Jennifer Boenig

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key agenda items included updates on the Auburn High School construction progress, presented via time-lapse videos, noting the completion of heavy steel erection and crane removal. The Student Representative provided an update on Project Graduation, detailing plans for post-graduation celebrations, fundraising efforts toward a $10,000 goal to support current and future seniors, and the associated activities planned. The Superintendent provided an update on the Auburn Middle School Principal search process, outlining timelines for interviews and site visits leading to a potential hire. The committee also discussed the nomination process for an alternate representative on the Ethics Panel. Furthermore, the committee addressed the approval of fund reserve accounts for maintenance and technology, noting the City Council's request for governing policy letters for both funds. Finally, several policies underwent first readings, including operating procedures, legal services, committee meetings, executive session procedures (with one policy being subsequently deleted and a new one introduced), and policy on the administration of medication to students.

The meeting agenda included reviewing and approving the January minutes. Key discussions involved public works in progress, specifically a base study, and potential public presentations concerning resource identification and mapping, coordinating with zoning information obtained from Rosemary. A significant portion of the discussion focused on communications strategy, managing content dissemination, and developing proactive communication plans, including coordinating with the communications workgroup. Further updates covered the sending of a second letter of concern to the City Council and Mayor's office regarding conservation matters, and discussions on trail signage standards, including best management practices for placement, material, and protection of trees. Other topics included managing invasive species like the brown tail moth and addressing vacancies within parks committees.

The session commenced with the Auburn City Council workshop, focusing on the introduction of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Discussions centered on the budget reflecting policy choices, the two-part presentation structure (current services vs. proposed expansions), and the process for council review of line items versus overall programs and services. A significant portion of the discussion involved setting a target tax levy benchmark for the council to guide the budget process, considering the anticipated increase in debt service from the public safety building project. The schedule for subsequent budget workshops and town halls in March and early April was detailed, along with the statutory deadline for budget adoption by June 30th. Council members debated the feasibility of achieving specific tax levy increase targets (e.g., 4% or 5%) given projected cost increases for maintaining current services. The process for calculating the final property tax mill rate was explained as being dependent on post-adoption assessment data.

The meeting involved administrative matters, including elevating associate members to voting status due to an absence. Key discussions focused on a public hearing regarding a Text Amendment requested by the City Council to eliminate the income standard in areas outside the Lake Auburn Watershed overlay. Staff presented their recommendation, consistent with the March 28th meeting, advising against approving the proposed changes without a replacement standard maintaining a connection between housing and agricultural/natural resource uses. The board reviewed the comprehensive plan's guidance on growth, which advocates for development outward from the core and discourages sprawl. Further consideration was given to alternative approaches, such as rezoning portions of the Agricultural Resource Protection Zone to residential designations while maintaining overall density standards, which would necessitate a comprehensive plan amendment. The discussion also touched upon the implications of state legislation (LD 2003) regarding housing regulations and noted that 65 existing lots under 10 acres in the AG Zone do not currently tie housing to agriculture.

The meeting focused on the comprehensive plan, specifically framing discussions to encourage participation from attendees. Key procedural items included conducting a roll call and approving the minutes from the previous meeting. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment, where a resident provided detailed feedback regarding bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, suggesting the conversion of the Auburn/Lewon Railroad right-of-way into a path and improved connectivity near high-trafficked roads. Committee reports detailed the progress made by subcommittees and city staff in reviewing and refining over 270 action items related to the comprehensive plan. Future steps include assimilating staff feedback and seeking input from specific content area committees, such as homelessness and parks and recreation, in January. The discussion then shifted to reviewing the future land use map, focusing on the high-density, high-growth areas (indicated in red) and discussing necessary boundary adjustments based on updated water and sewer infrastructure layers.