April 28, 2012

Event

Shred Clean

Like any year, spring means the return of flowers, birds and construction proj-ects. Here is an overview of what is coming in 2012.

SALMON CREEK CULVERTS

The City will be replac-ing two existing culverts in Salmon Creek, alleviating flooding and also improving habitat for wildlife such as the namesake salmon. The construction equipment will gain access at the end of Parker Road.

POOLE ROADThe City has detected wa-

ter quality issues in Salmon Creek, likely because of failing septic systems in this area. To address this, the City will be replacing the existing stormwater and water pipes as well as

Issue 70 City of Sumner Newsletter Spring 2012

Event

Shred CleanApril 28, 2012

Celebrate spring, Earth Day, and the fact that your taxes are done. Get rid of the following items all in one place:

Sensitive documents for immediate shredding

Left-over prescriptions to Sumner Police

Light bulbs & batteries to McLendon Hardware

Old cell phones to YWCA for violence victims

Clothes, household items and electronics to Goodwill

&&

installing a new sewer line to serve those houses along Poole Road, south of Salm-on Creek. This project will also include road improve-ments and street restoration.

PUYALLUP STREETRetrofits need to be made

to the stormwater system along Puyallup Street. The City will be installing small stormwater treatment units throughout the basin and re-place some roadway. These systems are built into the curb, gutter and sidewalk, so the crews will do all they can to minimize the impact to traffic along Puyallup Street west of the railroad tracks and toward Fryar Av-enue. There may be some impacts as well to Tacoma Avenue and 45th Avenue.

Bridge Loses Some WeightIn 1927, the first cars crossed the Bridge Street Bridge.

At that time, a picture of Herbert Hoover was transmitted in the dawning of what would become television. Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis, and carving began at Mt. Rushmore.

A lot has changed since then, including the bridge’s abil-ity to safely transport large, heavy trucks and buses. The bridge is now closed to any vehicles weighing over 12 tons.

The bridge remains open and safe to pedestrians, pas-senger cars, smaller commercial trucks and SUVs. By removing the strain of heavier trucks and buses, the bridge can remain a connection for smaller vehicles until it can be replaced. This change came after both Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Jacobs Engineering Group, a consultant hired by Sumner, recom-mended lowering the weight limit on the bridge.

The City has worked with the businesses in the area as well as regional companies to use alternate routes. East Pierce Fire & Rescue can dispatch to both sides of the bridge from the Sumner or Edgewood stations, and the Sumner School District has already rerouted its buses.

Just like TV has developed beyond a fuzzy picture of Herbert Hoover, and planes no longer look like the Spirit of St. Louis, today’s cars and trucks demand a wider bridge. Refurbishment of this bridge would come at a steep cost to Sumner since there are no grants for refurbishment, and the bridge’s limited capacity would still remain a problem.

For those reasons, the City of Sumner will seek funding for a replacement bridge, including money to pay for ar-chitectural echoes of the current bridge. State and regional transportation dollars are tight, but the City will do all it can to secure funding for a replacement. In the meantime, the current bridge is on a strict diet of only vehicles weigh-ing 12 tons or less.

COmmUnITyCOnnECTIOn

Report to taxpayers enclosed

The bridge can hold people and cars, but not large trucks.

Sumner Remembers Veterans

Please join us in remembering and honoring our veterans. The Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Sumner City

Cemetery on Monday, May 28, at 10 am. Please join us in placing flags on all veterans’ graves on Thursday, May 24.

Old Red Apple Parking Lot

Corner of Maple & Alder

www.ci.sumner.wa.us

10 am - 2 pm

Warm Weather Brings New Projects to Sumner

East Valley Resurfacing

Trail

Trail

Puyallup Street

Salmon Creek

continued on page 3

Poole Road

Parker RdSidewalks

City of Sumner1104 Maple Street,

Sumner, WA 98390253-863-8300

253-863-2850 FAX

Mayor ColumnSumner Community Connection2 Spring 2012

When did you last think about the people who keep you safe? If you’re like me, it was too long ago. I recently rode along with a Sumner police officer. It was an eye-opening experience, not because anything exciting happened, but just the opposite. Every day and night, our police officers are patrolling and following up on calls big and small so that we usually don’t need them.

