 This Monday, we honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a leader who challenged our nation to pursue justice, dignity, and equality, and who reminded us that lasting change comes through service to one another.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not only a day of remembrance, but also a National Day of Service. It's a chance to turn reflection into action. In Auburn, one meaningful way to honor Dr. King’s legacy is by helping strengthen our community’s resilience and preparedness.
CERT volunteers during a drill
Our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) plays a critical role in supporting neighbors before, during, and after emergencies. From disaster preparedness training and safety demonstrations to supporting our Emergency Operations Center when it’s activated, these volunteers embody the spirit of service Dr. King spoke so passionately about.
Service can also start at home. Taking time to build or update an emergency kit, make a household emergency plan, or help a neighbor prepare for winter weather are simple but powerful ways to care for one another -- especially knowing that during a major disaster, help may not reach everyone right away.
If you’re interested in volunteering with CERT or emergency communications, or if you’d like resources to help you and your family get prepared, I encourage you to learn more on the city's website.
2025 Clean Sweep volunteers
We also have volunteer opportunities across the city, whether it's serving on one of our many boards of commissions or helping clean up the city during Clean Sweep in April. Registration is open, and we'll take all the help we can get!
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy not just with words, but with action: by serving our neighbors and continuing to build a stronger, more prepared Auburn.
 As many Auburn residents continue cleaning up after recent flooding, I want to be sure you’re aware of an important King County service that may help ease that work.
King County Solid Waste is extending its free weekend drop-off for flood-related debris at select recycling and transfer stations through Sunday, Feb. 8. This includes yard waste and garbage brought in by individual customers at no cost.
📅 Weekends only, through Feb. 8, 2026
⏰ Station hours vary by location
📍 Bow Lake (Tukwila), Shoreline, and Enumclaw stations
Please note that this free disposal option is only for self-haul customers; third-party haulers are not included and must pay standard fees.
King County also provides detailed guidance on accepted materials, hazardous waste handling, and current wait times at each station. I encourage you to review that information before you go.
Learn more and plan your visit on the county's wolid waste website.
Recovery takes time, and I’m grateful to King County for extending this resource to support residents as they continue cleanup efforts!
 Please join me for the 2026 State of the City address -- an evening to reflect on the year behind us and look ahead to the priorities, partnerships and investments shaping Auburn’s future.
The State of the City is an important opportunity to hear from us directly about where we’re headed, celebrate community progress, and stay engaged in the decisions that impact each and every one of us!
Wednesday, Feb. 25
📍 Muckleshoot Casino Events Center | 2402 Auburn Way S.
5:30 p.m. – Doors open & reception
Enjoy refreshments and connect with neighbors, community leaders, and City staff.
6 p.m. – Mayor’s Address
🎟️ Free to attend (plus-ones encouraged!)
Please reserve your seat by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. Additional details, including parking, are available in the RSVP link.
 Next week, several of our councilmembers, members of our City leadership team, and I will be heading to Lacey for the Association of Washington Cities City Action Days, one of the most important gatherings for cities during the state legislative session.
City Action Days gives Auburn a seat at the table as decisions are being shaped in Olympia. Over two days, we’ll hear directly from state leaders, take part in discussions on key legislative issues affecting cities, and meet one-on-one with legislators to advocate for Auburn’s priorities. Everything from infrastructure and public safety to housing and local decision-making.
This annual conference is an important opportunity to make sure Auburn’s voice is heard, to strengthen relationships with our state partners, and to stay engaged on issues that directly impact our community. I’m proud of the time our team dedicates to this work and grateful for their continued commitment to representing Auburn at the state level.
I’ll look forward to sharing more about what we learn and how it benefits Auburn in the weeks ahead!
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
As we firmly enter 2026, the City of Auburn is focused on advancing legislative priorities that support a safe, resilient, and thriving community. Many of the challenges cities face today are deeply interconnected -- public safety, housing affordability, infrastructure needs, and workforce pressures, to name a few. Auburn is committed to working collaboratively with state legislators and regional partners to pursue solutions that recognize those connections and deliver real results for our community.
At a high level, Auburn’s 2026 legislative priorities include:
-
Public Safety: Supporting effective, community-centered policing, addressing staffing and wellness challenges, improving responses to substance use, and ensuring cities have the tools and funding needed to keep communities safe.
-
Transportation & Infrastructure: Protecting and strengthening state funding sources that help cities maintain roads, utilities, and critical infrastructure that support growth, commerce, and quality of life.
-
Housing & Social Services: Expanding resources to address homelessness, mental health needs, and affordable housing—particularly through regional partnerships and supportive housing solutions.
-
Workforce & Fiscal Stability: Advocating for policies that recognize the realities of municipal operations, protect essential services, and help cities manage rising costs and unfunded mandates.
These priorities guide Auburn’s advocacy in Olympia and reflect our commitment to long-term, sustainable solutions that benefit residents today and into the future.
You can learn more about our legislative priorities on the City of Auburn's website, which will be updated periodically as the Legislature works through the session.
 I’m always grateful when our community takes the time to help shape Auburn’s future, and this is a great opportunity to do just that. We’re hosting an open house on proposed updates to our Citywide Design Standards, and I invite you to stop by, ask questions, and share your thoughts with our team.
These standards help guide how new buildings and major projects look and function across Auburn, and your feedback matters as we work to ensure growth that reflects our community’s values.
📅 Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026
⏰ 4 – 6 p.m.
📍 Auburn Resource Center | 2824 Auburn Way N
City staff will be on hand to walk through the proposed updates, answer questions, and gather public input. If you can’t attend in person, written comments are also welcome.
📧 planning@auburnwa.gov
📬 City of Auburn – Community Development
Attn: Dinah Reed, Senior Planner
25 W Main St., Auburn, WA 98001
Please include “Citywide Design Standards Update” in the subject line of your email or correspondence.
I hope you’ll join us -- whether in person or in writing! -- and help us continue building an Auburn that works for everyone.
New general speed enforcement cameras are live in Auburn
 Keeping our community safe, especially our children and pedestrians, is always a top priority for me! That’s why the City of Auburn is introducing new general speed enforcement cameras, building on the success of our school zone cameras.
Speeding continues to be a concern across Auburn. A recent study found that up to 45% of drivers were traveling 26 mph or faster in active 20 mph school zones, and higher speeds significantly increase the risk of serious or fatal injuries in a crash. With limited traffic officers available, automated enforcement helps encourage safer driving around the clock.
 When a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit in an active school or general speed zone, a camera captures images and a short video of the infraction. Each case is reviewed by an Auburn Police officer before a notice is mailed.
General Speed Enforcement Locations
Warning period began January 12, 2026. Infractions begin February 11, 2026.
📍 Auburn Way South (SR 164), eastbound, between R Street SE Bridge and Muckleshoot Plaza
📍 15th Street NW, eastbound, between M Street NW and Ron Crockett Drive
📍 A Street SE, southbound, between 17th Street SE and 21st Street SE
These cameras are about prevention, not punishment. They help keep Auburn’s streets safer for everyone!
|
