Improvements Along SR164/AWS.
Completed the Airport Runway Extension by 441LF and replaced the Airport Gate/Card Reader System.
Managed 23 Construction Projects valued at $32M including: 23 Lane Miles of Roads, 12,500LF of Water, 8,600LF of Storm, 450LF of Sewer, 6,500LF of sidewalks, conversion of streetlights to LED.
M&O Staff, under COVID Operation Restrictions and reduced resources, Completed Over 24,000 Tasks so far, including:

•Inspected 5,949 catch basins & re-established 15 ponds

•Cleaned 98,120 feet (18.6 Miles) of sewer line

•Serviced 438 total vehicles

•Flushed 96,594ft (18.3 miles) of water main

•Installed 28 water sampling stations

•Swept 8,441 lane miles of streets.

•Applied 7,199 gallons of herbicides for weeds
•Completed over 731 sign repairs & 608 streetlight repairs
•Paved over 157 tons of asphalt