Our police chief says that crime doesn’t restrict our living as much as the fear of crime. Because of this, our police build relationships rather than just respond to calls. They hold a citizen’s academy (which is full this

Council Column

year) and attend block watch parties. They hold staff meetings at coffee shops, stand at intersections during parades and stroll main Street during wine walks. Our School Resource Officer works with students and an officer stops into downtown businesses at least once a week.

This kind of service both prevents crime and helps Sumner thrive. Architecture and parks are great, but first, people must feel safe to make this a wonderful place to live, work and play.

In addition to police watching our local streets, we also have the military providing safety on an international level. Less

Mayor Enslow joined Sumner and Puyallup business leaders for a tour of JBLM.

than 1% of our population serves in the military, the lowest percentage in American history. On one hand, this is great news, but on the other, we could easily lose the kind of home-front support that we had 60 years ago. Sumner is partnering more with Joint Base Lewis-McChord to better support our military families. And, there’s the memorial Day ceremony to add our thanks to those veterans who have passed away.

Whether military or police, past or present, let’s thank those who are keeping us safe. After all, they are doing hero’s work.

Councilmember Steve Allsop sallsop@ci.sumner.wa.us

MAYORDave Enslow 299-5790

CITY COUNCIL

Steve Allsop 299-5793Curt Brown 299-5796Nancy Dumas 299-5794Cindi Hochstatter 299-5795Randy Hynek 299-5792Ed Hannus 299-5791Mike LeMaster 299-5797

CITY OFFICES

Administration 299-5500Cemetery 299-5510Finance/utilities 863-8300Golf course 863-8198Inspection line 299-5530Recreation 891-6500Permit Center 299-5530Police (non-emergency) 863-6384Senior Center 863-2910

MUNICIPAL COURTTimothy A. Jenkins 863-7635Judge, Court Offices Cathy Pashon, 299-5621Court Administrator

CITY STAFF Diane Supler 299-5502City Administrator Terri Berry 299-5500City Clerk John Galle 299-5644Police Chief Carmen Palmer 299-5503Communications Director Bill Pugh 299-5701Public Works Director Paul Rogerson 299-5521Community Development Dir. Brett Vinson 299-5610City Attorney Beth Anne Wroe 299-5541Financial Operations Dir. Steve Zamberlin 299-5591Human Resources Manager

EAST PIERCE FIRE & RESCUEMain Number 863-1800Jerry Thorson, Fire Chief

Would you like to receive all public notices about land use issues in Sumner by email? Send your address to sallya@ci.sumner.wa.us to add your email to the list!

Herald Becomes Official PaperRecently, I had the op-

portunity to participate in a Leadership Conference and share my thoughts regarding “Ethical Decision making in Politics.” WOW – talk about the classic oxymoron!

I have been confused in the past when some have said to me that “Ethics doesn’t matter. It’s the issues that matter. Stick to the issues.” I thought, “What?? How can you possibly make sound deci-sions absent sound ethics?” While preparing for the Conference though, it hit me: ethics are subjective. my “sound ethic” may not be yours, and we could both properly defend our posi-tion. One example: is it ethical for the City of Sum-ner to withdraw from Pierce Transit’s service area? Some will be left without transportation. However, the severely curtailed ser-vice is arguably a poor use of public funds. Both posi-tions are defensible from a “sound” ethical perspective.

In my confusion, I had missed the point that integ-

rity is the non-negotiable. Integrity is not what you do; it’s who you are. What you do flows from who you are. People without integrity will always act in their own self-interest, which could easily be at odds with the interests of those they serve. People with integrity will always seek to do the “right” thing, within their ethical perspec-tive.

