Summary

City approves purchase of Soos Creek Botanical Garden

AuburnMay 18, 20262 min read

At a glance

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Council unanimously approved funding and purchase agreements to acquire the Soos Creek Botanical Garden, adopted an operating agreement with the Garden Foundation, approved a lease termination with Classic Helicopter Corp, passed routine claims and payroll, and requested a study session to consider an independent audit of the city's Flock ALPR system.

Committees mentioned

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City Council

Topics discussed

TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEnvironmental

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What this means

The city agreed to accept King County funds and finalize purchase agreements so the Soos Creek Botanical Garden property will become city-owned while the Soos Creek Botanical Garden Foundation will continue to operate and maintain the site under an operating agreement. Council also approved ending a lease with Classic Helicopter Corp and signed off on routine bills and payroll. Additionally, the council asked the mayor to arrange a study session to consider hiring an independent firm to audit how the city uses the Flock ALPR (automatic license plate reader) system to ensure it follows applicable law and transparency expectations.

Key decisions

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Authorized acceptance of $2,121,000 from King County to purchase Soos Creek Botanical Garden (Resolution No. 5897) — adopted 7-0.
Authorized Purchase and Sale Agreement with Maurice Skagen for Soos Creek Botanical Garden (Resolution No. 5900) — adopted 7-0.
Authorized Operating Agreement with the Soos Creek Botanical Garden Foundation for continued operations and maintenance (Resolution No. 5901) — adopted 7-0.
Authorized Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Soos Creek Botanical Garden Foundation for acquisition of garden property (Resolution No. 5908) — adopted 7-0.
Authorized Lease Termination and Surrender Agreement with Classic Helicopter Corp (Resolution No. 5907) — adopted 7-0.
Requested the Mayor coordinate a future Study Session to consider contracting a qualified, independent third-party firm to audit the City's use of the Flock ALPR system — motion adopted 7-0.
Approved consent agenda including prior minutes, claims and payroll vouchers, and set a public hearing date for a Lake Meridian Water District franchise — approved 7-0.

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Meeting information

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05-18-2026 City Council Meeting

May 18, 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
A. National Public Works Week
Decision: ANNOUNCEMENTS, MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS, AND PRESENTATIONS
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 27, 2026, Study Session Meeting
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
B. Minutes from the May 4, 2026, City Council Meeting
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
C. Setting the date for a Public Hearing for Lake Meridian Water District Franchise
reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
D. Claims Voucher (Thomas) Claims voucher dated April 23, 2026, which includes voucher number 483525 in the amount of $511,931.95
reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
E. Claims Vouchers (Thomas) Claims voucher list dated May 6, 2026, which includes voucher numbers 483526 through voucher 483665, in the amount of $5,380,938.04, twenty-three electronic fund transfers in the amount of $5,608.09, and five wire transfers in the amount of $1,141,862.68
reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
F. Payroll Vouchers (Thomas) Payroll check numbers 539821 through 539828 in the amount of $87,967.59, electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of $3,079,051.26, a special payroll for a time card correction, electronic deposit transmission in the amount of $2,427.36, for a grand total of $3,169,446.21 for the period covering April 30, 2026, to May 13, 2026
reports=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution No. 5897 (Whalen/Krueger) A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an updated Interlocal Agreement with King County to accept funds in the amount of $2,121,000 to purchase the Soos Creek Botanical Garden Property
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
B. Resolution No. 5900 (Whalen/Krueger) A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City, a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Maurice Skagen for real property commonly known as the Soos Creek Botanical Garden and Heritage Center
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
C. Resolution No. 5901 (Whalen/Krueger) A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City, an Operating Agreement for Services with the Soos Creek Botanical Garden Foundation for continued operations, improvement and maintenance of the Soos Creek Botanical Garden and Heritage Center
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
D. Resolution No. 5908 (Whalen/Krueger) A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City, a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Soos Creek Botanical Garden Foundation for the acquisition of real property used for the Soos Creek Botanical Garden and Heritage Center
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
E. Resolution No. 5907 (Whalen) A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City, a Lease Termination and Surrender Agreement with Classic Helicopter Corp
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
ADJOURNMENT