Here in Sumner, I have found that our City Staff operates from a place of high integrity. I have never in my ten years on Council been put in a position of having to question a staff-member’s integrity. Dis-agreed? Sure. But this staff has earned my trust.

you can trust them, too. Do you have a concern you need addressed? Give a call, describe the help you need, and you will be con-nected to a knowledgeable staff member whom you can trust.

We are lucky to have them.

Like every city, Sumner must declare an official paper in which its notices and announcements will be made. After soliciting price quotes from local papers, the City found that The Herald had the cheapest rate at $21.55 per 100 words, as opposed to The News Tribune, Sumner’s former official paper, which charged $91.55 per 100 words. By switching papers, the City (and you) will save several thousand dollars each year. The Herald is available every Wednesday inside The News Tribune.

Call It “Puppy Like”

Gray weather got you down? Brighten your day with a dog or cat. Even if you can’t adopt a pet right now, you can see our dogs and cats as they wait for their Forever Families. Either visit us online at www.metroanimalservices.org or on Facebook (link also provided on the metro website). you can “like” us and see the newest dogs and cats on your Facebook newsfeed each week.

www.metroanimalservices.org

Photo by Beverly White

NOTICEOF

CITY OF SUMNERPUBLIC HEARING

Photo from Puyallup/Sum

ner Cham

ber of Com

merce

Adopted Ordinance No. 238I amending the Compensation Schedule Authorized Pease and Sons, Inc. to build the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Effluent Pump Station Digester Mix Pump ModificationsReappointed Dr. Pat Duffy to Civil Service Commission Adopted Resolution No. 1343 designating The Herald as the City’s official newspaperConfirmed Lisa McNamara to the Sumner Arts CommissionElected Councilmember Allsop as deputy mayor for 2012Adopted Ordinance 2382 amending SMC10.20 - Speed Authorized an interlocal agreement with City of Enumclaw for jail servicesAuthorized an agreement with Puget Sound Collections

Authorized a professional services agreement with KPG for design of Poole RoadAccepted WWTF Perimeter Wall projectApproved Resolution 1345, an interagency agreement with Wash. State Dept. of Ecology for Local Source Control Partnership GrantConfirmed 2012 Lodging Tax funding recommendations for City of Sumner, Sumner Downtown Association, Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Commission and Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitors BureauAdopted Ordinance 2384 amending SMC 18.12.030 Accessory Uses and 18.18.020 Principal and Conditional UsesAdopted Ordinance 2385 amending 2012 Compensation Schedule

City Council Action Jan-Feb 2012

Sumner Community Connection 3Spring 2012

Could this sight ride into the sunset? Possibly, if Pierce Transit keeps cutting Sumner service.

our future with Pierce Transit?

Due to financial challenges, Pierce Transit is greatly cutting back on service. They already cut the 408 circulator in Sumner and are cutting

the 496 route between the Sumner Station and Bonney Lake’s Park &

Ride in June. The question is this: does Sum-ner stay within the Pierce Transit district? Pierce Transit has made it clear that the Bonney Lake connection service is getting cut whether Sumner

stays in or leaves. mayor Dave Enslow, Sumner’s representative to Pierce Transit, wants good transit service but isn’t sure Sumner should continue to

provide an estimated $1.9 million in sales tax revenue each year for little to no service in return.

If Sumner left Pierce Transit, Sumner’s sales tax rate would go down, but Sumner would lose access to the 409

route to Portland Avenue, four vanpools, and the shuttle service. Pierce Transit decides

this question on march 12. Sound Transit is a completely sepa-

rate organization, so none of these discus-

sions affect the Sounder service or the 578 bus from Sumner’s

Station to Seattle/Tacoma. drsumner@ci.sumner.wa.us

Sumner Visits the Panama Hotel

Pierce County READS comes “home” with Jamie Ford’s acclaimed historic novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The book tells a gripping account of the Japanese American in-ternment during World War II, through the eyes and voice of a child as he

matures through life. The Sumner Arts Commission is partnering with the Sumner library

to put a display of memorabilia downtown in the for-mer Salvation Army windows. There will also be a num-ber of events for readers and artists to further explore the book and the world it remembers. Events are at the Sumner Pierce County Library unless otherwise noted:

Sumi Painting on March 10 at 2 pmBook Discussion on March 15 at 7 pmMake a Treasure Box on March 28 at 6 pm

Author Jamie Ford on April 13 at Pierce College Puyallup at noon and at Clover Park Technical College at 7 pm

www.piercecountylibrary.org

Confirmed Tom Rieger and Michael Fernandez to the Design CommissionAdopted Ordinance 2386 amending SMC section 13.10.010 and 13.12.070 related to disposal ratesAdopted Resolution 1346 establishing the annual CPI-U Index rate increase for solid waste collection and recycling and yard wasteAdopted Ordinance 2387 establishing an RPZ 3 designation on a specific segment of Alder Ave.Adopted Ordinance 2388 renewing interim development regulations related to off-street parkingAmended the professional services contract with Robinson-Noble for hydrogeologic servicesAuthorized interlocal agreement for participating in

ASK DR. SUMNER: What is

the Tacoma Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task ForceAuthorized contract with Otto Rosenau & Assoc. for special inspections for the White River Trail extensionAuthorized purchase of a trailer mounted sewage pump from APSCO, Inc.Authorized an amendment to the Puyallup Street Outfall Retrofit design contract with ParametrixAuthorized an amendment to the Sumner Reservoir Tank Anchoring Design contract with BHC ConsultantsAdopted Ordinance 2369 amending SMC18.56.070(C) increasing radius for public notice in the M-1 zoneAuthorized an amendment to the Jacobs Engineering Group contract for Bridge Street Bridge evaluation

TRAILSTwo more sections of

Sumner’s main trail system will be completed. The first will start at Stewart Road, run alongside the golf course and cross the White River. This section will connect with the Lakeland Hills trail on the north and the existing Sumner trail along the White River on the south. The second sec-tion will extend from Bridge Street to the existing trail at the end of State Street. Both sections are funded, in part, by grants from the State’s Recreation & Conservation Office. Together, these two sections get Sumner much closer to having a complete trail from the Interurban on the north to the Foot-hills Trail on the south. Construction should cause minimal impact.

EAST VALLEY HIGHWAYThe East Valley Highway

will be resurfaced from the

Is Sumner Ready for a Travel Plaza?Discussions will likely begin this year about whether or

not Sumner should allow truck related uses around the 24th Street Interchange. Truck uses can include amenities that range from overnight parking for large semi-trucks to din-ing to other retail uses that cater, at least in part, to truckers. Sumner has had an “interim development regulation”on such uses so that it could study options around the country. The study is nearly done, and discussions will begin with Sumner’s Planning Commission and eventually go to the City Council. To see this and all topics before the Planning Commission and City Council, look for meeting agendas online at http://www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Calendar.htm.

Auburn city line to Forest Canyon Road. This project is funded by a grant from the Federal Highway Ad-ministration Surface Trans-portation Program.

PARKER ROAD SIDEWALKS

The City will be filling in many of the missing side-walks along Parker Road. This project not only bene-fits residents in that area but also provides an important connection between senior facilities, schools and parks. This project is funded by an Urban Sidewalk Program grant from the Transporta-tion Improvement Board.

Each project will include further communication with the homes and businesses most affected by them. In addition, anyone can keep up to date on the projects on the City website at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

PROJECTS cont. from page 1

INSIDE:

Bridge Loses Weight

Shred & Clean Returns

Future of Pierce Transit?

Remembering Veterans

New Official Newspaper

Ready for Travel Plazas?

Call It Puppy “Like”

City of Sumner1104 Maple StreetSumner, WA 98390

ECRWSS

Postal Customer

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

SUMNER, WAPERMIT NO. 1

Sumner City Council

Sumner Community Connection4

“If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.” ~ George S. Patton (1885 - 1945)

SAFETY SALLY SAYS:

City Hall Calendar

MARCH19 Council Meeting, 7 pm22 Public Safety Comm., 4:30 pm22 Arts Commission, 5 pm26 Study Session, 6 pm27 Finance Committee, 5 pm29 Planning Commission, 7 pm

APRIL2 Council Meeting, 7 pm5 Planning Comm., 7 pm 9 Study Session, 6 pm10 Parks Commission, 6 pm11 CD/Parks Comm., 4:30 pm12 Forestry Commission, 4 pm12 Design Comm., 6:30 pm16 Council Meeting, 7 pm17 Public Works Committee, 5 pm19 Safety Committee, 4:30 pm23 Study Session, 6 pm24 Finance Committee, 5 pm26 Arts Commission, 5 pm

MAY3 Planning Comm., 7 pm7 Council Meeting, 7 pm8 Parks Commission, 6 pm9 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm10 Forestry Comm., 4 pm10 Design Comm., 6:30 pm14 Study Session, 6 pm15 Public Works Committee, 5 pm17 Safety Committee, 4:30 pm21 Council Meeting, 7 pm22 Finance Committee, 5 pm24 Arts Commission, 5 pm28 City Offices Closed29 Study Session, 6 pm

JUNE4 Council Meeting, 7 pm7 Planning Comm., 7 pm 11 Study Session, 6 pm12 Parks Commission, 6 pm13 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm14 Forestry Commission, 4 pm14 Design Commission, 6:30 pm18 Council Meeting, 7 pm19 Public Works Committee, 5 pm21 Safety Committee, 4:30 pm

Community Events

MARCH15 Community Summit: The Heart of the Matter! 3-8:15 pm, free,

Calvary Community Church15 Book Discussion, 7 pm, see page 317-4/1 Narnia the Musical, ManeStage Theatre Co., PAC19-23 Spring Clean-Up, DM Disposal collects extra trash, yard

waste or an appliance, see mail for details28 Treasure Box Craft, 6 pm, see page 331 History Walk, 11 am, Sumner Downtown Association

APRIL2 Monthly Test of the Lahar Siren, noon2 Job & Resource Fair, 6-7:30 pm, Daffodil Valley Elementary

School Gym13 Pierce Co. READS meet Author Jamie Ford, see pg 3 14 Daffodil Festival Floral Parade, 2:30 pm, Downtown 28 Shred & Clean, 10 am - 2 pm, see page 128 History Walk, 11 am, Sumner Downtown Association

MAY7 Monthly test of the lahar siren, noon12-20 You Can’t Take It with You, ManeStage Theatre Company,

Performing Arts Center (PAC)26 History Walk, 11 am, Sumner Downtown Association

JUNE4 Monthly test of the lahar siren, noon16 Merchant Sidewalk Sale, 10 am-5 pm, Downtown

Smart gardening helps keep our water clean

Steve Allsop Curt Brown Cindi Hochstatter Mike LeMasterEd Hannus Randy HynekNancy Dumas

We all value clean, safe water to drink. Each year, you receive a water quality

report in your utility bill that provides details about Sumner’s water. Reports are also available in City Hall and the City’s website. There are also things you can do to help

keep our water clean. One way is to make sure you fertilize as little as possible. If you

overfertilize, chemicals run out of your yard and right into our water system. Download a handy fertilizer calendar from the City website or pick one up at garden stores here in Sumner.

Download a fertilizer calendar at http://www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Living/Environ.htm.

2nd AnnualRhubarb Days

July 13-14, 2012 It’s the return of your favorite hometown festival with Aprons as Art, Rhubarb Games and more!

Mark your calendar for two great opportu-nities to celebrate rhubarb this summer!

www.rhubarbpiecapital.com

Get more Sumner news on PCTV, channel 22, and by signing up for e-news at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

August 3-4, 2012